2016 Spiritual Goal

January seems to be a time of an almost automatic, subconscious introspection. As Christians, this time of reflection gives us a chance to look inside and see what we can do better to draw ourselves closer to God. In the past, I have used this as a chance to start a new prayer style or add a new routine to my prayer life. Most times, these routines have stuck, such as journaling in the mornings, using devotionals, and adding the Rosary to my nightly prayers. But this year, I tried to take my reflections further, and look for something more personal that I could focus on, develop, or give up staring 2016. But it wasn't until yesterday that I settled on a spiritual goal for this year.

When Josh and I spend the weekend at his parents' home, we do our best to "double dip" and attend both a Catholic mass for me, and then a Sunday service at the Baptist church his family attends and mother works and leads worship at. The pastor was discussing January and the new year's tendency to seek ways for us to improve, and read from Ecclesiastics, and from there he listed some of the signs of leading a spiritual life, including patience, kindness, and gentleness.

And it was gentleness that stuck out to me, which before had sounded like a sign of weakness, suddenly being listed as a virtue. I was reminded of Mary, our Lady, and how we call her a "gentle woman, quiet dove", and the message my family heard on Friday celebrating the solemnity of Mary, and what made her so worthy of our veneration.

I would not consider myself a gentle person. I often speak sharply, I rarely soften my message. I would not describe myself as overly warm or nurturing. I joke about not wanting children. But in reality, I am sensitive and hyper-aware of what people do and say around me. I watch children at family gatherings or at camp carefully, keeping an eye out for trouble or concern. So then why do I present myself so firmly? Why do I assume these qualities are weakness and should be hidden?

But now, that word, that idea of being gentle eases my anxieties about appearing so firm and tough.  So this year, this particular leg of my spiritual journey's goal is to draw closer to our Blessed Mother, and find my own gentleness, and maybe by July the campers and staff are less intimidated by me this year!

Tota tua,

LeAnn

Just a Little Lost...

Josh will not drive anywhere new or newish without both of our phones fully charged and at least one
GPS running. Getting lost is the best way to bring out the worst in him; our most ridiculous fights have happened when we have made wrong turns on the way to parents' house north of Kansas City, and he panics, not knowing where to go next, even though he has driven this way hundreds of times.

Which is no different than any one of us when plans go awry. Suddenly, we are a panicking mess, unable to focus on the simplest of things because we don't know where to go next. We don't get into the college or graduate college that we had hoped for, our long-term relationship ends suddenly, a sudden illness strikes, or someone close to us passes away. And we are surrounded by new surrounding without a GPS.

I think that's how Joseph felt when Mary said she was pregnant. His well-planned life with his picked-just-for-him bride was suddenly anything but that. And then, to top it all of, an angel insists that he takes her to Bethlehem, keep the kiddo, and just keep living life. How crazy is that? How hard would that be to just accept and carry on?

If Joseph can accept that his future wife is pregnant because God willed it, and then continue to love and care for her their entire lives, you can find a new path too! Maybe an angel won't scream in your ear, maybe you won't be struck by lightening like Paul, but God will give the strength and abilities to get through whatever has been thrown at you.

Tota tua,

LeAnn

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful mothers out there!


As Roman Catholics, we have a lot of love and respect for Mary. She plays a large role in the Church, and our Catechism.

Her feast day is January 1st, although we have many other days to honor her, including the Annunciation, the Assumption, and various feast days for Mary in her many apparitions around the
world.

Mary is representative of our human nature, and the human nature of her Son. It is because of her that Jesus was both truly man and divine. Without her, Jesus' first miracle at the Wedding of Canaan. She was by His throughout his Passion and Crucifixion.

The most common misunderstanding about Catholics is the belief that we pray to Mary. False. We pray through Mary, asking her to intercede on our behalf to her Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. This because we believe she holds a special spot in Heaven, as the Queen of Heaven. It's in the same way our moms today are often the ones we go to when we are nervous to ask dad, we go to her first, asking her to ask our dads for us. But instead of being our physical mother, she is our spiritual mother, in the same manner that God is our spiritual Father. She is present at the time of our spiritual birth, baptism.

The confidence that each person should have in Mary was expressed by Pope Pius IX in the encyclical Ubipriinum : “The foundation of all our confidence. . . is found in the Blessed Virgin Mary. For God has committed to Mary the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that through her are obtained every hope, every grace, and all salvation. For this is his will, that we obtain everything through Mary.” 

Mary, just like any good mom, is always there for you. She's as reliable as they come, always listening, and holding out a comforting hand, waiting to lead us to her Son.

Happy Mother's Day Mary, we love you!

And of course, a Happy Mother's Day my beautiful mother. I can never say thank you enough for all you have done for me and our family. I love you so much, and hope you have a great day! 

Totus tuus,

LeAnn