Moved, but not moving

We finally found that God had in plan to sell our home in Maroa in May, and find a wonderful home just 3.4 miles from the clinic! That will keep the gas prices much more under control.

We are still praying, and expanding our ministry with Theology of the Body, and the Lighthouse Catholic Media CD's. The mission will change, as God shows us, and will then see how that works for the Kingdom of God.
:-)

That is our goal. Please pray for us that we follow what He wants us do to.

Thanks and exciting news

We want to thank everyone who expressed condolences to us regarding Kelly's mom's passing. The prayers and support have been unimaginably welcomed.

And felt.

We also still took our little weekend away in Milwaukee, and it was a lot of fun. The kids got to play in the water lagoon, and we almost got to see the Basilica.... if not for the rain/ and time of day. :-)

And we will get the chance to be back in Milwaukee in December for a presentation on God's Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage.

We look forward to that.

Cat petting himself.

This is a great video of a cat who pets himself.

I hope this is more fun that not watching Tiger Woods.

I only want to see Tiger golf

So, why should we care about Tiger?

Unless you are the Dali Lama, you have at least heard of Tiger Woods. Even women whose husbands do not follow golf have heard of him.

Most people know him not just for his golfing abilities but also for when he made headlines when his car crashed over Thanksgiving weekend in 09, and it came out that he was cheating on his wife.

But, why should that matter? He was not hurting me, only his family, and the women with whom he was having affairs. You might think, "I just like watching him play golf. It's none of my business, right?"


Aren't those of us who say "What happens to Tiger's family is his business, I just want to see him play golf again", doing the same thing Tiger did with his family and the women he had affairs with? He was using them for his own pleasure, without respecting their dignity as human beings.

We say we want to see Mr. Woods, not because we feel compelled by his story, his longings, dreams, hurts and frustrations, but because we want to see him take over and win a golf tournament.

The golfing world is the same - they only want Tiger back because they are losing money. They just want to use him for their selfish reasons.

The sponsors also only want him to make money for them. They distance themselves when his 'image' is not helpful to them, but will take him back if he 'cleans up his image'.

But, the reality is that we can not control someone else, we only have charge of ourselves. In my own house, I have tried to manipulate my wife to do what I want....... you can guess how well that worked....and how that felt. And then later, how I felt when I realized what I had done.

We can tend to 'use' another person all too often in our world today, because we have grown up in a culture that teaches us that this is love. But, in reality, it is the opposite of love. Contrary to popular belief, the opposite of love is not hate - it is use. When we use someone as an object for our selfish pleasure - whether sexual pleasure, entertainment, or any other use, we do not love them. They are just a 'pawn' in our game of life.

We never like it when we are used that way, do we? That inner soul that knows we should not be used is what Pope John Paul II calls "the true dignity of the human person". That true dignity means that we are never meant to be used in this way. Every one of us is unique and unrepeatable. Imagine that - there are today 6 billion people alive, and going back 2,000 years, then 6,000 more, there have probably been 100 billion people on Earth. Even with all of these people, there has _never_ been anyone like you... ever.

God gives us unique gifts to be shared with each other- for His glory. But, we must never use another human being as a means to get to that end. When we do, not only do we hurt the dignity of the other person, we also hurt ourselves. We may not know it at the time, but we eventually we will.

That's why we should care about Tiger.

Marriage enrichment series "Married for life"

Kelly and I have been very excited to put together a series of presentations to help with our desire to stay married for life.

Why are we so 'awwe' when we hear about Canadian geese who mate for life? Or the African Angel fish? Or the Gray wolf?

Because our desires are to have that for ourselves.

If you are interested in a 'short course' in Married for Life or the longer version for us to bring to your church and parish, send us an email at drray-at- RamirezUniversity.com or call 217-620-3743.

We are very excited about this program and we are certain this is something everyone would be interested in hearing.

Theology of the Body

It is interesting to think about how our Bodies are supposed to Image the very Love of God. As we prepare for discussions on God's Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage, (btw - next day long conference in Quincy on November 14) We were listening to our mission priest at our home parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Decatur.

He had a wonderful take on paying attention.

It got me to thinking - how often do we pay attention to things in our every day life. Don't we just go by things we see all the time and not take a second glance?

What is it in your life that causes us not to enjoy the life of God's plan for marriage?

For me, it is those every day images, and as a man, it is many times the 'sex sells' image that puts forth the beauty of God's masterpiece in woman, and degrades the image to be used as a 'thing' for my selfish pleasure.

May God continue to help me, and all of us on our journey to understanding his glorious mystery of heaven.

Weekend benefits presenters

When Kelly and I went to a conference on the Theology of the Body based God's Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage, we went to enhance our marriage, not necessarily intending to be sharing the message.

Boy, be careful if you give God a little opening, he'll change your heart.

Granted we don't do this perfectly, but I am certainly coming to see the difference understanding God's plan for us has made in my life.

It is that sacrifice of self - even if everyone is against you, that IS what the 'knight in shining armor' part is all about.

Our prayer is that our ability to spread this message is not hindered to much by our sometimes agonizingly pitiful ways to try to explain this message.

Cool site on periodic table of elements

I have a confession.

Hi, I'm Dr Ray, and I must admit that I am a science geek.

There, its out.

