Ellen Gable's Blog, page 67

#TBT Carol of the Bells at ADHS

#TBT 2009: The idea for this performance began with my then 13-year-old son Adam asking his dad if they could perform ‘Christmas Eve in Sarajevo’ (by Trans-Siberian Orchestra) for an ADHS (high school where my husband was a teacher) coffee house. My husband’s reply was “That song would be too hard for you to learn in a few days.” Adam, who had just started playing guitar several months previous, took it as a challenge and in a few days, learned this very difficult song for the coffee house. It went so well that they were asked to play at the assembly the next morning and the students LOVED it. Enjoy!!

Trust, Fertility and Advent

image copyright James Hrkach/Josh Hrkach

One of my favorite shows is ���Mayday,��� a documentary which recounts stories of plane crashes or near crashes. My favorite episodes are the ones where everyone (or most) survives. Survival often depends on the skill and precision of the pilots and flight engineers. I find it fascinating just what can bring a plane down and what can also save a plane.

It dawned on me when I was flying back from Chicago last summer that it takes tremendous trust to get on a plane: trust that the pilots are trained to fly the plane with precision, trust that the builders created a solid, well-performing plane, trust that the mechanics have serviced the plane properly. After all, which one of us wants to be 20,000 feet in the air when a mechanical problem happens or when a pilot encounters a situation he���s not trained to handle?

Of course, the same can be said for any situation. We trust our doctors, food companies, school bus drivers and many others. On a daily basis, we are called to trust those who are human and have the potential of making mistakes.

Consider how most couples ���trust��� with regard to their fertility. They take pills, get injections, apply chemical patches, insert devices, consent to operations. Instead of working with their fertility, they try to destroy it. Instead of embracing their fertility, they fight it. They ���trust��� that by using contraceptives, they will be able to ���control��� their fertility.

Newsflash: none of these chemicals, devices or operations are 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. No method, except for complete abstinence, is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. And yet millions of couples put their ���trust��� in contraceptive methods on a daily basis. If the methods ���fail,��� and a child is conceived, many will resort to abortion.

So what does this have to do with Advent?

Well, a lot. When told that she would be the mother of our Savior, Mary replied, ���Be it done to me according to your word.��� That took tremendous trust in God���s plan for her. She didn���t say, ���Hmmm, let me think about that for a few weeks and I���ll get back to you.��� Without her trust, without her yes, we would not be preparing to celebrate Christmas.

Admittedly, the times I���ve appreciated Our Lady���s fiat the most have been when I was expecting a child during Advent and Christmas. I loved being pregnant and feeling the movement of my babies. It definitely helped me to be more empathetic to what Mary went through: nine months pregnant, on a donkey and making a long journey away from home. It was equally difficult for her to give birth in a stable, surrounded by the smells and sounds of animals. And yet Mary trusted that this was God���s plan for her and accepted it without question.

So what is God���s plan for us especially regarding our fertility? I can tell you what it is not: God���s plan is not for us to destroy the gift of our fertility with devices, behaviors, chemicals or operations. This ���trust��� that many couples place in contraceptives can sometimes result in an unwanted, permanent loss of fertility and can lead to numerous other consequences as well. Pope Paul VI, in his encyclical Humanae Vitae (On Human Life, 1968) talks about one of the most common consequences of contraceptive use: ���A man who grows accustomed to the use of contraceptive methods may forget the reverence due to a woman, and, disregarding her physical and emotional equilibrium, reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and affection.���

God���s plan is for couples to embrace their fertility and to be generously open to life. Does that mean that God wants us to have as many children as possible? No, it doesn���t. God gave us the gift of reason and he also gave us a built-in natural method of avoiding pregnancy that works with fertility and not against it. God, the Author of life, wants to be part of our decisions regarding our fertility.

What about us? Who do we trust with our fertility? Is it God or is it a device, operation or contraceptive behavior?

Couples who want to trust God with their decisions will trust Him with all of their decisions, including the beautiful gift of fertility. When couples have serious need to avoid pregnancy, Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a moral way to do so. NFP uses no devices and works with God instead of against Him. Wives who use NFP seldom feel used by their husbands. NFP also works well to achieve pregnancy. It���s healthy, effective and safe. NFP encourages good communication and strengthens marital relationships.

