— 1 —   This Week’s Post:  Dear Cindy ~ Texing Response Advice  How do you turn things from texting to phone calls to dates?  First, don’t carry on a complete conversation via text.  I recommend you respond with a smiley face or something light-hearted.  But, always be sweet!  And, if he asks you why you are not responding more, I recommend this:

“It is difficult to feel a spark via text. Just not my preference.”

— 2 —   Not Alone Series:  This week’s NAS topic was:  First Date Dos & Don’ts and since I loved every single one of these posts, each one will get its own Take!  Let me start of with sweet Jen who opened her post with a big shout out to me.  In the comments section, I shared with Jen and Morgan that you girls are like the daughters I never had and that yes, I do read and look forward to every NAS entry each week.  What did I love about Jen’s post this week?

 —3 —   Not Alone Series:  New to the NAS Series is Dahlia!  Here is what I loved about her post:

“DO

— 4 —   Not Alone Series:  Here is what I loved about Claire’s post:

— 5 —   Not Alone Series:  Want to know what I loved about Bek’s?  Everything!

— 6 —   Not Alone Series:  Besides the sweet shout out that Sarah gave me, I loved this about her post:

Pray” (she included a Courtship Prayer!)

— 7 —  Not Alone Series:  How about Britt?

“Do show your character: be courteous to wait staff, say thank you, etc”

— 8 —  Not Alone Series:  And Nikki?

“Don’t let your conversation only be negative.”

— 9 —  Not Alone Series:  And Beth Ann?  Good advice!

“Tell a friend/family member/someone you trust where you will be and check in with them when you get home so they know he wasn’t a serial killer…(no i don’t watch too many lifetime movies)…”

 God love and bless you!

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For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —   This Week’s Post:   I Am Seeing A Trend  ~  I received a number of emails from girls asking how to respond when a guy uses texting as the main mode of communication.  Although I recommended in last week’s post that you not respond, sometimes a response is merited and can turn things towards a better course. I will share those responses in next week’s post!

— 2 —   Not Alone Series:  This week’s NAS topic was: Goals and Lent ~ It is interesting that the number of contributors was low and I am wondering if it is because:

a.  We (I) do not like to share with everyone that we (I) are (am) failing to keep our (my) Lenten promises to grow in virtue

Or

b.   We are growing in virtue but it is imperceptible at this time

My guess is that both of these are taking place.  We are failing and we are growing in virtue.  The first we are aware of and the second we will not be aware of until sometime in the future.  As Audrey Assad shares in this beautiful song, love moves Slow:

“You run so deep; That it’s hard to miss you
And you come so near;  That it’s hard to feel you
Oh, and I guess that’s how it is; When I let you move
Because you take me at my word;  Oh, and now I know 

That faith is not a fire; As much as it’s a glow”

 —3 —  Spotlight On: This week’s spotlight is on  Charity from A Note For Someday.  She was one of the contributors to the Not Alone Series.  She did not limit her topic to Lent.  She talks about her One Goal and it is amazing.  This is the part that I needed to hear this week: 

 “If I need to make any decision, I will pray for God to lead my steps, instead of reveal his plan to me.”

— 4 —  Meg:  Meg did a fantastic job sharing the secret behind the success of my Parish’s Summer Camp.  If you remember, I shared this information in my 7QTs last Summer.  Well, my Parish has made it possible for this success to go viral.  Yes, your Parish can have a money-making, grace-filled Summer camp.  Check out Meg’s awesome post!!

— 5 —  Katie:  From Waiting for Patience has returned from her Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo! She shares some details in this post but, but, but you will be overjoyed when you see how she was greeted by the Parishioners!!  Maybe she will do a guest post and include the video of the welcome party!

— 6 —  Twitter Big Leagues:  I am a big nobody but I was somehow included in a Tweet with these wonderful people!

