Seven Quick Takes: Back in the Saddle Again - Tales of Summer Lovin'

Tap, tap, tap...is anyone still out there? I'm popping in for a little update and joining up with Kelly for Seven Quick Takes. Hold on . . . here we go!

1) It's been a while since I've sat at this keyboard to muse on much. Between chasing after three children, still settling into a new house, and trying to grow a business while still working part time, quiet time where I'm coherent is hard to come by. Instead, you'll find me hanging out over Instagram doing a little microblogging. That's a thing, right? Between my @thepitterpatterdiaries account, and the one for my design business (@rakstardesigns), I've been sharing a bit about what's been going on. The truth is, I have just been trying to keep my head above water and popping in to wax philosophical took too much energy these last several months. Am I back for good? I think so. It will likely look different than it did over the past few years. I'm making plans to start a more regular blog for my business and hoping to increase the quality of what I write for CatholicMom.com, but I would love to be able to engage in this forum again as well. There's a lot rattling around in this head and heart of mine.

2) We had this grand illusion that summer would give us a chance to kick back and relax and do some things around the house, but somehow that just didn't come to pass. I did my darndest to kick "busy mom" to the side and try to pull out "fun mom," and we went to the beach that day. Wouldn't you know, after buying a park pass for the year (because we had so much fun we decided to try to make it a weekly thing), they closed the beach due to contaminated water. Curses! So there have been trips to the park, playing in the back yard, and more subdued fun activities. Not quite the kick back and enjoy summer we had planned, though.

3) Part of our busy-ness this summer has been due to a project the Hubs and I have been working on together. We have been working on Advent and Lenten reflection booklets/devotionals for ACTA Publications using The Message translation. The Hubs has been doing some work for them, and they asked if we would consider it. It's been fun taking little day-dates with him to work together. I've also had the opportunity to incorporate some lettering and design into the project which has been fun (and I need to finish!). I'll keep you posted on when these babies see the light of day! 

4) This summer has also included a change of jobs for me. While I enjoyed my time at the maternity home, it was becoming clear that I needed to move on and let someone else take it from here. With a third child and still navigating the responsibility of mom's care and estate, I just didn't have the emotional or spiritual energy to commit to such a vulnerable population, and they deserve someone who could give them 110%. I'm now working in communications at a parish and loving it! The hours are the same as the old job, the staff is beyond accommodating and kind, and there is a lot of room to grow. I just have to grow my patience muscle since not all things I'm envisioning can happen overnight . . . or at all. Sadly, the pastor was re-assigned unexpectedly shortly after I began, but all shall be well. 

5) My babies keep getting older. I know. It happens. Little dude turned FIVE this summer, and the baby is already 15 months old. What the what? I'll have two kids in school full time in a little over a week. It's kind of like the promised land, mixed with a tinge of heartbreak that they are so old already. The oldest loves school, but the little dude is a little trepidacious of a new teacher. He LOVED his preschool teachers, and I think he has had to deal with a lot of changes over the last year which makes him a little hesitant about this new adventure. I know he'll love it when he gets there though - that's his M.O.

6) Let's talk about the real reason this summer has been busier than anticipated. I took a giant leap of faith and applied to be a vendor at The Edel Gathering a few weeks ago. I've never done a big vendor gig, so I had NO idea what to expect. I also probably put off the making of the things until a little too late because I had no idea what it would involve. Most of July was spent feverishly making, making, and making. Jewelry. Signs. Labeling prints. Beading bracelets. The Hubs was overseeing the little people while all this happened. I felt so badly, but he was my biggest cheerleader. Y'all. I was so scared I would get there and sell nothing. That people would just walk by my table and move on to the real artists and vendors. I bought a sequin tablecloth just so people would at least see me! (Ok, not exactly - I just couldn't say no to the sparkle!) It was a giant risk, and in the final days I was kind of wishing I would have just attended the event and enjoyed myself. BUT! The vision I had for my space took life, I met people who had been buying my pieces all along, I met wonderful women who were kind and struggling and looking for beauty and peace and something to share with their loved ones. I finally met fellow artists in person and they were even more beautiful from the glisten on their skin in the Texas heat to the marrow of their bones and the depth of their souls than I could have imagined. It was hard work, but it was amazing. {And thanks to Wendy who knew I was guana crazy for thinking I'd get everything set up by myself in an hour and came with me to help. And then sent her sister to get me water when I got nervous and shaky.}

