Book Review-The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse

I have to admit, when I cracked open this book I was a bit skeptical, ok, maybe I was very skeptical. I guess I have always held the opinion that "self help books" such as these were really just "fluff." In my past experiences with this type of book, I usually felt frustrated after realizing how much time I wasted with the book when I could of been doing better things. In other books, it seemed like I had to search and search for some concrete ideas or advice, but actually never really found anything.

Well, The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse by Art and Laraine Bennet, was quite different then these past books that I read, and I would recommended it for all marriages, whether troubled or not. I strongly believe that a marriage will work if two people decide to love and honor one another. But how do you honor someone day in and day out who drives you nuts because they are less sociable or need more quiet time than you do? These are the petty differences that exist in almost all marriages that make it "not so pleasant" as it could be, which also makes it difficult to grow in faith together as well. "The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse" introduced me to the concept that God made us all different and those differences are something to celebrate!

The authors break these "differences" that we all share into groups of four distinct temperament categories. By studying your temperament and the temperament of your spouse you can better learn why your spouse does those things that they do. And then, like magic, you can come to the realization that your spouse may not be intentionally inviting his friends over for dinner and giving you 5 minutes notice just to to bug you. Your spouse most likely does this because it reflects on what HIS needs are. The bottom line is communication and understanding are the key, and with the additional tool of knowledge of your spouses' temperament the understanding part gets much, much easier to accomplish.

The book provides great advice and is simple enough for anyone to grasp and understand. I also think it is magic because my husband authentically enjoyed reading parts of it with me.:) I think, for men, it must be enlightening for them to discover that there are other women out there who act just like their wife, and no they are not crazy, it's just their temperament!:)

You can purchase The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse at The wonderful Catholic Company online HERE.


(A favorite prayer of mine that you can say together with your spouse...maybe before reading this book!)


A Prayer of Spouses for Each Other

In the Name of the Father, The Son,& The Holy Spirit:

O LORD JESUS CHRIST OUR GOD, our Sweet Savior, Who taught us to pray always for each other, so that by thus fulfilling the holy law we will be made worthy of Thy mercy: look down with compassion on our married life and keep from all perilous falls, from enemies both visible and invisible, my husband and wife whom Thou has grant me, that we may pass our time together until the end with oneness of mind. Grant us health, strength, and fullness of wisdom enlightened from above, so that we may be able to fulfill our duties all the days of this life according to Thy will and commandments. Protect and keep us from temptations, and may we be able to bear and conquer those temptations that come upon us. Strengthen us in right faith, strong hope, and perfect love, so that together we may do good deeds and that we may order all our life according to Thy divine ordinances and commandments.

O Greatly Merciful Lord, hear us who humbly pray to Thee, and send Thy divine blessing in truth on our married life and on all our good deeds, for it is Thine to hear and have mercy on us, O our God, and to Thee we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Catholic Mother's Online

Are you a Catholic Lady Blogger? Do you know about Catholic Mother's Online? This is a great group of loyal Catholic Ladies AND the group is accepting new members right now! To Join go HERE!.

From the Catholic Mother's Online site:

"This blog started as the home on the Web for the Catholic Mothers Online blog roll, which is community listing of Catholic bloggers who are mothers - whether that be in the present, in your plans in the future, through being a godmother, or those who are mothers at heart."

Hello!

(A few of the white roses given to me by my dear husband:)


Blog Posts have been quite thin for me for the past two weeks or so. The weather here in the middle of the country has been gorgeous, and you can't help but take advantage of it with long walks, and games of PIG and HORSE with the children!

I have also intentionally made the focus of these past weeks to be one of meditation, healing and prayer for me. After a loss of a little one so early, it is tempting to think that it was "not such a big deal" and jump right back into the busy, busyness that life is.

