7 Quick Takes Friday - vol. 41

- 1-

I would like to share a beautiful video that my boyfriend shared with me:

http://vimeo.com/93079367

I actually have saved a draft post on this discussion on homosexuality. However, I'm not sure if it's a right time to write it now. The situation is getting hotter here in Singapore. There is so much misunderstanding and it's so easy to pick up a line and attack the Church. Please pray for us and for the Archbishop. However, I think the worst situation to have fellow Catholic friends write on facebook on their 'position' against the Archbishop's message. Sigh.

When I attended a friend's wedding yesterday, my first thought was, "God, please protect them and other families here in Singapore." When I recall the children I knew that are adopted children of some friends, I imagine what if these same children were deprived from their rights to have a mother and a father. Despite all the attacks and dispute, why nobody talks about children? (other than making things equivalent between childless couple and homosexual parents; which is not right) Why nobody relates what they read about motherhood and fatherhood and bring it to discussion? Why people just scream freedom freedom freedom without knowing what it means?

I appreciate this video a lot because it's a lesson for all individuals, heterosexual or with same-sex attraction. It's a great lesson about chastity. However, above all, it's a huge lesson on happiness.

What makes us happy?

These individuals have the courage to tell the world what truly makes them happy is not what other people assume!

- 2 -

I would also like to share about what this article that I found through little catholic bubble blog.

- 3 -

 Talking about homosexuality issue can't be separated from the discussion about marriage and sex in general. However, recently I've been having difficulties to balance between the data on Natural Family Planning (NFP) and the explanation of something beyond the 'success or failure' of NFP, about the spirit of openness to life. Furthermore, all the data that I have are US-based. How to talk about NFP issue to my friends in Indonesia in which poverty and medical problem is a real problem for the majority? (not for a small group number of people). How to talk about NFP to doctors that already have prejudice of the failure of NFP and not yet understand the bigger picture of marriage and misunderstood the words 'procreation'? I understand how to talk to non-Catholics about openness to life, but to talk to a Catholic who has a strong opinion against NFP? Wow, this is something new for me.

My boyfriend is right. If someone truly wants to find the truth, there are chunks of information out there that provide answers, and I may not be the best person to explain some things. However, I feel that it's part of my responsibility too. If you can provide me with references on NFP that are comprehensive (not just those with 'percentage of success'; but detailed with sampling method etc, and even better if it's based not only in US), I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

- 4 -

new flower arrangment last week:
(same flower, different angle and lighting)

- 5 -

I finally met my friends who went for NOC India in 2011 (NUS Overseas College; an entrepreneurial program that gives opportunity to intern in India). It is very heartwarming to catch up with these friends and recalled funny things that happened during internship, such as frequent lights out in our guest house where we stayed. hehehe

- 6 -

Today is Indonesian election. Please pray for my country =)

- 7 -

Recently I've been thinking a lot about the notion of freedom and happiness. I'm very grateful that I have a chance to meet happy people who also have a lot of adversities. This experience will be a good reminder for me when one day I'm faced with bigger or heavier crosses and also a good reminder for me to carry my small crosses now with a joy.

More quick takes at Jen's blog!