The spirit of Edel, y'all. I found my tribe there two years ago, and we had the chance to finally see each other in person together in one place again. These sisters have walked with me through everything these last two years. A somewhat surprise pregnancy. Mom's stroke and subsequent dementia. Struggles with anxiety. Rejoicing at the little wins. All of it. I only wish I wasn't so focused on my vendor table (and then surprised by "womanly issues" that afternoon) so I could have gotten to know many more of the wonderful women who attended. We are all desperately in need of our tribe - both near and far. Find those women (or rather, ask God to send those women) and love them fierce.

7) Just a little frivolity for you. Here are some things I should be doing instead of sitting on the bed typing: laundry, cleaning the bathroom, organizing mom's bills, unpacking the boxes in my "studio," working on my weekly marketing plan, yada yada yada etc etc etc. Yet, here I sit typing because I want to get back in the practice of it. Also, I'm thinking the blog needs a little face lift. We'll save that for another day, though!

via GIPHY

If you want to read some more interesting Quick Takes this week, visit Kelly at This Ain't the Lyceum. Plus, she has AWESOME news on her blog about her boys!

Until later, get out there and love 'em like Jesus!

Blessings,
Rakhi

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Edel Recap: Take One {Punching Satan In the Face}

It was a whirlwind weekend, dear readers. The whole Edel Gathering experience seems like it took place over at least a week, but in reality it was just a brief 36 hours. A day and a half of laughing, loving, crying, enduring the heat with the reality that there would not be a shower in the near future, many long-awaited hugs and "selfies," and a few drinks here and there. Maybe.

As an introvert (yes, I really am no matter how crazy I can act!), I know that the fruits from this weekend won't really begin to fully hit me with their best shot until I'm able to revisit all those wonderful moments. I give you below what I call Take One of my reflections from this weekend. Knowing how my mind works, you can fully expect that as the experience unfolds over the next several days and weeks, there will be more. But first up, a look at punching satan in the face. Thank you Kelly Mantoan for that image. My life (and my family's) is forever changed.

I was on my final flight with a tiny shrapnel of battery life left on my phone and this came across my Twitter and Instagram feed:

“Extremists have shown what frightens them most: a girl with a book.” - @malalafund

I knew right then what I needed to write about first, because satan is an extremist when it comes to trying to lure us away from the love of God. Enter the Edel Gathering. Ladies, it's clear that satan be running scared given all the hiccups and hijinks we all experienced leading to and during our time together.

Satan has shown us what frightens him this weekend. A hotel full of life-giving, soul searching, faithful women of God coming together to build community, however sweat-drenched and showerless they may be. In this community we find the Aaron and Hur to our Moses, the ones who will hold us up when the battle makes us tired. We find our Veronica, who wipes us clean when we have fallen and the tears have stained our faces. We find that soft, gentle breeze whispering the truth of God as we peek out of our caverns (or bathrooms) where we have barricaded ourselves amid life's storms. We find our people. Our tribe. Our family. Ourselves.

We find Him who our soul loves, and Who loves our whole being to death and back to life again.

Gazing at the Lover of my soul as He gazes upon me.

God is calling us through this experience of sisterhood with a smattering of women, of His daughters, to go back to our homes and build sacred space for the sisters in our backyards. He is calling us to be the face of joy, but to open our arms to shelter our sisters' sorrows. He is calling us to share our weirdness with the world (within measure of course) so all our sisters know they belong.

Why? Because God knows darkness fears a woman of light.

Satan fears us because he knows God has made us to build cathedrals and to nurture temples where His Holy Spirit resides. Satan knows that when we come together and shed ourselves of false piety and the facade of propriety and begin to build places where it is safe to air out our wounds and bring our shame to the light, we will no longer live in that wounded shame but be stronger in Christ. Satan knows when women come together in unity and solidarity that we give each other the strength to take our spirit, our gifts, our life-giving love back to our families and build them up to fight another day.

