I overheard someone talking about what love and family is the other day. Then, my husband and I were listening to (so-called) love songs and discussing how they were all about filling selfish needs and not about real love at all.

As I pondered what love and family means to me, it boiled down to three things: Prayer, pies and purple roses.

Prayer is always first! When I care deeply for someone they are constantly in my thoughts and therefore my prayers. When they are in need I pray their needs are filled. When they hurt I pray for comfort. When they lack faith I pray for faith... Heaven could not be heaven for me without my loved ones there. I am determined to pray them into heaven.

How does pie equal love? Well, when I want to show my love for someone I usually cook for them. If someone is celebrating I cook for them, grieving...I cook and in need, you guessed it... more food. One of my sons dated a young lady who had no real family. She had a grandma, whom she adored, who had passed away. She had wonderful memories of a special pie her grandma made her. I found the recipe and made that pie for her on Easter. It was my way of showing my love for her.

Finally, purple roses. My sister adores purple roses. I can rarely pass a bunch without buying some for her. Real love means knowing what makes someone else happy. It means looking for opportunities to fulfill someone else's dreams or desires. Real love means selflessness and self sacrifice. Like Christ Sacrificed for us. God bless you, dear reader and Happy New Year!

Why do my husband and I believe so strongly in actively team building our family?

Well our (almost) 22 year old son's idea of a great day is usually watching football with the guys and having a few beers after riding his BMX all day.

After watching a movie to finish off a day of ice skating, go-carting and dinner out (a rare treat for a family our size) he just thanked us for a 'perfect day,'. He said it would make him smile even someday after we pass away. Wow!

I dislike New Year's Resolutions. They are often pretty self-centered (I will..., or I want to) and frequently unrealistic.

I prefer to make 'goals.' Goals are concrete, measurable and attainable. For example a resolution could be, "I'm going to lose weight." It is vague, focused on self, and not easily attainable. Many people who make this resolution get discouraged early on and give up A goal, however, could be, "This year my focus will be on healthy living." Then a list of changes could be drawn up and the individual could have a measurable goal. Perhaps another goal might be to run a 5k by the end of the year. Goals usually focus on the positive.

I cannot make a resolution to get a new book published this year, because much of that process is out of my control. I can make a goal to finish another book and send it out to several publishers. I could attend a writing course, increase my marketing knowledge, or make an ideas list to start on the next manuscript so I won't get discouraged if the current one gets turned down.

So the task for today is to review what things you accomplished last year and decide what you would like to accomplish this year. Makes some goals and jump in! God bless and Happy New Year!!

Anyone who has read my books or followed my blog knows that I am a huge believer in "family team building."

As such, our family is declaring today ROSIEN FAMILY FUN DAY! Six of the kids (the original six-pack as we call them) have the day off, so we are going ice skating as a family, possibly go-carting and having dinner out as a special treat.

It doesn't matter whether you go away overnight, out hiking or play board games and have pizza...building your family up as a team strengthens you for the trials of the future. So go have fun! Go team!! God bless.

It's hard to say these things and some of you know, but... It may encourage someone, so I'm willing to share...

Going into the new year is the perfect time to take stock of the past and reframe the future. Consider how a huge life event that was painful or even tragic helped teach you a positive lesson. I recently shared my life/faith testimony at a Magnificat breakfast. I shared what I gained from three difficult, life-changing events.

The first was my father's repeated rejection of me. The second, my brother's suicide. The third, was my divorce (many years ago, prior to meeting my wonderful husband of the past 24 years).

I asked God why these events happened to me and this was what I felt He answered:

I didn't want you to call anyone else 'Daddy' except for Me. I used that place for Me to fill as your true Father.

I needed a deeper place in your heart for Me, so I used your pain and loss when your brother died, to carve out a bigger space for Me to love you and you to love Me.

You never asked me if your ex-husband was the one I chose for you, so when he left, I just let him go. I had someone special for you already in mind.

How would God answer you if you asked a similar question?

Thank you all for blessing me this Advent! I cherish the comments and all the interest in my little efforts. God bless you in the coming year and check back from time to time for new tasks and challenges.

Advent Challenge, Day 24

Continuing Christmas

The day after tomorrow the carols will cease, people will stop saying 'Merry Christmas,' and the secular world will return to normal. The Church will continue celebrating up until the Epiphany.

Today's challenge is to let Christmas continue into the new year. Bring that beautiful spirit of Christ's love into all your interactions and let our Advent hope shine brightly!

I have enjoyed taking this journey with you this Advent. I will be carrying all of you to midnight Mass with me in a special way! God bless and Merry Christmas!

Advent Challenge, Day 23

Take Inventory

Before the Jewish New Year it is customary to clean and get rid of the old while preparing for the new. Atonements are made where appropriate and there is a sense of newness.

Advent is like that for me. The next two days I will take inventory, not just of the gifts I have purchased, but of where I am and where I would like to be.

I will clean house, literally and spiritually. I will get ready for the coming of Christ... born, once again, into my heart.

Today's challenge is to take inventory. Get rid of unnecessary baggage. Get ready for a new beginning. God bless!

Advent Challenge, Day 22

Anticipate!

We just celebrated the last Sunday in Advent, we are now in the wonderful moments of anticipation before Christmas.

Today, take a moment to savor the sweet anticipation of the upcoming Feast of the Birth of Our Lord on Christmas. Reflect on the blessings of the past year, the trials you have come through and the joys coming soon that we cannot imagine yet.

Enjoy this moment on this day. Then, thank God for it. God bless!