A Lesson in Walking By Faith

A Lesson in Walking By Faith

For more than 12 years, I have been suffering from Hypothyroidism, which means I have an under-active Thyroid gland. It is not uncommon, but it has been tricky to find just the right medication and dosage to regulate it. Low iron and adrenal fatigue have not helped my situation. This January, I learned that my health took another turn for the worse, and my Hypothyroidism turned into an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s. The more I researched, the more I realized that my…

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Faith-based Ideas for a Fun Summer

Faith-based Ideas for a Fun Summer

One idea for staying connected to our faith during the summer months is to visit a local shrine or find one near your vacation spot. Here is my family at the living Rosary of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Two Inlets, MN. Two weeks from today is my children’s last day of school. Summer is right around the corner. While sifting through summer camp brochures and swim lesson schedules, I wonder how to intertwine our Catholic faith…

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Five Ideas to Celebrate the Easter Season

Five Ideas to Celebrate the Easter Season

This Easter, plan on going on your own Emmaus walk. Photo via geograph.org.uk. As you probably already know, Easter is not just a one-day holiday in the Catholic Church. It is a 50-day season of celebrating and meditating on Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead, the event on which our entire faith is centered. During the Octave of Easter, which is the eight days between Easter Sunday and Divine Mercy Sunday, it is as if each day is Easter Sunday!…

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Lent Around My Home: Reclaiming My Joy

Lent Around My Home: Reclaiming My Joy

When my children were quite young, in fact when I only had half of the children I have today, I felt compelled to find ways to make the Catholic faith come alive for my children. More than simply attending Mass with them each Sunday, I wanted to teach them to pray, introduce them to the saints, and celebrate the liturgical seasons within our domestic church. I wanted to bridge what they saw and experienced at church and how we lived…

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Experiencing Lent Through Our Five Senses

Experiencing Lent Through Our Five Senses

As a mom, I try hard to make spiritual experiences as tangible as possible for my children. I do not want them to think of God as a far-away being but rather Someone who is near, next to, within and all around. I know that it is not always necessary to feel close to God in order to be close to God, but having some tangible experiences can help our overall relationship with the Lord. I think that’s one reason God gave…

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#WorthRevisitWednesday :: Grandpas

#WorthRevisitWednesday :: Grandpas

Today, I thought it would be fun to participate in #WorthRevisitWednesday, co-hosted by Reconciled to You and Theology is a Verb. It was kind of fun to look back in the archives and find a post I had completely forgotten about! I first wrote today’s repost FIVE years ago this month. I had five of my six children at that time, and their ages were 7, 5, 4, 2 and 2 … No wonder I say in the post that…

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Embracing the Ordinary

Embracing the Ordinary

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. —Ecclesiastes 3:1— The Christmas decorations are finally put away, and I admit, my house looks a little bare, a little ordinary. In the cloudy darkness of January, I definitely miss the twinkling lights of our Christmas tree and garlands. I have never truly welcomed the season of Ordinary Time, the way I welcome Advent, Christmas and Easter. Even Lent has this very clear purpose of repentance necessary…

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Last-minute Encouragement on the 4th Sunday of Advent

Last-minute Encouragement on the 4th Sunday of Advent

Four more days! Are you feeling anxious to get it all done? For me, that anxiety to get it all done can well up pretty quickly. And “not only to get it all done, but to get it all done perfectly Pin-worthy.” At other times, I can feel like I am giving up, telling myself, “It is what it is. I can’t do anymore. I have nothing left to give.” (Daily Advent Devotional for Women) But the secret to our…

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Lessons I Learned From an Advent Wreath

Lessons I Learned From an Advent Wreath

Every year, when I take out our Advent wreath, I cannot help but smile. Not only is the Advent wreath one of my family’s favorite traditions, it also has a story that I enjoy reliving—and retelling—each Advent, for within the story of our Advent wreath is a lesson that I need reminding of each year. In fall 2009, I finally purchased an Advent wreath online. Prior to this, I had made one each year with pillar candles and greenery. But…

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Entering Into the Fullness

Entering Into the Fullness

This time of year is very full. It is busy, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and as we anticipate the Advent and Christmas seasons. The world tells us we are already behind in our Christmas shopping, but we haven’t even sliced the turkey yet! In the liturgical calendar, we are experiencing a time of fullness, too. We are coming to the close of the month when we honor the holy souls. Yesterday was the last Sunday of…

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