Thankful Thursday

Life has been pretty great around here, and with Spring finally showing it's face there is much to be thankful in my life, so I thought I'd revive my Thankful Thursdays (at least for this week...)

At this moment I am thankful for...

 

(1) Wedding Planning, and not being overwhelmed..yet. 6 months to go and things are coming together and I'm thankful that everything seems to be falling into place.

 

 (2) Friends that are full of joy and make me want to be more joyful. I am blessed to have many wonderful friends that show the joy of Christ to others on a daily basis. It's the Easter Season, we should all be more joyful.

Alright, so these are my brothers (not technically just friends) but this picture is so joyful. Love it!

(3) The quirky devotions of the Catholic faith. I went to a talk earlier this week entitled "Quirky but Beloved Prayer Practices". It was about the origin of some of the various devotions that are practiced (or used to be practiced) in the Catholic Church. It was fascinating and it was fun to here what others grew up doing in their families or communities. We talked about praying to St. Anthony to find lost things, burying St. Joseph when trying to sell a house, dressing the Infant of Prague and much more. The origins of all these practices, the stories of why certain saints became the patrons of the things they are is so interesting. Love it!

 

(4) Graduations. I have a good friend who just graduated with her nursing degree and my fiance is graduating on Saturday. I love to see people succeed and am so thankful for all those who follow their dreams.

Follow your dreams, even if it involves taking a picture with a giant mouse.

 

(5) Thunderstorms. We've had a lot of rain this week, which is great for the farmers. I love thunderstorms (as long as I'm not driving in them), I love to hear the rain coming down and see the lightning. It's a beautiful reminder of God's power.

 

(6) Letters. My mom writes all of us kids a letter every week. I love hearing about the news from back home, what her and dad are up to, what the neighbor did, etc. I'm so thankful for a mother who puts such a strong emphasis on staying in touch with those you love.

My mom and dad riding a jackalope at Wall Drug in South Dakota.         Blowing bubbles at my sister's wedding reception.

(7) Growing plants. I planted some spinach and salad mix seeds the beginning of the month and I love seeing their little green leaves peaking out of the soil. There was an unwanted squirrel who decided to dig around a bit the other day, but I suppose I should be thankful even for squirrels and that I live in a place that they can jump from tree to tree.

Alright, that's it for me. Enjoy the rest of your Thursday! What are you thankful for today?

7 Quick Takes (vol. 13)

 ~~ 1 ~~

 picture from here

Happy Feast Day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton! Do you know her? She's pretty amazing. She is the first United States born saint, was a wife, mother, convert, teacher, Foundress. Yeah, she's awesome. She's also my Confirmation Saint, so I may be a little bias...

~~ 2 ~~

So I got a donut pan from my wonderful boyfriend for Christmas and of course had to try it out.  So, I made these wonderful things.

Feast your eyes on Maple Bacon Donuts! I got this awesome recipe from www.jocooks.com and the only thing I changed was I substituted sour cream for the Greek yogurt. You should make them, but make sure to make extra bacon, I of course ran out, there never seems to be enough bacon.

 

~~ 3 ~~

I finally finished the Hunger Games series. They were very well written, I was frustrated with the ending (as were many people I talked with) but over all I thought they were good, disturbing, but good. I haven't watched the movie yet, but probably will, we'll see.

~~ 4 ~~

Picture From Here

Have you read "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" by Ann Voskamp? It's good, it makes me want to live a more thankful life, to dig deeper into my faith and who I want to be. It starts out very sad, so warning, it's not a warm and fuzzy book.

~~ 5 ~~

My holidays were really great overall. Christmas was spent at my parents house with my 2 brothers. There was lots of food, even more sugar, games and movies, sparkling nonalcoholic drinks, and lots of good old fashioned family time.

~~ 6 ~~

On December 29th I road tripped out to Lincoln, Nebraska for my sister sister's family visit. It was wonderful to see all the sisters (she's with the School Sisters of Christ the King) and the event was held at the church/school that she teaches at (St. Peter's) so it was nice to get the tour of the school and see her class room.

