Twitter

I returned to work a few months ago and it's been hard to keep up with work, mom-duties, wife-ing, and sharing on the blog.  Twitter is the first thing I am getting back into. I love journaling through blogging, but just don't have the time right now.  Be back soon I hope.  Until then, follow me on Twitter.

Follow @grace_devotion

psalm 90

Loving these words today: 

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge

journaling

I am aware that this blog is a bit of a hodge podge, that I haven't kept up with entries, and that I haven't written that much about the topics that made we want to start this blog.  Being a mommy is time consuming! In retrospect, starting a blog just prior to the birth of my first child was not ideal timing.  On to the random post of the week/month...

I decided I needed to get back to prayer for myself.  Reading daily reflections on scripture has been nice during long nursing sessions, but I have been left needing more reflection/time with the word.  Pinterest and Instagram are full of women who journal during prayer time or Mass and I have felt drawn to those who journal through lettering or art.  Full disclosure: I am not an artist-even stick figures are challenging for me.  I also do not have beautiful handwriting, yet I decided to start journaling/lettering one of my reflections weekly.  I have taken words from daily scripture and penciled it out in my graph paper notebook (thanks Target clearance!).  Below are some pictures of my amateur work.

I have enjoyed the length of time that this takes.  It makes me read the words over and over again.  It allows me to pause from the business and reflect on the beauty of the scripture and focus on the meaning of God's word.   

Follow me on Instagram or Twitter for more of my journaling journey!

social media

I love some social media.  I enjoy sharing photos on Instagram and following friends on Facebook, but you will not see my baby on any of those platforms.

The Parent Zone (UK based site that promotes Internet safety and provides information on modern parenting) shared that the average parent will post almost 1,500 photos of their child online before he/she turns 5 years old.  Some even say 1,000, but that is still a lot.  The term "sharenting" has been coined to describe this oversharing of children.

I have to say-I really enjoy seeing pictures of growing families of friends, family, and even strangers. That being said, when I really think about it, it freaks me out.  As parents, my husband and I have decided not to share our little one on social media.

4 Reasons You Wont Find My Kids on Social Media:

(this is my opinion-not shaming anyone who chooses to share their kiddos online!)

1. Access to pictures: So this may seem a bit extreme but I've heard many times at the VIRTUS trainings I help facilitate that there is not a picture on social media of a child that a child predator hasn't seen.  Even with passwords and security settings.  When I got to thinking about it, I realized how many children of friends of friends had popped up in my newsfeed and how easy it would be to screenshot these precious babies.  Not something I want for my little one.

2. Truth: How many times have you seen pictures on Facebook or Instagram or whatever and felt jealous of the perfect life someone is living or deeply saddened by the hardships people keep feeling?  Social media really presents a false truth. It seems like most people only share the extremes.  I don't mind sharing some aspects of my life, but I want to live without the pressure of "keeping up with the Jones" (their extreme happiness or their extreme sadness).  

3. Privacy: How many random friends are on your Facebook?  Someone you met once in college? "Friends"?  from high schoolYour college roommates ex-boyfriend? There are so many people that can connect with you online (for better or worse).  Why do they need access to my most precious thing and the ability to share it with others?  

4. Living life through a lens: This one is the most important to me.  I noticed recently just how many people around me were living life through the lens of their personal devices.  At dinner every table at a restaurant has a phone out (NO CONVERSATIONS occurring).  At a concert, people enjoy the show through their phone.  I don't know about you, but I want to enjoy life as it happens.  As a new parent the temptation to capture each moment is so strong!  But, what am I missing as I try to capture that first giggle on film?  Or that adorable frown?  Imagine having a phone in your face all of the time.  I want my child to know my face not my phone.  

These are just a few of the reasons we decided to be "media free" for as long as we can decide.  When our little one is old enough to have his own accounts, we will guide him through making safe choices.  But until he can make those decisions, we will help protects his privacy, help his future job searches, and keep enjoying him in the present.  We'll keep capturing some of these moments for ourselves and for grandparents :)

Live life to it's fullest and put down the phone this week. Show your child how much you love them!

psalm 96

As a cantor (on break for now), I have always loved the music in Mass.  Music is a powerful form of prayer.  The daily psalms never fail to remind me of a beautiful setting that I have sung or heard sung at Mass over the years.  Although I have never been one to memorize scripture, I can remember words set to song for years and years!

Today's psalm is psalm 96

PS 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 4-5

R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Announce his salvation, day after day.