I know there are more of you out there, so check outthis web site- Periodic video where this team from Nottingham University explain, and do live experiments with the different elements.

Very cool in a geeky sheek sort of way.

I feel better now.

Theology of the Body talk

We have used our RamirezUniversity.com site for our homeschool information and special biology class.

We are also going to put up information about our Theology of the Body presentations that Ascension Press has certified us to give. The presentation is on God's Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage.

We are giving this on Saturday, February 7 from 9-4 at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit. This is meant as a marriage enrichment program, but anyone seeking the truth behind the question "What does it mean to be human?" and "How do I live my life in a way that brings true happiness?" will be interested in this day.

The day does talk about the love between a man and wife and how that love images God's love, so in that sense, it is not for families. However, it is helpful for anyone interested in learning more about how we are made in the image and likeness of God.

If you want to make a reservation, you can call the church office at 217-864-3467

Twas the night before easter

I heard this on my favorite internet web radio station: www.relevantradio.com

It was on Holy Thursday morning's Glen's Story Corner, titled "twas the night before Easter"

I hope you enjoy this as well.

To: Jesus, Son of Joseph
Woodcrafter Carpenter Shop
Nazareth 25922

From: Jordan Management Consultants
Jerusalem 26544

Dear Sir:

Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for management positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.

The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully.

As part of our service, and for your guidance, we make some general comments, much as an auditor will include some general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation and comes without any additional fees.

It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James, son of Alpheus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.

One of the candidates, however, shows greater potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right hand man. All other profiles are self explanatory.

We wish you every success in your new Venture.

Sincerely yours,
Jordan Management Consultants

Mardi Gras Nerts rescheduled

Hello everyone,

It took a while, but we finally got the Nerts rescheduled. Now that Lent is over, we will have Mardi Gras Nerts on April 5.

Dinner starts at 5, and the games promptly at 5:42 pm CDT.

So don't be late!

Mardi Gras Nerts postponed

Hello everyone,

Due to Kelly's dizziness (moreso than usual ;-)) - the Dr thinks she has a virus. She has been bedridden for quite some time this week, and is down at the hospital this morning (Saturday) for precautionary measure.

So...

Mardi Gras Nerts will be postponed.

We' re not sure yet when - we need to look at the calendar. A Valentine's Nerts sounds like a fun idea, but we will check and see our other commitments, and opportunities.

Let us know if you Blog readers (are those called bloggers, or Blog peepers, or blogettes? Hmm, we have to come up with such a word, but I digress) have a preference.
Ray Ramirez DVM
"Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction." --Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse, 1872

Mardi Gras Nerts coming!

Hello everyone,

Mardi Gras Nerts is coming This Saturday - wow where did the time go?

Saturday, we start our pot luck at 5 with the world famous Ramirez Italian poor boys, and various other foods. Drinks provided also.

The Nertsing starts at 6. We will again have an adult (over 18) and youth division trophies.

The last round will end when the bell tolls 9 pm CST.

Please RSVP to kelly@ramirezuniversity.com or call old fashioned phone at 217-794-3743

We look forward to seeing you there!

Merry Christmas - not sure what 403 means

Hello everyone,


I hope you are all preparing for a Merry Christmas. At Ramirez University, we hunted down our tree amongst the snow and weather during Elyse's birthday yesterday, and had a great time. Lights are next, and then the ornaments.

If you signed up for email alerts, I'm not sure what the 403 error means.

Fruit & seed class observations

Hello everyone,

here is the place to put the observations on the agar / corn seeds, and the bean germinating experiments.

I have the labs you turned in graded. I did forget that Mrs. Ramirez is on retreat this week, and will not be at Coop, so Natalie will have your graded reports.

Bio Lab - hybridization discussion

Hello everyone,
the picture is of a model of the dihybrid cross we discussed in lab class. It is a cross of our famous green tall plants. :-)

Homework is the cross for this, and the next section - get volunteers for the activity. - tongue rolling and hair line, etc.

post if you have questions, or answers. :-)

Bio Lab hybridization discussion

Here is where our Biology Lab 201 class will hold our discussion and observations as the class members who are growing the seeds can tell us what they find.

Post your observations in the comments section. If you have a picture, I think you can upload that in the comments as well.

Thank you.

Ray Ramirez DVM
"Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction." --Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse, 1872

Monarchs make a pit stop at Ramirez University for education

Blogging is new to us, so be patient, please. :-)

Last night as we were heading home from our PE class - swimming at the YMCA, I had to stop for gas (well, I did not have to, but the car would have only a few miles left ;-)) and stopped at the station in Maroa, and sent the athletes to walk home.

Then as they did, Mary brushed against our silver Maple tree in our front yard, and came across this amazing site!

Kelly counted 60 in one section. This picture shows Therese and Kelly looking from the porch.

Anyone is willing to stop by. We're not sure how long Tom Bodett has left the Monarch light on for these wonderfully graceful insects, but I imagine as they migrate to Mexico, they do get tired, so there may be more travelers. We tried to be hospitable.

Take 2

inaugural Blog post

Ramirez University goes high tech! Or is it Blog tech?

We have been contemplating our options on web site development for a while.

Hopefully we will enhance this. Today, we had our second class in our biology 201 lab class, complete with pop quiz!