Advent is the ideal time to rethink who we trust our fertility with. Do we trust a chemical company? Do we trust a condom manufacturer? Or do we trust God, the Author of Life?

Learning Natural Family Planning nowadays is as simple as turning on your computer. My husband and I teach NFP online through the Couple to Couple League. For more information on NFP classes or NFP in general, please comment below or email me: fullquiverpublishing(at)gmail.com.

Copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach 2014

7 Quick Takes Friday – Happy Thanksgiving!

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

If you’ve braved the shopping malls this Black Friday, stay safe!

1. Black Friday Deals at Full Quiver Publishing!

You don’t need to leave the comfort of your home to receive great deals! Do you receive my publishing company’s newsletter? If you don’t, you’re missing out on some great deals! Until December 3rd, ALL FQP BOOKS (including my five books) are on sale for 30% off! Want the coupon codes? Just email me to sign up for our newsletter fullquiverpublishing(at)gmail.com and I will forward you the latest newsletter with the codes.

2. Goodreads Giveaway of A World Such as Heaven Intended

There’s also still time to enter to win one free print copy of Amanda Lauer’s new novel, A World Such as Heaven Intended. Click the link below to enter:

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/115123-a-world-such-as-heaven-intended

3. Guidelines for Evangelizing Online

My latest post over at Catholic Mom lists my guidelines for evangelizing online. Check it out here.

4. Another Train Photo

This photo was actually another one that was in the running for the front cover of Family Foundations magazine.

Photo courtesy Tim Baklinski of Two Trees Photography

5. For Locals! Book Signing Tomorrow!

I’ll be at the CWL Christmas Bazaar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Hall in Braeside, Ontario tomorrow from 8:30 to 12:30 signing and selling my books. The delightful Ida Gravelle will also be with me signing her book, Dancing on Friday.

6. Reading/Review Shelf

Georgios: Hidden Heritage by A.K. Frailey

Rebuilding Catholic Culture by Ryan Topping

Catholic Spiritual Practices by Colleen Griffith and Thomas Groome

7. Advent Cartoon

Image copyright Full Quiver Publishing Please do not use without permission

Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

7 Quick Takes Friday – 7 Cool (Moving) Train Photos

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

I’ve had a busy week! Today’s quick takes will be a series of cool photos that were taken as part of a photo shoot for Family Foundations magazine. Special thanks to Tim Baklinski of Two Trees Photography for these wonderful photos. The photographer basically said, “Smile, but don’t move!” Yes, the train was loud and, yes, it was a bit nerve-wracking standing beside a moving train!

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7. (I believe this last one is the photo they used inside the magazine).

Intense Love Does Not Measure

…it just gives. Blessed Mother Teresa

#GraceofYesDay – Saying Yes to Motherhood

Today is “GraceofYesDay!”

Lisa Hendey, author of “Book of Saints for Catholic Moms” and “Handbook for Catholic Moms,” has written a wonderful new book, entitled “The Grace of Yes.” Today, for its launch, she has asked people to share how we say “Yes” to God in our everyday lives. I’m linking up with other bloggers over at Catholic Mom.

For me, saying “Yes” to motherhood has been the most joyful and grace-filled way to say “Yes” to God. In this updated article from a few years ago, I share what that all means:

image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach

On June 26th, 1986, I was rushed into surgery to remove a tiny baby from my right fallopian tube. This, after already miscarrying his or her twin from my womb. I woke up in the hospital with the knowledge that I had conceived twins…and I would be leaving the hospital with neither in my arms.

Thankfully, a year later, after nearly nine months of morning sickness, I gave birth to a healthy baby boy and, two years after that, a strapping nine pound son. This was followed by two miscarriages and these losses had me questioning whether we should continue to be open to life. Despite the losses and difficulties, our third son was born in 1992. Even after my tumultuous history, my husband and I decided to be open and, not long after, became pregnant. A short while later, I found myself fighting for my life.

In the ambulance, as I drifted in and out of consciousness, I didn’t have much time for retrospective thoughts, except “Please God, I can’t die. I don’t want my little boys growing up without a mom.” I was bleeding internally, the complications of ectopic pregnancy surgery two weeks previous, and quickly becoming weaker and weaker. Waking up later in the recovery room, I was thankful to be alive.

