The Apostles' Creed

---

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;

who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;

he descended into hell;

the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost;

the holy catholic Church;

the communion of saints;

the forgiveness of sins;

the resurrection of the body;

and the life everlasting. AMEN.

Walking through a mind field
Do you ever feel like you spend your day walking through a mind field and you just keep setting off bombs and getting blown off course? That is exactly how I felt today. Just when I thought I was back on course, I set off another bomb. We live in a fallen world, an imperfect world. This use to be a real problem.
Today, there is something that I have to accept - forgiveness. When I react wrongly to the "bombs" I need to admit that I have sinned and that I am in need of forgiveness. No this is not a new lesson. One that I just seem to need to keep learning again and again. It was only bomb number 2 that my daughter said to me, "now you said you were sorry and we forgave you, now let it go." If I am not mistaken, those were my words to her when she was quite a bit younger. WOW, do these words come back to you via your young adults??
I have survived the day and I am going to retire knowing that the Lord will continue to lead and guide me through tomorrow.

Decaffeinated Truth
Yesterday I wrote:
"Since the church is being used as the tool of evangelism, the truth of the gospel and the truth of God's Word has been watered down and Evangelism has been reduced to a sales' pitch."

What is the truth of the gospel?
1Corinthians 1;18 "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Paul continues:
21"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached tosave those who believe.22For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;23but we preach Christ crucified,to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."
Basically, it is crazy, the Message (a paraphrase) calls it "sheer silliness." I would say that biblically, the gospel is that Jesus Christ was crucified, died, buried and was resurrected. Finishing the work of Redemption for the salvation of His people.
However, the "Jesus loves you and He wants to make your life a blessing and you will receive many blessings if you just put your faith and trust in Him" (you will get what you want) message is at best a half truth. It is the decaffeinated gospel.
We want the whole truth (we being those of us who have been adopted by God the Father). Paul says we preached Christ crucified. Many say that love was the motivating factor of Christ being crucified and dying for the sins of the world. But Jesus had a different motivation: In John 12 Jesus said, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." John 17, "Father the hour has come, glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You" The more I read through the gospels the more I see that the primary motivator was for God's glory. How would He glorify His Father? By paying the penalty of our sins, providing New Life for those who were dead in their transgressions, by being the first to be born from the dead.
This does not take away from the Love of Christ. He even says that "greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15;13 When asked what is the greatest commandment? How did Jesus answer?
"You shall Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22;37-39
One of the sales pitches I have heard is "if you were the only person on earth, Jesus would have died for you. He loves you that much." I don't think that we can find anything in the Bible lines us with that thought. If you can please let me know. This me focused message is not sustaining or life giving.

What do we need with the gospel anyway? There is a need. Man is sinful in his core. There is no way for man to rescue himself from sin and death. First we need to believe that we are dead spiritual. Ephesians 2 says it perfectly especially verses 4 & 5 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved.)" We are doomed we'll never make it without the power of God.
In most of the modern American Evangelical Churches (MAEC) you don't hear that. I would say on balance MAEC say look at the gifts, blessings, benefits that Christ has to offer you. Your life will turn around 180%, all you have to do is accept Christ and you will be on your way. It is a self-centered, selfish decaf. gospel. Everyone wants to "be blessed" but not everyone wants the Blesser. Romans 3 says, "there is none who seeks for God"

So where is the hope? For those who believe our hope is in God and that He is the keeper of His promises.

*Disclaimer about the book: I have not read this book but I was going for the caffeine look ;-)

Evangelism does NOT equal salesmanship


Evangelism does NOT equal salesmanship. Let me say that again, Evangelism does NOT equal salesmanship. We don't need to beg and plead for someone to come to Christ (and that is what this guy is doing in a video I watched online today). The Lord said, when I am lifted up I will draw all men to Myself. We are to lift Him up! Preach the gospel! The good news is that we were dead in our transgression on the fast train to hell but then CHRIST came to bring good news to the afflicted, to proclaim liberty to captives, to bind up the brokenhearted. To demonstrate the mercy and loving kindness of God.
Today in the van we talked about what is the purpose of the church (the visible church). What we observe in the American church at large is that the church is the tool of evangelism instead of a fellowship of like minded believers where we can sharpen our tools, gain strength from one another, encouragement and healing for those of us who already call God their Father. Then we are sent out to GO and preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Since the church is being used as the tool of evangelism, the truth of the gospel and the truth of God's Word has been watered down and Evangelism has been reduced to a sales' pitch. "Imagine God loves you so much that He sent His own Son to die for you, it is as if God is getting down on one knee and asking you to accept Him and all you have to say is I do." This is a close paraphrase. Isn't this man reducing God to the ways of man? Remember what Jesus reminded Nicodemus just as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.
Let's not reduce the Creator of the Universe down to a man size God. Who wants to love, serve, honor and glorify someone like that? Not me. He is a Mighty God, fully just and fully loving, our Abba Father (daddy), Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Redeemer.
At this point are you wanting the link to the website. Before I do give that to you, I do want to say that I agree with quite a bit of it. It was the sales pitch that turned me off. The site www.juststopandthink.com

I will clearly admit that a lot of evangelists are charismatic and persuasive and for the most part I believe the Lord uses those abilities to preach the gospel but again it is the Holy Spirit who does the Work and brings about the results. It is not the salesman (excuse me) the evangelist closing the deal (getting a response via the alter call). The alter call I believe is also used by the Lord. The Lord uses His children to call His other children to Himself. I believe that we are or have the ability to be in the delivery room and get to help in the birthing process of someone being born again. It is an exciting place to be, an honor.
Tomorrow I will continue these thoughts on evangelism.
PAX, CM

No more babies
Tomorrow my youngest child will turn 14. It is really hitting me today. My oldest is taking steps to her next adventure that may mean leaving home soon. Our three children are very close in age 17,15,and 14 and I am so blessed. No there is nothing new under the sun. Babies are born, become toddlers, children and at present teenagers or young adults, soon to be adults.
A while ago I had a conversation with a friend of mine who does not believe that your adult children can become your friends. I totally 100% disagree with that sentiment. I am looking forward to being great friends with our young people. Those friendships are already beginning to blossom with our oldest and the other 2 are not far behind. Investing in these relationships I believe is going to be very rewarding.

Happy Birthday Michael!

Do any of you ever watch This Old House? I was getting ready for bed Thursday night when one of my children knocked on the door and announce, "Mom, Dad is watching TOH!" I didn't responded but quickly hurried up and made my way to the living room (which is just outside my bedroom door) praying that he was actually watching and not about to change the channel. Dan was watching!! Yay!! www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/
If you know anything about TOH, you know that it is produced and most of the time shot in the greater Boston area. The guys on the show, Norm, Tom, Richard and Roger, they make me feel at home. I can close my eyes and still get the feeling. I would say by fah(far) Rogah (Roger) has the best Boston accent. Tom would run a close second.
The projects are awesome and on ocassion, I will think "nice neighborhood" or "someday, perhaps a place like that" but for the most paht watching the show just reminds me of where I come from and it makes me wahm all ovah.
Pax,
CM

Quiet
Did you know that the Mullaneys actually do math and science? We don't spend all our time writing, reading, researching, speaking and debating. It has been an interesting week. My children are back into some other studies while still keeping up with their forensics. So our home has been fairly quiet with each of them off on their own being self-educated. Isn't that what home education is all about - developing life long learners? We certainly think so ;-)

On the other hand, our trip to the library yesterday was anything but quiet. There were these girls who had the giggles, you know the kind where you know that you should stop (they were in the library after all) but just can't. Then there were the unusual announcements about the surveillance system and how whoever is making the prank 911 calls from the pay phone better cut it out because the police will have the opportunity to review the tapes. Then the log in for the Internet was down and they were working on bringing it back up. As we related this story to Dan this evening Michael remarked, "The Millhopper library is not a very quiet one."

