Hello!!

Gosh, has it really been two months since I last posted. Well I can honestly say that the past two months have been jammed packed with multiple blessings. The kids began yet another year of school at St. Henry. All of them have wonderfully gifted teachers. We are also blessed that they all have wonderful circles of friends. I fearfully started my 3rd semester of nursing school, in OB/peds. I look to graduate in May, May 14, 2011 to be exact.


Other happenings, I got a job at Baptist Hospital as a Nurse Extern. It is only PRN, so I just work when I can, which isn't very often. The job has definitely been a blessing. It has also been a challenge. I hate to leave the family any more than I already do, but it must be done. John and I take a team approach while raising our family. We both do as much as we can to help. I also received a job at The St. Cecilia Mother House. I work in their infirmary on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturday night. This is hardly a job, this is a complete and total blessing. I have already learned so much from them. The Sister's examples are something I will always remember. What gifts they all are to our community.

Another blessing is a personal one, I guess. It is just something I have had on my mind lately. I will graduate in May (MAY 14, 2011, TO BE EXACT, did I say that already?), and then I will be an RN after I pass the NCLEX, but why do I want to be a Nurse, and what does being a Nurse mean? The closer we get to graduating, I hear mostly about all of the money making opportunities, and how students want to go on to get their BSN, and then their MSN and so on, because, "It's more money!" I just do not see nursing that way. Granted, the money helps, but if your in it for the money? Please get out now! I believe Nursing is about service to others. It is about the patient laying the bed, at your mercy. I want to be a Nurse, first of all because I believe God wants me to, and secondly because I will be able to touch others in a unique way, when they are most vulnerable. I feel so blessed that God has chosen me to be a part of this profession. I know He chose me, because otherwise it would have never happened. Getting to where I am today has been an act of God, and nothing short of a miracle. Even when I have questioned this journey, He has been quick to respond with an ever so gentle pat on the back and nudge to move forward.

So what does this have to do with Natural Family Planning? I don't know, but I wanted to share. However, I will share this snippet about NFP.
People! We have got to start appreciating and taking a closer look at the marvelous creation of woman. A man is fertile all the time, but a woman has a very intricate physiology, which works through a process, lasting several, several days. She has ups and downs of hormones, all of which create a physiological  response, and in the end, or the middle rather, an egg is produced, and if it by chance(not really a chance) meets up with a sperm (1 of about 50 that actually make it to the egg) a human is created. An unrepeatable, uniquely created, human being. For this to happen at all, it must occur within a 100 hour window of time. How miraculous that this event ever happens at all, or that has happened to John and I 6 times.

We not only have to appreciate what woman does, but also that she needs man to procreate. And in this moment of creation, husband and wife are closer to God that at any other time. They come together and physically add the parts necessary to make the baby, but it is God who at the very same time, infuses the soul into this new human being. So all 3 together make 1. AMAZING!! We have to share this, and we have to live this!

People wonder, what does the Church mean when It says we must always be open to life? Precisely that. During every marital act, we must understand that God wants in, even when a child is not being created. With our intellect, will, and formed conscience, we mutually decide with our spouse when to abstain and when not to. Artificial birth control, or sterilization, not only remove this mentality, but it also blocks God from the marital act. This is not good, and this is what the Church is protecting us from.

Thank you to The Church, for your love and protection of Your people. May we grow to know Your love and be thankful for it!!

God Bless,
Kim

P.S.
You do not want to miss this.

Tidbits

Hello All,
I hope you are doing well on this rainy Wednesday. I stumbled across this article this morning. It is very good. I found it to be an easy to read summary on NFP. 


Also, Sister Jane Dominic, O.P. will be speaking at St. Cecilia Academy this Saturday night. Her talk is on the Theology of the Body. She is a gifted speaker, and if you are able, you should really try and attend.  You need to RSVP. 


Here is more info:

This talk is being given to members of the Nashville Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, but anyone is welcome to attend. Sr. Jane Dominic is an energetic, witty and engaging speaker and a nationally known expert on this topic, and her talk should be fantastic.