 — 7 — Saint Bernard of Clariveau: (1091-1153), Cistercian monk and doctor of the Church wrote:

 “Above all, O good Jesus, I love you for the chalice you drained for our redemption… It is this that most sweetly allures our love, most justly exacts it, most closely binds it and makes it the most vehement. For on that day our Savior underwent immense labor and the Creator himself did not have as much trouble in forming the entire universe. Of that mighty work we read: “He spoke and they were made; He commanded and they were created.” Whereas, in order to redeem us, the Savior had to affirm his words before those who contradicted him, defend his actions against a hostile surveillance, undergo torment before his mockers and death in the midst of reproaches. He loved us even to this point.”

 God love and bless you!

p.s.s. Check out all my posts listed by category here!

If you have enjoyed my blog, please “like” my Facebook Page, The Veil and sign up to receive my blog posts automatically by clicking the rectangular “Follow“ button. Please check me out and follow me on Twitter too! Thank you!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —   This Week’s Post: Dear Cindy ~ Stay Vigilant!  Everyone seemed so inspired by the video by Marcus!  You can follow him on Twitter and on his website, Thirsting For Truth!  

— 2 —   Not Alone Series:  This week’s NAS topic was: Deal Breakers!  There were some great posts this week.  Shout out to Jen who does not want anyone massaging her feet. *** Ummm, Jen.  We can’t be friends cause I loooove having my feet massaged!  Ha, just kidding.  Isn’t it funny how one girl can loooove something that is another girl’s deal breaker?  

***Update:  I read Jen’s post incorrectly.  She does like **her** feet massaged but is not too excited about massaging other’s feet.      Yes, yes, I understand this.

Shout out to Britt for the funniest video. I had never heard of Liz Lemon before but oh boy did I laugh at this one because this is totally me: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0-6FV9n6qQ

Anyway, I had a short list of deal breakers.  Similar to many of the girls, I wanted to marry a Catholic guy.  I knew, based on experience, that I would resent my husband if he did not participate in a spiritual life of Sacramental grace with me.  So, for the sake of my future husband, lest he not have to deal with my resentment, I made it a requirement.  Other deal breakers for me were bad dental hygiene (#callmeshallow) and a guy who cannot hold an interesting conversation. (#moretalkingthansexinmarriage)  

 —3 —  Spotlight On: This week’s spotlight is on Tammy from Counter Cultural Catholic.  She is one of my favorite bloggers and her reflection this week was beautiful.  Check her out! 

— 4 —  Is She The Best Or What?  You all know Maura from Made In His Image and follow her on her website, Facebook and Twitter, right?  Take a look at her Facebook status from today and let’s just all agree that we would feel very blessed to have her as our friend.  #lovethatgirl

  Made in His Image

“…I prayed for all of you today – for your hope, healing, strength, vocations and that you may know how loved, wanted and beautiful you are and that our sweet Father would show you how much He adores you. #‎youarewanted..”

— 5 —   It Is Tough Out There:  I was talking to a new engineer in our group at work (I easily go into Mom mode with these youngin’s).  He is about 27 years old.  He is new to the area and went to a Theology on Tap event this week which I had told him about.  He said the girls were all very beautiful and friendly.  But, he felt strange asking any of them out on a date.  

I remembered the days when I would attend those types of events and yes, it is uncomfortable.  But, I encouraged him to keep attending and to go to Mass at a variety of churches in our area and that maybe he will see these girls again and can form a firmer foundation which can lead to a date. 

I understand how a guy may feel strange asking a girl out upon the first meeting at an event like that.  Does she have a boyfriend?  Maybe she is only interested in the Theology on Tap talk and not interested in dates?  Will the girls think he is a ‘creeper’?  I think these things go through guy’s minds.  

This is why I am such a fan of online dating.  Everyone knows the deal.  We are here for dates and marriage. Anyway, initial meetings in person are tough for guys so just a sweet reminder of the importance of your smile.  It is like honey, after all.