“You should not be having any more children.” The words were harsh and at first, James and I took them as truth. I was capable of having more, but after two ectopic pregnancies and complications from one of the surgeries, we were told that we must limit our family to three boys. The doctors suggested that I be put on hormonal contraception (we refused and instead used NFP). They later urged me to have my remaining fallopian tube tied (we again refused). The physicians weren’t the only ones to give the ‘order’ to stop having children. Well-meaning relatives and friends felt it was their duty to tell us that we should not get pregnant again. “You don’t want to be irresponsible, do you?”

Initially, in those first few weeks after my surgery, we felt that we ought to listen to the “doctor’s orders.”

However, as the months went by, I began to regain my strength. We continued using NFP in the most conservative way, often adding one or two days to the rules for extra security. A year later, with heaviness in my heart, I thought of the future and the fact that we would not have anymore children. I wondered whether God was calling us to actively seek another pregnancy. My husband and I discussed it, then brought our concern to our spiritual director, explaining that the doctor had “ordered” us not to have more children. “James and Ellie,” he said, “that is a decision to be made between the two of you and God.” He encouraged us to pray about it and he further recommended that we talk to a faithful Catholic doctor. We knew of a Catholic physician through a neighboring homeschooling community. Her response after reviewing my file was that we could try for more children, but that I would need to be monitored carefully in the first several weeks to confirm that it wasn’t another ectopic pregnancy.

For the next several months, we prayed together. We deeply desired another child, but we did not want to be careless or irresponsible. After much prayer and discernment, and weighing all the risks, we decided to say “Yes” to God and actively seek another pregnancy.

Ten cycles later, we were still not pregnant. We felt at peace with our decision to seek another pregnancy and, although disappointed, we trusted that God knew what He was doing. Eventually, we stopped charting. Another eight cycles went by with no pregnancy and I began to sell off most of my baby furniture. A few weeks later, it dawned on me that I hadn’t had a period in six weeks. The next morning, I took my temperature and it was 98.9. After 18 months of saying no to us, God was saying “Yes” and blessing us with another eternal soul. I was thrilled that another new life, the fruit of our love, had begun, and would be sheltered lovingly in my womb.

With the blessing, however, soon came suffering. I’m four feet nine inches tall, so even my healthy pregnancies had been challenging, but this one even more so. I began having debilitating migraine headaches and some days I could not get out of bed. I developed a hernia and my stomach was so large that, by 30 weeks, I could not drive and even walking became painful. Worse than the physical pain, however, was the emotional suffering. Doctors, well-meaning friends and relatives scolded us for being “irresponsible” and “selfish,” and that if I was suffering, “I had asked for it.”

Our fourth son was born healthy, at nearly ten pounds. The pro-life Catholic doctor who delivered him by C-section told me that we could try for another baby someday, but that the pregnancy would again have to be monitored. After another miscarriage, three years later, our youngest son was born.

Saying “Yes” to motherhood meant enduring four miscarriages and three ectopic pregnancies and, with those, the physical and emotional suffering. But saying “Yes” to motherhood has also brought overwhelming joy with the births of our five sons, continued graces and the consoling knowledge that our seven unborn children will greet me one day in heaven.

When we were a young married couple, I naively thought having children would be “easy.” I had no idea of the sufferings I would endure, but equally, I could not imagine the kind of joy being a mother could bring. Although we could have used NFP to limit our family size to three sons, we chose to listen to our hearts, to answer God’s calling, and to say “Yes” to more children. When I consider that our two youngest sons might possibly not be here today, my heart becomes heavy. Both are unique young men who have already given so much to our family and to society.

Despite the difficulties, I am grateful that I said “Yes” to motherhood, continue to say “Yes,” and feel tremendously blessed to be the mother of five unique, talented and amazing human beings here on earth as well as those seven little souls waiting in heaven.

Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

copyright James and Ellen Hrkach

7QT: Interview With Author Amanda Lauer

Ellen Gable Hrkach:

Read this wonderful interview with Amanda Lauer, Full Quiver Publishing’s newest author!

Originally posted on Will Write for Tomato Pie:

Welcome to Seven Quick Takes Friday, hosted by the lovely and talented Jennifer over at Conversion Diary Jess at This Ain’t the Lyceum.

Remember when I reviewed this book?

The author of A World Such as Heaven Intended has stopped by the tomato pie shop to have a little chat with us.  Let’s welcome Amanda Lauer!