Here is the schedule:

 

6:00 PM: Mass at the St. Cecilia Academy Chapel7:00 - 8:30 PM: Light supper (Subway sandwiches & drinks) and Sister's presentation in the main lecture hall at St. Cecilia Academy (4120 Harding Rd., next to St. Thomas Hospital).

 

Ample free parking is available.

The presentation is free, but please bring $10 if you want dinner. Please RSVP to Rachel Kaiser at rtkaiser@bellsouth.net if you would like to come. All are welcome!

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

God Bless,

Kim

Humanae Vitae Lecture

Hello!

Well, I have exciting news. The Humanae Vitae Lecture originally scheduled for last May has ben rescheduled. It will now be on November 9. Details are here. 

There will be a lot of publication done for this event. However, please help to get the word out. You will not want to miss this.

I really encourage you to invite your OBGYNs to the lecture. This is such a pressing issue in The Church, and really, with women everywhere. Women deserve to know the Truth. The birth control pill, IUDs, sterilization's, etc.. are not healthcare. Fertility is not a disease and pregnancy is not an illness. 

Also, make sure your parish Priests know about the lecture!

I do not mean to go off on a rant. I have a hard time controlling my tongue, or should I say, my key board, when it comes to these issues. 

I hope you all are having a wonderful week! I am so sad that summer is coming to an end. I think I am in denial that school is starting in a little over a week for the kids. Where did the time go? 

Peace of Christ to you,

Kim

What Humanae Vitae Means to Me

I had never heard of Humanae Vitae until after I had gotten married. I remember stumbling across the small booklet on a bookshelf at my in-laws house. I read through it and thought it was nice. Over the years it has come to mean much more to me. When John and I got married we answered the trendy question, “So how many kids do you want?” with the response, “As many as God gives us.”

We had a complete and honest desire to do this, but we did not quite understand the full meaning of what this meant, or why we should do this. We truly wanted a big family, and hoped it was part of God’s plan for us. We looked at John’s parents, who at the time had over thirty-five grandchildren and desired this for ourselves as well. We saw this as being a blessed life and hoped that one day we would gain the same rewards.

Five years into our marriage we had already had four children. These were the hardest times for us. Ironically, I sometimes wish we could go back to those days when the kids and I were all at home and did not have a schedule bossing us around. As wild and crazy as it was, it was also quite peaceful. The only places we had to go were to doctor appointments and the grocery store. Nobody played sports, so we lived our life at home, and not in the car.

After our fourth child was born we decided to take a look into Natural Family Planning (NFP). We really were not committed to using it, because we did not have serious reasons to not have a child at that time, but we did learn it and actually found it interesting. We knew exactly when we conceived our next child. I did not even have to take a pregnancy test. We found NFP to be a good resource for us. It taught us a lot about ourselves, and built our marriage up into one that had more respect for each other.

Some married couples require a full commitment to NFP. If the married couple has serious reasons to postpone a pregnancy, they could use NFP and abide by its simple rules. The NFP couple has control of their chart, and they make the choice as to when the marital act will and will not take place, but other than that their will is given over to God. When our will is given over to God, His Holy Spirit can move a couple to monthly discern His will for their family.  Sometimes this moves the couple to take leap of faith and be at peace with His plan. 

When Humanae Vitae was published the majority of Catholics refuted it. Even today, Catholics do not understand the seriousness of the document. It came out just after the birth control pill was rising in popularity. Since this time, several studies have been published stating that in marriages where the couple is using artificial contraception there is a 50% chance of the marriage lasting. However, couples that use Natural Family Planning to space out the births of their children have 0.2% divorce rate. Humanae Vitae documents many reasons why this could be. Pope Paul VI points out quite prophetically that this indeed would happen if the world embraced artificial contraception.