 — 6 —   Jackie Francois:  She was at our local high school Wednesday evening!  I was so sorry to have missed her!  She doesn’t know me but we have been mentioned in the same tweet a couple of times!  That counts, right? 

 — 7 — Passions and Emotions:  I love this from YOUCAT: 

“Why did God give us “passions” or emotions?  

We have passions so that through strong emotions and distinct feelings we might be attracted to what is right and good and repelled from what is evil and bad. 

God made man in such a way that he can love and hate, desire or despise something, be attracted by some things and afraid of others, be full of joy, sorrow, or anger. In the depths of his heart man always loves good and hates evil-or what he considers to be such.

Is someone a sinner if he experiences strong passions within himself?  No, passions can be very valuable. They are designed to lead to and reinforce good actions; only when they are disordered do the passions contribute to evil.

Passions that are ordered to the good become virtues. They then become the motive force of a life of fighting for love and justice. Passions that overpower a person, rob him of his freedom and entice him to evil, we call vice.”  (YOUCAT questions 293-294)

 God love and bless you!

p.s.s. Check out all my posts listed by category here!

If you have enjoyed my blog, please “like” my Facebook Page, The Veil and sign up to receive my blog posts automatically by clicking the rectangular “Follow“ button. Please check me out and follow me on Twitter too! Thank you!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —   This Week’s Post:  My guest post, Who Is My Favorite Saint?, is over at Sarah’s blog, Footprints On My Heart!  Thank you, Sarah for inviting me to share this!

— 2 —   Not Alone Series:  This week’s NAS topic was: Single Life Bucket List!  All the girls had neat and meaningful things on their list. Many want to travel and some had what I consider to be ‘lofty’ goals.  I am looking at you, Nikki, who wants to learn to play the piano, swim and learn to ice skate.  Go Nikki!  I also loved what Jen wrote:

“If I had to pick something for my Single Life Bucket List… it would be this: to be proud and confident in who I am; in who God has created me to be, so that I can be the best version of myself.”

Oh, and I can’t wait for next week when the topic is Deal Breakers!

 —3 —  Spotlight On: I would like to welcome Charity from A Note For Someday to the NAS series.  I loved her single life bucket list!  For a college girl, she has lots of wisdom.  I can attest to her wisdom because I know her!  She stayed the Summer with us last year and actually has the inside scoop on our household…. so I need to be nice to her!  No, seriously, she is an amazing girl and we love her.  I knew I could count on the NAS girls to provide their usual encouragement to her.  Charity writes about fashion, Modesty, University life and heartbreak. Check her out. You will not be disappointed.

— 4 —    Spotlight On:  This week’s spotlight is on Pier from The Newlywed Lefebvres for her post, We Give Up!  You remember Pier.  She did a guest post for me a while back.  Have you visited her blog?  Please do. It is all grace and heart over there.  This line from her We Give Up! post is spotlight worthy:  

“…This isn’t to say we have given up on having children…but our first priority is going to be God’s will for our marriage.”

— 5 —   It Matters Who You Marry:  I cannot tell you how important it is to have a strong marriage.  If you suffer from infertility, you will need a strong marriage and a very compassionate husband who is deeply in love with you.  If you have children, you will need a strong marriage and a very compassionate husband who is deeply in love with you.  Wait on the Lord and choose well.  And, as Pier says above, God’s will for your marriage is the first priority.

 — 6 —  This Week:  This has been a busy (and trying) week and I have been delayed in all my responses to those who have emailed me.  Even these 7QTs are late!  I had some things going on in the evening and we only have one computer in our house to share among the two and a quarter of us.  No, we will not be getting additional computers because I like the fact that we have to share.  Such a hardship, right?  I do respond to everyone and always pray before doing so.  I love your emails so please keep them coming and thank you for your sweet understanding if it takes me a day or two to respond!