An avid reader and history buff since childhood, Amanda Lauer fulfilled a lifelong goal with the publication of her debut novel, A World Such as Heaven Intended. Lauer learned the technical aspects of writing as a proofreader in the insurance, newspaper and collegiate arenas. Over the last ten years she has had more than twelve-hundred articles published in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. Lauer is the co-author of Celebrate Appleton, A 150th Birthday Photo Album, and contributed to the books Expressions of ITP…Inside Stories, and Living Virtuously —…

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7 Quick Takes Friday – Mini Reviews, Enter to Win, Autumn Sunrise and Cartoon

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

1. Photo at the Library of Madonna House

Special thanks to Tim Baklinski who took this lovely photo (along with all the other photos for Family Foundation magazine a few months ago)!

photo credit: Tim Baklinski, Two Trees Photography

2. Enter to Win a Print Copy of A World Such as Heaven Intended on Goodreads!

Enter to win one of three print copies of FQP’s new book, A World Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer: Goodreads Giveaway A World Such As Heaven Intended.

3. Mini Review of The Grace of Yes by Lisa Hendey

The Grace of Yes is a moving, inspiring, challenging and entertaining look at the virtues. I was especially touched by the personal experiences Hendey shares. It is beautifully written in conversational tone and is a book that can be read and reread over and over. While I loved the author’s other books, this one has become my favorite. Highly recommend!

4. Autumn Sunrise

Photo courtesy Josh Hrkach

5. Voice of Chaste Same-Sex Attracted Catholics Absent from Synod

Interesting interview with Fr. Paul Check, of Courage International at LifeSiteNews. FQP’s book, The Lion’s Heart, was published earlier this year and deals with same-sex attraction and is endorsed by Courage International.

6. Reading/Review Shelf

Cretaceous Clay and the Black Knight by D.A. Knight

7. Man Up Cartoon

image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach (all rights reserved, please do not use without permission)

copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

Remembrance Day/Veterans Day 2014

Today is Remembrance Day/Veterans Day. I’d like to remember in a special way my father, father-in-law and stepfather (all now deceased). Each served their country in war: my father-in-law was in the United States Air Force during World War II and was Missing in Action for months, my father and stepfather (my father’s first cousin) both served in Korea. This is also my father’s birthday. He died in 1978 at the age of 49.

Remembering Tony An article about my father-in-law, who was a gunner for the USAF in WW II. He was shot down over Yugoslavia, near his father’s birthplace.

Remembering Dad A tribute to my own father, who served in both the USMC and the United States Army, and who died when I was 18.

This last post is a special way to remember, with fondness, the three father figures in my life: Remembrance Day/Veterans Day 2009

Lest We Forget…

7 Quick Takes Friday – Holy Souls, Mementos and Other Quick Takes

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

1. St. Gertrude’s Prayer for the Holy Souls

November is the month of the Holy Souls. This is an ideal prayer to recite during this month, but it is also a powerful prayer said daily.

Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, for those in my own home and in my family. Amen.n with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, for those in my own home and in my family. Amen.

2. Young Woman with Cancer Commits Suicide

Heartbreaking story about a terminally ill young woman, Brittany Maynard, who committed suicide earlier this week. Terminally ill diagnoses are often wrong…and this woman was so young. Praying for her soul…

3. Six Full Quiver Publishing Books in Top Ten!

Earlier this week, six FQP books were in the top ten!

4. Lovely Memento From Homeschooling

This past week, I spent hours going through boxes and boxes of homeschooling materials. As one can imagine after 18 years, there were enough boxes and books to take up a huge section of our storage area. It was a chore that I had been putting off because I knew it would be emotionally challenging. It was bittersweet as the memories came flooding back. Homeschooling wasn’t always easy, but I will never regret making the decision to teach my children at home. I found this beautiful little sentence in an essay written by one of my sons, entitled “My Family.”

5. One of Ours Book Review

Willa Cather’s classic is a great book for commemorating Veterans Day/Remembrance Day next week. To read my review at CatholicFiction.net. click here.

6. Reading Shelf

The Grace of Yes by Lisa Hendey

7. Touche Cartoon

copyright 2013 James and Ellen Hrkach Please do not use without permission

Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

Cartoon copyright James and Ellen Hrkach. Please do not use without permission.