Catholics during this time were arguing that the Pope just wanted to get into their business, and that he needed to get out of their bedroom. The argument even today is that “they are married and they can do whatever they want behind their bedroom door.” The  Church’s teaching in Humanae Vitae does what any good mother tries to do.  Use her wisdom to protect her children.  The Church warns that artificial birth control would damage marriages, degrade women, and demoralize the marriage act.

All of this has happened, and more.  Natural Family Planning, supported by the Church, offers an alternative to the downward spiral of marital relationships.  NFP teaches us about the observations a couple can make throughout their reproductive cycle to postpone a pregnancy.  Natural Family Planning was never intended to be a form of birth control, but rather a way to listen to God’s call for responsible parenthood without diminishing or damaging the marriage and family.  Fertility awareness methods have made great strides over the years. When used correctly, Natural Family Planning is 99% effective. It is now also being used to combat infertility, which has come about, in part, as a result of the pill and other forms of artificial contraception.

Infertility is a heart wrenching experience for couples. Natural Family Planning and NaPro technology have helped thousands of women conceive naturally.  The Church still opposes the use of artificial contraception and in vitro fertilization.   In Vitro (from the Latin root meaning “within the glass”) Fertilization is another destructive means that has been used in an attempt to control when a human life should come into this world. Millions of unborn children sit frozen in labs all over the country, just waiting for their parents to decide when they are ready for another child. Sadly, several embryos are placed in the woman’s uterus, with the hope of one or two latching on to continue their life. If more than two survive the transplant and cling to the endothelial lining for life, it will be proposed that the parents choose to eliminate all but two of the children. This comes as a crushing predicament for the parents and forces a difficult decision - one they will have to live with for the rest of their lives.

Humanae Vitae was trying to protect us from this pain. Mainstream thought is so backwards now. The world has us thinking that we have the power to decide when life enters this world and when it is time for it to leave. The birth control pill itself has caused so much pain. It is also known that couples on the pill for a year or more unknowingly abort early pregnancies.

Through the grace from good instruction, John and I have learned the teachings of our Faith. We understand the Church to be our protector. She is always looking out for what is best for us. Our Faith has also taught us that the children God blesses us with are not our own. Yes, they have our genetic make up, but they ultimately belong to Him. They are part of His plan, not ours. He has had a purpose for them even before we took our“leaps of faith” in being open to new life.

 I am always learning more and more about the amazing gift of the Church. It not only attempts to protect us from the sins of a broken world, but it embraces us when we fall to the worldly temptations of our earthly lives. I am also thankful to the many priests who are also growing in knowledge on the Church’s gift of Humanae Vitae. Their service to us in this regard is of great necessity and urgency. Too many fellow Catholics brush off this teaching as not important because they never hear about it.

July 25th marks the 42^nd anniversary of Humanae Vitae, and the week following is Natural Family Planning Awareness Week. This is the time to learn more about NFP and the Church’s teaching on family planning. It is never too late. St. Henry Parish offers NFP classes on the second Thursday of every month. Contact their office for more information, 352-2259.

Happy NFP Awareness Week!

Summer

Well, I know I always say this, but life has been so busy. I have been taking Moral Theology and Ethics at Aquinas College this summer. To be honest, this has been quite the treat. Aquinas has some phenomenal professors, and I feel lucky to have learned from them.

I really feel like taking these courses will help me to be a better NFP teacher. I wrote an essay for my Ethics class arguing against a group of self-proclaimed pro-life ob/gyns. If you are interested, you can read it at

file://localhost/Users/kimderrick/Desktop/Kim's%20Ethics%20Essay.htm.

(just copy and paste the link)

I'd love to have your feedback after you read it. I enjoy researching such topics, but I cannot say that I am a gifted writer. It is struggle for me to even write on this blog. I just write what I am feeling and hope it makes sense. 

The essay had to be written within a two week time frame. It was a lot tougher than I had imagined it would be. However, as I was putting it all together, it really increased my desire to help the medical profession more. I love teaching couples about NFP. I love to see their eyes light up with their new found knowledge. Taking a couple through this process is an honor, and I will never take it for granted. 