Making a house a home
Yesterday, I had a very interesting conversation with my daughter, Grace. She wanted to talked to me about what it takes to be a full time homemaker. Let me say this, she is well on her way in knowing how to run a household. She has missed out on taking care of little ones although she did a bit of that before we left Massachusetts. Our discussion contained not only the practical but also the philosophy and flavor of homemaking.
In some ways, it was hard to be open and vulnerable even though we have always been that way with our children. I guess because the first things that came to my mind were the places where I fall short.
See our home is not so much in the physical place where we live but the way we live together wherever that may be. Our hearts are knit together, we love one another, forgive each other and we are pulling for one another. We laugh and cry together. Living by faith is not just a spiritual saying but we are actually living by faith. One of our loves is the written word. Some would say, "with all those library cards what are you doing packing all those books and lugging them everywhere?" A number of our books are treasures. We had read books together or one of us reads a book and then we pass it around the family. This is probably an aspect of homemaking that might not come to your mind but when I pack or unpack books it touches a place in my heart and my family is right there with me.

The legacy we leave will not be what kind of car we drove, what kind of houses (or apartments) we lived in, which cell phone service or Internet provider we used. It will be about the memories, stories and love we shared. It will be the type character we ourselves possessed and helped to cultivate in our kids. It will be whether we served others or expected others to serve us or whether all our striving was for God's glory or to make a name for ourselves. Home is where the heart is and when our hearts are in the Hands of the King, our nests down here large or small are just little campsites on the way to the Celestial City, our Eternal home.
Pax,
CM

Sometimes you have to let someone else say the words.
What if I stumble by DC Talk
"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."

Is this one for the people? Is this one for the Lord?
Or do I simply serenade for things I must afford?
You can jumble them together, my conflict still remains
Holiness is calling, in the midst of courting fame
Cause I see the trust in their eyes
Though the sky is falling
They need Your love in their lives
Compromise is calling

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
You never turn in the heat of it all
What if I stumble, what if I fall?

Father please forgive me for I can not compose
The fear that lives within me
Or the rate at which it grows
If struggle has a purpose on the narrow road you've carved
Why do I dread my trespasses will leave a deadly scar
Do they see the fear in my eyes? Are they so revealing?
This time I cannot disguise all the doubt I'm feeling


What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

What if I stumble?
Everyone's got to crawl when you know that
You're up against a wall, it's about to fall
Everyone's got to crawl when you know that

I hear You whispering my name [You say]
"My love for You will never change" [never change]

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
You never turn in the heat of it all
What if I stumble, what if I fall?
You are my comfort, and my God

Is this one for the people, is this one for the Lord?

Listening
One of the hardest lessons that I am learning is also one of the greatest arts in this life especially when it comes to personal relationships - listening. I am going to guess that a characteristic of a great conversationalist is the ability to listen and really hear another person out. It is my desire to be a better listener and to continue to improve this skill throughout the rest of my days.
Yesterday, my daughter asked me, "Don't you want to always be growing?" and I said, "yes, to the end of my days."
Really, it is my prayer and my heart's desire to remain teachable. I believe a key element to being teachable is the ability to listen to others, to learn from them and hear what message is being communicated.
There is a second type of listening and that is listening to God. The most basic way to do that is through the Word of God - to read my bible. I believe there are other ways: through people, through nature and in the midst of our circumstances. It is my belief that God does want to reach us through these means as well. My job is to discern and to listen carefully. In John Jesus talks about being our shepherd and us being his sheep. The sheep know the voice of their Shepherd. So, I believe that Jesus can speak to me through any means and if it lines up with His Word then I can pretty much trust that the word is from Him. Sometimes I need to check it out with a brother or sister in Christ and I am not afraid to do so.
Closing my mouth is not only helpful but is essential in the pursuit of becoming an active listener. For most of my pilgrim journey this has been an ongoing lesson. Some of us need to learn to speak up and others of us need to learn to keep quiet. I am so grateful to be on this road knowing that there are bends and turns that will continue to shape my character.
Thanks for reading. CM

Young People
My children are no longer children, they are young people, teenagers. Growing up more quickly than I expected. We have had our share of struggles but all in all we are still enjoying and discipling our children. What I sometimes find hard is that I am still growing up as well. Yesterday in my spirit I felt like I was going to break but it is during those times that I think that I need to be still before our Father and remember that He is the Potter and that I am the clay, that my life is not my own that I was bought with a price, that I am to do His will and not my own.
I am so grateful for the relationships that I have with each of my children. Lately, I have been reading about and witnessing great struggles between young people and their parents. In my life, I have read many books (many more as an adult than when I was young) and some things really stick, "Rules without relationships equals rebellion" I read that in 1988 on my honeymoon (I could tell you book and the author too :-) It is not enough to lay down the law with our children, we must give them our time, attention and our hearts. It is the heart part that is the most challenging. It requires us to be vulnerable, open, honest and transparent but I am seeing how it is worth it, even when it is painful.
Today I am treasuring the time we have with our children as we can see the crossroads that are quickly approaching with our oldest - the others time is not far behind.

What direction?
I have these arrow stickies that I really like and right now I have 5 of them all pretty much pointing in the same direction. It is quite orderly in fact. Somedays do you feel like you have arrow stickies all pointing in different directions and you are not sure which way to go. I think I need to go to the Father as it feels like I have 5 stickies staring me in the face that requires me to go 5 different ways all at the same time. Augggh!
The new Switchfoot album has a song that states that we have one life to lead and at the same time asks the question, What direction? Going to the Father gave me the direction I needed and I was able to take the path that He led me down. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be must have been Him carrying me.

INBOX
Most mornings I check my email. What's in my inbox this morning? NYTimes: Scramble for the Primary Race, Truth for Life Daily: Recall God's mercies, Region 8 tournament dates, I'd like to get this (from one of my kids), Expedia, Off-topic SHFL list: Struggling with teens (shouldn't that be ON topic?), Feedblitz, among others. Checking your email is like checking the answering machine back in the days before email. We use it to communicate with one another.
Remember when it was a novelty and you would get a nice email from a friend. It is not that I still don't get those kinds of emails but more and more this is how I stay connected to the world. Recently, I was gone for 2 weeks and I didn't get to check my email. I think I have gotten through most of it, but I missed checking it. I am unashamedly technology dependent.
I'm a saver too. My husband can't stand to look at my inbox and now that I have gmail, I am even more unlikely to clean it out. On occasion I do clean it out even though gmail "says" you never have to delete any email you have 2809 MB.

On the other hand, I have friends from around the country and it is a great way to stay in touch. I also love getting pictures of the little nieces and nephews back home who we are missing growing up. So I love when I get those invites from my sister-in-law, Shosh to view her latest photos. If people are not blogging about their life then the next best thing is the pictures. Some say a picture says a thousand words.
Writing this reminds me that I still have a few new email addresses to put in my contact list. Don't stop communicating with one another, keep in touch.
Hopefully I am sitting in your inbox waiting to be read.

Catch the Vision
In 2002, Grace and I attended our first Communicators for Christ (CFC) conference in MA. It was here that I first heard about the vision of Communicators for Christ. The next one we made was in New Albany, IN when we were living in VA Beach in the October 04. It was there that I began to see the vision but it was not until the fall of 2005 in the city of Nashua, NH that Dan and I caught the vision the Lord had given to David & Teresa Moon for the up and coming generation, to coach cultural communicators for Christ.

Communicators are being trained. Some of the most godless young people are being trained to lead our country and some of them will be leading flock astray as well (yes, I do mean from the pulpit). CFC says we can and must train our young people for Christ. It is not about the awards and accolades. It is about communicating the truth. We are indeed swimming upstream but in God's strength and not our own, there is great hope for this generation of young people.

It is our first priority to make sure our children know the truth and are walking in it. Of course, we realize that our children can not give away what they themselves do not possess. It is however, not enough for us to simply leave them there, knowing and walking in the truth. They need to be able to communicate the truth effectively, winsomely and intelligently. CFC is helping my husband and I to do that, as well as, giving our children opportunities to help others.

Now, I can't wait to get back to the club here in Gainesville and continue to encourage and exhort others to press on and continue to sharpen those skills to make a difference now as well as in the future.
PAX,
CM

War of Words
This is the title of the book I am now using for my daily devotional. It is recommended by my friend Teresa Moon and written by Paul David Tripp. Yesterday, I did say there was hope in winning the war of words and the words from this book are not new, however they are important. C.S. Lewis said, "we do not so much need to be taught as to be reminded."

