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Feb 9, 2017
Resources

Ten Books I Should Have Read By Now

Ok, so maybe I shouldn’t have read all ten by now . . . but I should be reading a book much more often.  I am thinking one good act for Lent would be to put my phone down more and instead, pick up a book.  Here is a list of books I plan on picking up!

The Rosary: The Prayer That Saved My Life

I remember being young and my father making us pray it.  I have to admit, I didn’t want to come inside from playing to pray what I thought was the longest prayer ever created. My love for the Rosary came with a group of close friends that were supporting each other through som rough times.  I have seen the prayer’s graces penetrate my life. I have certainly grown to love the Rosary.  However, I will admit that I am less motivated to pray it alone than with a group.  If there is one person that can convince me otherwise, it is Immaculee. If you have not read Immaculee’s story of how she survived the Rwandan genocide – I can’t urge you enough to read Left to Tell or Led by Faith.  Her faith is probably the most inspiring story in recent history.

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The Rosary: The Prayer That Saved My Life

 

The Mother of the Little Flower: The Sister of St. Therese Tells Us about Her Mother

I am so interested in learning more about Saint Zelie.  I believe her to be a very special intercessor for the modern wife and mother.  I love that many of her letters were published.  I love the idea of reading her words to her family and friends . .

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Unplanned

I have often prayed for all people to see the truth about abortion.  I truly believe our culture is ready and able to embrace life and empower women in doing just that. Abby Johnson had two abortions and worked for Planned Parenthood . . . until one day she saw something that struck her to the core.  I am interested in reading her story.

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The Walls Are Talking: Former Abortion Clinic Workers Tell Their Stories

Once Abby left Planned Parenthood, she started a non-profit organization that helps men and women who work in the abortion industry to find other jobs to support themselves and their families.  Many abortion clinic workers had felt the pull to leave the industry, and Abby’s organization, And Then There Were None makes that desire possible. As people starting coming to her for help, they explained what led them to leave.  This book tells some of those stories . . .

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The Bad Catholics Guide to the Catechism

I like to be informed . . . I also like to laugh 🙂

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Dad is Fat by Jim

Laughter is great medicine!!  Life can’t be serious all the time 🙂  Besides, when I read “the eating habits of four year olds (‘there is no difference between a four year old eating a taco and throwing a taco on the floor’)” I realized my son is normal and maybe I could be a little more patient with him sometimes.  My husband had a good laugh at that quote too 🙂

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The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

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The first sentence used to describe this book is a question:

Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes pile up like a tangled mess of noodles?

Obviously this book was written for me . . . and my husband.

I’ll just stop there with this one . . .

My Sisters The Saints

I started reading this book over a year ago.  I need to turn my phone off around 9:00 pm and that will help me in my goal of reading books instead of social media!

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Saints on the Go!

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We read to our son daily.  I think this book would be great to read to him.  It’s been on my list, I just need to order it!  I have a feeling we will both love it and I can see us incorporating it into his Pre-School Prayer Journal!

Our Lady’s Garden: A Coloring Book for Prayer and Meditation

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Because It’s Okay for Mommy to Color!!

What book do you hope to read soon?


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Comments

  1. Alicia says

    February 9, 2017 at 5:00 pm

    So many good titles! Dad is Fat is great as an audio book as well, because Jim Gaffigan reads it himself. Our library had it and it was a hoot and a half.

    I could go either way on The Life Changing Magic– lots of good ideas, but it’s hard to incorporate if you’re not single. I can easily decide if something sparks joy in myself, but what about all the (dumb-ish) stuff that sparks joy in my 3 year old?

    I just checked out The Happiness Dare by Jennifer Dukes Lee, and I’m excited to get started!

    • Amy says

      February 9, 2017 at 5:29 pm

      A hoot and a half lol! What a great idea to get that as an audio book, and from the library! I feel like we have the same sense of humor, so I am more excited for it now! Thank you Alicia!