God lays His Will before us, however it is up to us to decide to follow it. Sometimes, most of the time, that means picking up our cross and doing His will, even when it is easier to do our own. 

God has taken me on some wild journeys before, but I have to say these last couple of years have been quite an experience. 

I never thought I would ever go to college, especially not Nursing School. I never thought in the midst of being in Nursing School, I would also become a certified NFP teacher. I never thought I would speak before my fellow parishioners about NFP. I never thought I would be invited to be a part of the Aquinas College Lecture Series. I never thought I would be at a point where I am not only understanding the medical language behind NFP, but I am writing about it as well. 

If you do not believe that God can do the unthinkable, just look at me... His powers are great. 

I know that people look at me and say, "How does she do it? Six kids, and going to Nursing School!" All I can say is, I am amazed as well, but I don't do it. God does. I am just an instrument. It is through virtue and grace that I am able to do what I do. This is not to slight John, and all that he does to make it possible for me to go to school, or my Mom, who plays the role of 'Momma', while I am at school, which anyone who knows me, knows that I wouldn't assign this to just anyone. 

Somedays I cannot even grasp the lengths God has gone to so that His Will can be done in my life. By virtue, I was able to see that even the thought of going to Nursing School could be possible. Each step I took towards it, was just another validation that I was doing the right thing. Even when we conceived Rita, I knew God had a plan. Although, I admit I was completely baffled when this occurred, but I knew the birth of a child is always a good thing, and bringing a person into this world, who would love and honor God, was much better than being one year closer to a college degree. 

When Rita was born, it was the highlight of our life. Could life really get better than that? Yes, it is always getting better. I sincerely thought I wouldn't return to school. I thought this time it was surely impossible. 

I did not really know if God even wanted me to return or not, so I prayed about it. I told Him I was willing to do whatever it takes, as long as it was what He wanted me to do, and I wasn't going to go to great lengths to go back, and if He wanted me there He would have to shove it in my face. 

And that is exactly what He did. Rita as born in November. I had to take a timed Reading and Math test in January, to be considered for the fall semester. I looked over the study guide a little, and ended up scoring better than the one I had taken a year prior. I thought, "Well, okay God, but what about my kids. I am not going to leave them with random babysitters. Never knowing week from week who is going to watch them!" 

I guess He just laughed and said something like, "Kim, you worry abut the silliest things!" By the end of the month my Mom's company had closed, and she was able to retire, because she was turning 55 that same month. 

His powers are great. His Love is mighty.

 My Mom immediately said she would watch the kids. I knew this was now something I had to do. God was willing it. 

Long story short, here I am, miraculously. This has been a trivial year, but there is no doubt that I have grown more than ever. People told me that if you don't have a strong marriage going into nursing school, it will crumble. I didn't buy it. John and I are stronger than we have ever been. This has been a complete team effort. We are truly working together to accomplish this goal for our family. 

People will say to me, "Oh! I am so glad you are doing this for you!" I resist the temptation to say that I am not, but what is the use. The world wants people to think we are in this for ourselves. When in reality, we are in this for each other. I am going to Nursing School for many reasons, and to be honest, not one of them is for me. Mostly, it is because God wants me too, and I have never been so sure of anything. 

Do not ever question the power of God. Sometimes we are required to take a leap of Faith. Sometimes that leap of Faith is giving in when you know you are in your fertile time period. That thought of, "Let's just see what happens!" It's so exciting and scary all at the same time, but you feel safe because you are taking yourself out of the driver seat and allowing God to drive. It is so much more relaxing when you realize, "Hey! I don't have to be in control!" 

I apologize for the lengthiness of this post. It as been a while since I last wrote, and I guess I just had a lot on my mind and wanted to share this little story about doing the unthinkable, and really it is just about following the Will of God. 