"we must learn to think before we speak" that is something I read this morning. How many times have I said this to my own children? or to myself after the "toothpaste is out of the tube"? Mr. Tripp refers us to Proverbs 15 verse 28, "The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil." This is not a new lesson but sometimes it is forgotten. There are moments like the one in the van where I wish I had just paused for a moment and sought the Lord before I spoke. We can! but we must remember. My prayer is that I would take enough time to stop in my tracks and turn to the Lord and ask, will these words bring glory to YOU, Lord? and will these words be beneficial to my hearers?

Looking to be bold by the Might of the Lion of Judah,
Catherine

Seventy times Seven
As some of you know, we (the Mullaney Pilgrims) are involved with public speaking and debating. The ministry of Communicators for Christ (CFC) helps us to prepare our young people for these activities and for the past 2 weeks we have been challenged, stretched and equipped to become better communicators at the 10th CFC Masters conference.
We heard from polished instructors and teachers who communicate in a professional and gracious manner and the following story from the road reminds us that the tongue is one of the most difficult things in this world to tame. However, there is hope in winning the war of words.
It's the 11th hour on the road and someone needs to go to the bathroom. Oh yes, there have been quite a few stops before this one, but like I said, it's the ELEVENTH hour and we are close to home. On this particle part of the journey I am riding in my friend's van (without her ;-( and 8 young people, three of whom are mine. Truth be told I lost my temper and not really sure now if I apologized or not, I think I did but if I didn't, I ask those of you who were with me, will you forgive me?
Why am I highlighting one of "my moments," the ones that we all hope and pray that everyone will forgive and forget about? Well it has to do with love - not the selfish love of I will love you as long as you give me what I want but the deep and true love that the Lover of our souls calls us to extend to one another. This is the love that includes forgiveness. It wasn't enough for Jesus to just love us, He could have done that from above, however in Romans Paul says, "but God demonstrates his own love to us in this, that while we were still sinners He died for us" and the death, the shedding of his blood was for the forgiveness of sins.
I sinned and I am truly sorry. The Lord granted us traveling mercies and for that I am grateful. It was a van full of firstborns, 6 including myself and it is amazing that the clashes were few and far in between. As we continue to debrief from our trip these things come up and I desire to be washed in the blood of the lamb and know that God's graces and mercies far outweigh my blunders.
Riding 800 miles with 8 young people was an adventure and I would do it again in a heartbeat. We road without a stereo or DVD player - IMAGINE, just with one another and a number of cell phones. Everyone took care of one another and stuck together; no one was left behind at McDonald's or anywhere else for that matter. There was an issue with the number 7 but all in all it was a good ride home and I look forward to more journeys in the coming year.
PAX,
CM

The Body of Christ
Today I wrote emails to Mississippi, California and Washington. Just following up with some friends from the Masters conference. Our world has gotten so much bigger not just because we move often but also because of our involvement with competitive speech and debate. Our children are now also speaking out in the community and helping others to develop their communication skills while continuing to work on their own skills. It is an exciting and fast pace part of raising a family and I would not miss it for the world.
Thanks to everyone especially the Moon family for contributing to the lives of our three children. We are so grateful to God for you being a part of our lives.

To Serve the Master

Dan finally caught his breath and said, "Grace is in the finals for the oratorical contest and it is about to start any minute." I was just finishing ballots for another activity that I was judging. I thought, I don't want to miss this, so I packed up my things and made it into the room, just in time.

We have just returned from the Communicators for Christ Masters Conference. Each year they have an oratorical contest based on the theme for the upcoming year and the speech the students have to write is based on that theme. This year's is "One Life Whose Legacy?" All three of my children wrote a speech for the contest - three very different speeches. The final round was a great group of very different speeches based on this one theme.

Grace's speeches starts, "What shall I say?" quoting Sarah Edwards the wife of Jonathan Edwards and the legacy of this man is what Grace would be sharing about in this speech. The powerful legacy left by this one man is inspirational but so is my daughter who is growing into not just an outstanding orator but also a beautiful hand-maiden of her Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace quietly and joyfully served faithfully in several areas during this Masters Conference and several of the local team expressed their gratitude for my daughter. As a mom it was humbling and heartwarming. I am grateful for all three of my children and our oldest child is completing the shortest season of life: childhood. Words cannot express the gratitude I have in my heart for being there in each stage of development.

Catherine
The results of the oratorical will soon be posted at the CFC website
Check it out soon.

Not all commodes are equal

I plunged again this morning. The first day we were in this apartment we arrived without a plunger and we were almost immediately in trouble. One of the interesting things in moving often is learning to adjust to very simple things like the toilets. We have two in this place.
Life lesson for a pilgrim if I ever settle down: No two commodes are alike. I would want a permanent residence with a good powerful flush. (does that mean I am easy to please or just full of . . .? ;-)

Pax and Elimination,
CM

Heuristic Home Education


The world of forensics is consuming us, all for the glory of God. Now when I speak of forensics I don't mean we are examining cadavers. However, there are people who would rather be a cadaver then take the public platform to speak. It is just amazing that I even have access to this computer at this time since my children each need to Preparing speeches writing, practicing, delivering and debates, researching, writing cases, researching, debating, writing briefs, etc.
and "does this outfit look professional enough Mom?"
"Can we go to Wal-mart?"
"We are almost out of black ink mom....(we need to go to Wal-Mart)"
"When are we leaving (translates to: how much time do I have left to memorize these speeches?)

The three young people that live and travel with us are constantly learning new things.

Discovery, questions, findings

Creativity

struggling

growing up

living at the same address (for more than six months) perhaps by the next time we move they will all know our zip code.

Time

is

getting

short

Caitriona
I realized today that the url for my blog was not the same as the title for my blog. If I were to change the name I go by again which I did in 1991, it would be "Caitriona." It was while reading a Stephen Lawhead book out loud to my kids that I first came across the name. Immediately I liked it. So perhaps when I turn 50 or get published hoping that the latter will come before the former I will take on a new name again. Caitriona Pellegrino or maybe Caitriona Palmer, both surnames mean pilgrim. It really would not be new just a different form of the same name which is what I did in '91.
Of course, there are a number of people who still call me by the name my parents gave me. I don't think Dan would appreciate my changing my surname, but if it was just a pen name I don't think he'd mind.

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. " Proverbs 22;1

The meaning of my name is purity which was a complete joke to me before I was a Christian. Being bad was good. Growing up, I thought it was cool to be bad. Then I found out that everyone is bad and in need of forgiveness, redemption and restoration. Now I see that the Lord speaking my full name over me through my husband that He is in the business of making his children pure through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.


Here we are into the new year. It is a strange new year because we are not in a new place. Believe it or not, it has been a real adjustment for me. Something inside is longing to go. We really are creatures of habit. Soon enough I will be on the road with my children, heading to KY for a couple of weeks. It is however not the same as moving to a new city and state. Pray that the Lord give me peace and joy in being right where I am and doing exactly what he intends for me to do.
Pax,
Caitriona

The END of 2006
and

the beginning of 2007
.....ring in the new year with glad anticipation.

Full Throttle
Clean thoughts from a caffeine junkie

Standing in line at Wal-Mart, I noted that at every register there are a wide selection of energy drinks. Full Throttle is one of just a slew of energy drinks on the market - Full Throttle from Coca-Cola Company, Adrenaline Rush, Amp Energy drink, Double Shot from Starbucks, No Fear from SoBe and of course, RedBull which is the one first introduced in the US. European and Asia countries have been consuming these energy drinks longer than we have. ("who's this 'we' Tonto? Americans) On occasion I have had an energy drink but I considered RedBull, well, high test and not sure how I would react.
It made me question, why do we need energy? a pick me up? coffee in the morning? In three words, "we never stop" I totally agree with the "I would rather burn out than fade away" but if God rested on the 7th day who are we to think that we don't need rest?
Rest - It is a biblical principle that I think is being overlooked these days. We need down time and we need it regularly. There are so many principles to put into practice. Often we translate that into being active. That reminds me of a bumper sticker, "Look busy, Jesus is coming back." You have to stay busy even if you are not accomplishing anything. At least you look the part. It is hard in our society to just be, after all, we are human beings but we act like human doings. Physical rest, mental and spiritual rest are all necessary. It would do us good to learn from orthodox Jews about the sabbath rest. I do realize that they take it to the extreme but if we find a way to implement it into our lives I believe we will burn brightly for years to come, eventually coming to the burn out, not fading away or rusting out.

