ADOPTING THROUGH FOSTER CARE: MYTH VS REALITY

These adoption facts were found on the Dave Thomas Foundation web-site. I want to post them here in the hope that others will seriously think about adopting children from foster care. If you love children and enjoy parenting, this may be one of the paths you want to travel during our short time on this earth. It's not always easy to travel, but boy is it one worth hiking.

Americans do not fully understand U.S. foster care adoption.

Misperception	Reality
While foster care adoption is seen as less expensive than private infant or international adoption, it is still considered to be expensive.	In fact, foster care adoption is often at little or no expense. Click here for further information on the costs to adopt.
Two-thirds of those considering adoption fear the biological parent will take the child back.	In fact, once parental rights are terminated, the parents have no further recourse for gaining custody of the child(ren).
45 percent of Americans erroneously believe children enter foster care because of juvenile delinquency.	Children enter the foster care system through no fault of their own, as victims of neglect, abandonment or abuse.

Americans underestimate the families who are capable of
adopting from foster care.

Belief	Fact
Less than half of Americans believe that a single parent raising an adoptive child definitely can provide a healthy environment.	In fact, as the number of two-parent families decline, an increasing number of children live in single-parent families (28% in 2006).1
Only a third of Americans believe that same-sex parents raising an adoptive child definitely can provide a healthy environment.	In fact, virtually every valid study has concluded that children of gays and lesbians adjust positively and their families function well with their children’s outcomes comparable to those of heterosexuals.2
Only 37 percent think a person over the age of 55 can definitely provide a healthy and loving environment for a child.	In fact, 23 percent of adopted children live with an adoptive parent 55 years or older.

THE WHOLE CONFESSING TO A PRIEST THING

Have you been wondering how much feedback I've gotten from my Evangelical/Catholic post? Well, let me tell you. I've gotten A Lot!

I have had friends call me on the phone to discuss the post and I have had friends come to my home to chat about it. I've had emails and comments and it has come to my attention that I left out a "BIG" topic of dissension and it "MUST" be addressed by me, to give the "Evangelical Brownie Mom Thoughts" a closure.

In short: I missed the main thing and this post needs to fix it! LOL

It just happens to be the subject I had hoped not to touch with a 10 foot pole but here I go, touching it.

If you are reading this and you are not familiar with the first post, go grab a cup of coffee click here to read it first and THEN you are "allowed" to come back and read this post. :o)

If you don't read the initial post first, you will be flat lost.

Did you read the first post? Yes?

Alrighty, here we go. We're all adults here so let's be blunt and skip to the chase, shall we?

The A-Number-One reason why SOME Evangelical Christians think the Catholic religion is "not of God" is because of the use of confession. There are many things that Protestants believe are "Biblically wrong" with confession so they have a hard time acclimating Catholicism with their sense of what is "right."

The A-Number-One reason why SOME Catholics think that the Evangelical religion is "not of God" is because they do not use confession and some Catholics even believe that Evangelicals pray one time to Jesus and think they are saved forever with no other actions to be taken.

I'll try to touch on all of the "concerns" evangelicals have and I'll even number them to keep them straight. This is as much for my ease of writing as for your ease of reading. I will then note the answers that I have received from my awesome Catholic friends. The explanations are as I understand them. If I'm wrong, you can let me know in the comments. :o) (let it also be noted that not all Catholics believe the same about the issue of confession so the points could be different depending on the particular Catholic you speak with.)

Here we go!

Number 1: Catholics put their priest in the place of Jesus by repenting to him in the confessional rather than Jesus.

Many, if not most, protestants believe that Catholics believe that the Priest is forgiving their sins. Evangelicals think that confession is something between the Parishioner and the Priest only. We think that every Sunday the parishioner goes into a little confessional and tells all of their sins to the Priest and he says they are forgiven and that's the whole situation.

In that scenario we imagine that the Parishioner goes into the confessional and says,
"Forgive me Father for I have sinned."

We've discussed the whole Father thing, but I failed to mention that saying, "Forgive me Father for I have sinned" is considered "old school" and is rarely done in this day and age.

So on to the next issue of confession. Confessing to the priest rather than Christ.

Would it surprise my evangelical friends to find out that Catholics actually pray to Jesus INSIDE the confessional? Guess what....they do. That revelation turned my ENTIRE thought process on it's ear when I found this out.

Apparently, the entire confession begins with the person thinking about their actions before they even enter into the confessional or meeting with their Priest. The person is praying to Christ and asking the Holy Spirit to guide their steps. Then as they contemplate how they have been living, they pray! Not only is confession preceded by prayer there is yet more prayer during the confession itself. Here is how it goes...

The person has prayed and reflected on their life. They are guided by the Holy Spirit to repent. They go to see the Priest. They walk into a confessional or they meet face to face. The Priest says something to the affect of, "Do you have any sins to tell me about?" The parishioner says, "yep" and they begin a little dialogue. This is what evangelicals may call a pastoral meeting, prayer gathering, alter call...etc.

The parishioner tells all of the sins that they know they have committed. The two have a chat about what they have done, why, how that can be fixed and it's "like" a pastoral intervention session between the priest and a member of his Catholic flock. After the priest has talked with the member, he then asks the person if they are ready to say their act of contrition.

What?! What's an act of contrition?

Well, lets say, my evangelical friend, that you are at a revival. Let's say that the revival is going AWESOME! The preacher is stepping on your toes big time. He's telling you like it is and you are feeling that you have got to stop doing that sinful living and you are ready to go to the alter to pray because you want to lay it on Jesus' feet. You need to get right with God and you know this because The Holy Spirit has taken hold of you through what the preacher has been led to say so you go up to the alter. The preacher kneels down next to you and whispers to you, "What are your needs today?" You say something like, "Pastor, I haven't been living my life for Jesus. I've let school, work, pornography and my own wants come between me and Christ." What does that pastor do? He then says to you, "God will save you today, let's pray." He may even ask you to repeat after him a prayer of salvation.

He may lead you in prayer, you may sob, he may pray aloud and ask God to forgive you and lead you to His throne. You too will pray. You will say a prayer of repentance and reach Jesus....or as the Catholics put it...you have repented by praying an "Act of Contrition!"

Yep, this is the same thing that Confession is for Catholics. The difference is that they are about to speak to their pastor about their life and allow him to hear what they have to tackle in order to get right with God. He is then able to counsel the parishioner. After the parishioner feels they are ready and after the Priest has said what the Spirit has led him to say, the person confessing actualy PRAYS TO JESUS...not the priest!