In Christ,

Kim

NFP mysteriously sneaks into the hearts of the couple

Well, I am 3 months into my practicum, and I could not be more pleased. All I want, is to fill at least one spot for each NFP class I offer monthly. So far so good. In June, I will have two couples at the class. Both, are bran-spankin' new to NFP. One is an engaged couple, and the other is coming to understand their Faith on deeper level. They want to know where the Church stands on artificial birthcontrol, and what She says about the use of NFP.

I ask for your prayers for both of these couples. Both of them are embarking on a new journey. The engaged couple, new to the love God has reserved for them in the sacrament of marriage. They will grow in ways they never thought possible. The seasoned couple, they will also grow in ways they never thought possible through the use of NFP. I will teach them NFP, but will only skim the surface about what this is going to do for their marriage. Some how, NFP mysteriously sneaks into the hearts of the couple, and they slowly begin to see their spouse and the marital act in whole new light. Most of the time when a couple comes to me, they just want to know how to know when they are fertile and when they are not. I show them all of the how to's, and grin with the thought of the awe this couple will experience in the coming weeks.

This is something you cannot teach a couple. I always hold back when I want to tell the couple all of the wonderful things that will come about through their use of NFP. The words just don't make it out of my mouth. I want so badly to share this with them, but it always feels like the timing is not right. Maybe too much information, or I am afraid I will lose them.

However, complete joy consumes me when we meet again for a follow up session. Where the couple will share with me how NFP has been so enriching to their marriage. This always seems to take them by surprise. =) Maybe they had heard before that this could happen to a couple who uses NFP, but they just never thought it would happen to them. I just smile and say, "I know! Isn't it great?"

The couple's even express to me (and I am talking about couples who have been married a LONG time) that making love is even better now that they are using NFP. I had a couple recently that I taught, and the husband didn't 'buy' that NFP actually 'worked'. When I saw him one day after mass, he told me that his wife is so happy. He said, if for nothing else, NFP is worth doing for that. And later, when I met with his wife. She also shared her happiness with me. She said she wasn't as edgy anymore. She new exactly when they needed to abstain and when it was okay to resume again. For them, this meant, during the times when they engaged in sexual intercourse, they were never worried about where she was in her cycle. They were more relaxed, and could enjoy it more. I told them both, this is just one way that NFP 'works'.  

The more I get involved with NFP, the more my excitement builds for it. I want everyone to know about it. Catholic or not! As Sister Mary Michael says, "NFP, it's good for women!"

One thing to leave you with, PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE!!! Don't be afraid to share your love of NFP with others. Remember, NFP is a good thing! People don't realize how badly they need it.

Peace to you my friends,
+
M
Kim

Good Stuff Coming Up

Well, it's been a while, I know! I've been really busy with loving my husband, raising my 6 children, going to school to be a pro-life nurse, learning as much as I can about God's beautiful creation of women, and sharing it with as many people as I can!

Lots of good stuff is coming up:
My next NFP class is on April 8, from 7-8 p.m. at St. Henry Church. The first one we had on March 11 was fantastic. It could not have gone better. My client from that class is charting and doing very well, I might add. Let me know if you are interested in taking a class.
nfpcoordinator@gmail.com

On April 10, John and I have been invited to speak at the marriage preparation retreat, Three to Get Married. We will speak about what NFP means to us.

On May 11, Aquinas College will be hosting an "Extended Formation Lecture on Humanae Vitae." More info to come on specific speakers. I will be helping Sister Mary Michael, O.P. with this, and I am honored to be a part of it.

Please, pray for all of these upcoming events. 

I know everyone knows someone who is trying to conceive, or who may have serious reasons to not conceive. Please, point them in my direction. I want to help them! The Ovulation Method is a VERY precise means of accomplishing either one of these two goals.

If you'd like to receive an email every time I update the blog, please let me know.

One last thing, please join me in praying that Nashville will get a pro-life ob gyn soon. We desperately need one. In the mean time, continue trying to convert your ob gyns!

God Bless,

Kim