Sister in Christ joined together in prayer outside the AME Emmanuel Church
where nine people were senselessly murdered. Mercy and grace won. Praise God!

What does all this mean in the context of our own lives, though? As tempting as it may be because we are conditioned by our structured environments, I don't think it means we go home and create more women's groups and fellowships. It just isn't enough.

One of the fruits of Edel in my own heart has been a desire to love my people better. I want serve my people better. I want the idea of loving better not to be just an abstract thought of what we need to do as disciples in a broken world, but rather a desire that is grafted into my DNA that spurs me to action despite my own brokenness and selfishness. Who are my people? They are God's people, so . . . all people.

Maybe, just maybe, this desire is about keeping our eyes open to notice those around us who seem weary and worse for the wear. Maybe it is reaching out in those moments just to let them know they are not alone, that whatever they are facing, God is with them, and we can be too. Maybe, it is being humble enough to admit when that person is us and being willing to raise the white flag of surrender and shoot up an SOS to our tribe. Maybe it is sitting outside an empty ballroom and making that a safe space to let down our walls and just be, so we can laugh and cry and say things we shouldn't, and the one thing we should: me too, sister, me too.

We do all this within our vocations and to strengthen our vocations, not hiding from our womanhood, but embracing the beauty and variety within it. We shatter that notion that there is one way for holiness to look as a woman because satan wants to trap us there to trick us into thinking we are not enough. He wants to cajole us into desiring another life instead of surrendering in thanksgiving to the one we have so we can set the world on fire. The only fire he wants is the fires of hell. What I am convinced of this through this weekend is that when you get a group of faithful, honest women together, you can unleash the fire of the Holy Spirit and with that fire we can light the world out of darkness into the bright, burning light of the love of God.

We may not have started the fire, Billy Joel, but we know Him who did and we can keep it going until the whole world is ablaze!

Let's get out there and love 'em like Jesus! 

Short PostScript:

{Husbands - please do not feel excluded. You hold our hands, dry our tears, face our anger with steadfast love, dream our dreams, and fight alongside us. And yet, there are some parts of us that for all the tea in India, just mystify you. Admit it - there are times when we make zero sense. This is where the sisterhood comes in for you. Just send them in and breathe easy, dear man. Breathe easy.}

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Confessions of a Non-Edel-er

I have a confession to make. It's not a secret confession if you've followed my lately not-so-active blog. I really wanted to go to Edel (an in-person gathering organized by Hallie & Jen + company in Austin for Catholic mamas and bloggers). I didn't go. My whole affair with the Edel Gathering read something like a 12 Step program. Get ready to enter the crazy in my head!


Step 1: See mention of possible gathering and feel like that high school nerd again, super excited for even a chance to go hang out with the cool kids.








Step 2: See actual details of Edel and then see price tag.

Step 3: Lament as to why airlines cannot still have round-trip, cross-country fares for under $200 like back in the good old days.

Step 4: Try to figure out total cost and see if there can be any possible justification for spending $500+ on a mini-vacation for one.

Step 5: Decide it is too selfish and way over budget to attend given the cost. Besides, tickets are sold-out by now anyway, because you know - everyone wants to hang out with the cool kids.

Step 6: Forget about Edel for a while...mostly.

Step 7: Find out that there are some mamas who are trying to unload their tickets because things came up and they cannot attend.

Step 8: Work through all the numbers and possibilities again to see if there is any chance to find a last minute way to get to Austin at minimal cost. Realize that you cannot justify shortchanging one of these mamas who paid full price and trip will still be way too much and now on short notice to the family.

Step 9: Make other plans for that weekend so as not to become a crazy Edel-attendee stalker with moderate success.

Step 10: Peruse #edel14 tag on Twitter and the 'Gram. Feel heartbroken when you hear "it is good that you are here," because, well, you're not. Throw a mini-pity-party with the world's smallest violin. Get angry with self for not going.

Step 11: Read recaps of the weekend and cry on the inside, because your soul really needed that. Alas, also realize that "it is good that you are here" relates to wherever you are, because God is working his glory in those moments too. But still...

