Throw Back Thursday.

 Back in January, Steve and I celebrated 25 years of marriage. Our anniversary was on the day after we returned from our cruise so we didn't do anything for it then. 

We came to Adelaide on the long weekend in March and had a party with family and friends. 

The photo above is us at the party. It was a great day, celebrating with family and friends. 

Here we are, 25 years ago on the day. We look so young. Our wedding day is one of my fondest memories. I look back and remember how happy I was that Steve had chosen me. 

We have had a great marriage. Our 8 children are all a blessing to us. Even with the ups and downs, I am really happy that we have travelled the road we have. With 8 children there has been plenty of ups and downs but I have always had Steve by my side to help. He really has been the greatest blessing in my life. I really look forward to many more years of wedded bliss. 

23 years ago today.

Exchanging rings 23 years ago. 

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Amelia did a reading. 

Renewing our vows. 

Today Steve and I celebrated 23 years of marriage. It has been quite a ride but I am thankful for everything we have been through together and there is no other person I would rather have by my side to travel through with. 

Our parish priests came over this afternoon and we had a small ceremony. Amelia read from 1st letter to the Corinthians, we renewed our marriage vows and Fr. Paul blessed our ring with Holy water. 

I look back on that first picture and just remember how blessed I felt. I really was glad Steve had chosen me to be his wife and that he and I would spend the rest of our lives together. 

We have had some difficulties but never have I regretted my decision to accept Steve's proposal. With every storm we have travelled through, we have become closer and more committed to each other. 

I am so thankful that we have had the church to guide us and tell us what is right and wrong. I honestly don't believe our marriage would be half of what it is today without the teachings and God's grace from all the sacraments.

Praying together.

I have been thinking about writing about praying as a couple for a while now.

Last night I read a post by Sue from Sue Elvis Writes, about spending time together and praying together.

It was the motivation I needed to get me writing about it too.

After 20 years of marriage, I would have to say that praying with Steve is the thing that really cements our marriage together. There have been many times that the need for prayer has been stronger than other times and that we have looked to God to get us through.

In our house, we pray with the children every night. On average, we would probably pray together twice a week. It really should be more but I think we don't see it as a real need for our marriage. A part of the reason we neglect it is we just feel so comfortable with each other and prayer tends to be a thing I put as a high priority when I face problems. I am trying to change this and see prayer as a thing to do in the good times and bad times. It is something that is so esential for all aspects of our lives but especially our marriage.

When Steve and I pray, we will usually pray something like the rosary, read from the bible or just have some quiet music in the background, a candle lit and sit together in the quiet. I think the quiet music and candle light is my favourite way to pray.



Taize music is one of our favourite musics to put on. It makes the atmosphere and helps me to focus on God. We also have some Gregorian chant and some music by The Priests.

Happy Anniversary Steve.

Today Steve and I celebrate 19 years of marriage. I am so grateful to God for the gift that Steve is to me and for the sacrament of marriage.

We have had many ups and downs in our marriage. God has always been faithful though and helped us through the difficult times.

I was going to cook some Eggplant Parmigiana for Steve and I for tea and see if labour would start. I don't feel ready though to have the baby just yet so we will go out to our local Chinese restaurant for tea instead.

Maybe over the weekend I will make the Eggplant and also try some labour cookies. Brigette wanted to make the labour cookies yesterday but I said wait till the weekend.

Attention Married Men and Women:

I got this email from Jean at Catholic Fire

I need your inspirational stories from a Catholic perspective affirming marriage and the family for a new book.

In it, I plan to share 15 compelling faith-filled stories of hope and healing from Catholic families who have dealt with great difficulties and hardships, but have managed to transcend these trials through the grace of God and the intercession of the saints.

Have you experienced great suffering in your family life, but managed to overcome it and experience great hope and unexpected graces in the midst of your trials through the intercession of a special saint or saints? Do you have a child who is handicapped, but instead of 'terminating' the pregnancy, you chose to keep your child? Has your family had to deal with unexpected financial hardships, debilitating or chronic illness but received healing and hope to transcend these trials? Has anyone in your family considered or had an abortion and the entire family was devastated by it, but God healed you and gave you hope? Have you dealt with marital infidelity or addictions that have been overcome through the intercession of a saint or saints? Has a spouse been converted to the faith through your prayers?
Would you like to help and inspire others through your witness?

Your story should be 1800 - 2000 words in length.

I am looking for content and not perfection in writing, as I will be editing the stories.

Due Date: March 15, 2009

Email your story in a Microsoft Word attachment to:

Jean M. Heimann
jean.heimann@gmail.com

Thank you!

God bless you!

Please also pray for the success of this book.

18 years ago.

Today Steve and I celebrate 18 years of marriage. We started out with Mass this morning and then came home and had bacon and eggs for breakfast. Tonight we will go out for dinner.

Marriage has really changed me and helped me to grow in faith. Steve has been a great father and husband. He has been faithful and true to me always. Our children all have a great respect for him and love him a lot.

Thank you Steve for the last 18 years. Thank you for being a wonderful husband, father and role model for us all.

Therese

A great read.

This morning I read a post by Karen at Karen's Catholic Journal on feminism. She says exactly what I believe about feminism and how supposed sexual freedom actually stifles our freedom rather than creates it.

Here is the link to Karen's post. Pop over and read it.

Therese

Marriage.

I remember when Steve and I were engaged a friend asked me why I was marrying Steve. I said because I love him and want to be with him for the rest of my life. Both these were true but I don't think I really understood what love was then. When I thought of love, I thought of something that made me feel nice and warm inside.

Over the last 17 years the emotion that I felt when I thought of Steve was what I thought love was. In reality, the feeling I got was some sought of emotion rather than love.

I think many people don't understand really what love is. When you watch movies you get the impression that love is some extra special spark that happens inside when you meet Mr./Mrs. right. The person you have been destined to be with from the very beginning.

Right from the start I had an attraction to Steve and I am pretty sure he had that to me too (since he asked me to be his wife). Over the years of our marriage though, that attraction that I felt has faded even though I am more in love with Steve today than I was when we first meet.

Marriage has changed both of us and the children have too but the most important lesson I have learnt is never will another human make you complete, be it a spouse or children.


I am sharing all this because I have been reading a lot in the news about allowing same sex marriage. Some people do have same sex attraction just like I had the attraction to Steve in the beginning. From experience that initial attraction doesn't last. I know that statistics show people with same sex attraction are much more likely to have more than one partner. I think that many of them believe that the person they are attracted to will make their life perfect. When this doesn't happen, the blame the other person rather than think their expectation is too much.

I also am aware of many people pushing for same sex couple to be allowed to adopt children.

I think if we as a society accept same sex couples in the same way we accept a husband and wife, we really do them a great diservice and any children they adopt too.

Recently Secular Heretic did a post about a book written by a women that was raised by a homosexual father. Reading about the affect of being raised in this kind of environment makes me believe even more strongly that children should not be raised in this kind of home. Read about Dawn Stefansowicz here.