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Oct 26, 2016
Catholic Influencers&middot Faith&middot Life

Writers I Have Come To Know, Admire and Respect: Blog Spotlight Series; Part 1

About a year and a half ago I really knew nothing about blogging.  A friend of mine suggested I look into it . . . and I shrugged it off.

Then a few months later I bought an e-book and started talking to other bloggers.  My interest was sparked, and it has opened up a whole knew world for me!

I truly believe in the saying (attributed to Saint Catherine of Siena):

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world ablaze!”

Waterman Perspective Fountain Pen in Black

Here are some bloggers I believe are setting the world on fire by being just who they are meant to be! Check out their blogs if you have not already!

Annie Deddens (Catholic Wife, Catholic Life)

Facebook page: Catholic Wife, Catholic Life

“What’s your blog about?”

The name basically says it all: It’s about being a Catholic wife and living an authentic Catholic life 🙂 So I write a lot about marriage, about love & service — about how to live & love authentically in the world we’re living in. I also write about prayer and how to get through hard things. Because there are so many hard things we’re all dealing with. I sort of hope that my blog reminds people that they’re not alone in their suffering — that someone else is walking this path with them, and that there are good things, too — beautiful things, even, in the midst of our pain and suffering.

anniededdens.jpg

“What do you like most about writing?”

My favorite thing about writing is when someone reads what I’ve written and says, “Me too. That happens to me too. That’s my experience too.” That’s when I’m reminded more than ever that we belong to each other and that we’re not all that different. I love that reminder and that connection.

“What type of wine is your favorite?”

I’ll go back and forth between a glass of pinot grigio and a glass of merlot. Mmmm!

“What is your favorite chocolate?”

I’m not a huge chocolate lover, but if I had to pick one, it’d be dark chocolate. Especially if it’s covering cashews 😉

“What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?”

I absolutely love the Memorare — my husband & I pray it together all the time. And my favorite quote is this one by Bl. Chiara Luce Badano: “I have nothing left, but I still have my heart, and with that I can always love.”

Douglas Johnson (Doug on Tap)

Facebook page: Doug on Tap

What is your blog about?

My wife is a well known pro-life speaker and advocate. Most of my blog posts are pro-life related and include stories about our journey into the pro-life movement. That, and I love giving commentary regarding current pro-life related issues.

Also, my blog is about my adventures as a stay at home dad. We have 5 children, and as of right now, my wife is pregnant with twins. Our oldest is our nine year old daughter then we have four boys ages 4,3,2,&1. No matter what I am writing, I like to be as honest and unfiltered as possible. I try to use as much humor as possible in my writing. When it comes to parenting, a good sense of humor is your best friend. That, and feeling like your not the only one going through the same type of craziness with your family.

DougJohnson1.jpg

What do you like most about writing? 

I really enjoy writing as a creative outlet. Even if it’s just writing a movie review that only ten people are going to read, it is fun having the opportunity to express myself. The part I enjoy most, though is being a story teller. I believe my wife and I have a good story to tell when it comes to our journey from a pro-choice life to a pro-life conversion and everything in between.
The best thing about writing is when people tell you that you have inspired them or they like knowing there is someone out there they can relate to. Comments and interaction are the ultimate complement. It’s very fun and somewhat humbling to have an audience.

 What type of wine (or beverage) is your favorite?  

I am primarily a beer drinker. Stouts are my primary go to beverage, but I do love wine.My favorite wine right now is an Australian Shiraz called The Stump Jump. When I have had a rough day, I tend to skip the beer and go straight for a big glass of wine and a bowl of  queen olives.

What is your favorite chocolate (or dessert)?  

I love inexpensive dark chocolates. Dove and Ghirardelli are my faves. But, If you ask me what is the best desert, I have say nothing beats a perfect brownie. Hot gooey dark chocolate brownies with chocolate chunks inside. I could eat an entire pan and not feel in the slightest bit guilty.

What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?

This prayer pretty much sums up my primary job as a parent. Be balanced and loving. I am honored to be a parent and I do not take this vocation lightly.

O God the Father of mankind, who hast given unto me these my children, and committed them to my charge to bring them up for Thee, and to prepare them for eternal life: help me with Thy heavenly grace, that I may be able to fulfill this most sacred duty and stewardship. Teach me both what to give and what to withhold; when to reprove and when to forbear; make me to be gentle, yet firm; considerate and watchful; and deliver me equally from the weakness of indulgence, and the excess of severity; and grant that, both by word and example, I may be careful to lead them in the ways of wisdom and true piety, so that at last I may, with them, be admitted to the unspeakable joys of our true home in heaven, in the company of the blessed Angels and Saints.

