Thursday, January 28, 2010

mostly quotes

Another week nearly over and more wedding stuff knocked off the list. I got my quote in for our wedding favors (which will remain a [super awesome] surprise) and it is definitely doable. Also I'm just waiting for my mum to do a bit more calling and then we'll be trying to book our flights home! I am soooooooooooooo excited. I've only been here for 3.5 months, but it is so nice to anticipate a trip home.

The priest, Fr Alistair, who is doing our pre-marital counseling gave us a book to read called The Gift of Self in Marriage. I have read a number of books on relationships/marriage over the years, and none of them are ever perfect, but there were a few bits from this one that I like. I know the quotes are out of context, and so probably make no sense whatsoever, but I thought I'd post them anyway, as they at least hint at the direction my own mind is going:

The interpretation of the gift of self in marriage, and its potential fruit in childbearing, depends, fundamentally, on how we see ourselves as human beings. –Anita Dowsing, The Gift of Self in Marriage.

Christ underpins [a married couple’s] awesome commitment with the gift of his grace, so that they can be faithful to each other, as he is to the Church. –Anita Dowsing, The Gift of Self in Marriage.

It is a gift of the whole person, body, soul and spirit, which sets the seal on the marriage vows and makes them irrevocable. –Anita Dowsing, The Gift of Self in Marriage.


By creating a welcoming home, we receive each other in ever new ways. We receive God’s gifts of children, of friends and of new forms of service. All this implies openness to what God will give and an acceptance that we receive all our fruitfulness at his hand. –Anita Dowsing, The Gift of Self in Marriage.

It is the acceptance of the other in pain as well as joy that makes for lifelong fidelity and only God can give the couple the strength to do this. For the Christians this means a deliberate turning to the cross; for all married couples it means persevering, whatever the cost. –Anita Dowsing, The Gift of Self in Marriage.

Christ’s gift of self says something fundamental about the commitment in marriage that is often forgotten. It is rooted in the will to give, not in emotions. –Anita Dowsing, The Gift of Self in Marriage.

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