This past month, I have said no to almost all engagements outside of the home with the exception of visiting Our Lord at Adoration and at Mass. It has been a blessing and one that I am sure the Lord was calling me to do. Even though after a miscarriage you don't have the child to care for, a woman still gave birth, and still deals with the emotional and physical trials that come along with it. However, miscarriage is different than giving birth to a full term healthy child because it carries along with it that unique cross of suffering. I am hoping and praying with God's grace, that this suffering can continue to turn into another conversion that the Lord is calling me to. I want each day to be a conversion to get closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.!

"All for Jesus!" -Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Pope Benedict XVI Recognizes Women's True Dignity

VATICAN CITY, 8 MAR 2009 (VIS) - Having prayed the Angelus with thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope dedicated some remarks to International Women's Day which falls today, 8 March. "It invites us", he said, "to reflect upon the condition of women, and to renew our commitment to ensure that always and everywhere women can live their lives and make full use of their capacities, obtaining complete respect for their dignity.

"Such was the view expressed", he added, "by Vatican Council II and the pontifical Magisterium, in particular by Servant of God John Paul II's Apostolic Letter 'Mulieris dignitatem' (15 August 1988). Yet, of more worth even than documents is the witness of saints; and our own times have seen that of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a humble daughter of Albania who, by the grace of God, became an example for the whole world in the exercise of charity and service to humankind.

"How many other women work unseen every day for the good of humanity and of the Kingdom of God!" he exclaimed.

Benedict XVI concluded by giving assurances of his prayers "for all women, in the hope that their dignity may always be respected and their positive potential turned to good use".

Holy Feast Day-Saint Frances of Rome

"In a house where she lived with her husband, his parents, his brother and his brother's family, she felt all alone. And that's why Vannozza found her crying bitterly in the garden one day. When Frances poured out her heart to Vannozza and it turned out that this sister-in-law had wanted to live a life devoted to the Lord too. What Frances had written off as frivolity was just Vannozza's natural easy-going and joyful manner. They became close friends and worked out a program of devout practices and services to work together....."

A wonderful account of Saint Frances' life HERE at Catholic online.


Merciful Father,
in Frances of Rome
You have given us a unique example of love in marriage
as well as in religious life.

Keep us faithful in Your service,
and help us to see and follow You
in all the aspects of life.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. +Amen.

Pius Media-Catholic Netflix!

I think I may be the last one to know about Pius Media, but am I glad I found out about it. I had recently cancelled our Netflix subscription because I just wasn't happy with what I was getting. Netflix has hundreds of movies but because it's so large, it was always a chore to go through and find decent family films and religious films too. Pius Media is basically the Catholic version of Netflix. It offers tons of Catholic films about saints, feasts days, Popes, Apologetics, etc. But, it also offers those great family classic adventure and drama films that everyone loves to watch. I definitely give Pius Media "5 stars!"

Learn more about their plans and options HERE.

Pope Benedict XVI Prayer Intentions for March

"Each month, Pope Benedict XVI announces his special prayer intentions--particular things that he wishes all Catholics to pray for that month. (When, for instance, we pray the rosary and say the prayers at the end for the intentions of the Holy Father, these are the intentions for which we're praying.)

Pope Benedict offers two intentions every month, one general, and one for a particular Catholic missionary activity. His general prayer intention for March 2009 is "That the role of women may be more appreciated and used to good advantage in every country in the world." The Holy Father has long expressed concern that, in the name of "equality of the sexes," woman have been degraded and have been discouraged to practice the vocation of motherhood. His own writings place the Blessed Virgin as the chief example for the Christian woman, and it is likely no coincidence that this prayer intention comes in the month when we celebrate the Annunciation." Read the rest of the Holy Father's Intentions for the current month HERE.

Modest Sewing Blogs by Catholic Ladies Directory

My stack of fabrics for a vintage style apron I am making. Very girlie:)

This apron making project and pattern was in my craft "to-do" pile for a quite awhile. I got a healthy dose of inspiration to tackle this little sewing project after joining the Modest Sewing Blogs Directory.



Have you heard of it? Are you a Catholic lady who sews or crafts? You should check out this new directory that is forming now! Go HERE or HERE to learn more.