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JennGM
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| Posted: July 18 2005 at 6:16pm | IP Logged
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I'm sharing the Pope's message today on Vacations because I thought it fit quite aptly into the nature study/CM discussions. CM philosophy is not completely based on nature study, but it's a good part of it. I keep thinking of Pope JPII and now this pope praising the good of getting out into the mountains, into nature, and finding God. Isn't that what all our studying is about -- the goal is to find God and see His plan in everything? Even the smallest bug and seed reflect God.
But I also had to laugh to myself about his comment on vacations. I was thinking of the other threads about vacations with children. The word "serene" rarely comes to mind.
Emphasis is mine. God bless!
VACATIONS, AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE BODY AND SPIRIT
VATICAN CITY, JUL 17, 2005 (VIS) - This morning Benedict XVI prayed the Angelus together with more than 6,000 people, including locals, holiday-makers and pilgrims, who joined him at Les Combes in Italy's Valle d'Aosta where he is spending his vacation.
Before the Marian prayer, the Holy Father referred to his "beloved predecessor," John Paul II, "whose memory is still alive in the stupendous mountains of the Valle d'Aosta" where "for many years he came to spend brief periods of vacation."
"This summer break," the Holy Father continued, "is a truly providential gift of God following the first months of the demanding pastoral service with which Divine Providence has entrusted me."
"In the world in which we live it is almost a requirement to be able to restore body and spirit, especially for city dwellers, where the often frenetic lifestyle leaves little time for silence, reflection or the soothing contact with nature. Vacations are also a period in which one can dedicate more time to prayer, reading and meditation on the profound meaning of life, in the serene environment of one's own family and loved ones."
"Through contact with nature, people again find their true dimension, they rediscover themselves as creatures, small but at the same time unique, and 'capable of God' because of an interior openness to Infinity. Driven by the need for meaning which rises from their hearts, they perceive in the surrounding world the signs of goodness and of Divine Providence and, almost naturally, they become open to praise and prayer."
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Aug 07 2005 at 4:46pm | IP Logged
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Jenn,
I read this shortly before leaving on vacation last week and must admit I did not think it pertained to me and my role in our family vacation.
But this year, God surprised me. I did not have to clean the camper...Kayleigh and Garrett did it for me.  I did not have to shop for groceries...Mark did it for me. I did not have to arrange pet-sitting. Corey had to stay behind due to a full-work week schedule. He fed the animals.
I put off packing till the very last day. I dreaded it. I finally went to the little girls room only to find 3 neatly packed bags. Kayleigh had packed for them as well as herself.
I guess this has nothing to do with what the Pope had to say regarding vacation. But, for me, it was truly a serene, summer break! The children kept the camper picked up and I didn't have to cook not once! We had a lovely vacation and came back restored as a family and tanned by the Texas sun. 
We got a well-rounded dose of geography, history, leisure, meditation, and contact with nature. 
My only regret was that we, as a family, were missing Corey (my oldest). But the overall inner workings of our family are changing. Corey will be 18 in Sept., will graduate this school year and begin attending Community College. He also attends Electrical school 2 evenings a week and has a part-time job. All this restricts his *free* time. But, as another adult in the family, my dh and I have to respect his feelings and responsibilities and not always expect that he can be there for all the family fun points.
I tell myself every day that this dear child of mine is now an adult. I must step back to observe and respect his adulthood and time apart from the family. And pray.
This is the test of what type job we have done with him through these past 18 years. Will he be man we expected to raise? Will he be the man we wanted to raise?
But this is food for thought for another post...
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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JSchaaf
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| Posted: Aug 07 2005 at 7:39pm | IP Logged
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Cay-
As I am getting ready to spend two weeks in a tiny cottage in Michigan with three dc under 6 your post (and the Holy Father's) gave me hope. For the future. I would like to extend Pope Benedict an invitation to come on vacation with me. I need some serenity and peace. I'm almost dreading "vacation".
Jennifer
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Pope Benedict -- Vacations and Nature
