Book Clubs of America:

   Foreword

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In more than one way, Under My Roof reminds me of a mystery novel. The memoir begins like innumerable accounts of dating, romance and eventual marriage in America. The only hint of trouble to come is dislike of Emma's parents for Ray, their soon to be son-in-law, a not unheard of response. As the story unfolds there are more intimations of trouble to come-drunkenness, a terrible accident but nothing to prepare us for the scene revealing a heartbreaking and most heinous evil  We see this family develop through the eyes of the mother.We feel with her an unease with the moods, anger and drinking of her spouse. Routine and apparent normalcy keep the family going, just as it does in our own lives. Ray has some likable but strange parents-another tiny hint of the horror to come? -and his faults, but nothing indicative of molestation,. Would to God molesters appeared as criminals they are! Alas, they look like regular guys. Like the clever murderer at the center of a mystery, Ray manages to disguise his methods of manipulation in pursuit of his perversion.  

     If we can believe the astounding number of children now being molested- most of them victimized by members of their own families- this book is both necessary and, to use a strange word, comforting. Under My Roof  is necessary because it teaches us how insidious and damaging molestation is and how relentless and devious the familial perpetrator can be. The memoir is comforting because Emma is so much like ourselves, raising her kids, struggling with her husband's apparent weaknesses but understandably missing 

what he took such pains to hide.     

     Under My Roof  is also comforting in that abuse and it's attendant agony and pain do not have to have the last word. Faith in God contributes to the healing, which begins slowly and wonderfully to unfold.

     Parents, teenagers, teachers, clergy, counselors and people in law enforcement would surely benefit from reading this book. Conversational in style, Under My Roof gets under the skin as well as startling and moving the heart. I found Emma's story gripping and the book difficult to put down. I hope and pray Under My Roof has a wide readership.

Fr. Patrick J. Dooling

Diocese of Monterey, California

available: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3129533

The Bigger Picture:

The King was in the Counting House 

Counting all his money...

This is NOT the puzzle I was working on...

Which was my very favorite as a little kid.

I decided to put a puzzle together

called Midnight Snack. It was a man  and a dog looking into the refrigerator.

I guess I thought one of the pieces would be the orange juice instead of having 30 little pieces....

The whole day flew by as I concentrated and stood in my kitchen for eight hours

mesmerized,  hooked on getting it going. It was so difficult because the pieces actually fit great in so many spots. only they

were in the wrong place and it didn't make sense. What did I know?

 I learned another Lenten God lesson...

Unless I have the BIG picture (and only God does) 

 I tried hard to make it go MY own way. 

I thought something fit but as I continued 

working the picture didn't make sense.

 I dedicated another 4 hours to straining my neck,

 opened up the box, scooped the remaining 300 pieces

 back into the box, folded up the poster and made better use of my time! 

What some people will  do so they don't have to start working on their taxes!

Food for Thought:

 

A converted Anglican said that when someone leaves their church the people respond with

that's really too bad for the CHURCH but when someone leaves the Catholic

church the people's response is...it's too bad for that PERSON.

 Taken from a radio program 1240 am

Thank You Pope Benedict XVI:

writing prompt:

Lent 2013:

2007 Pope Benedict xvi

I love television. But, I am NOT watching TV  during Lent.

I am tuned to  Immaculate Heart Radio...the best in Catholic radio.

You can Google ihradio and find out where you can listen to it in your area.

It's filled with good ideas and enriching wisdom and nourishment.

I am also praying more and reading spiritual books.

Hope you have a  chance to get closer to God during this season.

 What have you been doing?

I am praying specifically for the falsely imprisoned and their family members.

If you have a little self denial you will get a  boost and no longer
feel so sluggish.  Remember we did this when we were children. We "gave up" something. It's only for 40 days. You can do it.

Sacrifice is the real test of love.

You will be renewed and it will be good for the whole church. 

Effects of Trauma on Children:

Effects of trauma on children:

Mood Changes

Headaches

Stomachaches

Tiredness

Withdrawing

Crying for no reason

Sudden change in school performance

No longer experiencing joy in previously loved activities

If you think that your child has been abused follow up with a call to the 

Survivors Healing Center and ask questions to get more of the particulars.

831-423-7601

Talk to a professional

Stop the Silence

********

Stop the silence!

The predator is telling you lies.

Tell someone what is happening.

Then tell someone else what is happening.

And don't stop talking until the abuse stops.

There is help available.

If you don't believe it then show up in Watsonville, California and watch the parade of people who
walk to stop the silence on April 6...all people who will advocate for you, help you get the help you need.
They will protect you. There;s a chance you will see someone else you already know that has gotten help.

See you there.

Stop the Violence:

*****
STOP THE VIOLENCE!

What a great turn out  in  Santa Cruz for the one billion rising.
The music, the dancing and high energy for safety.

So what did you do on St. Valentine's Day?
I got a telephone call from an old college sweetheart!
That was fun.

I was helped by a neighbor man in my kitchen today...
wonderful guy who will be missed when he moves away soon.


When you see the man standing at the corner with a sign
asking for work or money...if you are not going to give him
any money, glance at him and recognize him. If you smiled, you made him feel like a person. Feeling invisible is painful.

One Billion Rising to Stop the Violence

*****

Happy Valentines Day!
Let us all be filled with love for everything good.

The Lenten journey has now began after a  day
of complete fast and abstinence.
Ashes on our forehead a humble reminder to be penitent.
It is always a fresh start.

This evening in Santa Cruz and across the countries of the world
there will be hopefully one billion people rising up against the violence
perpetrated on women and children. Let's help by either joining in the festivities or praying for the success of this venture.

Some of the donations received will go to the Survivor's Healing Center.
So this is a gentle reminder that when you purchase
"Under My Roof~ A Mother's Story of the  Heinous Crime of Incest" the royalties are given to the Survivor's Healing Center.

If you listen to Immaculate Heart Radio every day during the 40 days of lent you will be nourished, your questions will be answered and you will be changed. Here is this area it is 1240 am.  You can google IHRADIO and find out where you can listen in your own area.

God Bless You.

Pray privately, almsgive secretly and look good while fasting!

Mardi Gras

Today is Mardi Gras or

Shrove Tuesday

The day before Ash Wednesday which is...

 the beginning of Lent.

                           A new beginning.
If you have made a New Years resolution and were unable to keep it this is a good time for a re-start. I have made a plan to blog daily my Lenten journey for the next 40 days here.  If you are interested in reading it then please sign up on my blog site. Put your email address down and become a follower. I also welcome feedback or sharing from your own experience.

http://emalouking@blogspot.com 

God bless you on your journey. What will you be doing during this penitent season?  I will share my plan tomorrow after I have received my ashes.

 Our Christian community shared celebrations and welcomed everyone during the year. The Episcopal church served pancakes, the Catholics had a Roast Beef dinner but sometimes it was ham or fish, the Lutheran church had Lefse and Lutefisk  while corn beef and cabbage was served by the Methodist Church.

All Christians believe in the trinity. There are three persons in One Divine God. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.Do you belong to a Christian community?