— 1 —

Okay, have you heard about the whole Texas thing? Today has been cray cray. People against the bill (which would ban abortions past 20 weeks, make abortion clinics meet the requirements of ambulatory surgical centers, and require abortionists to have admittance privileges at a nearby hospital) have had bricks, human excrement, and all sorts of feminine care products confiscated by the police (including some filled with glitter, huh?). They were apparently planning to throw the bricks on senators after the vote, and sprinkle the excrement too. The feminine care products have been spotted all around the building after being flung by abortion supporters. It’s quite an interesting way to try to get your message across, though I’m not sure what message they’re trying to send….”We’re poo-flingers” comes to mind along with “We’re such feminists we put glitter in our feminine care products”. It’s really hurting their image, not helping it.

To stay up to date on the shenanigans, check out SFLA, SBA List, and TX Alliance for Life on Twitter. And please be sure to keep all the people there in your prayers especially that they remain safe. If you can support them by sending food, that’s a fabulous idea as well (I saw someone who had Dominos deliver pizza).

— 2 —

On a happier note, it’s fabulous to work in a pregnancy center. I see clients coming in pretty much every day, and many of the moms bring their babies back to show us. It’s certainly not all brownies and roses – the other day an extremely loud and abusive male (who I won’t call a man) dragged his pregnant girlfriend out when he realized we wouldn’t perform an abortion. But then you have days when a mom miraculously turns around and chooses life. It’s so awesome. I’ve been learning a lot, and am looking forward to being able to counsel in the not-too-distant future. At BC, we go outside an abortion clinic often, and I am planning to start sidewalk counseling (outside what used to be Tiller’s clinic) as soon as I can.

— 3 —

I’m still reading “Rediscover Catholicism” and it’s such a good book! I feel like it’s a whole lot of wisdom packed in an itty bitty living space. It gives me such good ideas and encouragement for not only how to be a better Catholic, but why. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone wanting to know more about the faith.

— 4 —

This is a great article on why to cut out Facebook from your life. It’s definitely something that made me think more about how I use my time, even though I’m still on the book of faces.

— 5 —

I’ve been exploring money-saving stuff recently. Yesterday I washed my hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar (both mixed separately with water), and golly gee! It actually worked fine. Did you know baking soda is slippery-smooth like shampoo? Who knew! I’m going to give it a week or so to see what my verdict is, and no. I’m not a hippie.

— 6 —

What do you think about this Halloween costume? I think it’s awesome 🙂

— 7 —

And now, here is a simply fabulous quote from Mother Angelica. 

Have a happy weekend, ya’ll! For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —

Yesterday was Independence Day. Whoohoo. We all dressed in our patriotic best and sweated like some animal that’s grosser than a pig during our neighborhood’s first annual parade (seriously, there were drops going down my back).

We walked up and down our streets with around 75 people all decked out in red, white, blue, and sweat – lots of sweat. Someone carried a boombox with patriotic music playing, and people stood on their lawns to cheer. We had a low-key block party too, which was a first, and then nearly had heart attacks when people set off HUGE fireworks later in the night. It looked like lightning, and felt/sounded like an elephant had just dropped from the sky – and they set off plenty of car alarms. Yay for good ol’ American fun 🙂

— 2 —

Did you notice that for some reason, it’s not politically incorrect to use the word “God” on the 4th? Yesterday people played classics like “God Bless America” and stuff like that for the parade. We had the fireworks in D.C. on tv later, and Tom what’s-his-face ended it with “God Bless America”. Yay! Now my question is: why can’t every day be like that?

— 3 —

Did you know that Pope Francis has his first encyclical out today? In high school I read quite a few, and grew to really enjoy poring over them (even though it takes a long time). Our past Popes had quite a lot of wisdom, which is evident in these letters. I especially liked the one on freedom. This recent one (which was started by Pope Emeritus Benedict and finished by Pope Francis) is called The Light of Faith. I can’t wait to read it when I have a little more time on my hands.

— 4 —

Okay, one last thing about the 4th. I loved this article which talked about why the Gettysburg Address is more significant to read than the Declaration of Independence. Amen! I really enjoy reading it, so here’s the text for you:

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

— 5 —

The weather has been CRAZAY over here lately with somewhere around a week (I can’t remember how long) of upper 90’s or a little over 100 degree weather. Usually we have maybe a few days or a week later in the summer with this kind of heat, but not this year. I attribute it to global warming 😉

— 6 —

I am so excited about being President of Ravens Respect Life next year! It’s going to be a HUGE amount of work, but I am gearing up and getting ready to make an impact with my other officers on the students at BC. I feel like Syndrome (is that his name?) from the Incredibles when he says “Ooooooo, this is just too good!” except for the fact that I’m not an evil person with a plan to take over the world.

— 7 —

I’m trying to think of what to write. Any suggestions? I want to write more about Catholicism, why I’m Catholic, and introduce my readers to concepts of a deeper and more authentic life (which I’ve been reading about). I can also write about femininity, and pro-life issues. But I’d really love to explore topics that YOU are more interested in seeing. Let me know in the comment section below!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!