  2. Alicia Potvin says

    February 10, 2017 at 7:52 am

    My Amazon kindle wish list is now 32 books long and my TBR pile on my tablet has 35 books on it and these are just the faith books that I wish to read. I just finished Left to Tell and Led By Faith by Immaculee Ilibagiza and was so moved by this woman’s faith and deep prayers. I also really love the books by Bud MacFarlane Jr. called Pierced by a Sword, Conceived with Sin and House of Gold. Lastly, Wm Paul Young’s books The Shack, Crossroads and Eve. Both men have written really beautiful fiction works. Thank you for adding the last two books to my kindle wish list – LOL. Hugs

    • Amy says

      February 10, 2017 at 10:16 am

      I read Pierced by a Sword YEARS ago! I often think of it when I see that people far away are praying for each other (that was long before social media!!) I almost put The Shack on this list!

  3. Claire Couche says

    February 10, 2017 at 8:57 am

    Such a great list! We will be purchasing the ‘Saints On The Go’ today! Thank you for sharing!

    • Amy says

      February 10, 2017 at 10:17 am

      I should purchase that today too!!!

  4. Anni says

    February 10, 2017 at 9:10 am

    This is a great list! I may have to check out “The Mother of the Little Flower” – it looks awesome!

    This Lent, I am considering reading “An Introduction to the Devout Life” if I can finish the marriage book I’m reading (“4 Keys to Everlasting Love”) and if I decide against reading “Walk in Her Sandals” again. I think there might be another one I’m considering – OH! “Champions of the Rosary” – that I am also considering.

    • Amy says

      February 10, 2017 at 10:18 am

      Great suggestions! I can’t believe I forgot to put “Walk in Her Sandals” on this list smh!!!

  5. Desiree says

    February 20, 2017 at 7:44 am

    Nice. I’ve been wanting to learn more about St. Zelie too…and love me some Jim Gaffigan. I think I need that.

    I just finished Ordinary Path to Holiness by R. Thomas Richard, it was really wonderful.

    • Amy says

      February 20, 2017 at 7:45 am

      I’ll have to look that one up! Thank you for sharing!

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GUIDE: How to Plan your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat

Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

prayerwinechocolate

Grandparents are such a gift! I remember each of Grandparents are such a gift!

I remember each of mine so fondly.

I see how my children react when we mention their Grandparents.

I hear their excitement when they hear the are going to get to spend time with Gram, MomMom or Pop.

I hear them often say they miss PopPop.
❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙
If you are a Grandparent, never doubt your importance, your relevance or your impact.
❤️❤️😘❤️❤️😘❤️😘😘❤️❤️😘🤗
Let us continue to pray for our grandparents souls!

Share a happy Grandparent memory in the comments!

#Grandparent #Catholicmom #Grandmother #Poppop #Catholicfamily #catholictradition #RomanCatholic #Catholicsonline
New post up on the blog!!! A few weeks ago I had New post up on the blog!!!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of interviewing @askacatholictherapist Dr. Matthew Breuninger 

We talked about why prayer journaling is so beneficial for both our mental and spiritual health.

Read the whole article and tell me what you think!
Link in bio🤗
#prayerjournal #prayerjournaling #Catholicjournal #Catholiccoach #Catholicfamily #Catholicmom #Biblejournal #catholicmentalhealth #beyourselfjournal #Catholics #Catholicsonline #Catholicinfluencer #catholictherapist
Give a child a Catholic book for Easter! Make sure Give a child a Catholic book for Easter!
Make sure they have a BIBLE first!
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Do you ever feel like you are not doing enough? O Do you ever feel like you are not doing enough?

Often I need this reminder - God doesn't want us to feel stressed.
He wants us to rely on Him - trust Him.

He wants us to love.
Be patient and kind.

Many saints have discovered this and have advised us in their own words.

Saint Katharine Drexel said, "peacefully do at each moment what needs to be done."

Saint Teresa of Calcutta stated, "never worry about numbers, help one person at a time and start with the person nearest to you."

