Ellen Gable's Blog, page 84
July 24, 2013
Theology of the Body in a Nutshell
To continue the celebration of NFP Awareness Week, I’m reposting an article I wrote last year, entitled “Theology of the Body in a Nutshell.” 
If we look at the four components of God’s love for us (free, total, faithful, fruitful) and compare God’s love to marital love, we can discover how to live the Sacrament of marriage as the ultimate expression of spousal love.
Free: We need to be able love our spouse freely. If we ask for conditions, that’s not love. If we force our spouse to do something, that’s not love. If we cannot say no to our sexual urges, then we are not free.
Total: The love for our spouse must be total. We can’t say, “Well, I’ll give you everything, honey, except for my fertility.” Total means total. (Re: CCC 1643).
Faithful: Obviously, faithfulness means we must only have intercourse with our spouse and no other. But if we want to be truly faithful to our spouse, we must be faithful in word, action and thought.
Fruitful: Marital relations must be fruitful, open to children, each and every time. That doesn’t mean we will conceive (or want to conceive) a child with every marital embrace. It just means we need to be open.
Birth control, in fact, destroys all four of the essential components (free, total, faithful, fruitful). Birth control violates not only God’s plan in fruitfulness, but it also encourages an “I can’t say no” mentality to sex. When an action, device, medication or operation is purposefully used to remove fertility, a couple cannot give themselves totally, no matter how much they love each other. Contraception says, “I give all of myself to my spouse – except my fertility.”
Natural Family Planning allows a couple to love each other as God loves: freely, totally, faithfully and fruitfully. Couples using NFP chart the wife’s cycle and, if avoiding pregnancy, they abstain in the fertile time. If they are planning a pregnancy, they engage in relations during the fertile time. They are not using devices; they are fully giving of themselves and they are open to children with each and every act of marital relations.
NFP allows us to love our spouse as God loves us: freely, with no reservation, faithfully and open to children. Marriage can be a holy vocation when a couple loves as God loves: freely, totally, faithfully and fruitfully.
Want to live the highest expression of your marital love? Use NFP and be open to life.
For more information about the Theology of the Body:
http://thetheologyofthebody.com
For more information on NFP:
www.ccli.org
www.woomb.org
www.creightonmodel.com
Copyright 2012 Ellen Gable Hrkach
July 23, 2013
NFP Awareness Week – July 21-27
Celebrate NFP (Natural Family Planning) Awareness Week!
Image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach
copyright 2013 James and Ellen Hrkach (Please do not use without permission)
Image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach
image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach
All images are copyright James & Ellen Hrkach. Please do not use without permission.
July 19, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 81
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Jen’s Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
1. Good Samaritan – Sr. Patricia Joseph OP
Last weekend, the Gospel reading was about the Good Samaritan. Our parish priest reminded us that from time to time, all of us have had to depend on “Good Samaritans.” There have been many incidents where my relatives and friends have stepped forward to help me whenever I have needed it and, for all those times, I am grateful. But this reminder brought forth two special memories. First, when I was seven years old and in second grade, my mother was critically ill and in the hospital. I came down with the flu while in class and my aunt was called (since my father was at work). I was told that it would take my Aunt Floss a while to get there. So my teacher, Sr. Patricia Joseph, OP, tenderly carried me to the convent where she cared for me and offered me soothing words as I waited for Aunt Floss to pick me up. Although I was very young at the time, I will never forget her kindness to me. (Of course, Aunt Floss also helped take care of me. For those of you familiar with my first novel, Emily’s Hope, she was the basis for the “Aunt Sally” character.) Here is a copy of one of the letters I wrote to my mom while she was in the hospital.
copyright Ellen Hrkach
2. Good Samaritan – A Kind Nurse
The second memory I have of a “Good Samaritan” was when I was in the hospital after having the second surgery in less than two weeks for complications from an ectopic pregnancy. Since I am a pretty small person, and since I had already had anesthesia less than two weeks previous, my small body reacted violently. My husband and children were traveling and away from home and so I was alone in the hospital room. I had just had surgery and when I woke up from the anesthesia, I began vomiting every two to four minutes. I speak about this incident at length in my book, Emily’s Hope, (Chapter 26). I didn’t know it at the time, but it would be nearly 15 hours before I would experience any relief. It was the kind of suffering that I hoped I would never have again. In the midst of this, as I was pleading for an anti-vomiting medicine (which they tried, to no avail), a nurse came and sat at my bedside and prayed. She prayed and comforted me as long as she could, and while she couldn’t take away my pain, her presence gave me renewed peace, despite my suffering. Later, after I had recovered and discovered who the nurse was, I thanked her for her prayers and her selflessness in comforting me.
