This past week we celebrated the Immaculate Conception of Mary. This is to honor that in order for Mary to be the Mother of Jesus, she herself has to be conceived without sin. I heard an excellent explanation from Father Schmitz this week around how we can envision this. If you have a glass that … More God is in the Business of Answering Prayers
This weekend I participated in the second Advent Retreat hosted by Mother and Home, an online Catholic Women’s Community. Last year following this event I had a distinctly new view on God as my Father and my perspective for life ahead in 2022. A perspective that ultimately made it to my left wrist with my … More What Does It Mean to Believe?
In college I had an assignment that I actually thought was extremely valuable: write about your future job. Describe a moment – a day of the week, a time of the day and how you will spend your time in that role. This was something I could not wait to do … and I had … More Grateful in All the Nooks and Crannies
“Mommy?!?” As my sweet little crazy bed head wide eye girls pops up in bed last night as I make my final night time routines…. “I want to go to Grandad and Baby Madden’s Party now”. As I just start to release myself to the need for sleep, I chuckle and tell her “Oh Baby, … More Right Where I Am Supposed To Be
It has been a year since I started this project with the first letter. I have thought about it over and over again – do I keep going? Is this a story you will want to hear? Is it a story I should even tell? I have I had sitting in drafts since the spring letter #2 and I have never hit publish. But here we are – a year to the day and I still feel strongly about writing it. … More Dear Shannon Letter 2
Happy July friends! How are you doing?? Are you enjoying summer? It is hot as all get out… it’s going so fast… a variety of factors that can be more negative about this season are present daily and yet I can’t hide my smile. I love summer! Virginia we have all the seasons and you … More Thy Will ~ Half Way on 2022
This week Shannon and I join my family and head to Chicago for my brother’s wedding. This special day has been in the works since 2019 and it is really exciting that we will finally be able to celebrate. Our family’s original travel plans were made in the fall of 2019 while Danny and I … More Life Blows Us to The Windy City
In my spiritual journey there are themes that will pop up. They make themselves known typically so clear, it is hard to ignore and even harder to convince me that it is not the exact message God has for me in this moment. And one of the strongest right now: Mother Mary. It seems that … More Mother Mary, Pray for Us
During Holy week I listened to a Latte & Laundry podcast with guest Laura Phelps and it was one of the most valuable tools for contemplating Week. There are a variety of wonderful wisdom nuggets in here, but one in particular that has stuck with me, especially for Good Friday: Picking up the exact cross … More Good Friday Lessons: Picking Up Your Cross
“Remember your are dust and to dust you shall return” these are the words that started the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday. A season that is all about breaking down our humanity … even to the point of dust. If our world becomes as little specs, we can’t dictate it, demand it, rely on … More Lent 2022
Have A Little Faith in We 