The person confessing then says their "Act of Contrition" which is very much like what evangelicals call "The Prayer of Repentance."

"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend you, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, (evangelical buzz word...we'll get back to this) and to amend my life. Amen."

It's sort of like when there is an alter call and the preacher says,
"Repeat after me. Jesus, I am a sinner, I am sorry for my sins. I confess that I have sinned against you and ask you to forgive me and lead my life from here on out."


Here's where it gets sticky for Evangelicals and for Catholics...

After the member says the "Prayer of Repentance" the evangelical pastor then announces to the congregation or says to the person praying,

"You are now forgiven! You are saved! Your sins are thrown into the sea of forgetfulness!"

He is claiming the Bible verses that proclaim that we are saved by Grace and Faith believing. He feels that He can claim this fully and without worry because that is a promise from God Himself!




On the other side of the table the Catholic Priest will say something like this AFTER the members says the "Act Of Contrition"...

"Jesus Christ absolves your sins."

or

some (Should I dare say most?) claim Luke 15 and say...

"I absolve thee from thy sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

No matter which way the Priest says this he is claiming the Bible verses that proclaim that our sins are forgiven by Grace and Faith believing also, though he is asserting the command in Luke 15. He is acting on that verse to release sins ONLY THROUGH the power JESUS GAVE his disciples.

The Priest is not "in himself" forgiving their sins, He is claiming the promise of God, not of vanity as some would believe, but as one of the many promises and gifts that God himself allows people to have. (such as faith healing, prayers of the elders, speaking in tongues etc...ALL of these are gifts and have been given to people by Christ through The Holy Spirit) This also is a gift, a legacy as a disciple of Christ. This is the gift they feel God has allowed them to say/do after the prayer has been given by their member to Jesus Himself! In other words, Only through Christ does the Priest have this power which was given to them by The Holy Spirit.

[Luke 15: 4-7]
"The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord, and he said to them again, 'Peace be with you. 'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.' After saying this he breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive any one's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain any one's sins, they are retained."

[John 20: 20-23] On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Number 2: They think that if the Priest forgives them they can do whatever they want and still get to Heaven!

Many protestants also believe that if Catholic Parishioners get on the priests good side or give the church enough money, they will be forgiven by the Priest more easily. The obvious inference here is that Catholics want to get on the good side of their priest so they can sin all the time but be forgiven at the drop of a hat "because the priest has that power" in the Catholic religion.

I have to admit that I also thought that the Catholic person could just have a chat with their priest and then he forgave them and that was it. What I have found out from my Catholic friends and from research is something altogether different.




In reality, the priest is believing that the person is giving an honest prayer of repentance to Christ, so when the Priest absolves them of their sins, his job is done because he has fulfilled the verses Jesus spoke in Luke and John. HOWEVER, it is very well understood in the Catholic faith that if the person does not have what an evangelical would call a "relationship with Christ" meaning, if they are not truly sorry, if they are not truly repenting...that confession means NOTHING! Catholics aren't fooling around here. That prayer to Christ is the main deal. Jesus has the last say on the matter and the Priest, the Parishioner and yes, even the Pope knows that Jesus trumps everyone. If the Parishioner is playing around in that confession for earthly gain or some nonsense or if they aren't serious, they are in danger of Hell Fire...in a big way...no matter what the priest says.




Number 3: What the Heck is penance then?!

What I have come to understand, is that confession is not between the parishioner and the Priest. Yes, those are the two people in the confessional/room but the parishioner is under the full understanding that they are confessing to Christ as well as bearing their soul to a Priest. Furthermore, the sins that are being confessed are the sins that the people "know" they have committed, however the sins that they cannot know are also being forgiven.

After the confession, prayer, forgiveness, the priest will ask the person to do something physical, a penance. I liken this to fasting and/or prayer in the closet instead of being seen. (Matt. 6:16-18, Mark 2:18-20, Acts 13:2-3) There is often prayer involved. There may be something like volunteerism asked of the person. They may be asked to do something to keep them busy in the place of the sin they have been partaking in. You just never know it seems what the Priest will be led to ask of you. It's a mystery and kind of interesting for this evangelical to think about.

I think this must be what disturbs many evangelicals. The fact that the Priest is asking the person to "do" something to be "saved" (buzz word for Catholics) could be the issue they have with "works." I don't think this is a bad thing to be asked of a person, however. Some of us NEED to be told to think about our actions. Some of us, do I dare say, all of us really need to understand just how much sin hurts Christ. In doing a physical deed we are forced to think, really ponder what we do to Him when we sin. This isn't a bad thing. Christ still forgives us and we have to think about that for a while. It's not a far off notion to believe that when we "do" things physically we are more apt to think about our actions, release them and try to do better.

Penance is a physical act that helps our physical body learn to stay away from whatever it is that is sinful. 

Number 4:   No Man is to be called father.

Matthew 23:9 is quoted quite often during protestant services when the topic of Confession comes up in the sermon. We are told quite often that Catholics call their priest Father and that is putting him in the place of Jesus. Oddly enough, when the entire passage is read in the Bible, it can be seen that...well...Here you read it.

Matthew 23: 7 - 12 King James Version

7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters (meaning teacher): for one is your Master (teacher), even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

When I read this I can see that Jesus is asking us not to put any person above us on this earth, but to see each other as brethren on this earth. I can also discern from this passage that if we are not to call someone Father we also have to follow verse 10 and not call anyone teacher. I was amazed to read this in context because it was not at all what I thought it to be.

As a side note, If we read the entire chapter we get an entirely different view altogether of what was actually being talked about...or do we? That is up to interpretation. All I know for sure is that I should have read the verses in context long ago and not just believed what I was "told" because there is much to be gleaned from viewing rather than listening.

The following passages from scripture should put our mind at ease that we can indeed call a Spiritual Leader, Father.  The Bible references Spiritual Leaders as Fathers and calls other men Father.   The Bible actually references people as "Father" 1206 times and Five hundred fifty eight times  the word "fathers" is used. (Source for letters in red and quotes below) 

Elders of the Church are called "father" repeatedly in the Bible:

Acts 7:2   And Stephen said: "Brethren and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopota'mia, before he lived in Haran,  Acts 22:1  "Brethren and fathers, hear the defense which I now make before you."   1 John 2:13  I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father.

