For the last few months, I have been posting about prayer time on my personal Facebook page each Wednesday. I invite people to list prayer requests on the thread, or in a private message. I was inspired to do this by several ministry friends, and it has truly been a blessing. I have been keeping…
Grab Your Umbrella…and Make Sure it’s Yellow!
Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking at a Leadership Retreat for Students for Life Illinois (SFLI.) I shared with these dynamic young adults how much I love their organization! You see, I am 50 years old…old enough to be their mother…and when I was in college, there was…
Happy Birthday to Bruce!
Today is my husband’s birthday! I treasure him everyday, but on his birthday, I am especially aware of the GIFT he is to ME! I am also grateful for his parents, and how they raised him to be funny, loving, and faithful. We have many experiences to look back on. I could write a book!…
God’s Love…and Rainbows
A week ago, I had an emotional day, and I imagine it was also difficult for many who hold fast to the idea of traditional marriage. While a lot of people anticipated the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Obergefell vs Hodges case to uphold marriage “equality” across the country, others predicted the…
The Sound of Children’s Voices
Just a quick note today. This week, a group of college students have come to Vermilion County to facilitate a summer youth program for the Catholic parishes in our area. Each day, Mass is held at 11:15, and the parish community is invited to join the kids. So, I attended yesterday and today, enjoying the…
7 Quick Takes… It’s Been a While!
Yesterday was Friday, and I got a calendar notification on my phone. “Write 7 Quick Takes.” This shows up every single week, because somehow I thought I would get into the habit of participating in this fun blog community posting gig…but alas, I have ignored those notifications for months. So long in fact, that the…
How Does Your Garden Grow?
My home office has smelled lovely this week. The lilac bushes and peonies are in full bloom! Bruce has cut some flowers for me to enjoy in my space. Nearly every flat surface is covered now with an unfinished project or items that need to be reorganized (this room serves as an office and craft…
Once a Mother, Always a Mother
Note: I am happy to say this has been published in The Catholic Post, the newspaper for the Peoria Diocese. The link to the article can be found here. Twenty-one years ago, I celebrated Mother’s Day for the first time as a mom myself. I was just two months into my pregnancy, but already wearing maternity…
National Day of Prayer
Each year, since 1952, on the first Thursday of May, our nation commemorates the National Day of Prayer. I don’t think I heard about it very much until my adult years. Perhaps, I just wasn’t paying attention! But now I am tuned into this national event because I find it to be very special, and…
Mothers, Earth, and Babies
Today, it’s “Earth Day” around the globe. Frankly, I never think about it until the actual date (April 22nd) when various stories come on the news or my Facebook feed. So yes, I was reminded of this special day first thing this morning. The first Earth Day was 45 years ago, and has been…