3. Journey to the Father Conference
In a few hours, I will be heading down to St. Raphaels, Ontario, to the Journey to the Father Conference. I attend every year as a vendor, selling my books, although I am always spiritually uplifted as well.
4. Don’t You Forget About Me by Erin McCole Cupp
Full Quiver’s upcoming release (November 1) is entitled Don’t You Forget About Me by Erin McCole Cupp. The book cover is still being tweaked, but here is cover photo:
5. Everlasting Green
Check out my friend, Ed’s, new book of short stories, Everlasting Green. It’s only .99 on Kindle!
6. Reading/Review Shelf
God Will Provide (Patricia Treece)
7. Here’s to 20 Years Cartoon
Image copyright 2013 James & Ellen Hrkach (please do not use without permission)
© 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
July 12, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 80
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Jen’s Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
We’re in the midst of preparing a book (Don’t You Forget About Me by Erin McCole Cupp) for publication and trying to finish three other creative deadlines. But…earlier this week, my husband, my two youngest sons and I took a short trip to Toronto. It turned out to be slightly more stressful than being at home trying to meet several deadlines.
1. Canada’s Wonderland
The week started out great with us staying overnight at our friends’ house, then heading to Toronto. We had a wonderful time at Canada’s Wonderland.
2. The Only Ride I Go On
My husband captured a cool shot of me and my youngest on Silver Streak, which is the only ride I go on at the park. Despite my love for flying, I do not like roller coasters with 80 degree inclines and 320 feet drops (although my husband and sons love them!)
copyright James Hrkach
3. Torrential Rains
Our day at Canada’s Wonderland was cut short by torrential downpours and about 120 millimeters of rain in less than two hours (evidently, this broke a century’s old record for Toronto). After an hour, we decided to leave the park, much to the chagrin of the kids. Everyone else in the park decided to leave at the same time because it took us about an hour just to get out of the parking lot. Then another hour to travel to the hotel less than two kilometers away in stop and go traffic. One of the reasons it took us so long to get to the hotel was because it was rush hour and there were power outages, which meant that all the lights were out and we had to consider them four-way stops. 
copyright Ellen Hrkach
4. No Sad Songs for the Swimmers
Not surprisingly, when we arrived at the hotel, we found there was no power there either. On the way to our room through the dark hallways, we discovered the swimming pool and water slide. The kids, who were already disappointed we had to leave the park early, perked up, only to find the water slide wasn’t working. Here they are in the pool staring at the water slide beside them.
Copyright Ellen Hrkach
5. Black Creek Pioneer Village (#1)
The electricity finally came on in the middle of the night. The following day, we decided to visit a local historical attraction. As the
copyright Ellen Hrkach
6. Black Creek Pioneer Village (#2)
The Mill – copyright James Hrkach
7. Black Creek Pioneer Village (#3) “Physician’s Office”
Since one of the male protagonists in my current work in progress (A Subtle Grace) is a physician, I was especially interested in seeing this 19th century doctor’s office.
copyright James Hrkach
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
July 7, 2013
Sunday Snippets – July 7
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
I’m joining up with RAnn and other Catholic bloggers for Sunday Snippets, where we share posts from the previous week.Only one this week:
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 79
July 5, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 79
Summertime has arrived and I’ll be concentrating on two exciting new projects, as well as trying to finish the initial developmental edits on my upcoming novel, A Subtle Grace. Therefore, I’ll only be posting occasionally during the next two months.
But it’s Friday, so it’s time to connect with Jen at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
1. Beautiful Children’s Book
Where Did I Come From? is a beautiful new book by JoAnn Termini Pira, who not only wrote this wonderful children’s book, but also illustrated it.