Step 12: The light bulb pops on. Realize that because your soul really needed that, it probably was in reality less a frivolous use of money on a short self-vacation, and more an investment in yourself as a wife, mother, and woman in an isolating world. (Thanks Cate for your recap - it definitely helped me reach this little "aha!" moment.)

The moral of the story - I am saving my pennies starting now to make it a possibility to attend in the future if I can score a ticket. Not because my friends and family aren't enough, but because sometimes you need the community of kindred souls who aren't engrossed in your daily life to help lend a hand and draw you out of the mire. Thanks to all of you who have shared how God moved in your spirit during the gathering so those of us far away could experience the fruit of the weekend as well.

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SQT: Drive-Through Confessions, Demons, and Diving into Summer Vacation Without a Stop at Edel

Why is it that I have the most inspiration to write at times when it is nearly impossible? Like at 3AM when the kid is up and my mind starts racing. Or in the shower. Or really any time except the moments I have to clickity-clack away at the keyboard. Here's this week's edition of quick takes from Casa McCormick!

--- 1 ---

Nothing like a little confession for the soul on a First Friday. We are fortunate to have the Solanus Casey Center near our home where confession is served 6 times a day, 7 days a week. Unfortunately, my last two experiences have been more like a drive-through than a seven course meal of forgiveness and reconciliation. The last time I went, I had to interrupt the priest who had started in on the rite of absolution before I had actually finished my confession because I paused for one second to think. This time I barely got everything out (and didn't get to the whole "any anything else that offends God that I don't yet recognize" part) before the priest began. I'm thinking I might have to suck it up and start going to a parish, if only they had convenient times for the Sacrament. Saturdays a half hour before Mass really doesn't cut it for us regulars, yo.

--- 2 ---

It would also make sense that the minute we leave the confessional, the devil starts in on us, this time in the guise of adorable little children who have lost their bleeping minds. They were SO GOOD in church and while we were praying and in confession. The minute the warm summer breeze hit their little bodies, bam! Toddler antics ahoy! Senses of hearing are lost, vocal abilities leading to whines and screams and choruses of "no!" are not. Ok, so maybe it was mostly the three year old, but somewhere in there the two year old lost his cool as well. A lovely older man offered him a cookie from his shop at the farmer's market, though, and all was well again. God bless him and all those who get it and make life a little easier with upset children.

--- 3 ---

Speaking of the devil, Sherry Weddell shared a post by Fr. Dwight Longenecker about treating demonic infection that I found to be most helpful. First, I LOVE the reference to this as "demonic infection" - it isn't the gore and drama of possession and exorcism, but rather points to a spiritual sickness that can be caused by the pestering of evil, such as a sin we just can't seem to kick to the curb.

That said, I hate that we are so scared to talk about demons, as though mere talk of them will bring about their presence . . . To quote Hermione, "fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." Or worse yet, we hesitate to admit a truth that culture seems to ignore - demons DO exist, regardless of how much the modern world would like to believe they do not.We all know in the Christian life there is a battle between good and evil. That means evil exists. We should also know with certainty that Christ has defeated the enemy - the war has been won, though the battles are ongoing in this life. Why enter into battle with blinders on, or with fear, when we have Christ on our side? Here is an excerpt from his post with concrete steps I found to be extremely helpful when you find yourself with a pesky demon on your shoulder or in habitual sin that you just can't shake:

One of the simple ways to deal with the problem is for an intentional use of holy water and the Lords’ Prayer. I instruct individuals to pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly with an emphasis and focus on the phrase “Deliver Us From Evil”. If the issue is an overpowering temptation to continue in sin then also pray the Lord’s Prayer with a focus on “Lead Us Not Into Temptation.”

Wearing or displaying a St Benedict Cross (a crucifix with the St Benedict medal embedded in it) is a sacramental that can have strong effects. Seeing it and remembering and reciting the Latin phrase “vade retro satana” (Get Back Satan) which is engraved on the medal helps to counter the infection.