Leana Bowler (Rosaries and Rainbows)

Facebook Page: Rosaries and Rainbows

What is your blog about?

rosariesandrainbows.jpg

As a joyful mother of four precious blessings and one little saint in heaven, I blog about our Catholic faith, motherhood, marriage, and everyday life with a lot of humor and a lot of heart.

What do you like most about writing?

I love writing because I get to share what God puts on my heart and prayerfully be an encouragement.

What type of wine (or beverage) is your favorite?  

My favorite beverage is coffee, coffee, coffee. I call it my mommy fuel.

What is your favorite chocolate (or dessert)?

My favorite chocolate is dark chocolate.

What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?

My favorite quote are the words of Our Lady, “do whatever he tells you.” Words to live by!

Do you have a blog you love to read, or a writer that you love?  Tell us about him or her!

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Previous Post: « #StormtheHeavens Praying for Phil’s Healing and Allowing the Lord to Heal All of Us
Next Post: Seek and You Shall Find: What I Found On The Prayer, Wine, Chocolate Retreat »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christina says

    October 26, 2016 at 9:31 am

    What a great list! So many great bloggers out there, I love following new people!

    • Amy says

      October 26, 2016 at 9:59 am

      Thanks Christina! I really need to take time each day to read more!

  2. Candy Hartmann says

    October 26, 2016 at 2:15 pm

    Thanks Amy. I look forward to Part II.

  3. Kirby says

    November 5, 2016 at 5:27 pm

    So fun! I also love to hear about why people gave their blog the name they did. I think I’ll have to send my husband Doug on Tap’s link. 🙂

  4. Jessica Kong says

    December 30, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    Love this list! I love finding new blogs to read through 🙂

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Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

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I connect Catholics! Make Catholic friends that love a GNO! Attend a retreat, start a parish group! Author of Be Yourself Journals @catholicsonline

If you’re looking for advice… let me introduce you If you’re looking for advice… let me introduce you to Mother, I mean Saint, Teresa of Calcutta…

#wisewords #CatholicSaints #catholiccoloringpages #MotherTeresa #saintquotes
Mother Teresa gives the BEST advice! Smile at one Mother Teresa gives the BEST advice!

Smile at one another!!!

Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.

Give yourself fully to God! He will use you to accomplish great things!

GO HOME AND LOVE YOUR FAMILY 

What advice from Mother Teresa is your favorite? What advice would you add from Saint Teresa of Calcutta?

This Rosary is available from @dellamadonnarosaries ; quite a few quotes are in the book Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls

Follow @catholicsonline and  @dellamadonnarosaries for more inspiration and @prayerwinechocolate for fun 😂
Cabbage.Patch. Diary. What I had v. what I needed… Cabbage.Patch. Diary. What I had v. what I needed…
When I discovered this in my basement, my daughter grabbed it and ran off… I still have some speed left in me. “Secrets” recovered 😅.

Writing in a diary or a journal is much different than writing and sharing on social media… especially for kids and teens. Dr. Leonard Sax (author of The Collapse of Parenting) shares in his talks how writing in a diary or journal is living… but writing and posting is performing.

The young need the space to write out of the public eye.

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Shhh 🤫 I’m letting you look inside one of my praye Shhh 🤫 I’m letting you look inside one of my prayer journals!!!
I love this unique way to pray… it helps my ADHD brain to stay more focused and slows me down in a busy world!
#jesusjournaljunkies 

Wendy Townley hosts junk journaling workshops… and I noticed a crossover, so we teamed up!

I’m excited to share more ways I use a journal to pray! Would you like some time to journal? Would you like some tips on how to start?
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Join Wendy and I Thursday evening and we will all journal together!

Type ME if you want more information!

Follow @wendytownley and @prayerwinechocolate for more inspiration!!!

#junkjournal
Have you heard of this? I remember when I was hopi Have you heard of this? I remember when I was hoping and praying to become a mom, my Mom walked with me in the Ocean on the feast of the Assumption and splashed water on my belly.
Our Lady wants the whole world to love her Son ❤️

#Catholic #catholicmom #catholicchristian #catholicwoman #Oceanblessing
Tag your friends that love to pray the Rosary and Tag your friends that love to pray the Rosary and need some time with friends!

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I left with two outfits for my younger son since a I left with two outfits for my younger son since all his clothes are hand me downs of hand me downs @kohls 

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This is how you start a Prayer Wine Chocolate grou This is how you start a Prayer Wine Chocolate group at your parish!!
Huge thank you to Jessica (@sallykpub ) and Betsy (@vacationlearning_blog ) for starting this movement!!

Please comment any questions you might have or simply type PITCH and I’ll send you some resources!

#trustandhope #Catholic #catholicwomen #rosarygroup
Are you thinking it might be fun to have a Prayer Are you thinking it might be fun to have a Prayer Wine Chocolate group that meets up at your parish? Tell me in the comments and drop any thoughts, fears or questions you have!!!
I’ll be happy to clarify and encourage you!