As I sit here, drinking my morning jump juice, I am realizing that this is what I am missing in my staying in one place longer than usual. When we move to a new place, all we have is each other. There is time to relax after the unpacking is done. We go exploring and each of us has time to spend alone and with each other. It is up to us to get to know other folks and we have in every place we have lived. The rest of my time here in G'ville will be more productive, if I make rest a regular part of my week. For today, there are routes to be routed, lists to be made, speeches to be polished and debates to be had in preparation for the Masters conference that we leave for in just 9 short days.
I hope each of you find some time to rest this weekend.
Pax,
Catherine

6 Months in Gainesville and starting our 13th month in the Sunshine State. Sure there are other states to see but staying for a while longer than we are use to is an adventure too. Imagine, cooking a turkey without having boxes to pack in between basting the bird. Christmas with a real tree, of course, we still have our travel size "you can't have Christmas, GML tree" and it has taken a beating but still looks marvelous.
I am ready to go when the time comes but for now I am content to stay. It is wonderful getting to work and serve along side my husband and children. For all of those who have welcomed us we can not thank you enough for your Gracious Gator Hospitality.
PS
If anyone up North reads this say Happy Birthday to our nephew Nicky who turns 17 today.

Pilgrim latest read, The Highlander's Last Song by George MacDonald
Originally titled What's Mine's Mine
I just wanted to post a few quotes before I return the book to the shelf.

One of them I am currently using in my email signature,
"A love can never be lost; it is a true possession."

For those of us who are on the pilgrim highway,
"God did not make the world to be dwelt in but to be journeyed through."

Those who long for abundant living,
"...think she(Mercy) must, for she found herself in a region of human life drastically different from any she had ever experienced. Everything said or done seemed to acknowledge something understood. Life went on with a continuous lean toward something rarely mentioned, plainly uppermost. The mother and her two sons appeared to know things which her own people did not even suspect."

Fragile
I have been to the post office a few times in the past 2 weeks. The second time I was in line with a few things to mail. Some of them needed to be weight and mailed off with the proper postage. Of course the clerk asks the usual "anything fragile, hazzardous, liquid or perishable?" I don't think I said anything and the clerk stamped on the front of a certain envelop "fragile," as if she could see on my face that part of my heart was in the 6x9 envelop.
I walked out in a sort of dream like state. Am I that transparent? Then I remembered a little section from the latest George MacDonald novel that I just finished reading:
"It is the desire to call things ours - the desire of company which is not of our kind. We call the holding in the hand, or house, or pocket, or purse, or the power, having. But things so held cannot really be had. Having is but an illusion with regard to things. It is only what we can be with that we really possess. A love can never be lost; it is a true possession. But who can take his diamond ring, or his piece of land, in to the life beyond? These are not possessions. Thus, only love, and only God can be ours perfectly. Nothing called property can be ours at all."
Although, the card and the words that were written are an expression of my love they were not fragile in the world's definition however in the spiritual world the contents were indeed precious and would be handled with much care.

Holiday Cheer
Please visit my daughter Grace's blog
where I have a guest post named "Hap-happiest Season of all." It is the second to last current post.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Let the stories be told
For those of you who I write a letter to on a semi regular basis, you know the kind that comes via the US Postal Service, well I wrote most of it in October and then my computer got sick. It is still in the computer shop waiting for a transplant. The machine is ancient (nearly 4 years old) so you have to wait for parts longer when they are that old.
At present each person in our family is writing their own novel. We are doing NanoWrimo which is writing a novel in the month of November 50,000 words is the goal. You read that right FIFTY THOUSAND. Each of us has over 25,000 words that is well over 125,000 (I think each of the children have over 30K each). WOW. This is my time on the computer to get some writing do but instead I am posting here. Perhaps I will go put the coffee on and then get into my book. The Title is Identity Theft (subtitle) It is not your number they want but the name that they refuse to give you. A futuristic story of the US being in the midst of civil war, families are becoming a thing of the past, all children are wards of the state and some refuse to let the government tare their families apart.
Recently, Michael got to meet one of his favorite author's Lemony Snicket aka Daniel Handler on a surprise trip to Atlanta with me. The girls went to St. Pete's (St. Petersburg, FL) to meet one of their favorite authors (most of Grace's favorites are dead and Angie is fully alive) Angela Hunt. Katie is the one who really introduced us to her writing.
The written word in both the reading and the writing of has always been important to our family but now for the month of November anyway, it has taken first place. Time to brew in more way than one.
Pax Vobiscum,
Catherine

Time to start writing a little more regularly. I have haphazardly been posting on my other blog www.xanga.com/macgrill but I think that I probably won't be posting there anymore since xanga has the rights to whatever you write – hence here I am.
Since my last posting we have had many life-giving experiences which I will not go into right now. The day before yesterday I opened a box marked "after G'ville" which to me meant after we left G'ville in late September which obviously did not happen. (We are on “assignment” in G’ville for now, possibly staying through May.) The box had books in it and they are treasures to us. Since hitting the road we do not own a lot of things but we do love books and when we pull them out, it feels like pulling out a little piece of home. Our family has thoroughly enjoyed reading together. Currently we are reading Brother Andrew’s “Light Force” which is about his experiences in the Middle East where he has met with Jihad and Hezbollah leaders, among others in order to dialogue with those in the Muslim world.
I opened the box and immediately came upon 3 books, one by Francis Shaeffer, one by Edith (his wife) and one by Susan (his daughter). Grace is almost finished reading The Tapestry, a book about the Shaeffer family. So we were blessed. The book I started to read is For the Children’s Sake by Susan Shaeffer Macaulay. It was a book I had read years ago when our children were small and that book made Susan an encouraging friend. I am sure I have a copy back in MA somewhere (since we have books in about 4 different places thanks to my book keepers :-) but seeing it on the bookshelf for sale at McKay’s used bookstore for 2 dollars I bought it just to have on my shelf. I started to read it again. Mind you it is not for those faint of heart. It is meaty, right and true but it can be a challenge to those who have not changed their philosophy of education since being “a typical student” themselves. We continue to meet homeschooling moms who are burnt out on doing “school at home” and attempting to fill their children’s minds with facts instead of training them to become life long learners.
So as I started to reread this book, I thought about my most recent encounter with those who actually work in the government schools.
Santa Fe Community College, here in Gainesville offered a free workshop to any educator interested in the ACT testing available to all juniors and seniors across the country. Since, Grace will be taking the SAT’s, I thought why not check it out. I exchanged pleasantries with the woman beside me and then the woman in front of us turned around to join in. This “lady” was obviously strongly opposed to those of us that educate our children at home. As soon as I said that I educated my children at home she started raising her voice, pointing her finger at me and using “you” statements, I finally found something to help us laugh which put an end to what felt like 20 minutes but was most likely about 2. She then turned to the other gov’t. worker and started in on some shop talk, by and large a list of complaints. I found myself thanking God silently that we as a family have not had to deal with all that endless red tape. At first, I felt assaulted but soon I realized that it had nothing to with me personally. Her whole line of “shoulds” implied that I was depriving my children from all that government schools have to offer as if Dan and I do not have sole authority over the direction of our children’s education.
To many in the government schools, we are the enemy. I don’t see them as my enemy, in fact, as I sat there listening to these two women who are constantly swimming up stream, lacking creativity because the bureaucracy has tied their hands and I felt sad for them. As much as some public educators’ love children they can not and must not treat children as individual persons with different learning styles, strengths and weaknesses. They can not truly love them because they are forbidden to honor these dear precious lives.