Tell his glory among the nations;

among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;

awesome is he, beyond all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,

but the LORD made the heavens.

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

This psalm is a wonderful reminder of God's glory and majesty.  If you know the Lord, you want to sing to the Lord.  How awesome is it to praise our Creator through song.  Sing to the Lord in all seasons.  Sing to the Lord in thanksgiving.  Sing to the Lord and share His word with others.  

We are called to share His Word with all His people.  So today, who will you sing God's praises to?  Inspire those around you to Sing to the Lord!

goals

Well it's been a while. Turns out that blogging and "mommying"are not the best of pairs in those first months.

I think in parenting, marriage, and life in general goal setting is important.  It keeps us on track.  After all, aren't we all striving for one main goal-to get to heaven?

In many areas, goals give us an idea of where we are going.  In high school my goal was to attend college.  I knew that if I met my goal I would be attending college and seeking a degree. In college I wanted to graduate early, so this created a path for me to take certain classes, stay focused, and eventually graduate in 3 years.  These similar goals have been easy for me to follow in my academic and now professional paths.

In my personal life, I always knew where I wanted to "be" but wasn't always sure of how to get there.  I wanted to get married, but there is no path to finding a husband.  I knew I wanted to have children, but again there was no path to getting married and there was no path to planning children after marriage.  More of my personal life has been left up to God's plan.  It was when I let go of the need for a plan that some of these areas "fell into place." I always say I was just looking for new friends, after moving, when my husband came into my life.  I know that in God's hands is where I should be leaving all things, but I've always been a bit of a control freak.

My challenge for myself is to make (and stick to) goals in each area of my life.  This does not mean I am attempting to take control over everything.  I do know that by having a goal, I can then strive for it.  My goal to be in heaven one day helps define a path to follow-in the steps of Jesus.  My path has been set long ago by God but there are many paths to take.  I frequently think of the Casting Crowns song, Already There, when things are going "bad."  Even when my goals aren't being reached in my eyes, I know that I can always be on the path God set for me.  These new goals are not definitive and they have no end point.  By setting goals, I am hoping to stay on a path towards God and see more clearly when I am not following a path in that direction.

Marriage: pray daily with my husband

Parenting: increase patience with my son

Professional: seek knowledge

Life: seek God

thank yous

I was taught to always write a thank you note when you receive a gift.  To write something heartfelt and personalized is one way to show appreciation.  

As a new parent, I keep thinking of the things my mom did for me before I was able to thank her.  These are things that she did out of her unconditional love for me, not for a thank you.  She also did many of this as a single parent, something I can't imagine after only a short term in parenthood. 

So now I take the time to thank her for these things.

Thank you mom!  You made me into the woman and mama I am today.  I am so grateful to have you and so is your grandson!  Thank you to all those moms and dads out there! You are appreciated!

What do you thank your caregivers now that you are older?

mystery of marriage

As we reach our 1st anniversary, I found this reflection on marriage I wrote right before our marriage.  What a beautiful reminder of the covenant we entered one year ago.

Marriage is rooted in Sacred Scripture and one of the most beautiful part of the Catholic teachings on marriage is that is calls a husband and wife to be a sign of Christ's love in the world. 

Marriage is a sacrament.  It is "a saving reality and a symbol of Christ's love for his church."

When preparing for marriage, we were told that this sacrament was not only special because it would unite us as husband and wife, beginning our lives together as one, but also because it was a sacrament that we get to minister.  We are the ones who come freely to the sacrament together and enter into this covenant with God.  The Holy Spirit is the seal of their covenant (CCC #1624).  We come freely-the Holy Spirit seals the covenant.  

Through this sacrament, God's love is present in the newly formed family! How amazing is that! Through this sacramental bond the new husband and wife are brought grace, or divine grace.  With this grace, they can be living through and with Christ, to be faithful partners and strong parents. 

"Sacramental marriage is a liturgical act. It is therefore appropriate that it should be celebrated in the public liturgy of the Church" (CCC #1631).  Furthermore, yes God is everywhere. He is with us always.  I know He is with us in the car and on the street and He would be with me in a vineyard.  For me, marriage is a covenant.  How beautiful to begin your lives together in the presence of your God. 

Where did you get married?  Did you choose a beautiful church or an exquisite outdoor setting?

due day

As "due day" approached, I began looking towards the saints for added prayers.