 — 7 —  Turning Over Tables:  This reflection from Father Robert Barron’s Daily Lenten Journey was excellent:  

“From very early on, Christian theologians and spiritual writers made a comparison between Jesus’ cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem and Jesus’ cleansing of our hearts and bodies. St. Paul refers to the body as a “temple of the Holy Spirit.” Your self, your body, your whole person is meant to be a temple, a holy place where God dwells and where prayer and union with God is central. It’s a beautiful image: rightly ordered, we become temples of the Holy Spirit.

This image leads to an important question: what goes wrong within the temple of our souls? The same thing that went wrong with the Temple in Jerusalem–what’s meant to be a house of prayer becomes a den of thieves. All kinds of distractions came into the Temple, money changers and corrupt influences, those who turned people away from worshiping God.

Today, we should ask, what distractions and corruptions have come into the temple of my heart and body?  Lent is a terrific time to allow Jesus Christ to make a whip of cords and come into the temple of our hearts, and, while there, to turn some tables over, to flip things upside down if he has to.

What would Jesus chase out of your heart if he had a chance? If you let him in, with all the wonderful fury displayed in the Gospels, what would he cleanse?”

 God love and bless you!

p.s.s. Check out all my posts listed by category here!

If you have enjoyed my blog, please “like” my Facebook Page, The Veil and sign up to receive my blog posts automatically by clicking the rectangular “Follow“ button. Please check me out and follow me on Twitter too! Thank you!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

The belated version!

— 1 —   This Week’s Post:  How To Say ‘No’ To Him  I hope it encouraged you in your pursuit of Chastity!

— 2 —   Next Week’s Post:  I am providing a guest post over at Sarah’s blog, Footprints On My Heart.  I will link to it on Monday the 17^th!

—3 —  Spotlight On: Loved this episode of The Choices We Face:  From Slavery To Freedom:

— 4 —   Not Alone Series:  This week’s NAS topic was: Marrieds And Singles ~ Can we relate to one another and if so what are the best ways of cultivating deep and long-lasting friendships throughout our vocational lives?  The girls provided a number of ways to bridge the gap.  Kudos to Joan from Everything Is Yours for her post.  I appreciated her recommendations!  Great job to all the girls!

 — 5 —   Boo Tar-jay:  Did you see this article about the photoshop-gone-bad on the Target site?  Really.  What has the world come to?

— 6 —  Ulf Ekman:  Sweden Megachurch Pastor Ulf Ekman’s (and his wife) decision to convert to Roman Catholicism!  He tweeted this:

Three words “Authority”, “Sacraments”, “Unity”. Or put it another way:”One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.”

 — 7 —  Aphrahat (?-c.345), monk and Bishop ~On Fasting:  Proving the Catholic approach of both/and.

“This is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly” (Is 58,6)

The Ninevites fasted with a pure fast when Jonah preached repentance to them… This is what is written: “When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of his blazing wrath” (cf Jon 3,10). It is not said that: “He saw a fast of bread and water, with sackcloth and ashes” but that: “they turned away from their evil deeds and the wickedness of their works”. For the king of Nineveh had spoken and said: Every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand” (v.8). It was a pure fast and it was accepted...

Because, my friend, when we fast it is always the abstaining from wickedness that is best. It is better than abstaining from bread and water, better than “afflicting oneself, bowing the head like a reed and lying in sackcloth and ashes” as Isaiah says (58,5). In fact, whenever people abstain from bread, water or whatever food it might be, when they cover themselves in sackcloth and ashes and afflicts themselves, then they are loved, beautiful in the eyes of God and accepted. However, what please God most of all is: “…to release those bound unjustly and break the bonds of deceit” (cf. v.6). 

 God love and bless you!

p.s.s. Check out all my posts listed by category here!

If you have enjoyed my blog, please “like” my Facebook Page, The Veil and sign up to receive my blog posts automatically by clicking the rectangular “Follow“ button. Please check me out and follow me on Twitter too! Thank you!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —   This Week’s Post:  Overanalyzing Your Singleness   You cannot heal yourself.  You can only participate in the process.  You are in the hands of a loving God.