Saint Therese', the Little Flower, demonstrated again and again how much Jesus delights in her little way.

You don't need to be stressed.
Your little acts of love and trust for Jesus delight Him.

Have a better day 😉
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Easter is the perfect time to encourage prayer wit Easter is the perfect time to encourage prayer with a gift!
These gifts and more available in my little shop!

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Easter gift ideas for Catholic boys… #Catholicbo Easter gift ideas for Catholic boys…
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Be Yourself Journal on sale for $17.00… today on Be Yourself Journal on sale for $17.00… today only!!!
“Be who you are and be that well. So that you may bring honor to the Master Craftsman whose handiwork you are.”
~Saint Francis DeSales 

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Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… 

This type of advice can be really helpful for all of us… especially for a young girl navigating middle school or her early teens.

This advice would have helped me.
Why?

Because it takes some pressure off the high expectations often felt by us as individuals.

It makes God’s will for us feel achievable and realistic.

It’s totally relevant to a student in junior high
(And a slightly stressed out adult)

This page in the Be Yourself embraces scrapbooking fun- just like the back cover. Only this page encourages photographs. Yes, actual printed ones 🎞️📸

Take a deep breath.
Love the next person that comes near you.
#Catholicmom #Catholicsaints #middleschool #juniorhigh #Catholicquotes #inspirationalquotes
A prayer and the story behind the picture… Oh S A prayer and the story behind the picture…

Oh St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, 

I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; 

so that having engaged here below your heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. 

Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. 

St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.

My children had off from school on Friday. I had committed to an hour of Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from to 2 to 3 during Lent… so since they had off, they had to come with me.
It was stressful.
They CAN NOT sit still.
Once I got one to stop walking around or talking, another one started.
But in the middle of all this… I witnessed a sweet moment.
I hesitated to pull out my phone because I really try not to during Adoration.
But, the beauty of the moment struck me, and I had to capture it.
📸 
Motherhood is hard. Parenting is difficult.
But I’m often reminded it’s like farming… and I’m planting seeds.

I just hope and pray I’m planting more good seeds then bad ones.

Thank goodness we can pray and ask for prayers from others!

Saint Joseph, pray for us!
#Catholic #Catholicmom #mustardseedfaith #catholicteacher #CatholicChristian #CatholicSaint #CatholicSaints #catholicparenting #liturgicalliving
THANK YOU! Thank you! Thank you! If you have left THANK YOU! Thank you!
Thank you!

If you have left a review on Amazon for either of the Be Yourself Journals… thank you from the bottom of my heart!

When you leave a review on Amazon it makes me SO HAPPY… plus it sends a signal to Amazon to show more people these books!
I’d love for more girls to get this book in their Easter Basket this year!

I’m so grateful this book is being used and appreciated!

God is good!

If you like this book and haven’t left a review, please write one! It’s okay if you didn’t buy it from there!

Tag someone with a 10 or 11 year old girl!

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I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 videos on YouTube!

And last week’s interview with Dr. Matthew Breuninger (@askacatholictherapist ) still has me thinking about the “psychology of prayer journaling “!

The last 4 videos posted consist of two new interviews (Jessica Castillo from @athrivingcatholic and Dr. John Spitzer @johnspitzermd ); 

a box opening of @pinksaltriot ‘s latest JOY BOX and finally 

a “how to” video that demonstrates how girls can design the back cover of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls!
Whew!

Dr. John Spitzer shared parenting advice for moms and dads of tweens;

Jessica Castillo shared how our physical and spiritual health are connected;

The Joy Box had some fun surprises… one will be going in my daughter’s Easter Basket;
And my friend’s daughter was the perfect co-host in the “how to design “ video!

Tell me which topic interests you the most… maybe I’ll dedicate an Instagram post highlighting that content!