For those who enjoy newsie type post I hope you enjoy my last entry which I just re-read . . . it seemed a little bit of rambling to me. It had been over a month so I wanted to let you know I was still alive, well and continuing on our adventurous way even though we are still in FL.

This July Grace put on a successful speech and debate workshop and from that doors have opened, phones are ringing and the inbox is filling up. In Tallahassee I found myself in several interesting conversations with parents who are new to world of forensics (formal argumentation, not CSI style). As we prepare to help start a club here in Gainesville, I realize that there is so much that I don't know but apparently I know enough that other people want to pick my brain. It is a place of responsibility and one that we are embracing and at the same time being very dependent on the Lord.

If you think of the Mullaney Pilgrims please keep us in your prayers and we will keep our seatbelts on as we hang on for the ride.

Three weeks on the road, the first 2 with Grace, the 3rd with Katie and Michael. Our children are growing up fast. It was great being with them. During TeenpactJudicial (www.tpjudicial.org) we made new friends and served along side one another. Some say I am a bit of a sergeant but it is also true that those who may be heavy on discipline are also sustained by a deep love for people. It is getting things done that you want to accomplish that frees us up to have a bit of fun. Inky and I surprised Grace with cake and flowers for her birthday and a room full of people to help us celebrate. Perhaps a Chinese fire drill for good measure as well.
Grace's second surprise came in the oldest established city in the country St. Augustine Florida where we met up with Dan, Katie and Michael to celebrate the girls birthdays. It was a fun filled 22 hours before Grace and I needed to head to Miami Florida. Have you ever been there in the height of the summer? Step outside the door at 7:15 am and for us people who tend to sweat, you instantly start melting. The Tellez family hosted us in that lovely south Florida city where we attended CFC (www.communicatorsforchrist.com ) Grace is an alumni of the program and was able to work with the staff. So that makes me an alumni parent, so I helped the parents who hosted that conference. I also got to visit with some of our dear friends from Naples. We even had dinner with a number of them followed by a taste of heaven while we worshipped the Lord after our meal and before we parted ways.
Tallahassee Florida, Tallahassee, Florida . . . our states capital (yes, the good Floridians have adopted us and made us one of them) seriously, the Floridians we know have loved us like one of their own. Katie, Michael and I had a great time in Tal. Karen Kovaka said to Katie and Michael, "there are more Mullaneys?" They were endeared to the staff through their older sister Grace. We really bonded with the CFC staff especially since it was my second week on tour with them, they were ready to take me to VA with them but there is more to be done in Florida. So we said our good-byes until next time.
Besides we are gearing up to help establish a speech and debate club in Gainesville. It is an exciting adventure that includes the whole family. We can't wait to see what the Lord will do next . . . if you think of us, we would appreciate your prayers.

This morning I turned on the FoxNews - wanting to know what is going on in the middle east. Mostly, they were showing the Americans being evacuated from Beirut. It is serious and it is also, more of the war on terrorism. The battle may be between Lebanon and Israel but the war is between the terrorists and the rest of the world. It linger in the back of our minds. However, with click of a button, I find myself at the British Open in Liverpool, England where my maternal grandmother was from. On to the next channel, I found Zig Ziglar encourager extrodinaire, putting in the plug for his new book, Better than Good!
Interest we can literally tune out those things that have the capability of effecting us in the near future or for the rest of our days. Sometimes we don't want to know and other times like when I first picked up the clickah, we feel compelled to know what is going on in our world, in our Father's world. The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. We are His children, agents and warriors. What is my part? What is our part? How am I to respond? If you were a fly on my wall, you might say well look at Catherine, she has gone and made a T-time for tomorrow (that TEE not Tea, so I will be picking up a club not putting on the kettle). Yet, the fly has no idea what is going on in my heart and mind.
Lots of things go on in my mind, like should our family be getting passports, fire arms, and bullet proof vests? Is WWIII just around the corner? Will our children be going to war? My heart cry is COME Lord Jesus COME . . .watching and waiting for the day of HIS RETURN.
Pax Vobiscum,
Catherine

A Crack in my soul
There is a crack in the new glass coffee table and we have been here just over 24 hours. It really doesn't matter how it happened. My knowing the cause will not mend it. A slight disturbance does not need to become anger at one of my family members ~ funny, I just really liked the piece of glass as a whole and now it is in two pieces. People's lives have many cracks in them. We don't like a lot of what we see in ourselves and others. As pride-filled humans we do our best to hide most of these cracks from one another. The longer I live, the more I realize that we all have broken places and some of them have just surfaced within the last day.
Accepting the cracks in ourselves and others enables us to grow in our relationships with one another. Some of these flaws we need to bring to the Lord and ask for healing or guidance or perhaps we are in need of discipline - we are to bring our burden to Him. It is not up to us to tell the Lord to fix something in our brother. Sure we can pray for him and ask the Lord to help him but it is more effective in our relationships if we ask for grace and acceptance to love our brother right where he is.
For me the most painful cracks are the ones in my personal relationships. Some are really obvious to myself, the other person and anyone who knows both of us and our history. Others are the most personal in nature, there is a crack in the foundation of the relationship and it can only be mended if both parties are willing and I believe there needs to be a mutual surrender to the Lord. It will be a healing touch from the hand of God. There are requirements for us _ forgiveness, grace and understanding however it is God who provides there for us. When God is the foundation of a relationship, it has exactly what it needs to withstand the storms that happen in the best of relationships.
Moving on and knowing that new relationships are on the horizon, I've been looking back over this past assignment in Naples Florida at a number of friendships that have developed over the last 2 years. Some bring joy to my heart, some have wounds that are healed and the relationship continues to grow, some cracks are sharp and particularly painful and others are broken in such a way that I don't have much hope for restoration.
There is a question in my mind about a certain relationship in which I need to say something but I am not sure what to say, when to say it and how to even approach the issue of the crack. In my humanness, I want to shake the dust off of my feet or wash my hands of the whole thing - move on in my heart and mind as well as my hands and feet. Yet my spirit in agreement with the Lord's says, this needs healing - do your best to work it out - at least from your side. So that means some "soul searching " for me in the next week or so.
Please pray for me.
Pax Vobiscum, CM
Catherine Mullaney copyright 2006

Hitting the road again . . . but we will still be in Florida, in its northern parts which are kind of southern.
Pax Vobiscum,
CM

"We here highly resolve to remember that the dead that lay here did not die in vain" this is the inscription that is in the arch of the amphitheatre behind the tomb of the unknown soldier. Below is a marble chair where children were taking one another's pictures. They were smiling and posing not really thinking about where they were as they took their photos.
One of the girls was about to walk past me and I asked her, "did you read what is says in the archeway?" She said, that she was about to go up to read it. I told her that she would not be able to see it if she went up there. She read it, looked at me with a more somber smile. I said, it was because they died you can be here free to take pictures and do what you like. She thanked me and I prayed that she would reflect on not only the words but also the sacrifices that fellow Americans make for us everyday.

It is wartime and still children frolic.

Daily those who have served their country are buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.

The Road is calling.....
Whatever you do whether packing or cleaning do it all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, we have got a good 1/3 or so of our packing done, we leave for VA for Nationals at the end of the week, return, finish packing and hit the road again.

A closing chapter by Catherine Mullaney (May 21st,2006)
Yesterday we attended a very nice high school graduation of seniors who were educated at home. There were 15 grads and we got to see a glimpse of who each one was through music, speeches, interpretations and of course DVD (the 21st century medium). Each grad received their diploma from his/her Mum and Dad.
It was an honor for us to be invited by 3 of the grads who have become our friends over the last two years.
One of the dad's (not one that we know personally) who is a pastor was slated to give the charge, an exhortation if you will, to graduates. Instead, he was an opportunist - seeing that we were in a church sanctuary he failed to get out of his box and gave a sermon. I have a pretty high tolerance for these kind of things but my son was very agitated and whispered when is this guy going to finish his sermon.
Then I started thinking about what this man was saying and how Michael felt about it. Here were a group of young people most of whom are much more mature than their contemporaries and they are handed an exhortation in the form of a sermon. These are Christian kids who probably here a sermon most Sundays and this weekend they get a double billing.
I guess being a speech and debate mum has made me a little more critical than I use to be. Most of the content was good, but the packaging (delivered as a sermon) was distasteful to me. Perhaps I am old fashion and if you are going to go through all the hard work of cap and gown, procession, wonderful decorations including personal picture collages of each graduate, use of the building, invitation and the like, but you don't hear words from the keynote speaker, that are something along the lines of "you are our future," then perhaps they might want to rethink who it is that will charge your students at the next "traditional graduation" from a non-traditional education.
On a more personal note: It was great to be there and to celebrate with these few families that we have gotten to know over the last two years. Our oldest daughter is not too far away from graduation herself, so the touching moments during the ceremony reached me.
Blessings, prayers and kudos to the Mock, Moore, Morrow families!!

