I wish that I could say that I am always focused on the task at hand, that I am always paying attention to what is important, etc. The truth of the matter is that 80% of the time, I am watching some sort of movie in my head and not truly being present even though it totally seems like I am.

My math teacher was a gorgeous, smart, tall woman. She was everything I wanted to be. Looking back, I realized I didn’t desire to be like her because of her looks or skills; it was her hope and how she knew she was loved; it was a hope I didn’t have and a love I thought I didn’t deserve.

When I reflect on one of the darkest, most difficult times of my life, I’m brought to a time when I experienced multiple miscarriages. I’ve always been a health-conscious person, trying to eat healthy, exercise, and find positive ways to reduce stress. So, when I became pregnant, I eliminated alcohol from my diet (I was an occasional drinker), ate healthy foods, and tried to get adequate sleep. I thought that if I did everything within my power, my babies would have the right foundation from the very beginning. So, as you can imagine, after losing pregnancy after pregnancy, I was left with despair, heartache, and fear.

It’s easy in these days of fear, panic, and isolation to be angry, with our family, our leaders, or our God. It’s easy to say, “Woe is me!” as you are stuck at home on your couch with nothing to do. It’s easy to just “go to class” and watch your favorite streaming service afterwards. It’s easy to just give up. But that’s not what St. Thomas Aquinas did, and that’s not what we should do either.

I had to come to an understanding that I couldn’t overcome this alone. I needed Jesus so badly. I came to him with all my struggles. I’d always pray to God to free me. He knew I was weak. I could never have done it without him.

No matter if your Dad is at home or not. No matter if you get along with him or not. It is true. You have a Father in Heaven who loves you and wants to know you.

"Fairy tales are more than true - not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten."

Have you ever wanted to pray but didn’t know how to go about it? Did you want to listen to God speaking to you but didn’t know how to hear His voice?

He knows, He knows, every hurt and every sting, He has walked the suffering, He knows, He knows, let your burdens come undone, lift your eyes up to the one, who knows...He knows!

When you are chosen, it is all about giving up everything for Jesus Christ.

Sometimes I get asked the question “Why do you believe?” or “Why do you have faith?”. I reflected on these questions, prayed about it, and came up with the top few reasons that I believe! I think that these reasons can become the template by which we live our lives of faith, believing in our God every day.

To be Hard as Nails does not mean you have to be a missionary or a staff member. To be Hard as Nails means doing what is right, even when nobody else supports you. It means having courage, authenticity, and obedience.

“Remind yourself that the life of grace is not about being fair; it’s about being generous....abundantly.”

That, if my children fall, marital hardships come my way, or I struggle to trust in God, I'll know there is hope amidst the struggle....and she taught me that. "Nothing is far from God!" - St. Monica

I don’t know about you but it is sometimes hard to know who Jesus is. I can go to Jesus and spend time with Him for sure, but it helps when I get to know Jesus’ friends. Saints are successful at truly getting to know who He is. This is something that I desperately want.

For five years I struggled with a form of OCD known as scrupulosity. In scrupulosity, I obsess over the littlest things thinking that they are serious sins. I remember most days feeling an enormous guilt that consumed my soul.

"The Lord will fight for you; you have only to keep still." Exodus 14:14. This is a rather beautiful bible verse do you not agree? But what does it mean?

Next time you glance at a crucifix, simply stop. Pause your day, and just gaze at Jesus for ten seconds.

I went to prayer, and asked God for help, and He spoke to my heart the phrase “they forgot”. Then it hit me. As a team, we forgot the reason that we were all there. We forgot about the MESSAGE

Well, this one cool guy named Pope St. John Paul ll added a new group of mysteries to the previous three (Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious). In October of 2002, the “Luminous” mysteries were added.