There are so many great saints who will intercede for pregnancy, childbirth, and infants.  Of course, the Blessed Mother is one of these great saints, as she carried Jesus in her womb.  A few other saints to ask to pray for you were new to me.  I found it interesting that several of these saints were men!

St. Gerard is often associated with pregnancy and became a saint I asked for prayer often.

As due date arrived, I prayed for a healthy and safe arrival for our son.  For a healthy labor, I looked to St. Anne.  The mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus is often asked for intercession in labor.  St. Erasmus (another male saint) is often asked to intercede during labor. Due to the nature of his persecutions, St. Elmo is patron saint of all abdominal pains. A few other patron saints of childbirth include St. Margaret of Antioch and St. Ursus of Aosta. 

I soon found out that I would need a Cesarean Section due to a breech baby.  All I hoped for was a healthy baby and delivery.  I asked St. Raymond Nonnatus (literally Raymond "not born" because he was born via c-section back in 1204) to pray for me and my son.  

Who have you asked for prayer?  Did you have a special devotion during pregnancy?

pasta galore

I love pasta and am always looking for new (easy) meals to whip up after work. Here are 3 of my new favorites and 1 old favorite.

1. Lemon Ricotta Parmesan Pasta with Spinach and Grilled Chicken (or in my case turkey) via Cooking Classy.  Check this out, make it, love it.  We used grilled turkey from the amazing Kroger hot bar making it even easier.  The husband loves this one and requests it weekly! 

2. Slow Cooker Cheesy Spaghetti with Homemade Turkey Sausage via SkinnyMs.com

Homemade sausage sounds fancy....but easy to make!  This one takes a bit longer to make as written but worth it.

3. Caprese Lasagna Roll-Ups via Cooking Classy (love her recipes and blog!)

This one has a recipe for homemade marinara, but you can use a jar to save time.

4. Classic Homemade Mac and Cheese

This one is an oldie but goodie.  Just a quick white sauce, add these while the pasta is cooking, mix and bake.

White Sauce: 

Make a rue using 2tbs butter and add 2tbs flour.  

Let cook for about 1 minute.  

Stir in 1c half and half and 3/4c milk (you can use all milk).

Continue stirring on a medium low heat. 

Add 8oz of your favorite cheese(s).  We like the creaminess of white american cheese with a bit of monterey jack, but any cheese would work.

Stir until all cheese added is melted.

Pasta:

Mix sauce with about a pound of any cooked pasta (I like using a veggie rotini)

Place into baking dish.

Bake about 20mins at 375 F

I didn't create any of these recipes, but I sure do enjoy cooking and eating them! Hope they make your family as happy as they have made mine!

models of love

Everything has seemed so "baby-centric" recently, after all we are in the final countdown to our little one's arrival.  In this, my conversations with my sweet husband have all been about baby, our hospital bags, the nursery, preparing for our first days at home...the list goes on and on.  Few conversations haven't led to baby.  Yes, our growing family is a huge part of our lives and marriage right now. Is this good, yes.  But, I feel that there are things we have forgotten about.  The other day, my husband mentioned he hadn't hugged me in a while.  We have maintained many other parts of our intimacy that keep us close (holding hands, kisses when we get home from or leave for work).  As baby grows, the focus on us has been pushed aside.  This is not an intentional shift. There has been so much to prepare for though and there is always a reminder with me that baby is coming soon!  I was so glad my husband said something about our loss of hugs (yes...super simple) because it made me focus more on us time.  This is important too-for us and for baby.  You must take time for your spouse.  We are the models for our child of love that mirror that of Christ's love. Love is the greatest of all virtues (1 Cor 13:13).  Love of Christ never fails.  It covers sins.  It is powerful in a way we will never understand in our Earthly home.  We must be models of love so our child learns love. 

More on this later.

Live a life of love.

grace through sacraments

Receiving sacraments is a joyous thing in the Catholic Church.  They are vehicles of grace. Through the sacraments, we freely accept this grace, allowing us to believe fully in Him, live in His ways, and learn to love like Him.  

We receive grace first in baptism.  We receive sanctifying grace, opening our soul to God's love and creating a union between our soul and God.  The other sacraments increase this sanctifying grace (reconciliation restores it!).

As I have mentioned before, why would you want to wait to receive Christ's grace (or for your child to?)  1250 "The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism. The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth."