Extraordinary
It has been a while since I have posted. We just returned from GA where Grace competed in Region 8 Invitational Tournament. Let's just say we were very proud parents!! To God be the glory! It was also our pleasure to stay with old friends of ours in Marietta, Todd and Judy Marek.
This week we are doing our best to just be (I could elaborate if you want me to - just ask). Next week we will start packing to move and then we will all be going to Nationals and when we return we will finish packing and hit the road again.

I finished reading The Barbarian Way by Edwin Raphael McManus
Some more quotes:
"You are the recipient of the God who cannot be tamed and of a faith that must not be tamed. You are no longer a prisoner of time and space, but a citizen of the kingdom of God - a resident of the barbarian tribe. God is not a sedative that keeps you calm and under control by dulling your senses. He does quite the opposite. He awakens your spirit to be truly alive.
....you are most fully alive when you are on an adventure with God."

"Jesus was anything but the poster child for status quo."

"To see from a kingdom perspective is to know that there is a conflict of invisible kingdoms and that people's lives are forever changed by what happens in the unseen. We are called to be warriors of light in dark places. We are mystical warriors who use weapons not of this world."

When you understand what Jesus means when He says that you must follow Him, you finally realize that this is not a cattle call. He is not calling you to the same life that everyone else will live. He's not even calling you to the same path that every follower of Christ will walk. Your life is unique before God, and your path is yours and yours alone. Where God will choose to lead you and how God chooses to use your life cannot be predicted by how God has worked in the lives of others before you."

"Is it possible that the transforming power of the church has been lost because we keep inviting people to step into the comfort, safety, and security of Jesus Christ? We've created a religious culture in which - even though we're the most blessed society in the history of the planet - our best selling literature still focuses on how we can be more blessed. May we need to step way back to the beginning of this movement."

"When barbarians travel together, . . . they walk together as free individuals joined not by standardization, but by spirit."

"When the Spirit of God comes to live within you, you strangely become aware of your inadequacy and your extraordinary potential. "

"Rhinos moving together at full speed are known as a crash. Even when they're just hanging around enjoying the watershed, they're called a crash because of their potential. You've got to love that. I think that's what we're supposed to be. That's what happens when we become barbarians and shake free of domestication and civility. The becomes a crash. We become an unstoppable force."

Teacher leave those kids alone....
I just finished reading for the second time Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto. I probably read it the first time in 1999 perhaps 1998. The subtitle is The Hidden Curriculum of Complusory Schooling. The author, New York State Teacher of the Year and this book sheds so much light upon the public school system that half way through the book you know that it is not necessary to "do school" to get a real education. In fact, JT Gatto contends that "education and schooling are, as we all have experienced, mutually exclusive terms."
This slender volume packs a powerful punch. Don't take my word for it. Read the book. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes:
"Curiosity has no important place in my work, only conformity."

"School is a twelve-year jail sentence where bad habits are the only curriculum truly learned."

". . . networks, even good ones, drain the vitality from communities and families."

"It's just impossible for education and schooling to be the same thing."

"By preventing a free market in education, a handful of social engineers - backed by the industries that profit from compulsory schooling: teacher colleges, textbook publishers, materials suppliers, et al. - has ensured that most of our children will not have an education, even though they may be thoroughly schooled."

"Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your road map through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important, how to live and how to die."
Since Mr. Gatto taught school (not english as he thought he was going to) in the NYC school system, he is basically outing compulsory schooling and taking us behind the scenes illuminating a philosophy of education which has little to do with learning. As I continue to travel the road that I am on with my husband and children, more and more I see how this little book had a great impact on our freedom to educate our children at home and to live by the spirit and not by man-made schooling philosophies.

Yesterday, we watched the end of the Nabisco Classic LPGA Championship....(just hang in there with me if you are not into golf - ladies) Lorena Ochoa had been leading the whole tournament until the last back nine, Michele Wee, Natalie Glubis and Karrie Webb(a verteran who was the first LPGA player to ever earn $1 Million) were in the hunt. Karrie Webb approached the 18th and chipped it in for eagle from 116 yds. to take the lead at 9 under. The other 3 were on the 16th fairway and it was if Karrie said, come and get me girls. Ochoa ended up tying with an eagle herself. IT was sudden death playoff back to the 18th Tee. Karrie won leaving the young ones to gear up for the next tournament.
What captivates us? It wasn't so much the golf...although it is more enjoyable when you understand the sport.... it was the drama of it all........the let's step it up girls and give it our all....let's give the crowd what they came for... a great performance.....and the message for this warrior of the King, daughter of Zion was that when I am given a task to do or take on anything that I do it whole-heartedly. When we are willing to listen, the message can come from any place.
Thank you Lord. We can not put you in a box. CM

DON'T BE ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL
"When you understand what Jesus means when He says that you must follow Him, you finally realize that this is not a cattle call. He is not calling you to the same life that everyone else will live. He's not even calling you to the same path that every follower of Christ will walk. Your life is unique before God, and your path is yours and yours alone. Where God will choose to lead you and how God chooses to use your life cannot be predicted by how God has worked in the lives of others before you."
The Barbarian Way by E.R. McManus
Mr. McManus is talking about our Christian life, pilgrimage, His will for our life....for me as a follower of Christ - a pilgrim who educates her children at home along with her husband will contend that this is just as true about why and how we educate our children. My philosophy of education is to be as individual as my walk with the Lord. In fact, I believe that how and why we educate our children at home is an extention of our spiritual life. If someone were to have looked at my life from beginning to age 23 (when I had my first child), a number of people (including spirit filled Christians) would say that I was NOT a good candidate to be a "home educator."
Recently, my children and I were some place where a number of homeschoolers were and one of mine said, "everyone but us is doing this." I said, "that's right." It was simply an observation. And it is simply an observation in this post.
It does not mean that you can't encourage me and I can't encourage you in your path . . . in fact, we do need to encourage one another however, there will be times when the road seems long and lonely but we are to remember that Jesus says "Follow me." The Lord will always be with us as we walk with Him..Remember when Peter was speaking to Jesus after the Resurrection. He said to the Lord, "what about him (meaning John the beloved)?" In paraphrase Jesus said, that is none of your business. YOU follow ME.
It is so easy to be overly concerned about what others think of us. The proverb writer says that it proves to be a snare. So, I want to encourage every follower of Jesus Christ to continue to follow HIM even when the herd you have been traveling with starts heading in a different direction. I will end with another quote from Mr. McManus:
"We are called to a path filled with uncertainty, mystery, and risk."