— 2 —   Not Alone Series:  This week’s NAS topic was:  Bachelorette Parties!  The girls were really creative in their ideas.  Check them out!

—3 —  Spotlight On: This week’s spotlight is on Catherine (Celeste) from Sacred Sharings for the Soul because she is getting married tomorrow!  Oh my, the story of her engagement is a good one and I was blessed to watch it unfold (well via email)!  I hope to have her share it with you here sometime in a guest post.  In the meantime, you can read her guest post at The Chastity Project (ya, the Everts!).  She promised me photos of the blessed day and I cannot wait to see them!  God bless you and your man, Catherine! 

— 4 —  Ash Wednesday:   The readings were beautiful! (Joel 2, Psalm 51, 2 Cor 5, Matthew 6)

— 5 —   Lenten Reflections With Father Barron:  You can sign up to receive daily emails from Father Barron sharing his Lenten reflections!  Sooo good!  Go here!

 — 6 —  Keeping It Real:  Please pray for this couple.

 — 7 —  Keeping It Really Real:  Did you hear that Pope Francis stole a rosary cross from a dead priest’s casket?  Before you gasp too hard, think of how mortifying it must be for him to share this.  But, it is a daily reminder of his sinfulness and imperfection:

“Francis keeps the cross in a little pouch under his cassock, he said.

‘And whenever a bad thought comes to mind about someone, my hand goes here, always,” he said, gesturing to his heart. “And I feel the grace, and that makes me feel better.'”

 God love and bless you!

p.s.s. Check out all my posts listed by category here!

If you have enjoyed my blog, please “like” my Facebook Page, The Veil and sign up to receive my blog posts automatically by clicking the rectangular “Follow“ button. Please check me out and follow me on Twitter too! Thank you!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —   This Week’s Post:  Are You Just An Option?  Red Flags To Know  Excellent insight provided in this guest post!

— 2 —   Not Alone Series:  This week’s NAS topic was: Masculinity: Who is a great example of masculinity in your life (father, brother, uncle, priest, etc)?  What is it about them that you love?   So many encouraging posts!  Check them out! 

—3 —  Spotlight On: This week’s spotlight is Katie from Waiting4Patience.  Well, I will just let her tell you about her exciting news! Please pray for Katie, let her know your prayer intentions and donate to this mission if you are able! Upon her return, she has agreed to do a guest post sharing her experience! God speed, Katie!

— 4 —  Spotlight On:  This article by Mary Beth Bonacci was excellent!  I like that she emphasized the need to know God.  Who He is and Who He isn’t.  She said:

“The “God” you’re talking about—the one who automatically provides us with spouses as a reward for virtuous behavior—He doesn’t exist. Never has. Never will.”

This is true.  Chastity is for our own good.  It is not a guarantee for anything other than a right relationship with our God, with ourselves and with others.  But I also think it is important to emphasize that Chastity keeps us in God’s will and allows us the freedom to respond to the Holy Spirit’s lead. God’s plan for mankind is for “two to become one” and to “be fruitful and multiply.”  That is His will!  Therefore it benefits us to stay in His will and cooperate!  I just don’t want you to think that staying in God’s will is not important.  It does make a huge difference in the outcome of your life. 

— 5 —   Taming of the Locks:  I just want to give a shout out to Fredrick Fekkai.  My hair has a mind of its own yet this man has created a shampoo (and conditioner) that allows me to tame my locks into submission.  Thank you, Mr. Fekkai!  This is my new shampoo:

— 6 —  Pope Francis:  More words of encouragement from our Papa! We serve a God of Justice. Glory be to God, indeed!

“Have you been crying out to the Lord for something? Maybe there’s a situation in your life that’s been overwhelming, and you feel like you’ve done everything you know to do and can’t see a way through. Be encouraged today because we serve a God of justice! He is faithful to His Word, and He will always be faithful to you.  Glory be to God.”

