Book Report

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve of what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

In honor of back to school I decided to do a book report. Do you remember those? Madeline celebrated her 6th birthday this weekend. She got a bunch of clothes, the Tangled movie, a scooter, a big girl bike, and a helmet. She loved all of her presents and loved the attention of family and friend's even more. (I will post about her birthday later, I promise.) My favorite present of all was a book that my mother-in-law gave her entitled Fanny by Holly Hobbie.

The book is the story of a little girl named Fanny that more then anything wants a "connie" doll. However, these "connie" dolls are sassy, sexy, and not appropriate for young girls. Her mother explains to Fanny why she will not get her a doll and urges her to move on. Fanny responds by making her own doll and names her Annabelle. Annabelle is smart, wholesome, and has a big smile on her face. Fanny and Annabelle are made fun of and shunned for being different. Fanny holds her ground and does not succumb to peer pressure. Eventually, the children invite Fanny over to play animal hospital and the "connies" are the nurses and I bet you can guess who the doctor is. It is a great story that models positive virtues even in a culture that does not always support such virtuous actions.

The second book is entitled Bringing Up Geeks by Marybeth Hicks. Matt bought this book because I think the title encompasses our parenting philosophy. The book discusses how "popular" kids are introduced to sex, alcohol, and are influenced by peer pressure at an earlier age and more frequently than their "geek" counterparts. The geeks as Hicks describes are not the nerds who smell like pee, eat lunch by themselves, and read science fiction but a lifestyle choice made by kids and parents. It encourages families to spend time together, turn the T.V. off, engage in your children's life, know their friends, help them develop hobbies, and promote a positive self worth. Who wouldn't want them this for their children? I want my kids to have authentic relationships and remain innocent as long as they can. No Justin Bieber T-shirts for Maddy, Sophie, and Clara. This brings me to my third book... The Bible. The 2nd reading this Sunday was Romans 12: 1-2. This passage urges us to live in this world but not to be owned by it. Father Jose told the story of a Jesuit named Campion (by the way I lived in Campion hall as a freshman in college at Seattle University) who is promised the riches of the world and power if he only would renounce his faith. His faith shinned like a diamond during a dark time in history. He was a martyr for his faith and eventually was cannonized a saint. My goal, as a parent, is to get my children to Heaven and hopefully raise some great kids along the way. The easy things in life usually are not worth having.