The Invasion
"To belong to God is to belong to His heart. IF we have responded to the call of Jesus to leave everything and follow Him, then there is a voice within us crying out, "Fight for the heart of your King!"
Erwin continues to talk about the tribe called to action. He uses the following verbs to describe these tribesmen: "Come" "Go!" "Forward"
"The invitation of Jesus is a revolutionary call to fight for the heart of humanity. We are called to an unconventional war using only the weapons of faith, hope and love."
"...invisible kingdoms are at war for the hearts and lives of every human being who walks on the face of the earth. And times of war require barbarians who are willing to risk life itself for the freedom of others."
"It is time to hear the barbarian call"
from chapter 1 of The Barbarian Way by Erwin R. McManus

WARNING: This post my be hazzardous to your religious life
This past Sunday Grace and I heard in certain local preacher give a sermon about Jesus the Lion of Judah (I am almost positive that was not his title, but for time sake I am not going to go looking for my bulletin). Let's just say that more people need to be talking, preaching, and teaching about who the real Jesus of the Bible is and our identify in Him. It is neither passive nor wimpie!!!
As you can see I am currently reading The Barbarian Way, I want to share a word or two from it and I want to encourage my readers (the strong and the few ;-) to live for the King, The Warrior of the Cross who has equipped us for the battle we enter into each day.
"The civilized build shelters and invite God to stay with them; barbarians move with God wherever He chooses to go. The civilized Christian has a routine; the barbarian disciple has a mission. The civilized believer knows the letter of the law; the barbarian disciple lives the spirit of the law. The religiously civilized love tradition; the barbarian spirit loves challenges. The civilized are satisfied with ritual; barbarians live and thrive in the mystical. For the civilized disciple, religion provides stability and certainty; for the barbarian , a life in God is one of risk and mystery.
And maybe even a little insanity. There's no way to escape that barbarians can appear out of their minds. No reasonable person would ever fully follow God everywhere He calls. God is simply unreasonable."
The Barbarian Way by Erwin R. McManus

Hard Drive......woes
Well, unless my brother-in-law can perform a miracle my hard-drive is dead. I am hoping for a Lazarus. Anyway.....
If any of you read this please send me an email so that I will have your address to my gmail. It is catherine.mullaney@gmail.com (my kids said, "real original Mum") - I still have macsgrill but nowhere to story addresses so that is why I would like you to email me at gmail. I think it(the boring email addy) is probably my more serious side, practical and maturing side that caused me to do such a thing. You see, I don't consider myself boring or bored - as I have said several times to my children, when they have said, "I'm bored." My reply is no you are not, only boring people get bored. So, it is never a dull moment around here(wherever that may be at the moment) or shall I say, on the pilgrim highway. This is me from Grace's computer and I need to get off now. I look forward to hearing from all my faithful readers. If I missed your bday or anything it is because I don't have your email addy memorized please forgive me.
Pax Vobiscum, CM

Individuals
"Statistical evidence is overwhelming that millions of American children, including those graduating from high school, cannot read. When a disorder affects so many people, one calls it an epidemic. An epidemic is always caused by external forces, not by defects in the individual….When so many children are affected by the same disorder, the explanation cannot possibly be individual psychopathology."
Dr. Hilde Mosse

Seeing the affects of Katrina 1st installment
New Orleans: Nearly 5 months later
Written on January 22, 2006
On our day off between speech week and debate week, our friend Jennifer Foreman’s husband Collins was able to put us in touch with relief worker Bonnie Nelson from Arkansas. We went to New Orleans proper and picked Bonnie up at School of Urban Missions which is being used as an Emergency Relief staging area.
Bonnie and her husband Rich have been working in the relief effort for the last 4 months. When they first arrived it was very dangerous, there were snipers everywhere but they lived in the safest part of town with the biggest protection, the FBI sharp shooters who were able to take out all of the snipers.
Leaving New Orleans proper we drove through what the locals call, “The West Bank” this particular neighborhood sustained very little damage and they were the only neighborhood that was not flooded. Now they call themselves “The Blessed Bank.”
The first place we visited was the lower 9th ward. Each house has been searched twice and while we were there the authorities were on the third round. Each house is marked with four quadrants in the top one many were marked with TFW (Toxic Flood Waters) in the bottom was a number usually a zero and lots with a zero with a slash through it meaning no bodies found on both first and second sweep. In the right-hand quad. It would often be marked with a “C” or “D” if a cat or dog was found. In the left number of firearms found.
Much of the city still is without electricity. There are no children in New Orleans. Throughout the lower 9th there were a ton of stop signs because of the lack of electricity. There maybe 10 houses worth restoring here, but who would want to when the rest of the neighborhood needs to be leveled. Many homes, including ones that will never recover from the flood damage had professional signs that read, “No Bulldozing!”
There was trash everywhere. A set of stairs on a postage size stamp of land that led to the house that now sits in the middle of the street 200 yards away. Someone’s couch set on a tipped over 18 wheeler. Former homes piled together from the surge that broke through the levee and push them together as if they were Monopoly pieces. To drive through this place and see it for myself was very sobering. 21st century live coverage can not even do the devastation justice.

SURPRISE!! (ON JANUARY 15, 2006)
Shortly after my 37th birthday, we left family, good friends and all that was familiar to become pilgrims. I had been to a few “big birthday parties” and I always enjoyed them. It had crossed my mind when I was perhaps 35, that I would not object to having one myself come my 40th or 50th. (I have heard that 40 is the new 30 and 50 the new 40. I think that means we are not over the hill till 50. So youthful for another 10 years I will be. Yay!!) Anyway, as some of you may know, my initial birthday celebration was quiet and intimate. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and did not feel deprived in the least.

Little did I know that planning and scheming were happening right under my nose. There indeed was a surprise party in store for me. It hasn’t been quite three years since we started traveling. God has given us friends in Florida who treat us like with are family. (Truth be told we are family in a very real way through our all being children of The Father.) My party was billed as a get together under a few different headings, “A Masters’ send off” “fellowship with the Scofields” “lunch with the Scofields.” The very day of the party we were leaving for Masters and meeting at the Scofields. This meant Grace and I would be leaving, Dan, Katie and Michael for 2 weeks. There was a lot to get done before leaving and in order to leave. I left my packing till Sunday morning (we were leaving in the evening). I threw a few monkey wrenches in the last 24 hours leading up to the party but my family had help in getting rid of them so that the guest of honor would make it to her Surprise 40th Birthday party.

I can’t explain how blessed we have been by the people we have met up and down the east coast of these United States, especially those in Florida. At times, the journey has been a little quieter and a little lonelier but we appreciate each place our travels have taken us. It’s a hoot for this New England girl to celebrate a winter birthday in the Florida sunshine surrounded by fairly new loved ones.
Other random party facts
*Grace even got my mother in on it by having her send a bunch of pictures of me from birth and onward.
*My family went out at midnight to go to Wal-Mart to get last minute party stuff the night before…
*My dear friend Barb Southwick whom I have known since I was 15 was there (she now lives in Naples with her hubbie and kids)
*No one even alluded to a party
*I was surprised!

Back from Louisiana
I wrote the following on January 17th, 2006 in one of my travel journals. The event described happened on the 16th.

Last night we stayed at Ramada Inn in Pensacola – still in Florida after 2 days travel – before checking in we went to the beach and ate at Surfburger. It was a great time of fellowship for all.
After the meal the kids went out to the beach, while Tom, Cory and I sat and talked a good while. The waitress cleared our dishes and left us to enjoy our time together and before we knew it the floor was swept, bar stools were on top of the bar and suddenly the lights came on – “Last call” I said and Cory laughed. The waitress and the cook were cashing out and practically ready to lock up before we headed out. It was time to find those kids.
We walked down the stairs (at least 20 of them since the restaurant was on stilts) directly onto the beach. The three of us were wondering out loud and looking up and down the beach – no sign of our children. As we continued our conversation I thought I heard singing so I interrupted and said, “Listen I think I hear singing.” We happened to be standing directly in front of a pier – I looked and thought I got a glimpse of someone standing near one of the boats docked there. So I walked out onto the pier. I didn’t hear them singing right away but I could tell that it was a group of kids huddled together. The thought went through my mind “I hope those are our kids.”
“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty . . .” seven teenage voices singing in harmony ~ it was the song on the wind I had heard just a few minutes before – I waved for Tom & Cory to come on – it was indeed our kids.
We kept our distance & savored the moment letting them finish out their song. At the very end of the pier our children invited the presence of the Lord and He came.
The three of us were humbled by the sight of our children (the Holy Huddle).
Were those tears in Tom’s eyes while he declared to Cory and me “this is what the trip is all about.”?

A Masters Moment
So many doing their share,
so many showing how much they care,
It makes little difference what it will take,
but every bit how they communicate.