Paul calls Timothy's service to him as a son serves a "father."

Philippians 2:22   But Timothy's worth you know, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

Paul compares the Church elders' ministry to the people like a father with his children:

1 Thessalonians 2:11  for you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you
 
Paul calls Timothy his true "child" in the faith and his son:

2 Timothy 1:3  I thank God whom I serve with a clear conscience, as did my fathers, when I remember you constantly in my prayers.

Paul calls Titus his true "child" in a common faith. Priests are our spiritual fathers in the family of God:

Titus 1:4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Paul says he has become the "father" of Onesimus:

Philemon 1:10  I appeal to you for my child, Ones'imus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment.

Peter refers to himself as father by calling Mark his "son":

1 Peter 5:13  She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark.

Yet again, we see John calls the elders of the Church "fathers":

1 John 2:1  My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 1 John 2:13  I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 1 John 2:14  I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Jesus himself refers to Abraham as our "father":

Matthew 3:9  and do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Luke 3:8  Bear fruits that befit repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.  
There are hundreds more...but you get the drift.

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I have put more thought into this than I ever thought I would. I suppose I just HAD to get to the bottom of what the differences really are in our religions. It amused me to think that some evangelicals believe Catholics actually worship Mary and their priest, yet think nothing of Jesus. I got the same kick out of Catholics who believe evangelicals ask Jesus to forgive us one time and expect to get to Heaven. I suppose it still cracks me up that I must have had some of those crazy notions myself or I wouldn't have been afraid to ask the questions in the first place!

It never occurred to me to ask...until I moved to Detroit and met some open Catholic friends. I thank God that he has given me a platform to pose the questions and friends who are equally as eager to dig into this ocean of information with me. Curiosity...hasn't killed this cat. I do believe it's awakened my understanding and piqued my interest to dig further into the roots of the Christian beliefs. I feel another college class in my future most assuredly.

Now, let me have it...what do you know, want to know or understand about these issues. The different points of view have been exciting thus far..I can't wait for the comments and emails this time! Bring them on...let's find out together! :o)

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UPDATE: POST NUMBER 1: EVANGELICAL ME AND MY CATHOLIC FRIENDS

UPDATE: POST NUMBER 2: THE WHOLE CONFESSING TO A PRIEST THING

UPDATE: POST #3: WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE?

UPDATE: POST #4: DO CATHOLICS PRAY TO DEAD SPIRITS?

UPDATE: POST #5: THE WHOLE RELIGION THING

PEOPLE CROSSING or SO THIS IS WHAT THE WORLD LOOKS LIKE

In our home, with a new year comes new medical physicals. I like to get them all out of the way as soon as possible. This way, I don't have to think about medical appointments, dentists and/or eye appointments throughout the year. If you have a large family, this is one way to make sure everyone is seen at least once per year also, so there are no unknown conditions festering for too long.

This year we found out that Kole needs glasses. The ophthalmologist came to me after his exam to tell me that both eyes are affected. So, we had a chat with our 5 year old son and told him that he would need glasses. He was excited! LOL

A few days later, after a glitch was cleared up with our insurance, Kole and I made the 1.5 mile trek to our Doctor to pick out his glasses. He was very choosy. I had a pair that I liked but each time I handed them to him he would wave his hand and say, "No, I don't like these."

After a while, the technician came over to tell us about her favorite glasses for children. They bend, fold and smash without breaking. I very much like those but I didn't let on. She handed a few to Kole and after much time in the mirror he chose the glasses he wanted. No amount of ooohing and aaahing over other samples did anything to make him change his mind. So we bought the pair that cost money out of pocket, though only a small sum so I was obliged to pay the price above and beyond our insurance coverage.

After 1 week of waiting, yesterday, we got the call. Kole's glasses are in and waiting to be picked up. He bundled up ever so quickly and in the falling snow we trudged to the van. We arrived, he put on his glasses and smiled with such a smile as I have never seen. He was so quiet, though.

He hardly spoke a word. He answered the technicians questions with a nod or a wave but did not speak hardly at all. I was puzzled.



I chatted a bit with the doctor and ladies at the desk, then said our goodbye. I walked hand in hand with Kole out the door and to our van. He climbed in and put on his seat belt. As I contemplated why he was so quiet we pulled out onto the street. We had hardly gone a block when, from the back of our van, came a small voice...

"Mom, there's a two and a five on that sign."

"Yes, there is. That sign tells what price the gas is today."

Silence for a bit. We stop at a red light.

"Mom."

"Yes Kole, What's up?"

"I feel like my HEART has glasses. I think I'm so happy."

Immediate lump in my throat with slight tears in my eyes.

"I'm so happy that you are happy."

We turned the corner and drove to the next block.

"People Turning?! Why does that sign mean People Turning?"

"No honey, that sign means people are crossing the street. It means that I need to watch for people so we don't hit them."

"Oh"

And with that, the ride was over. In 1.5 miles I found out just how much our little Kole had missed in his 5 short years and just how much different the year 2009 will be for him.

EVANGELICAL ME AND MY CATHOLIC FRIENDS

Little did I know when I wrote this first "religion" post that we were headed for conversion to the Catholic faith. If you would have told me then that I would become Catholic, I would have laughed myself silly. These posts explain our journey to becoming Catholic Christians...though I did not realize it when I was writing them. God does have a sense of humor! :o)

-------------------------


Since moving from a small, small town in Kentucky to our home here in Metro Detroit, I have had a lot of time to make friends. I began to venture out into this big round-ish orb called earth. I have found that there are many different viewpoints to be discovered. I knew that, but I didn't know that I was so interested in knowing all of them!

I am fascinated when I encounter people who are unashamed and excited to tell others their ideas, beliefs and discoveries. I cannot tell you how joyful I become when I find another human who will indulge my questioning spirit and take the barrage of inquiry as just that; inquiry. It doesn't matter if I agree with the viewpoint, I just want to know what it is!

When I find someone who does not become offended by my inquisition I know that I have found a person who is able to carry the weight of the poll, thus able to satisfy my insatiable thirst to know all there is to know about their thinking and their way of life. This was true when I questioned a witch, an atheist, a Buddhist and each and every one of my Catholic friends.