^{I share these thoughts as it has been difficult to schedule a baptism close to the birth of our son.  We had hoped to have our son baptized on our priest's last weekend at our church (before he moves parishes).  It was disheartening to hear that he would be "too busy" for a baptism.  Wouldn't it be a wonderful way to leave your parish by joining one more member?  Unfortunately, sacraments are not always easy to receive at our parish, even if you are regularly practicing members and have completed the necessary classes/paperwork.}  With no priest for most of the summer, we have no other options for our son's first month of life.  I hope no one else has to be told their church is too busy for baptism.  Our son will be baptized, just maybe not within his first weeks of life as we had so hoped.  

baptism

Baptism: 

As we prepare for the birth of our first (4 more weeks!), I have started thinking more and more about baptism which we joyfully look forward to.

What does baptism mean?

Baptism is a sacrament.  It is our first sacrament and the foundation for a life with Christ.  Through baptism we are reborn as a member of the Church.  How beautiful is that? 

It is in baptism (from the Greek baptizein-meaning to immerse or plunge) that we are cleansed from sin.  Our sin is not washed in the water-it is buried in it.  Made to be no more.

As parents (and godparents) we accept the responsibility of raising the child in the church.  

Loyola Press provides a wonderful (brief) explanation of this beautiful sacrament.

Does timing matter?

Timing of children matters, whether "planned" or not.  Yes, baptism timing matters.  I was surprised to be the only young couple at our baptism preparation class that didn't already have an infant.  Our parish requires a class at least 6 months prior to baptism, so we attended when I was about 4 months pregnant. As a parent, I want my child to be freed from original sin and joined as a member of the church.  

Can.  867 §1. Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it.

It is in baptism that we encounter Christ for the first time, why wait!  Pope Francis has told people to celebrate the day they were baptized. He was baptized at 8 days old :)

fears

Adult life is scary.  Marriage, parenthood, family, jobs.  While all of these things bring joy, they also bring fear.  First time parenting has brought many fears to mind.  Will we be able to love him enough? How can we balance marriage, parenthood, and family? Will we have enough money?  It is with this that I find I have no choice but to let these fears into God's hands.  I myself am not able to calm them or fix everything.  I know I must let go of them so I can be the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, etc. possible.  

I think about the second reading from our wedding, Philippians 4:4-9:

"...have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus..."

May the love and peace of God be with you and calm your fears.

every perfect gift

As the time of our son's birth nears closer, I am overwhelmed with emotions.  

Love. Anticipation. Fear. Excitement.  

I keep going back to James, chapter 1. In addressing temptation, he tells us: 

 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.

18

I find this comforting. The reminder that "every perfect gift is from above" from our Father.  We may have fears and anxieties entering into new chapters of our lives, but what is a more perfect gift than that of a child?   As a child, He sent His only Son to us.  As Psalm 127 tells us, "sons are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward."

As the next weeks pass, I will focus on this and await the "perfect gift" that is to arrive.

finding peace

God is with us through all troubles we are faced.  We may feel alone at times as we journey through life, but we never are! In Him we find peace!  God's peace is not just the sense that life is going great.  Rather, His peace is beyond our understanding.  It provides peace in the hardest of times.

happiness

40 Days of Happiness

Things have been a bit crazy in my life right now.  We are expecting our first child and the hormones have taken over full force.  The tiniest thing has set me off (we won't mention the parking garage incident).  My sweet husband has been my rock, listening to WAY too many tears and showering me in patience.

This lent, I want to focus on the happiness in my life.  When everything has seemed overwhelmingly horrible, this time we can use to reflect on the wonderful gift of life God has given us.

This isn't a daily challenge.  It is a call to ask God for His mercy, forgiveness, Grace, and healing.  It is a journey with Him.  

As we begin this journey towards Christ, remember "the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline" 2 Timothy 1:7

Watercolor backgrounds via AngieMakes

an introduction

In June 2015, my husband and I were married in a beautiful Mass witnessed by our closest family and friends. We were thrilled to be entering this new chapter of our lives.  The focus was on the love shared between us, God, and our family. 

After the ceremony, good food and drink with family, I realized the road ahead was not going to be bump free.  In fact we hit big challenges on that very first day! More to come on that, but being married did not come easy to me.  The emotional closeness we had experienced pre-marriage has continued to grow.  The physical closeness was more of a challenge, given our differing pasts. 

This blog is to share honest and open stories with you about the challenges of starting a young family.  In my hurting, I searched for a story like mine and came up empty handed and feeling alone.  I hope my story can show no marriage is the same and no one is ever alone.

Grace and devotion are needed in our lives.  First most in our relationship with Christ and second in that with our family.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. —2 Corinthians 12:9

 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11