Their was one not like all guests,
So worried about possibly getting messed
by the work that was required by the rest.
She did her best to look the part,
Before my eyes I saw her heart.
In a moment, I saw with My Father's eyes,
this sister does not realize,
that the joy is in giving and not in false show.
She is missing out and may never know.

Have compassion on this one,
who is missing out on all the fun.
Look beyond her smug face,
she does not live within my grace.

I have learned to live to Him,
to work with others in a light
that never dims.
Often at times it requiring sweat, dirt and a mustard
stained suit. Pulling together and who gives a hoot?
Sweat will dry, dirt washes off, the new suit will fade.
Hearts are knit together, the work is done,
We've become family except for the one.

The selfish one has missed the joy,
because she despises the tools I use
to make life richer, fuller and true.
Look with compassion, do not resent,
You looked to me and there she went.

Putting on an apron to look the part,
Thinking that she was being smart,
She does not draw close to the Father's heart.
Her actions said look at me, I am helping out here
thinking she had nothing to fear.
There I was behind the scenes,
getting a sense of how at times He feels
with what my own actions reveal.

I walked away smiling feeling sad for the girl,
who cared more for her reputation than the pearl.
The one not found in the oyster shell,
but having such great value only our actions can tell.
by Catherine Mullaney
writing to you from Ponchatoula, LA

"God - let me be aware.
Let me not stumble blindly down the ways,
Just getting somehow safely through the days,
Not even groping for another hand,
Not even wondering why it all was planned,
Eyes to the ground unseeking for the light,
Soul never aching for a wild-winged flight.
Please, keep me eager just to do my share,
God - let me eager just to do my share.
God - let me be aware.

God - let me be aware.
Stabe my soul fiercely with others' pain,
Let me walk seeing horror and stain.
Let me hands, groping, find other hands.
Give me the heart that divines, understands.
Give me the courage, wounded, to fight.
Flood me with knowledge, drench me in light.
Please keep me eager just to do my share.
God - let me be aware."
by Miriam Teichner

This poem was quoted in my E. Stanley Jones in the devotional I just finish today. I thought it was good enough to share on my blog here in cyberspace.
Pax et annum faustum,
CM

We know the way
The packing is nearly complete. Grace will be getting on a plane tomorrow. Our trip won't be quite the same with her going to Florida ahead of us. So yes we know how to get to Florida from New England even without one of my navigators. I have some loose ends to tie up. Today I am in corduroys, longsleeves with an undershirt. By this time next week, I will be in shorts and a golf shirt hopefully.
May each of you find yourself reflecting on the birth of one I call Savior and Lord.
Pax Vobiscum, CM

Thanksgiving Yada yada yada
Ya ' da is a hebrew word that means several things, one being "thanksgiving" It is our desire to be a thankful people. Dan and I sat down with the children quietly before dinner wrote our gratitude lists and then shared them with one another. Most of our life looks anything but traditional, however, our one standing Thanksgiving tradition is writing these gratitude lists and sharing them with one another (our one other tradition we broke by not having turkey - a very nice meal that Grace and I prepared but it did not include a bird).
Today I am grateful that it is a packing day. As we will leave in just 13 days. So, now that the table is cleared and the dishes are washed. It is time to fill some more boxes. Blessings to all who may be reading this post. And if you have a few minutes why not take a few minutes to literally count your blessings. PAX, CM

From the Chimney
Last weekend our friends the Kehoes came to visit. It was brisk out and I thought a fire would be nice. I started to make some newspaper logs when suddenly I heard a very distinct noise coming from the chimney. **Rasberry** (tongue stuck out and r she blows and echos) "Michael," I yelled up the chimney, "are you on the roof?"
"Yes." came his answer without hesitation.
"Get down from there - now."
Boys being boys, thankfully no one fell from the roof. They were simply enjoying the view and wanted to see if I noticed that he was up there with his friends Matt and Pete. I did step outside to see if everyone made it down ok and to let him know that he no longer was needed on the roof. Some time later he came in and asked if I heard the pitterpatter of growing feet. I said, no, just the rasberry.
Risk taking - I wonder where he got that idea from.....ummmmm.

A passage from Liberal Education & the Public Interest

"As students seek appropriate role models, they cannot do better than to emulate men and women who are idealists. Who are idealists? They are people who are inspired by an idea greater than themselves, who are driven by a moral imperative to imagine a world better than the one they found. They are people animated by principle, who dedicate their lives to fortifying the spirit and improving the lot of those on the brink of hopelessness. They are people who sail against the wind and persevere despite setbacks or ambiguous success.

Idealists are informed on political matters and involved in the civic life of their communities. They devote their energies to the debates that make wise and humane public policy, as all Athens did in the age o Pericles. Idealists care about those who need help and commit themselves to national service and to a lifetime of civic engagement. They care about the health and well-being of neighbors and strangers alike. They care about the legal rights of all, especially those without advocates. They care about the working poor who struggle to make their way and to preserve their families in a global economy of bewildering technological change. They care about children, who need the full support of society in order to achieve their potential.

Idealists remind us, by the way in which they advance the lives of others, that, as Matthew Arnold said, “Life is not a having and a getting, but a being and becoming.” And they invite us, through their generosity, to be open to the possibility that what they have been for us, we might be for others. Idealists are not mere dreamers. They are known by their deeds and by the pride and purpose that animate their altruism. They instruct us, by their example, in the best meaning of character. Idealists are not rare. But there are not enough of them, in this society or any other.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I have the feeling that many of us regard life as beginning, in the important sense, only after we pass some future milestone – after we have been graduated from college, or after we have settled into a prestigious job or a comfortable home or a proper marriage, or after we have achieved a measure of professional success or personal security. It is only then – several decades into middle age – that many people finally give themselves permission to live generously.

But life, of course, is not what happens after we pass some future milestone. Life is what we are doing now. And so the necessity of leading a life guided by ideals, a life that each of us is proud to lead, is present from the start and is always there. My message to students is that a life motivated by idealism promises the deepest kind of personal satisfaction. "

This is from the chapter Appraising Significant Lives from James O. Freedman’s Liberal Education & the Public Interest. (currently I am reading this book.)

"Statistical evidence is overwhelming that millions of American children, including those graduating from high school, cannot read. When a disorder affects so many people, one calls it an epidemic. An epidemic is always caused by external forces, not by defects in the individual....When so many children are affected by the same disorder, the explanation cannot possibly be individual psychopathology." Dr. Hilde Mosse

http://heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=486

When you educate on the road
Today Book the 12th of the Series of Unfortunate events came out and my guess is my kids were one of the first to get their hot little hands on their copies here in the northeast. Katie had pre-ordered and Michael said, Mum will you please take us in the morning when the store opens? (this book store opened at 8 am, well we weren't there quite at 8) So...we went.

The three of us were sitting at a table reading and there were these two older gentlemen sitting not to far from us. One said to the other, "my grandchildren never have any time, they're involved in Scouts, debate and whathaveyou, then of course they have school on top of everything else." The other one said, "my grandchildren are the same way," (I listened but didn't look up doing my best to look like I was reading, I was thinking do you see these two across from me, enjoying a book?) the second gentleman continues, "they are so busy that they do not have any free time. No wonder they grow up and don't know how to relax, they are not learning how to play and enjoy free time now." I thought they also don't have time for their grandparents either.
As I was relating this story to Grace this evening, she said that perhaps the one who spoke first said it because he saw Katie and Michael enjoying a book while they were sitting there. That very well could have been. Part of me was thinking, some of my associates in the homeschooling world would think this idea is too fun, you ought to make them do their work first well, I guess that would be true if we did school at home but as most of you know (or perhaps some of you don't) we EDUCATE our children at home and we wouldn't want schooling to get in the way of this more worthy endeavor. Then my true heart rose to the surface, it put a smile on my face as I thought that I could hear Katie and Michael saying 5 or 10 years from now, "remember when we lived in Quechee VT and Mum took us to the Dartmouth bookstore to get The Penultimate Peril." "And she gave us the day off to read the book."
I thank God every day that my children love to read and that I was given the great privilege to teach them how. Along with the continued blessing of cultivating curious minds.