Many of my readers may think it an odd thing that I included Catholics with the more uncommon list of characters, but I grew up in the Bible Belt. Let it be known that any person who grew up in the Bible Belt of America is usually starved of Catholic friends. That area of the country is predominantly Evangelical and should we ever happen upon a Catholic person we avoid the very thought of asking about their religion.

Don't get me wrong, I mean, I did meet some Catholics in my 18 years of Bible Belt living. In my childhood years I had two friends who were Catholic. They taught me most of what I knew about Catholicism. I knew that they didn't attend church, their parents drank, their dad cussed and their baby sister's Christening was full of kneeling, standing, kneeling, standing and then we ate. Ta Da. Pretty church though.

They did, however, get to go on a school bus to something called "CCD" for a few months when they were around 10 years old. I asked my mom if I could go with them but she said it wasn't for me. I asked why it wasn't for me and she said, it had to do with their religion and that was the end of that discussion. I had no idea they were going to Catechism and honestly, I didn't know what catechism was so I would have still been in the dark had they mentioned the word. So, that was it. My friends were Catholic, and I had no idea what that meant.

I heard it said a few times in our evangelical churches that worldly knowledge is not something to acquire with zest but spiritual knowledge is to be the quest of the Christian soul. However, It was stated many times that we should not open our minds too wide lest Satan jump in and take over. You can imagine then, that for much of my life, I found it scary to question the doctrine in which I was raised. I worried often that I was opening my mind "too wide."

One day, as I was praying it dawned on me that God had obviously made me with the ability to ask questions. I mean, you know, I have so many! He made my physical being with the desire to know ALL about Him. Then I wondered if that were a bad thing, like Adam and Eve and that apple tree. Interestingly enough, as I grew older and wiser, I came to realize that My God Is and Always has been Stronger than any of His creations...and that INCLUDES SATAN! Well, that was one liberating moment my friends! It occurred to me that if it were true that God is living within my soul and if it is true that my desire is to please God, then He will guide my mind, my steps and my life toward the end goal that He desires. In other words:

"Why am I allowing myself to be governed by fear!?! Ask questions and get answers!"

I laid down those false "opening the mind too wide" words that had been spoken to me, I took up my new mission and off I went down the path God had made for my life. I asked questions. I listened. I tried to see the other person's point of view and along the way I found....ANSWERS! Go Figure!

At church...many churches, I listened to my preachers talk about Catholicism. I got used to buzz words. I heard that "works" does not save us. I heard that worshiping idols will damn us to hell and I heard that Catholics pray to Mary instead of Jesus. All of that was bad, bad, bad and we needed to run far, far away from that hell bent religion.

At home I was told that anyone who loves Jesus will make it to Heaven. My parents told me that Catholics will make it too if they follow Jesus and not Mary. I was confused. I listened to my parents tell me that Catholics get to go to Heaven too but I also knew that if I were to become one that it would be a bad, bad thing. Being that I didn't know any Catholics I didn't know where to turn for answers so I went through most of my life thinking that there were like 2 or 3 Catholics who would get to Heaven and the rest of them worshiped Mary and didn't have a clue why Jesus was so important.

Pretty sad, huh?

Then I met my friend Heather P. and she LIKES to talk religion and she's CATHOLIC! She is one of those people who can take the inquisition...AND WE'RE NEIGHBORS! Ha! I am in paradise here!

As we got to know each other we were able to talk doctrine. We don't care if each other convert to our religion we just care that we get to Heaven so we don't get mad or heated when we speak about doctrinal issues.

I have gotten to ask many, many questions. If she didn't know the answer her husband knew, and if he didn't give me an answer I liked, they had many, many books to send my way. Well, then I met quite a few more Catholics who became very good friends of mine. I met some who were born Catholic and I met some who converted from the Baptist church. I now have so many Catholic friends that it's hard for me to imagine that there are others out there, like I was, who are still walking around without Catholic friends of their own. But I digress...

One of the first things I asked Heather is why they have to repent to a priest. She started off talking about the History of the world. I was like, "Hey there, why aren't you quoting scripture? Why are you talking about History?" Ha, Ha! I had her! She can't back up her story with scripture so now she's shot!

I'm paraphrasing here but her answers were something like...

"Well, because there is a huge well of historical fact that will back up the Bible references and the Bible references back up the History. It all goes hand in hand. We live on earth and the Bible tells God's plan while our historical records back it up. The short answer is that only through Jesus does a Priest have any power to heal our sins.  During confession, we pray to Jesus for forgiveness.  We call the prayer the "Act of Contrition."  After we pray, the Priest says, "Jesus Christ Absolves you of your sins." or he quotes Luke 15, saying, "I absolve thee from thy sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."




"Oh. Well why do you pray to Mary?"

"We don't."

"Yes you do. You pray the Rosary."

"No, we say the Rosary."

"To Mary."

"Yes"

"That's praying"

"No, that's talking."

What's the difference? Apparently, when I ask my Christian friends to pray for me I am talking to them. I am asking them to help me get through to Christ. THAT is exactly what Catholics are doing with Mary. They are asking her to pray for them.

Also, my Evangelical friends, it may interest you to know that Catholics can and do pray to Jesus and one of the things they pray is this...

"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy."

Sound like Repentance to Christ? It does to me.

Oh and Guess what! The number one thing that I've found that most divides Protestants and Catholics is what actually brings us all together!

Many Catholics think that Protestants think they can just pray to Jesus one time and all of the sudden they get to go to Heaven no matter what! But almost all Protestant's actually believe that all children go to Heaven no matter what. It is only at the age of accountability, (whatever that may be 7, 8, 9 or above) the person can make a decision to live for Christ. When that decision is made, the person will ask Christ Jesus to forgive them of their sins and to lead their lives. They then have to live for Christ. They can't just go back to sinning and think that they will make it to Heaven. We are asked to "pick up our Cross daily" and live for Christ. We pray for forgiveness all the time. Daily usually.

By the same token...

Many Protestants believe that Catholics think that just because they were baptised as babies that they get to go to Heaven no matter what! But most Catholics actually believe that Baptising a baby is to bring their child to Christ. They are not forbidding the children to come unto Christ. They are exemplifying the teaching of being saved by Grace rather than faith alone. The child does not have the faith yet, however the parents do have faith, Jesus saves by Grace and the baptism is allowing the child to be saved from childhood HOWEVER Catholics do NOT believe that this act alone will "get their children to Heaven" through their entire life. That is why there is Confirmation. At the age of 7 or above the child can make a choice to live for Christ or not. If they choose to live for Christ they can come to Him. Yes, they can pray to Jesus my Protestant friends. The kids go through the step of choosing to become a confirmed Christian. After that they must live for Christ. There are no short-cuts. They have to strive to live the life God wants for them to fulfill the purpose God has for their life.

