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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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I’m Amy Brooks, I connect Catholics! Make Catholic friends that love a GNO! Attend a retreat, start a parish group! Author of Be Yourself Journals 🙂

Lent Truth or Dare: Day 2! Are you choosing Truth Lent Truth or Dare: Day 2!

Are you choosing Truth or Dare today?!

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Truth or Dare? ? Comment below!! #truthordare #Le Truth or Dare?
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Comment below!!

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TRUTH OR DARE????? Use as a Journal prompt or mea TRUTH OR DARE?????

Use as a Journal prompt or mealtime discussion!

Comment TRUTH if you want the link!

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When I was 15 I realized that I was equating anger When I was 15 I realized that I was equating anger with self-confidence… and then I became very aware of how angry people had hurt me, but sad people were not hurtful.
At one point I remember thinking… “who do you want to be? A person that is hurtful… or someone else? if you can choose sadness instead of anger, do it. You don’t want to hurt people.”
I don’t know if Saint John Paul II really said this quote… but I do believe it’s solid advice when people we interact with do upsetting things. 

Choose sadness over anger… and pray for the people and about the situations that are upsetting you.

#lifeadvice #goodadvice #catholicquote #saintquotes #catholic
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of th In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to live.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 
Amen.

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Boys truly like these books and magazines!! #Catho Boys truly like these books and magazines!!
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You are the average of the five people you spend t You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with," popularized by Jim Rohn, suggests that your mindset, behaviors, and success are heavily influenced by your closest  circle. These individuals shape your habits, energy, and future by acting as a reflection of your own choices and environment. 

I don’t know who Jim Rohn is, but my guess is Saint Francis DeSales would agree with him.

#Catholic #Saintquote #Catholicfamily #Catholickids
I DARE you to join me… I DARE you to join me…
“What does God want me to do??!!!@ Ever ask this “What does God want me to do??!!!@

Ever ask this question?
I feel like I’ve been asking it my whole life.

Some of the best advice I have gotten have been from Saints.

God has a plan for each of us. We are all called to holiness… but we do not all go by the same path (wise words from Saint Katharine Drexel).

The quotes I included in the Be Yourself Journal are actionable, doable and clear.

Want to know what other quotes or advice are inside? Comment MORE and I’ll share more!

#Catholic #Catholicfamily #Catholicjournal #saintquote #Saintquotes
Prayer for Private devotion. Years ago I heard Sai Prayer for Private devotion.
Years ago I heard Saint Gianna’s daughter give a talk and I thought, “her dad sounds like a Saint!”
I’m happy to see her inviting us to participate in the work of promoting the glorification of his soul.
You can report graces received through the invocation of his help by writing to:
Saint Gianna and Pietro Molla Foundation
4502 36th Ave. NE, Reile’s Acres
Fargo, ND 58102 

#Catholicmom #Catholicdad
If you know the next line, comment below ⬇️ I’m If you know the next line, comment below ⬇️ 

I’m thinking I need to pray this one more often…

#praymore #loveGod #catholicsofinstagram
Want to host one? Want to start a parish group? C Want to host one? Want to start a parish group?

Comment ONE TIME or PARISH and I’ll send you more information!

Want a friend or friends to help? Tag them and share in your stories!!!

#Catholicwomen #PrayerWineChocolate #Catholicfriends #Catholicwoman #CatholicChristian
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of th In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

“Go home and love your family.” ~ Saint Teresa of Calcutta 

Share so more people pray!
Type Amen if you prayed!
Comment BABY if you want the free printable prayer Comment BABY if you want the free printable prayer!
Let’s pray together now!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
I love you very much.
I beg of you to spare the life of______ (choose a name)
the unborn baby I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.
Amen.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

#quickprayers #Catholicmom #Catholic #Catholicwoman #ComeHolySpirit
Pray a 23 second prayer for the unborn and be AMAZ Pray a 23 second prayer for the unborn and be AMAZED by our Awesome God!
Praise be the name of Jesus!
Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us!

#prayfortheunborn #nationaldayofprayer #marchforlife #lovethemboth #FultonSheen
Will you stop and pray with me? Any special inten Will you stop and pray with me?

Any special intentions?
Cheers to Friday! 🍷 I was SO EXCITED when a while Cheers to Friday! 🍷
I was SO EXCITED when a while back THE @stephanieweinert Stephanie Weinert tagged me in her #7quicktakes #sevenquicktakes #fridayintroductions post.

I’m jumping in today! 

1. I recently took my own “headshots”. The first photo is one of MANY photos I took. It was super windy that day. If you need professional photos… give it a try - you can save a ton of $ this way! I used a tripod and my phone!

2. I see a lot of people posting photos of 2016. In 2016 I heard Gianna Emanuela (daughter of Saint Gianna) give a talk. I remember thinking, “her Dad sounds like a saint too!” I got to meet her. My husband and oldest son met her and asked her to pray that we could adopt again. 40 weeks later our twins were born!

3. Gianna Emmanuela is doing all she can to help the world see how holy her Father was. She has made prayer cards with Ecclesiastic approval. I’m asking Pietro Molla to intercede for a special intention. I will post more about this soon! He is such an inspiring man!

4. I have two guilty pleasures. I love getting my hair done and every once in a while I get a box from Stitch Fix. My coat was in one of those boxes.

5. I can’t remember all the pictures I chose for this post. I’m super forgetful. It’s not my age, I’ve always been this way. Saint Anthony is busy with just me most of the time.

6. We are taking our Christmas tree down this weekend. I loved our tree so much this year. My husband, all 3 children and me picked it out. We all agreed upon it and it really is so perfect.

7. I’m not so great at tech. I don’t know how to go back and see which pictures I posted without deleting this whole post. I promised after this post I would play a @saints.alive.pod episode for my daughter. I’m off to listen to another episode for at least the 3rd time. Hoping a new one comes out soon 😉 

Thank you for reading all that! I’m so grateful you’re here! Tell me something about you!!!

Thank you Stephanie for tagging me months ago? ago… This is how behind I am on everything!
Who wants friends that pray behind your back!? Who Who wants friends that pray behind your back!?
Who wants friends that will pray with you and for you?
Let’s bless one another and pray as much as possible!!!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

#Catholicfriends #praymoreworryless
Small prayer groups can be so powerful! I had so Small prayer groups can be so powerful!

I had so much fun attending this Prayer Wine Chocolate Parish gathering!

Even though it was dark before it began…
Even though it cold and raining…
Even though life is so incredibly busy…
These ladies left their homes to pray together and share some time to just be themselves!

Jessica Benfield leads this Prayer Wine Chocolate group in Pennsylvania.

Do you want to lead a parish Prayer Wine Chocolate group?
If yes, comment below!

I can help you make it happen!!

Come Holy Spirit!

#prayerwinechocolate #Catholicfriends #missionarydisciples #newevangelization #PraytheRosary
1. Get more people praying the Spiritual Adoption 1. Get more people praying the Spiritual Adoption Prayer…this prayer saves lives!
2. Get more young people copies of Be Yourself Journals! Wondering about identity is normal and common… these books has guidance, answers and it’s fun to use!
3. Establish more Prayer Wine Chocolate parish groups. Women desire friends they can pray AND laugh with!

Which number- or numbers- do you think I should focus on most?!!???

Please comment! I need your help!

Seriously, I have ADHD.

#Catholic #prolife #Catholicfriends #Catholicfellowship #Catholicmom
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