2. Jersey Boys
To celebrate my mother-in-law’s birthday, I took her to see the stage musical “Jersey Boys” about the popular 60′s group, “The Four Seasons.” It was very entertaining, although I could have done without the bad language. It was non-stop singing, though, and the two and a half hours flew by. I highly recommend it (although it’s not appropriate for kids because of the mature themes and language.)
3. Violin For Sale
I’ve finally decided to sell my violin, which I began playing seven years ago. I enjoyed playing the violin, but could never find the necessary time to practice. This is a half-size child’s violin in pristine condition. It comes with neck guard, case and bow. If interested, email: ellengablehrkach(at)gmail.com.
photo copyright James Hrkach
4. Philly Sketch by James Hrkach (In honor of July 4th…)
copyright James Hrkach, please do not use without permission
5. Pro-Life Shirt
I like to “wear” my pro-life values and have no problem doing so. A few weeks ago, a woman I’ve never met before saw my shirt and immediately frowned and turned her back on me. Oh well. No one said promoting Gospel values would be easy.
photo copyright James Hrkach
6. Reading Shelf
Mareritt: (The Friar Tobe Fairy Tale Files) by Krisi Keley
Faces from Dante’s Inferno by Peter Celano
7. After Day 20 Cartoon (NFP themes)
image copyright James & Ellen Hrkach
Copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
June 30, 2013
Sunday Snippets – June 30
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets, where we share posts from the previous week.A busy week, so only one post:
7 Quick Takes Friday (Super Quick Takes)
June 28, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 78 (Super Quick Takes)
7 Quick Takes Friday is being hosted by Jen at Conversion Diary. Join other Catholic bloggers as we share 7 Quick Posts within one post.
1. Bird’s Nest
Recently, my husband noticed a nest being built over the light on his studio building (right). He had carefully moved it from on top of the light to a metal frame he made close by (at left, so the eggs wouldn’t fry when the light was turned on). Thankfully, the mother bird returned and carried on as if nothing had happened. The baby birds were in the next when I took this photo, but they kept their heads down so I couldn’t get them in the photo.
Photo copyright Ellen Hrkach
2. End of School!
It’s the official end of the school year. My high schooler has been done for a week or so and my youngest son graduated from Grade 8 this past Tuesday. His teacher said that Paul’s first year in the classroom setting was “beyond successful.” And he finished with a solid B plus average. Well done, Paul!
3. Movie Time
My second oldest son and my husband had the unique opportunity of being extras in a movie that was being filmed nearby. They were only on set for one day. Aside from being tired from standing around and a bit sunburned, they had a great experience. I’ll give more details when they become available.
4. Catholic Writers Conference Live
If you are a Catholic writer and are planning to come to the Catholic Writers Conference Live in Somerset, NJ, please register soon at this link. For more information about the conference, read this press release.
5. Pakenham 5-Span Bridge
We’re fortunate to live near the only 5-span bridge in North America.
Photo copyright Ellen Hrkach
6. Reading Shelf:
The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows – Mother Dolores Hart
7. Classic Cartoon (Hotel)
image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach (please do not use without permission)
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
June 25, 2013
Stealing Jenny Free Today Through Thursday on Kindle
My third novel, Stealing Jenny, will be FREE today and tomorrow on Kindle.
After three heartbreaking miscarriages, Tom and Jenny Callahan are happily anticipating the birth of their sixth child. A neighbor, however, is secretly hatching a sinister plot which will find Jenny and her unborn baby fighting for their lives.
“Stealing Jenny is a gripping novel filled with engaging characters, a compelling mystery and a message which underscores the precious dignity of life. I literally couldn’t put it down and give Stealing Jenny my highest recommendation.” Lisa M. Hendey, author of “A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms”
“Ellen Gable is a masterful storyteller.Stealing Jenny is a smoothly written, chilling tale of gripping suspense. There are terrifying moments and heart-wrenching moments. Catholic faith and hope are tested. Above all, the sacredness and privilege of precious new life is made indisputably evident I never wanted it to end!” Therese Heckenkamp, author, Frozen Footprints and Past Suspicion
To download your Kindle copy for FREE, click here.
June 23, 2013
Sunday Snippets – June 23
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
It’s Sunday so it’s time to join with RAnn for Sunday Snippets where Catholic bloggers share posts from the previous week.Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