So I've come to realize that though "works" is not what saves us, each religion has their idea of what we must do to "stay saved." (oh buzz word for Catholics...but I digress..again) Jesus did tell many people to "go and sin no more." That means, watch it buddy cause there is work I have for you to do in this life. (Yes work!) The Grace of God and our faith and obedience will allow us to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Right? Wrong? There lies the question we each must ask ourselves.

The short of it is this...

Shockingly enough we ALL (should I say most?) believe that we HAVE to live for Christ in order to get to Heaven...thus we all believe in "works!" Although, none of us believe that works actually get us to Heaven it is by the Grace of Jesus that we are even allowed to come to Heaven!

But what about Mary?! I'm going to try to get this right...I may get it wrong but it's my blog so I'll write what I think I know and you can correct me later in the comments! LOL

I found out that The Rosary is actually a meditation on the Life of Christ. It begins by holding the first "bead." The beads keep your place in your meditation on Christ. The first bead is where they think about the moment that Gabriel came to Mary to tell her she is with Child. They say "Hail Mary." The Hail Mary is actually the first scriptural verse to take place in regard to Jesus here on earth. It is the words that Gabriel said to Mary in Luke chapter 1...thus the Rosary "chant." (Uh Oh...buzz word)

"Ah, Vain Repetition!" My Evangelical friends will say.

Is it vain to meditate on Christ? Is it vain to quote scripture about the beginning of Jesus' life on earth while working your way through beads to remember each and every part of Jesus life? I'm thinking it's not a bad, bad thing..or even a bad thing. Is it vain for our children to pray the same prayer at night or to say, "God is Great..." at the dinner table?

How can it be blasphemous for a Catholic to ask Mary to pray for them, when there are many Protestants who ask the elders of their church to anoint them in prayer for Faith healing? If Jesus is granting people on earth the power to Heal through His power, how much more power would He grant His earthly mother to help His people? It is commanded that each person Honor their Father and their Mother in the Lord. How much honor would Christ have given Mary? He was fully human and fully God while here on earth. How would He want His earthly Brothers and Sisters to think of her and/or His Heavenly children?

So there's that bag of pickles I'm left to think about.



I have learned more about the Catholic church than I ever knew I WANTED to know! It's fascinating and it has been hugely liberating to examine the thoughts and worship of our "other" Christian brothers and sisters. I am so thankful that I have been blessed with the friends that I have, both Evangelical and Catholic. They put up with my questions. They pray for me and they love me. God is so very wonderful and I am so very blessed.

So, It's no secret that I was raised as an Evangelical Christian, and I do believe I will remain evangelical. In the end I think we can all agree that it is all really about Jesus. His sacrifice is what gives us all hope and He is the reason we live the way we do. Our religions may be different, but our goal is the same...to get ourselves and our children to Heaven...and that is something we can all agree on.

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UPDATE: POST NUMBER 1: EVANGELICAL ME AND MY CATHOLIC FRIENDS

UPDATE: POST NUMBER 2: THE WHOLE CONFESSING TO A PRIEST THING

UPDATE: POST #3: WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE?

UPDATE: POST #4: DO CATHOLICS PRAY TO DEAD SPIRITS?

UPDATE: POST #5: THE WHOLE RELIGION THING

BRISAN TURNS 12 TODAY or THE TANUK DANCE!

Kazz found this fun song on Youtube a few months ago. I don't know if it's Turkish or Indian or what, but I do know it's fun and our kids love to dance to it.


Today is Brisan's 12th Birthday so we took the day off school and decided to watch movies and dance. Brise and I played Monopoly as the rest of the household went a little nuts.



This is what I caught of Daxx and Kole's dance as done to "Tunak Tunak Tun."





Brian ended up coming home early today also. It has been such a nice, family day. I just don't want it to end.

ABORTION LEGAL EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME, NO PROBLEM

This is a cut and pasted article from Freepublic. I did not write this but felt the need to pass this information along. I'll be watching this closely as I hope all people will.

Even those who are pro-choice may be on board for stopping this action. Choice does have a place in religion also correct? Why would our government force a Catholic Hospital, founded by obviously Catholic people to perform operations that are absolutely against the Catholic teachings?

Nobody in the land of the free is for that, are they?


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Forceful on FOCA

Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington, Va., had this to say last week about his response if the abortion lobby’s Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) becomes law:
“I would say, ‘Yeah, I’m not going to close the hospital, you’re going to arrest me, go right ahead. You’ll have to drag me out, go right ahead. I’m not closing this hospital, we will not perform abortions, and you can go take a flying leap.’ ”
The Internet news service CNSNews.com reported Bishop Loverde made those comments to an audience of young adults at a Nov. 25 diocesan discussion about the implications of FOCA. In the video clip that accompanies this post, President-elect Barack Obama promises Planned Parenthood in July 2007 that he will sign FOCA as his first act as president.
FOCA would mandate the removal of virtually all federal, state and local restrictions on abortion.
There are no Catholic hospitals currently open in Bishop Loverde’s Arlington diocese, but his comments were intended to drive home the total opposition of the U.S. bishops to any kind of compliance with FOCA.
A number of commentators have suggested since Obama’s election that his pledge to sign FOCA means little. They say there is little chance Congress will pass the legislation, which was first introduced to Congress in 1989, even though the pro-abortion Democratic Party now has strong majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate.
But 2009 will mark the first time since 1994 when both houses of Congress and the White House are all in Democratic hands. Douglas Johnson, legislative director of National Right to Life Committee, has warned this circumstance could embolden Democratic leaders to make a determined bid to pass FOCA.
Only time will tell if there will be a strong push for FOCA in the next Congress. But if Congressional Dems do decide to let it languish instead, the determined opposition of Church leaders like Bishop Loverde and other U.S. bishops will deserve a lion’s share of the credit.
— Tom McFeely

PITIFUL HUMAN BEHAVIOR: 2008 EDITION

Yes, it's that time of year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least evolved among us. Each year I am reminded, ever so gently, why pity exists.

Here are the glorious top 10 winners:

1. When his 38-caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.

And now, the honorable mentions:

2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and, after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.