When they enter church and cross themselves with holy water I encourage them to repeat quietly, “Deliver Us From Evil.” or “Lead Us Not Into Temptation”. It is also helpful to give a name to the difficulty and imagine it as being an infection and the prayers and holy water as being a kind of medicine that fights off the infection. Just as an infection is battled with a course of antibiotics and the doctor tells you to take the whole treatment, so demonic infection will often take a period of time to really take effect. If the sin is deeply rooted because of a long standing habit, then the cure will also take some time to take effect. If the roots are deep in a person’s life they are not pulled out quickly and easily.

--- 4 ---

On a MUCH lighter note, we are cramming the fun into our summer vacation! We got a bit of a late start with the Hubs having some commitments the few weeks after school got out and a family reunion over the July 4th weekend. Nothing wrong with a little late blooming, right? Last weekend, while many of you mamas were whooping it up at Edel (more thoughts on that later), we were on a train. Not to Clarksville, mind you, but  short jaunt on a local railroad. It was the kids' first time on a train outside of the zoo, and while we had window seats, we landed in the outdoor car as our seats were taken. This ended up being far more fun for the kids, and gave me a chance to get some photos for Judah's 2 year old photos, and some unplanned portraits of Gia as well. If you're looking for a fun little outing in Southeast(ish) Michigan, we would definitely recommend the Southern Michigan Railroad!

--- 5 ---

After a little locomotion, we headed off to Grand Rapids for a quick overnight vacation. We both know people in and from the area who rave about this little city, and I am happy to say that they are not fibbers! Our first stop was at the Fredrik Meijer Gardens, which were on our way into the city. They have a fantastic Children's Garden, where the kids can enter through a small "mouse door," play with boats on a miniature Great Lakes, dig up some treasures in a great sand pit, enjoy story time, climb a treehouse, and navigate a labyrinth just their size with hidden treasures among wrong turns. We were only there for a couple of hours, but I could definitely see spending an entire day there, and if we were in the Grand Rapids area, many a day.

When we checked into our hotel, we were surprised with a "kids eat free" policy at their restaurant - jackpot! So we lunched up and attempted a horribly failed attempt at naptime at the hotel. Calling it a fail, we headed downtown to walk around and on up to St. Andrew Cathedral, which was beautiful. One thing that really struck me was the interesting juxtaposition of the revitalization that Grand Rapids has experienced - we were clearly walking through an art district with galleries and studios - and a population that is still very much in need, as evidenced by the homeless sleeping on stoops and free clinics and ministries to the homeless that were interspersed along our walk. It was fascinating to experience. I'm sure there will be more that comes from reflecting on that.

We also happened to roll into town on Meijer Free Tuesdays at the GRAM (Grand Rapids Art Museum), so we were able to meander through there quickly before meeting up with a friend of mine from high school and part of her clan for dinner.

--- 6 ---

Last year was the 20th class reunion of the class I would have graduated with had I not made a beeline on out of high school a year early. We didn't make it due to a late start on our bathroom renovation and I'm not sure what anymore. Mostly the remodel delay, I think, though undoubtedly there was a little social anxiety of returning to high school that factored into that decision.

I am so thankful that I got over my social anxiety enough to see if Jill would be in town and wanted to meet us at some point when we were visiting Grand Rapids. My anxiety, of course, made me feel like we were imposing, but she made it clear that wasn't the case. We enjoyed a great dinner and the kids enjoyed being kids, filled with silliness from all ends, and mooching off plates from our child. Our apologies - we really are not raising wolves. Really. Thanks for making us feel like "old" friends (not indicative of our ages, of course).

My children have yet to master the "pose & smile" portion
of taking photos.

--- 7 ---

Speaking of social gatherings, I was not able to attend Edel this year. And by "not able," I mean, I didn't go because I thought it was too expensive. As I've been watching all the photos and posts pop up, there have been many emotions rolling through me. I'm still trying to figure them all out, but to Jennifer and Hallie - I think the reach of what you have created has extended far beyond the walls of the Omni, no doubt by designing something that involved the virtual being brought into the physical realm, only to be sent back out to the virtual. I have more thoughts, and will hopefully be able to articulate them over the next several days. Here's hoping for a second chance to attend in person next year, and thanks to all you who did go for sharing your experiences so openly!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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