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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
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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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Infertility is a part of my life story… But so is Infertility is a part of my life story…
But so is hope, prayer and miracles.

One thing I know helped me through those dark, hard years were reading miracle accounts of others who had faced this same struggle.

I loved reading miracle stories about women and couples longing for a child or children.
The accounts that shared grief, despair and uncertainty but ended with a dream come true… oh how I rejoiced with them!

Reading these true stories gave me hope… if it could happen for others… why not us.

It felt like an eternity… but it wasn’t.

God gave us our miracle… then He did it again (and again).

It really is true… ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD!

Don’t give up.
One day, someone will want to hear your miracle story too…

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My overwhelmed brain and life LOVE prayers like th My overwhelmed brain and life LOVE prayers like this…
Stop… pause… take a much deeper breath.
Let us make the sign of the cross…

Lead me Lord to the light of truth.
YOU LORD JESUS!
Amen.
Thank you for praying with me!!!

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I try to bring God’s light online as much as I can I try to bring God’s light online as much as I can… but THANK GOD others are also trying to do this too!
Here are a few people that have helped me see God more in this busy world lately:

1. Kristin Reilly over at @manyhailmarysatatime . I try to pray the Rosary with them in the morning and Kristin offers meditations and little prayers and this one “Thank you God for this beautiful life!” resonated with me SO MUCH! The reason why is because of what she said after the prayer… she said “if I turn this camera around you would wonder what are you talking about!?” In other words… there’s a mess… but life is still beautiful and it’s all a gift. I started looking at my family and saying, “Thank God for this beautiful life”! And oh the JOY!!!!! Thank you Kristin and Jill!!!

2. @siobhanfallonhogan has a podcast with @ewtnmedia called Catholics and Cappuccinos @catholicapps … the conversation with @patriciaheaton has more than one quote I’d like to share. Watch it and be assured… sometimes God says yes to BOTH!

3. @fatherdanreehil … if you are reading this THANK YOU! Wow, if you know someone who left the faith after the whole priest scandal… watch an interview with this priest. I highly suggest the one with @conorgallaghershow because I shared this clip with thousands of people… I’m not exaggerating… trust me, watch it. You’ll probably go down a rabbit hole like I did and honestly, it’ll refresh your soul.

4. The @catholicsonline community has so many inspiring, prayerful, persevering Catholics saying yes to God daily. Thank you @kyliemhein for turning my attention to Exodus 14:14 last week and @catholicwalkthewayeveryday for helping us increase our prayers for our priests.

Your turn… where have you found God online lately?

Ps. Did you come across any I mentioned?!

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Highly recommend asking someone to pray the Rosary Highly recommend asking someone to pray the Rosary with you.

No matter what is on your heart and mind, you can ask Our Lord for anything and ask Our Lady to talk to her Son about it too.

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Life is hard, pray harder!
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Jesus is my Lord and Savior. God speaks in the sil Jesus is my Lord and Savior. God speaks in the silence of our hearts. Mama Mary calms me so I can get to that quiet place and listen to and rest in Her Son.

Katie and I have been praying together for years… and 3 years ago she converted to Catholicism.
God does miracles, His mom likes to get involved ❤️

Praying the Rosary out loud with a friend is sooo amazing.

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What I have done and what I continue to do… becaus What I have done and what I continue to do… because I need all the help and prayers I can get!

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Holy Week with young children - bedtime Masses and Holy Week with young children - bedtime Masses and services are definitely not ideal… at least there weren’t for our family.

I once read or heard another mom suggest washing your children’s feet on Holy Thursday… she I tried it and my kids absolutely LOVED it!

In fact, they would ask to wash my feet!

Last year I took my 3 children (8 year old twins and 12 year old) to a Shrine as a sort of modified 7 churches visit.
It was like a holy adventure!

I had planned on taking them to 2 more churches but we stayed at the first place for awhile so we kept it to that one visit.

Holy Week offers many opportunities and invites much silence and contemplation, but young children make what is do-able different.

We want our children to see and understand God’s great love for us. I feel like these activities communicate that- at least partially.

Do you have suggestions for Good Friday or Holy Saturday?

If this was helpful, please share!
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Did you notice the part of the Gospel yesterday th Did you notice the part of the Gospel yesterday that stated what happened once Jesus died on the cross? There was a certain part that caught my attention more this year than in years past.
Here is an excerpt:
“… the veil of the sanctuary
was torn in two from top to bottom.
The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened,
and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection,
they entered the holy city and appeared to many...@

That part about Saints rising and appearing to many made me wonder… did Saint Joseph appear to Mary? Did Saint Anne appear to her daughter as she mourned the loss of her Son?” 

These were thoughts and questions I never had before.

After the Masses were over yesterday my nephew was baptized! My sister Theresa is his mother.
My sister Theresa was named after The Little Flower 🌹 
I know a statue is not a person… but it looks like God and Saint Therese’ sent a wink from heaven yesterday… look who made sure she had a front row seat to the Baptism!

It’s interesting to see how the Saints have always been a part of the story.

I find such comfort that not only can I ask YOU to pray for me, but I can also reach out to the Saints and ask them to pray for me too.

By the way, if you ever need a parking spot, ask Saint Polycarp… he got us a great one yesterday in downtown Philly!
Someone once told me to ask him for help when looking for a parking spot. Her reasoning was “no one is asking him for anything” 😂 I’m telling you… it works every time I ask! 

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Take a breath, thank God for it and give your heart to Him in this moment!

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