3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space.
Understandably, he shot her.

4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Sarare to Bulawayo had escaped.

Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies.

The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.

5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.

6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer... $15.

7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief in the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape.

8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, 'Yes, officer, that's her. that's the lady I stole the purse from.'

9. The Ann Arbour News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan at 5 A.M., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away. [*A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER]

10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for.

Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage.

A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake.

The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.

In the interest of bettering mankind, please share these with your friends and family... unless of course one of these individuals by chance is a distant relative or long-lost friend. In that case, be glad they are distant and hope they remain lost.

*** Remember... They walk among us!!! ***

Thanks Sandee (Comedy +)

RANDOM MOMENTS

This morning: 8:30 am yelling through the house.

Kole: "Mom! I have long finger nails again! But not long feet nails."

Me: "You mean toe nails?"

Kole: "oh yeah"

UNITED NATIONS COULD TRUMP AMERICAN LAW?

I read this today on the Home School Legal Defense Association website. I think it was interesting enough to share with the readers of this blog. I am interested in your thoughts.

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Washington Times Op-ed—U.N. Treaty Might Weaken Families

by J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President

One of the issues American families could face this year is the ramifications from a treaty called the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

You may ask, “How could a treaty directly affect internal decision-making by American families?” We generally think of treaties as agreements affecting international relations between countries. The U.N., however, has initiated treaties that not only affect international relations, but also the domestic relations of member nations as well. These treaties, sometimes called “conventions,” require member nations that ratify the treaty to implement the requirements as binding law or rules.

On Nov. 20, 1989, the U.N. adopted the CRC and submitted it for ratification to the member nations. It has been ratified by 193 nations—the United States is one of the few countries that has not ratified it.

The ratification process requires a two-thirds vote by the U.S. Senate. On Feb. 16, 1995, Madeleine Albright, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., signed the CRC on behalf of the United States. The CRC, however, has never been sent to the Senate for ratification because there is insufficient support to pass it.

Due to the recent election, however, there are rumblings from Capitol Hill that there will be an effort to seek ratification of the CRC during the next congressional cycle. Hillary Rodham Clinton is a strong supporter of the treaty, and as secretary of state, would have direct control over the submission of treaties to the Senate.

Why should passage of the CRC be of concern? It likely would have a negative impact on domestic law and practice in the United States. Article VI of our Constitution makes treaties—and remember, conventions are viewed as treaties—“the supreme law of the land.” The CRC would be treated as superior to laws in every state regarding the parent-child relationship. This would include issues regarding education, health care, family discipline, the child’s role in family decision-making, and a host of other subjects.

Article 43 of the CRC establishes an international committee on the rights of the child to examine compliance by member nations. This committee, which sits in Geneva, has final authority concerning interpretation of the language contained in the CRC.

Two central principles of the CRC clearly are contrary to current U.S. laws related to parent-child relationships. The CRC provides that in all matters relating to children, whether private or public, or in courts, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration. Additionally, nations should ensure that children are capable of expressing their views freely in all matters affecting them, giving due weight to the age and maturity of the child.

This is contrary to traditional American law, which provides that absent proof of harm, courts and social workers simply do not have the authority to intervene in parent-child relationships and decision-making. The importance of this tradition and practice is that the government may not substitute its judgment for that of the parent until there is proof of harm to the child sufficient to justify governmental intervention. It is clear that in two very important areas of the parent-child relationship, religion and education, there will be potential for tremendous conflict.

The international committee in Geneva, in reviewing the laws of practice of countries that have ratified the CRC, has expressed its concern that parents could homeschool without the view of the child being considered; that parents could remove their children from sex-education classes without the view of the child being considered; that parents were legally permitted to use corporal punishment; and that children didn’t have access to reproductive health information without parental knowledge.

The bottom line is the CRC would drastically weaken the United States’ sovereignty over family life, which would have a substantial impact on every American family. For more information on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, visit www.parentalrights.org/learn.

Michael Smith is the president of the Home School Legal Defense Association. He may be contacted at (540)338-5600; or send email to media@hslda.org.

ON MY EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITY

(Dear Reader: Please remember that this blog is first and foremost for my children to read when I've gone the way of the Dodo bird, thus this post exists to share my thoughts with them. My thoughts to my children on the Catholic religion is soon to come.)

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I was raised in a Christian household. My parents are Christians. I became a Christian when I was 7 years old as I asked Jesus into my heart, kneeling at an alter, in our hometown church. I was Baptised in the Ohio River when I was 12 years old in the name of The Father, and The Son and The Holy Spirit. I ran around "churchless" for 2 of my later teen years. It was in that time that I met my husband, Brian, who was raised in church also but, alas, was running around churchless in his later teen years also. Brian and I got married 11 months after we met one another. We were married 6 weeks after I had turned 20 years old. He is 1 1/2 years younger than I am.

Brian and I "got saved again" a year into our marriage. (if that's possible) We were Baptised together in a baptismal at our church in the name of The Father, and The Son and The Holy Spirit. Through the years, I've had questions and spent much time searching out why I believe the way I do, but when it comes to knowing who my Saviour is, I know. Period. I questioned His existence and came to believe that He does exist. Not only do I know who He is but I know life without Him and I choose to keep Him nice and safe in my heart, thank you very much.

All of that said, I do have a tendency to walk around being saved without telling everyone about it. There are days, weeks...even months when I never mention it to a person who passes by. I don't throw Bibles out my window trying to bless "sinners" as they walk by or go around blessing everyone I see. I just don't care to bother everyone down the pike with my views.

In the past 2 years, since I broke my leg, our family has homechurched. We were in transition between churches when my leg broke and since I was bound to our home for 2 months, we just kept staying home after I was able to walk better. The process of finding a new church has sort of drug its heals. We homeschool from a Christian curriculum, and so the slow church hunt has taken our family a bit longer than I had hoped since our children are already being "fed" at home. It's been nice actually, but I do miss the family time spent together going to church and then lunch afterward. But I digress...

There is a term in the evangelical world called a Lukewarm Christian. I've noticed in my years of church-going that many adults are afraid to become "Lukewarm" because God spits you out of His mouth and all that. In an effort to be "hot" there are some who "talk like a Christian" whenever they feel someone may be looking their way with a judgemental eye. They may actually be afraid to allow themselves to breathe lest they fall off the wagon, so to speak because there they would sit all Lukewarm and what-not.

