Reflections

Why I Volunteer

My first memory of volunteering took place in South Korea as a new bride during our initial assignment. I said yes and helped at the wives’ club events and at Church, teaching religion classes. I found it to be a great way to meet others, and it felt good to help make a difference.

What I never expected was to discover more about myself in the process. I noticed that I was pretty skilled at specific tasks that were useful to the organizations I served. The more I shared these strengths, the more they grew.

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The Curse of Bum Mountain

Grant me an artistic license as I step far off my normal path and recount a recent event in imaginative terms rather than its gritty reality. I daresay you will eventually get the point if you remain focused as it meanders through familiar paths, recalling perhaps...

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How Big is Your Bucket?

How Big is Your Bucket?

"The graces of My Mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is trust." (Diary 1578) Our Pastor, referring to this quote by St. Faustina, put it into terms we could understand by saying that mercy is a bottomless well. The bucket we use to draw upon God's...

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He Knew

We have entered the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These three days culminate Christ's redemptive work on our behalf and mark a new beginning for us. Sin is no longer a noose around our neck. Unless we refuse to repent and continue in our sin....

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Walking Straight on Crooked Paths

My plan was to be a nurse, and God’s plan for me was to marry. While not opposed to one another, this simultaneous endeavor was impossible to pursue in a third-world country. Years later, my next plan was to be a pastry chef. God’s plan was a series of unexpected yet...

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Mission Impossible, MOM

All we wanted to do was to get the three kids in the car and arrive at the appointed time. The bottle was filled, and extra formula and diapers were checked. Snacks? Are there enough snacks for the fifteen-minute round trip? Potty, did everyone go potty? "I don't have...

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Five Little Monkeys, Another Perspective

Five Little Monkeys, Another Perspective

Excitedly, she handed me a book entitled Five Little Monkeys to read out loud. Our three-year-old granddaughter then crawled into my lap. As I started reading, I realized I had never seen in print this familiar childhood tune about the monkeys who fell out of bed....

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Newsletter- just catching up Issue 1

Welcome to my first newsletter where we get to connect on what's new and tap into your brilliant minds to see what direction to focus my memoir. A quick update from me-- Book sales are moving along. I will be at the Christopher West event sponsored by the Theology of...

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Ordinary Becoming Extraordinary

Last year, as a new parishioner and recently retired, I felt God's gentle prompting to host a marriage retreat. This meant asking the Pastor, who didn't know me well, to take a chance and give me his permission to go forward. I appreciated his trust and vote of...

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Fried Chicken Skin

Getting old is happening faster than I imagined. I knew we would; it's what's supposed to happen in life if all goes well. I'm not suggesting I'm shocked every morning at the wrinkled old lady who greets me in the mirror. But I am. Oil of Olay, you lied to us. As a...

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An Epiphany About Epiphany

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (Matt 2:2) These magi knew what they were about. They made all the necessary preparations and traveled the long journey to Jerusalem for a singular purpose, to find...

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Not if, When

Not if, When

The day after Christmas, the readings at Mass took a wild turn. Airwaves wrapped up their nominal tribute to Christmas by continuing to divert our attention with the remnants of Santa Baby and fa la la. The Scripture readings instead douse us with the icy water of...

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No Such Thing as Unplanned

"Unplanned" is often used as a scapegoat and reason to justify the unthinkable. This is not what I planned... fill in the blank. Most of my life was not what I planned. Yet as I look back there is evidence of God doing something good in all those unplanned moments. I...

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What Wives Wished Their Husbands to Knew

My work predominately involves the preparation of men and women for marriage in the Catholic Church, as well as listening to those who are struggling within their marriage. This gives me a particular perspective on some of the common communication struggles that can...

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What Husbands Want their Wives To Know

This piece serves as a follow up from my previous article entitled, “What Wives Want Their Husbands to Know.” While these articles are in no way exhaustive, they are common stumbling blocks I encounter in my work in marriage ministry. Both in the preparation side and...

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Desiring More, Settling for Less

What is it about we humans wherein we want diamonds, but we settle for broken glass? We see this in many areas of our life; jobs, exercise, and relationships to name a few. We want good things for ourselves, meaningful work, a sleek rock-hard body, a learned mind, a...

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Good Marriage Prep Matters

In my work preparing engaged couples for marriage, I find myself pondering what might have been different for us, if my husband and I would have been required to take the same prep that is currently offered in the Diocese of Phoenix. While we were married in Phoenix...

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Blessed Doughnuts

What is the deal with Catholics and doughnuts? I have memories of being bribed by doughnuts through much of my young and snarky life, to either behave in or attend extra masses. My father was successful at getting all five kids to join him at daily mass in the sacred...

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Down But Not Out

Yesterday I got the flu. I tried to ignore it, but like a thunderstorm, flus do not go away just because you ignore them, they actually pick up intensity. Last night I could no longer hold that storm at bay so I crashed in the way of taking to my bed. Thunderous...

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Oh Holy Night

Oh light from on high, for us You came, Shattering the darkness, our ignorance, and shame. You came as Innocence, a babe in Virgin's womb, In poverty You entered, no place for humble child to room. Angel choirs filled the night sky, Mountains, valleys, with all...

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