~~ 7 ~~

  My New Year's Eve was very low key. I drove back from Nebraska all day and ended up staying with my boyfriend's sister instead of driving all the way home. We had Chinese and some great sparkling wine I fell asleep early but woke up for both ball drops (east coast and midwest).

   this is not the best way to take out a cork, but it did work and no one was injured :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's! 

For more Quick Takes, head on over to moxiewife.com who's hosting for Jen this week.

7 Quick Takes (Vol. 5) the Inspiration Edition

Happy Friday everyone! I figured we can always use a bit of inspiration so I thought I'd share some people that have inspired me and continue to motivate me to become a better person. Feel free to share any of your motivators with me, I'd love to add to the list of awesomeness! So here's my list (In no particular order...) and a bit about why I look up to them each individual.

~~ 1 ~~

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

(He's on Facebook. Kind of weird but cool)

Picture From Gloria TV

He was a very active young adult (died at age 24). Was athletic, involved in politics, humble, devout Catholic (even when ridiculed by his family), was extremely close to his family, came from money but gave to the poor at every opportunity. Read the book below written by his sister. It's great.

~~ 2 ~~

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Picture from www.steas.org

First of all, she's my confirmation saint :) St. Elizabeth is the first person born in the United States of America to become a saint. She was a wife and mother. She a convert to Catholicism. She was a teacher. She founded a religious order, Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph. She was a rock star.

~~ 3 ~~

Kim and Kric.kitt Carpen.ter

Picture from www.ewtnnews.com

So I'm a sucker for a good romance, and it must have a happy ending. I recently saw The V.ow and enjoyed the movie, but wanted to hear the true story behind it, so I'm currently reading "The Vo.w: The True Even.ts that Inspir.ed the Movie" and it is a truly amazing and inspirational story about the dedication of a husband and wife, even when tragedy occurs. It is beautiful and real.

~~ 4 ~~

Nelson Mandela

Photo from www.notablebiographies.com

I watched a special recently on South Africa's history and was so inspired by all those fighting for justice, against all odds, especially individuals such as Des.mond Tut.u and  Oliver T.ambo. After Mandela's release from prison and his presidency he led the country with a focus on peace. He was a wonderful example and needed leader of a torn and hurting country.

~~ 5 ~~

Fr. Robert Baron

So we recently finished The Catholicism Series in our young adult group at my parish. I love the way that Fr. Baron explains the faith. How he uses everyday examples we can all relate to and how he explains things without making those listening feel unintelligent.

~~ 6 ~~

John Paul II

I love the energy that JPII brought to the Church. I am inspired by the generation he moved (the JP2 generation). His writings and teachings on love and marriage are so needed in today's world. He inspired people of all faiths and all nationalities.

~~ 7 ~~

Everyone striving for sainthood
(and no, that's not a cop-out answer)

Saint That is Just Me by Danielle Rose

I am constantly inspired by ordinary people that are living their faith. Are trying to be the "best version of themselves" (as Matthew Kelly would say). Constantly put others before themselves. Those who on a daily basis love their neighbor as themselves. I am inspired to strive for sainthood.
 

 Alright, that's all from me. Enjoy the weekend! 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Ashes to Ashes

Happy Ash Wednesday! So begins our Lenten journey. I have a feeling that this is going to be a great Lent. "Great" in the sense that I'll hopefully grow in faith and virtue. "Great" in the sense that I will grow closer to Christ and more knowledgeable in my understanding of this important season. Last night I was at a wonderful concert put on by a local church (it was free, which made it all the better :) . The artist was Danielle Rose, a young Catholic recording artist with an amazing story of faith and trust in God. She was full of energy and Christ's love was easily visible in her songs, words and on her face. Here's one of her videos, I hope you enjoy, and hopefully it inspires you this Lent to become the Saint that you're called to be.

The Saint That is Just Me

by Danielle Rose