I've found, that some Christians like to evangelize every soul who happens to say a "buzz" word that is in disagreement to their particular kind of Christian faith. Heaven forbid an evangelical happen upon a Catholic who says the word, "works." But that's another post for another day.

I am a people watcher. I like to figure people out, and because I'm made that way I watch how people act in various situations. Many Christians lighten up when they are around other like-minded Christians. They may feel they don't have to "work" right now so they can let their hair down without the worry of having to bring someone to Christ. I've seen many who are like me and are the same pretty much everywhere they go. I try to surround myself with those people, thus the reason I have such wonderful Christian friends. but I digress...again...

Then I've seen some who are wound tighter than a tire swing about to spin. They have to let everyone around them know the right way to Heaven and that happens to be their way or no way at all.

In my years of Christian People watching, I've found that the more people try to talk like a person they are not, the less likely they are to live like the person God made them to be. They are much more likely to live for those around them in the hopes that everyone will think they are "holy enough" to get to Heaven, instead of living their lives in the Joy of Christ.



For instance, There are many Christians who say "Amen" a lot or call me sister anywhere within 100 meters of their church but when outside the confines of their church circle, they don't call me sister or say Amen at all. What's up with that?!

On the flip side, there are many who stop conversation in its tracks if there is any semblance of scripture to quote for the circumstance. There are some who will say that they feel led to do this and led to do that, so they can put some weight behind decisions they have made. Once in a while, sure, God may tug you in a direction but the more I hear those words come out of someones mouth the more I begin to wonder if they are really being led or if they are pushing the circumstances along.

I live with Christ in my heart because he's rooted and grounded there. I don't feel like I need to say bless you sister all the time, though on occasion I do. I don't mind that there are some people who do that, but I'm just not one of those people. I decided a long time ago that I can pick up my cross daily, keep His suffering on my mind daily, and take solace in the knowing that my Christian roots are pretty deep. There came a time in my life when God took control, I gave over the reigns and I let go of "showing off" my Christianity. I finally realized that if I only let God steer my life, the faith I hold so deep will somehow be shared through the life circumstances that God puts in my path. He places the witnessing opportunities in my path, gently, quietly and many times, without fanfare...and at times, even without MY knowing it has happened.

There's nothing shaking this tree, though some may think I'm cold in my Christianity because we took some time to find a church. I, however, think it all happened in God's timing. As always, I was thinking, praying, keeping my mind on Christ. This solidifies my desire to serve Him daily with or without a church. My willingness to go to bat for Him at any moment of any day is anchored in my soul. I've been planted, watered, fed and the roots are so deep that God can now use me to help others take root. Still, I catch little buzz words and phrases now and then that let me know some people wonder about me. "Is she Lukewarm? or worse yet, Is she cold?"

I guess that's life. We can't please all of the people all of the time. I have to wonder if maybe I'm sent here to get the judgmental types praying for me so they have something to pray about since their lives are so perfect. Who knows?

It is my belief that at some point in a Christian's life there comes a time when we've heard what we need to hear, shored up our beliefs and can then go out and do what needs to be done. We only live so long! Somehow, somewhere, the need for council dwindles a bit. The Holy Spirit does lead us, and who better to direct our steps than Him?

Boys, I guess what I'm saying is this. Our church sabbatical hasn't been a time of fasting from Christ. I'm a grown up Christian teaching the souls put into my care. I teach from the deepest roots I have sown into my soul and your father and I live in such a way that we would hope you want to emulate. We wish this for you and your children.

You boys know I enjoy talking about doctrine but in the end, I'm fed. I'm built. Jesus continues to give me the bread and drink I need to do the work on my plate of life. It is the journey that I find fascinating. Yes, some acquaintances judge my Christianity for lack of in your face fervor but I am happy to know that I take my judgment from a higher power. He sustains my breath, my purpose, my everything.

So boys, when you feel the finger pointing in your direction from those who are supposed to be on your side, just know that turning your site from their glare and tilting your head up toward Christ works best. It was when your father and I were running around "churchless" that God led us to one another. It was when we were running around "churchless" that I broke my leg and we all were bonded tighter as a family. It was when we were running around "churchless" that we decided to become a foster family. It was in between churches that God had some time to speak to our hearts. It was IN church that He fed our souls, allowed us to be rooted in Him and built the foundation that holds our course steady to this day.

Sometimes, worrying about what a church is doing, saying, or thinking about us can get in the way of what God wants for us. Some personalities need space to think, reflect, and pray without wondering what others will think. Church is a wonderful gift. It is needed, but church is NOT God and neither is that pastor or priest behind the pulpit. Remember who you are worshipping and who deserves your undivided attention. The preacher has a job to do, but so do you!

Somewhere between committing my life to Christ and becoming an "adult Christian", (rooted) I got hot-melded to Christ. My prayer is that when you feel yourself hot-melded, that you will keep your eyes on what He wants for your life. You don't have to mold to some Christian look or some churches idea of how to sound to gain His Grace. He allowed me to weed out the useless garbage that surrounded my soul and He will do the same for you if you ask Him. He will use your differences, as He uses mine, to touch those He would put in our path. I like that. I feel as though you will get a kick out of it too. It's kind of a high five moment between you and God. I'm comforted in the knowledge that I don't have to be what some guy behind a pulpit wants me to be. I just have to be the person God made me, And boys He made you all very, very special. Let Him guide you. You'll enjoy the ride.

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE A DIRTY NECK OR DIABETES?

As most of you know by now, I'm not blogging as much as I used to. Our family is getting our home ready to receive foster children this year. There is much to be done.

In the process of becoming foster parents it is required that everyone in our household have a physical examination. I've been busy taking all of our children to the doctor. The twins needed their 5 year shots, Kazz needed a booster and Vinnie was pretty well up to date with all of his requirements. All were healthy and there was nothing to make me think that Brise would be any different.

Last Monday I took Brise in to see our pediatrician. I expected to be in and out of there in a little over an hour just like we were with the rest of the boys. Little did I know that we would have a life changing experience that day. Please know that it could have been MUCH worse but that day did change our lifestyle, for the better.

We went in and Brise hopped up on the counter. The nurse took him out to weigh him and log his height. Brise is tall for his age. He's 5'6" tall, 11 years old and wears a size 13 shoe. When they came back into the room she took his blood pressure.
"hmm...let me do that again" She took it again.
"hmmm...this cuff isn't working correctly." She took the cuff off, left the room and came back with another cuff. She installed it and took his blood pressure again.