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“I got this for my 10 yr old daughter’s Easter “I got this for my 10 yr old daughter’s Easter basket. She immediately was attracted to it. Later, she came to me and said that it was her favorite item in her basket. She loves it and really has spent time with it. It is motivational, inspirational, engaging and most importantly, designed to encourage a habit of prayer and meditation at a young age. All while focusing on God’s love for us and our uniqueness…”
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FLASH SALE!!!! Boy’s journal sale ends MONDAY!!! FLASH SALE!!!!
Boy’s journal sale ends MONDAY!!!
Finish up Lent strong… and add this fun book to an Easter Basket!
Link in bio!
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I adore you Jesus, true God, and true man, pres I  adore you Jesus, 
true God, and true man, 
present in the Holy Eucharist, 
kneeling before you 
and united in spirit 
with all the faithful on earth 
and all the saints in heaven. 

In gratitude for so great a blessing, 
I love you with all my heart, 
for you are worthy of all praise 
and adoration. 

Lord Jesus Christ, may I never offend you with my lack of love. 

May your Eucharistic presence refresh me in body and soul. 

Mary, Mother of the Eucharistic Lord, pray for me 
and obtain for me a greater love for Jesus. Amen.

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Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… thes Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… these numbers are NOT in my favor?

Years ago, I was lonely, depressed and wondering if I would ever not be lonely and depressed.

I dreamed of falling in love and getting married.

But, I wanted to marry a faithful Catholic man… and I believe I saw that only 22% (?) of Americans were Catholic.

And then I thought…
Half of them aren’t men, a large percentage are not practicing and … also how many are BOOMERS?

Lucky for me, God math goes like this…
5 loaves 
2 fish
=
5,000 meals and leftovers 

This is my handsome husband and our awesome nephew with the Bishop that Confirmed him on Friday.
Matt was -and is- such a proud Sponsor and Uncle!
God bless Grayson Patrick FRANCIS!

Thank you God for all of your gifts!!!
“You pay God a compliment when you ask big things of Him.” ~ Saint Teresa of Avila

#Catholic #confirmationsponsor #CatholicSacraments #EucharisticRevival #EucharisticAdoration #ComeHolySpirit #Saintquotes #CatholicSaints
Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a retreat and you see joyful faces! 

Listen, this is the best retreat hack for Catholic girls!
****The Be Yourself Journal Scrapbooking activity.****

Give each girl a Be Yourself Journal.
Explain how, “We are all called to holiness but we take different paths.” ~ Saint Katharine Drexel.

Have each girl pick out a Holy card and two Catholic stickers.

Put scrapbooking paper and Catholic washi-tape (thank you @thestumpofjesse ) on the tables and get them started with decorating the back of their journals.

As they work add more stickers and quote cards to their table.

Point out that they were all given the same set of instructions… yet each cover design is unique.

The same is true for their calling!
God has a unique mission for each individual.

He calls us to follow the Commandments, embrace His Word and trust the teachings of the Church…
same set of basic instructions, different yet BEAUTIFUL results when followed!
“Be who God meant you to be and you’ll set the world on fire!” ~Saint Catherine of Siena
Huge thank you to the women who donated journals and holy cards!!!
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Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? 

Holy cards can be a fantastic prayer journal prompt. 

Copy the prayer off the back and glue the card to the page ;next to, underneath or above where you wrote the prayer).

Follow me for more prayer journaling tips!
#Catholicjournal #biblejournal #Prayerjournal #prayerjournaling #bissisterhood #Catholicsonline #Jesusandcoffee #Lentideas
Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this week Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this weekend!

So excited to help these young Catholics see that each is called to holiness… but each mission is unique and unrepeatable!

Huge thank you to the women who donated journals for the retreat (11 donated!!!) and the women from my Bible study group who donated Holy cards!

If you would like to donate a Journal for one of the girls attending the retreat this weekend… send me a private message and I’ll explain how!

Holy cards are GREAT prayer journal prompts!

Which Holy card would you put in your prayer journal?
#prayerjournal #Catholicsaint #Confirmationretreat #Catholicretreat #catholicprayer
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