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florasita
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| Posted: Oct 21 2009 at 10:40am | IP Logged
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Yesterday I recieved a copy of the above rubies mag . I ordered it recommended by a Christian hs mum here . I was not sure what to expect if it may be very baptist evangelical etc. well I really really loved this copy . I've no idea if other issues have been like this but so far reading I didnot see anything slamming catholics or even other religions for that matter . There is even an article by a family I think may be catholic as one of thier children is named Kateri and the wife gave a quote from St.Augustine .
So I saw on the back of the mag a listing for retreats . They offer ladies retreats for Canada right here in our own province . Do any of you Gals have expereince with Above Rubies ? If so have you experienced the retreats ? There is plenty of time for me to plan ahead for this etc. I'd just like to gather info etc. before contacting the lady here .
Thanks a bunch , Roxie
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May I have the Heart & Mind of a Child in my Depth
May I forever remember to be a Light
May Peace Love & Hope be My Sight
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Bookswithtea
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I've been on their mailing list since I was protestant. I have a friend who has organized retreats on the West Coast for AR for a looonnng time, too.
I have never seen an anti Catholic slam ever in their issues. That said, it could be that they just don't talk about it because, "If you don't have something nice to say, its better not to say anything at all." kwim?
The couple who began AR are either Australian or NZ reared, I believe, although they live in TN now. Their focus is truly singleminded: To encourage women at home to have babies, love their husbands and children, and to be like a fruitful vine... They publish reversal stories, stories of women who started contracepting and then were convicted, women who were harsh and feministic, and then saw the error of their ways, that sort of thing. Sometimes they run articles on alternative health issues that might bless a family, or an article on baby carriers. Sometimes the vision they present in the magazine is so picture perfect that it is unappealing to some women...they find it just a little bit too perfect.
My impression of Nancy Campbell overall is quite positive. The magazine is free, so you could request back issues to get a better feel.
You might find yourself in uncomfortable company at a retreat. Even if the Campbell's are generous toward Catholics (and I suspect they would be), its entirely possible that others there would not be. There are subsets of the Quiverful movement that can be judgmental (like any movement, I suppose), and they might be drawn to AR, too. I guess it would depend on how comfortable you are in the company of very conservative protestants exclusively.
If you decide to give it a try, I'd love to hear how it is.
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~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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Lisbet
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Sounds very encouraging Books, I may have to look into it. Thanks!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
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Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
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Nina Murphy
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I agree with Books. I also have received her emails and am on the magazine mailing list. I would miss it terribly! I must say I do love it.
I love Nancy Campbell's call to specifically build up and bolster mothers/wives. I have emailed her a couple of times, letting her know I am Catholic and how much I appreciated her words of encouragement and exhortation to live godly lives. Always positive, always steeped in scripture, always "old-fashioned" and traditional (with a small 't'), always in a gentle but convicted *"you-CAN-live-this-mothering/wife-vocation-thing" tone (at least that is how I feel). You don't have to agree with everything written to be profoundly comforted and inspired by the faithful marriages, family devotion, and sacrificial love of these evangelical women. I have never read anything anti-Catholic or offensive, or that made me lose respect for the ministry, despite not living out in my own life many of the things she shares work beautifullly in her and her daughters' lives (homebirth, emphasis on certain healthy eating habits ,  , adoption of many foreign children ---which I find wondrous and beautiful---are a couple of things that come to mind. I still find reading about them fascinating and interesting, though, and they make me think and formulate my own mothering opinions.
A couple of issues have dealt with some of these topics (women write in and submit their stories): mothers who have special needs pregnancies, special needs children and why they are such a blessing, recovery and transformations of marriages headed for destruction, keeping little ones happy while homeschooling, love-of-nursing bond stories, ways of attitude changing to being a more joyful mother in the home, etc. From real fellow women. Her daughters also contribute and they all have very large families.
Anyway, I hope she is able to keep up her ministry (if it is God's will). It may intimidate some people---her convictions are so counter-cultural and daring today, but I personally find it only beneficial when we are under such attack.
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~~Nina
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Bookswithtea
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Nina, has she ever responded to your mentioning being Catholic?
It is nice to read something that is so profoundly enthusiastic about having a big family. Definitely countercultural.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Nina Murphy
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OOps, I forgot to mention, Florasita, that I don't think I'd go to one of their retreats, unless there was a contingent attending of other Catholic women perhaps---like Books said: a "subset" of like-minded Catholics there, as well. I don't know---
READING about something is more detached. I am very attached to my Catholic form of worship and prayer and I don't think I'd feel I belonged there or fear I'd be tempted in some way. But who knows?
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~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
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Nina Murphy
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I can't remember, Books, I should have saved the emails (from years back). I just remember her encouraging me as a mother and wife of a large family to keep on fighting the good fight, that I'm doing the right thing, and to trust in the Lord. I remember the mail comforting me----as she is such a "mother figure"----very maternal and Titus 2. Her mission, she has said, is to be that older been-there-done-that-woman-who-has-gone-before generation that leads and encourages the younger women of today who are bereft of female leadership. If you think about it, there is a dearth (well, at least in MY life). 
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~~Nina
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Erin
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Roxie
I have been reading Above Rubies for years, my mum got them before I did. I have met one of the ladies who writes the magazine, in fact for a brief period I used to help with the mail outs  Nancy Campbell is a New Zealander who lived in Australia for some years, I met her briefly one day. Val Stares (the lady I helped with the mail out) is Australian.
I have been to a one day retreat and there was no anti-Catholic slant. The culture was a bit different to Catholicism, how the singing and praying played out, but it was all good. No problems with the other ladies. Keep in mind though this is Australia and its not considered polite to talk religious differences much.
The magazines are so nourishing in my mothering role, and have had a definite impact in how I view my vocation.
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florasita
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wow Thanks so muc for all the responces ! Erin being in Canada I think our countries tend to have many similarities
I did call the woman here in my province she is the Above rubies lady here for Canada ! She said she'd e-mail me the retreat info . I then said to her , not to be offensive but are these retreats in anyway offensive to catholics . She blurted out a laugh and told me there are ladies who are catholic to huterite to those who are not even sure if they are Christian yet . She said there will be very traditional to quite liberal ladies . She assured me I would not feel isolated or persecuted .
From the info she sent it looks really nice it is an area of our province near where my family is from and very beautiful . They have pool & suana too ! I was really feeling I need some Christian companionship lately and praying about this retreat etc. My affrimation is in His word today .I am going to go for it . I have also sent dd23 the info too and my dear friend Mary thinks she'd like to attend as well .
I'm gonna go for it I think . I told Michele how grateful I was for her honesty in her article she wrote for this issue .It really helped me as have you Ladies . Thanks so much , Roxie
__________________
May I rise & rest with words of Gratitude on my Breath
May I have the Heart & Mind of a Child in my Depth
May I forever remember to be a Light
May Peace Love & Hope be My Sight
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Bookswithtea
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Erin wrote:
| Keep in mind though this is Australia and its not considered polite to talk religious differences much. |
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Sigh...if only it were this way in the states, too!
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Bookswithtea
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florasita wrote:
| She blurted out a laugh and told me there are ladies who are catholic to huterite to those who are not even sure if they are Christian yet . She said there will be very traditional to quite liberal ladies . She assured me I would not feel isolated or persecuted . |
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 This sounds really great. You have to give us a full report if you go! And fwiw, I would consider attending a conference if I knew other moms from here were going to be there. I really like how some of the conferences are family based (my friend says they are a blast) and how babies are always welcome.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Topic: Above Rubies ?