"His blood pressure is high." She said, and promptly left the room.

I had a hard time processing that. I was wondering how an 11 year old could have high blood pressure. She walked out the door before I could ask how high.

We go to a teaching pediatrician so the first doctor to walk in the door was just on his second day of rounds. He was nervous so we chatted a bit and I tried to answer all of his OVERLY thorough questions. We were questioned to ad nauseum...or so I thought. Little did I know that he had spotted something right away that caused him to ask so many questions.

He walked out the door and immediately came back in with a third year doctor. She began talking as if I knew what the heck she was talking about. She began talking about diabetes and how we need to change our eating.

"I see here that you drink soft drinks in your home. Those need to be stricken from your diet Brisan. Do you understand that?"

My head was swimming. What is she talking about?!

She then began explaining what foods we need to eat and how much. She talked and talked. She handed Brise literature. She talked some more. She handed me literature.

What is going on here? They haven't even looked in his ears yet!! I am very seldom at a loss for words. This day, I was lost.

They left the room. I could see that my son was on the verge of tears. I WAS on the verge of tears. Neither one of us could understand "Why" They were, all of the sudden, ranting about food and sugar levels and diabetes. I explained to Brise that if there is a problem with his blood sugar that we can certainly change our eating habits. I told him that he would NOT do this alone and our entire family would be on board with any diet changes.

The next doctor to walk in, THANK GOD, was our pediatrician. She's so gentle, sweet and knows just what to say to help her patients stay calm and understand what is going on.

"Hello agian. Aren't you tired of seeing me yet? Is this the last son?"

"Yes," I said. "What's going on? Do we need to be worried here? Does he have diabetes? How do you know that without a test?"

Those who know me in person, KNOW that those questions came tumbling out of my mouth before she could get a word in edgewise. I needed answers, NOW!

"Do you see these marks here on his neck?"

"Yes, I keep telling him to wash it but even when I try to wash his neck it won't go away."

"That's Acanthosis Nigricans. That is a marker for diabetes. If he does not have it, he's on his way to getting it. In adults the marks begin on the armpits or groin."

My jaw fell. I nearly cried right there but I held it together. I saw slight marks like that on Kazz's arms. Not dark, just light. Now, She had my attention.

Long story short, Brise had a LOT of blood drawn the next day. (9 viles) He does NOT have diabetes yet, but was diagnosed with insulin resistance. His Insulin level is quite high. You can bet, dear reader, that our eating habits have changed. We are on a schedule and we've bought more fruits and veggies than this house has ever seen. I am on a search for a diabetic brownie. If you have any great diabetic dessert recipes, we're all ears in this household!

They are going to monitor his blood pressure. We'll be heading back to the doc in a few weeks. I thank God that we caught this before it turned into diabetes. I hope this post will help another mother do the same for her family.

If you recognize these markings on any of your family members, or a lighter version of them that fade and come back, you'll want to read this information.

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Acanthosis Nigricans is a disorder that may begin at any age. It causes velvety, light-brown-to-black, markings usually on the neck, under the arms or in the groin. Eating too much of the wrong foods, especially starches and sugars, can cause insulin resistance. This will result in elevated insulin levels. Most patients with Acanthosis Nigricans have a higher insulin level than those of the same weight without Acanthosis Nigricans. Elevated levels of insulin in most cases probably cause Acanthosis Nigricans. The elevated insulin levels in the body activates insulin receptors in the skin, forcing it to grow abnormally. Reducing the circulating insulin by dieting or medication can lead to improvement of the skin problem.

HOME-MADE OLD FASHIONED SUCKERS!

I have to admit that I haven't tried to make these yet. I found this recipe in my saved drafts file and I can't for the life of me remember where I got it!

I want to put this recipe on my handy-dandy blog here so I don't FORGET to make them this week when we begin school at home again. I didn't make up this recipe so if you know where it came from, please let me know so I can give them props. UPDATE: Juicy Alligator posted this and I HAD to do it. Thanks Juicy!!

Here is the recipe for Old Fashioned Suckers.
They look easy enough to make. I'll try to report back when we've made some. :o)

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1 TBS fresh lemon juice
1 tsp pure peppermint extract (or another flavor of choice)
gel-paste food coloring of your choice

Grease a baking sheet (rimmed)
Greas a metal spatula

Add sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Stirring at all times. Once the mixture is boiling, allow it to boil without stirring. Once the mixture hits 304 degrees on your candy thermometer remove it from heat. (about 10 minutes)

Add lemon and your flavoring extract.
Stir
Pour onto the Greased pan.

Fold mixture into itself from all sides using spatula until the mixture starts to turn a little opaque.

Wearing rubber gloves, you will want to pull the candy as soon as it's cools enough to handle. It will be hot.

Pull to about 8-10 inches, twist and fold back into itself.

Take a small ball and drop food coloring in--you will need to continue to fold and twist both pieces until the candy mixture begins to whiten. Just a minute or two.

Lengthen both pieces about a foot and twist into each other. Twist from one end and use scissor to cut the length you desire. You can wrap it around candy sticks or cut into bite sized morsels.

You will have to work quickly!

TAMALE PIE RECIPE or OUR SATURDAY EVENING FAMILY MEAL

My friend Heather shared this recipe with me about 3 years ago when I needed to use the 34 cans of tomato soup Brian's Great Aunt Helen had given to our family.

The recipe became an immediate hit in our home so the tomato soup was not long for our pantry shelves. I find myself buying tomato soup now and smiling...but I digress...

This is now on our family menu as our Saturday Evening Meal. I hope your family enjoys it too.

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MEXICAN : TAMALE PIE

1lb. ground beef
2tsp. chili powder
1 can Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup
1 cup whole kernel SWEET corn
1/2 cup salsa (I use more so, pour to taste)
1/4 cup water
1pkg Corn Muffin Mix

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In skillet, over medium heat, cook beef and chili powder until beef is browned, stirring to separate meat. (best if cook meat in a little water so it separates well) Drain fat. Stir in water, soup, corn, salsa. Heat to boiling. Pour into 2quart casserole dish. Prepare corn muffin mix according to package -directions; spoon evenly over soup mixture. Bake 15 minutes or until a butter knife inserted in center of muffin mixture comes out clean. Best if served with Nachos.