Theology of the Body

I have a few things I would like to share; meeting the founder of Project Rachel and attending the Theology of the body talk.

Vicky Thorn was and is the founder of Project Rachel. She is so sweet and so sincere in her talks. She wants everyone to know what the doctors and the teachers of sex education don't tell us. One of the most exciting things I learned (maybe some of you know this) was that within the first 24 hours of a baby's life a mother can be blindfolded and been able to pick out their child from their scent. A father can do the same thing and pick out their child by feeling the back of the hand. To me it showed how different the man and woman are. It also showed me how bonded the mother and father are to their own child. The mother has that special nurturing nature and the father has a protective/tactile nature. It's a special thing when you really think about it.

Not only did I find the previous fact interesting I also discovered how much the father changes through out his wife's pregnancy as well. I'm sure most mothers know how the father changes through the 9 months but to me I had no idea. They start to become protective in a very sincere way, they start to do more things and prepare for the new life they are about to bring to the world, they start getting sickness just like the mothers, and he also starts to gain weight and other issues. To me it's like the mother and father are going through changes so they can prepare themselves. Not only do they go through physical changes they go through emotional changes. The reality of knowing that you are about to have responsibility for a child really makes you change your thoughts on things. How am I going to raise this child in the Catholic faith? How do I raise my child in the world we live in now? Will I be a good parent? Will I make the right choices for my new family? and even more.

These were my favorite parts of the Project Rachel talk. The things that stuck out most to me.

Now, last but not the least I got to see my favorite Theology of body speaker. His name is Jason Everette. I even got to sit right in front of him in the second row. I got so happy and excited. And took many pictures. There were 3 other speakers including Vicky Thorn. But I admit I payed the most attention to Jason's talk.

The biggest thing I got out the talk was when he talked about how guys are not living up to their nature. At least that's what it sounded like to me.

Men these days don't take the opportunity to initiate love to women. This meant that guys aren't taking the first step to get to a woman's heart. They expect the women to make the first move so he can go along for the ride until it stops. Girls are very subtle, I know this first hand, and when girls like me try to talk to a guy and try to see if they like me I come off as really subtle and they have no clue. Guy are more blunt and straight forward with it. It only makes sense that guys should make the first step to initiate love. Not to mention their protective nature and provider. And when I say "..take the first step" it doesn't have to mean the guy has to bluntly say will you go out with me, but to just get to know them on his own time. Like holding the door open, taking their coats, going to adoration together, or something small and seeing how that goes. The main point Jason was saying is that girls shouldn't have to initiate love first because we, girls, are waiting to give our love and affection to people.

Oh one last thing during the first 6 weeks of the baby's life the father becomes very nurturing. he starts taking care of the baby and the wife in a way that is different from their protective nature. So pretty much the mothers get a great 6 weeks after the baby is born and the the men return to their natural selves.

This is what I got the most from his talk and loved every second of it. I understand guys in a better way and know that I really shouldn't take things personally. (though I don't know why it took me this long to realize all of it. I guess it's just from the experience from being at WYD with all the Catholics from around the world.)

God Bless,

Can't wait to home!

Gabbie Reiser