#Catholicfriends #Catholicparish #Catholicwoman #Catholic #Prayergroup
Gotta love the names of their convent AND chapel 💒 Gotta love the names of their convent AND chapel 💒 
When you go to their website they invite you to “Discover a piece of heaven on earth—and be consumed by Divine Love”❤️ 

Had you ever heard of them?

#pinknuns #HolySpirit #EucharisticAdoration #Catholic #Liturgical 
I stopped there on the way to a Phillies game recently. I brought my son… we didn’t stay long but it was fun to finally see them in person. 
Saint Katharine Drexel once prayed there too!
Seriously we need to mix faith and friendship more Seriously we need to mix faith and friendship more!
Comment below if you want to plan a Prayer Wine Chocolate event or start a parish group!!!

#praytheRosary #Catholicfriends #Catholic #Catholicwomen #Catholicwoman
Pink nuns, Padre Pio, Root beer floats and basebal Pink nuns, Padre Pio, Root beer floats and baseball ⚾️… Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure!

Hi, I’m Amy and I am so grateful that our Lord walks with us in suffering and in the beauty of everyday life. Let’s pour a glass of wine and pray the Rosary together!

“Pray, hope and don’t worry!”
Saint Padre Pio

#prayerwinechocolate #Catholicwoman #catholiccommunity #Rosary #pinknuns
If you are planning to visit the @padrepioinc in B If you are planning to visit the @padrepioinc in Barto, PA, I highly recommend you add on a stop at @the_peppermint_stick !
We needed a low cost, fun one-day out with our family, and this was great!
 
The Padre Pio museum and the shrine grounds are a great place to pray and learn more about this anything but boring Saint!
And I have to say we all had a blast looking at the nostalgic candy, ordering our ice cream and playing pinball at The Peppermint Stick!

Padre Pio, pray for us!!!

#daytrip #PadrePio #Catholicfamily #liturgical #Catholic
In 2016 I listened to Father Pio Mandato recount t In 2016 I listened to Father Pio Mandato recount this story and I couldn’t help but laugh 😂.

Father Pio Mandato was able to visit Padre Pio a few times as a boy with his Grandfather. He remembered how Padre Pio in the presence of some Capuchins and laymen, Padre Pio enjoyed the fellowship and he loved to tell jokes and make his friends laugh.

What a joy to know that those in heaven have a sense of humor!

Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!

#Catholic #PadrePio #holysmokes #holyhumor #funny
When I was growing up my friend used to invite me When I was growing up my friend used to invite me to go to “fellowship” with her at their church. That was not a word or idea I was familiar with… 

Later I was taught that faith is a gift… but I didn’t truly understand that until it was faith that was keeping me hanging on…
Having friends to share prayer intentions with and who will not only pray with you but laugh and become your community is priceless,
5 Stars: Highly recommend!

Want more information? Comment friends below!!!

#Catholic #faithandfriendship
Let us pray together for our priests! In the name Let us pray together for our priests! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Saint Teresa of Avila is credited with this quote: “Behind each priest, there is a demon fighting for his fall. If we have the language to criticize them, we must have twice as much to pray for them”.

The parish I have been attending for over 20 years has always been blessed either such wonderful priests. I am so grateful, and if I’m being honest, quite sad to see this one go on to another assignment.

Let us fervently pray for all Catholic priests… for they truly help us know and love Jesus Christ more.

God bless Father Windle … and @irishclan7 we loved the ice cream truck at his farewell. Our twins had actually made up a song they would sing on pancake breakfast days… perhaps one day I’ll convince them to sing it for you or for Father Windle 😉 

If you’ve read this far, comment the name of a priest you are praying for!

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If Saint Maria Goretti could send us a letter from If Saint Maria Goretti could send us a letter from heaven… it might say this!

Only about 7 Saints were highlighted in the Be Yourself Journal…. Saint Maria Goretti was one of those Saints.

Saint Maria Goretti, pray for us!

Comment below if you want me to read the other letters!

#Catholic
Is your child nervous about starting at a new scho Is your child nervous about starting at a new school in the Fall?
Do you want chapter books that are great for beginners and have an element of familiarity th?
If yes, I highly recommend this series by @mariarileyauthor Maria Riley!

My son read the Saint John Bosch book together and we both enjoyed it!

Maria… what are the other titles in the series?
Parents, Godparents, Grandparents and super Aunts… get these for the 1st through 3rd graders you know!

Follow @catholicsonline @prayerwinechocolate and @mariarileyauthor for more posts like this!

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I think every page is my favorite 😍 Do you have a I think every page is my favorite 😍 Do you have a favorite page of the Be Yourself Journal? Or is this your first time seeing it?

Tag your friends with daughters!

#CatholicChristian #girlbook #tweengirl #Catholic #girlmom
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