Challenge: Be fully present when we receive Holy Eucharist!

It's happened to all married couples at one time or another; the marital embrace has been interrupted by a little voice outside the bedroom door or a shout down the hallway. We reluctantly leave our intimacy to attend to a need.

Why then, do we not always have that same feeling when we have received the Eucharist? Why are our hearts not protective of those moments of intimacy in the same way? We receive Communion, return to our pew and often fall into distraction, talking, perhaps even boredom when we should be falling more deeply in love with Our Savior. Can we even imagine how our spouse would feel if we checked our social media or answered a text in the middle of sexual intimacy? Yet, the marital embrace is but a glimpse of the ecstasy we will share with the Lord in heaven! We should be as fully present to the Lord when we receive the Eucharist as we are to our spouse when we experience those moments of intimacy. God bless!

Today's task is to look for ways to save as a family!

"He that is inclined to Mercy shall be blessed; for of his bread he hath given the poor." Proverbs 22:9

During these tough times, we have had to look over our finances as many families have had to do.  We have found a few ways to save that might help you.  In today's task, I encourage you to look at finances as a way to team building experience.  Invite family members to sit down and consider what can be changed, given up or modified to save a few dollars:

* Shop for groceries at a discount grocery store.  Save-a-lot, Pricerite, Aldi's can cut your grocery bill in half.

* Review your cell phone plans and apply for any discounts.  I received a discount because of my employer that I didn't know I qualified for.

* Ask to have late fees removed from credit card bills.  Most companies will do it without question if it is the first late fee charged to you.  Others are willing to reduce or remove the fees if you explain why the bill was late.  A phone call can save you $ 25-35.00.

* Review where the money is going.  Make a budget, keeep a log.  We do this on vacation and as a result we can count on what our costs will be each year (almost to the penny).  Many people are unaware that those 4 trips for milk are actually costing them a fortune because they impulse buy when they get to the store.  I have found that I save money by running into the more expensive local store for milk, as they do not have as many attractive displays and I only buy the milk I came for.  Keeping track helps you see exactly where the money is going.

* Give help to the needy.  When we are generous to others, the good Lord sees and is generous to us.  We have always found that when we give away from our want, God always provides what we needs.  God bless you.

Am I the only one who secretly enjoys when the weather is too bad to go anywhere or when the kids are sick, so we are forced to cancel everything and stay home?

How many times does God provide a relief for one situation by something that looks bad at first glance? A tragedy that brings a community together or a diagnosis of a serious illness that causes a spiritual conversion? God does, in fact, work all for good for those who trust him.

So enjoy your next unexpected pajama day. See it for the gift it is! God bless.

I'm so tired this evening and several long days stretch in front of me. Article deadlines, kids' activities, my job as an RCIA Coordinator (Sunday is the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming), my other job (subbing at a Catholic School on Monday)... Well, you get it.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and I wish I could take a time out. In those moments I need to remember to just be still, let God rule over my time, my day and even my energy. He will make it all work out. I just need to be obedient and put one foot in front of the other.

I will find myself in the middle of next week and most of the things that are stressing me at this moment will be behind me. Then, I need to stop again, and thank God. God bless.

One of the hardest challenges I have faced, as a parent, is watching my child go into a dangerous situation. Whether they are traveling through a snow storm, on lockdown at school due to a threat or facing brain surgery, my hurt lurches as I consider what could happen.

I can tell you though, that having them survive danger and then having to witness them revisiting that same danger, well that is the worst of all. I experienced this type of fear when our (foster) son was on leave from deployment in Afghanistan. The sigh of relief we breathed when he arrived safely home was replaced quickly by fear as we waited for him to board the plane that would take him back into harm's way.

This time, we knew what going through deployment was like (for us and for him). We felt that we had been blessed by the first half of deployment ending safely... would we be blessed again the second half? It was a frightening, no longer abstract, prospect. Thankfully, we were blessed again and he has since finished his time in the army.

I find myself, once again, faced with this type of fear. Another one of my sons had struggled with a loss of faith and some terrible issues in his life. I prayed like St. Monica, with tears, for six years. He then had a tremendous reversion and I felt my heart would burst with joy and relief. Lately, I have witnessed that faith and those good choices lagging again.

I fear for his life and his soul. It was with a heavy heart that I went to Mass this morning. Then, God gave me this promise in the first reading...
There is no fear in love,
but perfect love drives out fear
because fear has to do with punishment,
and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. 1JN 4:18

"Perfect love drives out fear." God IS perfect love. The fear referred to is of punishment, in this case it is my fear of my son's punishment and God drives out fear!! I will continue to pray and fast for my son, but I MUST trust in God's mercy. I have seen it in action so many times and I must trust in it, in Him and in the foundation of faith we instilled in our children. So that I may once again witness my son's safe return! God bless.

Today I made a big mistake. I wasn't careful enough with a conversation and a confidence could have been betrayed.

That's not, however, the important part of the story. You see, I decided years ago that I would make a dramatic change in my life. I would face my mistakes, sins and fears. It is very hard to do and I need grace to follow through.

So, today I prayed my Rosary and morning offering, went to Mass and asked for the grace from God to admit my error.

I called the necessary people, admitted my bad judgement and apologized. It was painful. The person most affected was very gracious and instantly made me feel at ease. God has such mercy and I witnessed a reflection of it in that person.

If we are willing to face our wrongs and work through them we CAN change. God can change our hearts, we must change our actions. Can't wait to go to Confession on Saturday! God bless!

My new column is up at Amazingcatechists.com. My Special Needs Child Sanctifies Me!!

http://amazingcatechists.com/2015/01/how-my-special-needs-child-has-sanctified-a-me/

http://catholicmom.com/2015/01/03/changing-the-landscape-for-the-new-year/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Catho

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!