 — 7 — Pope Francis: He reminds us of our mission and the power that we have to “change reality.”  Wow!   

“What is this people’s mission? It is to bring the hope and salvation of God to the world: to be a sign of the love of God who calls everyone to friendship with Him; to be the leaven that makes the dough rise, the salt that gives flavor and preserves from corruption, to be a light that enlightens. Look around us — it is enough to open a newspaper, as I said — we see the presence of evil, the Devil is acting. However, I would like to say out loud: God is stronger! Do you believe this, that God is stronger? Let us say it together, let us say it all together: God is stronger! And do you know why He is stronger? Because He is Lord, the only Lord. And I would like to add that reality, at times dark and marked by evil, can change, if we first bring the light of the Gospel especially through our lives.” 

God love and bless you!

p.s.s. Check out all my posts listed by category here!

If you have enjoyed my blog, please “like” my Facebook Page, The Veil and sign up to receive my blog posts automatically by clicking the rectangular “Follow“ button. Please check me out and follow me on Twitter too! Thank you!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —   This Week’s Post: She Was Just An Option ~ An anonymous guest sent this post to me at just the right time.  Next week, I will share with you the rest of her story along with 5 Red Flags for knowing if you are **not** a priority.  Thank you my anonymous Angel!

— 2 —   Not Alone Series:  This week’s NAS topic was:   Valentine’s Day ~ What are your thoughts about Valentine’s Day? Do you enjoy it? Loathe it? Not even realize it’s a special day? Do you celebrate it in any way? All the girls graciously answered these questions!  Check them out! 

I have to shine the spotlight on new entrant, Trudy Rose, as she shares with us how she spent her Valentine’s Day.  Are you curious??  Head on over and welcome her to the Series!

 —3 —  Spotlight On: This week’s spotlight is once again on Celeste from Sacred Sharings For The Soul. Unfortunately, the word “haughty” has a regular spot in the confessional for me.  She gently reminds us to keep our eyes on our own fries!  Nice job, Celeste!  

“In this manner we will be busy striving toward the Lord with a fullness of devotion and repentance that we will have little time to observe the faults of others. This arrogant observation is often the result of our own pride.”   Celeste

— 4 —  The Economics of Sex:  Sometimes the emails I receive from my readers have a weekly ‘theme’ and this week’s theme was “How do I stop sleeping with him?” I received several emails this week from readers asking this question.  Please do not think it is a silly question. Sex is supposed to attach us to our lover.  That is the whole point.  So, when the attachment is to someone who never plans to make a commitment, then one finds themselves in a heart-wrenching pickle.  They wonder, “How do I detach myself?” and “How do I strengthen myself to say ‘no’?”  and “Is there anything I can say or do to change his mind?” If you are also struggling with this, please feel free to write to me and I can walk you through it.  This also may help:

— 5 —   Pope Francis:  Words of encouragement from our Papa!  Glory be to God, indeed!

“Isn’t it good to know that God is working behind the scenes in your life, today? No matter what you may be facing, no matter what trial you may be going through, God has a plan to turn things around in your favor. You are called according to His purpose; so right now, He is working out a plan for your good. Right now, He is orchestrating the right people to come across your path. He is orchestrating the right opportunities to open up to you. You may not see it in the natural, but look with your eyes of faith today. Show your love for the Father by your obedience to His Word. Come before Him with an open and humble heart trusting that He is guiding you. Keep standing. Keep believing. Keep hoping. Keep declaring His Word and meditate on His goodness, knowing that He rewards the people who seek after Him. Glory be to God.”

— 6 —   Job 1:21  Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord: For those experiencing loss:

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,

and naked shall I go back there.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

blessed be the name of the LORD!”

— 7 —Silent Retreat:  The retreat was excellent and, for the most part, was not strictly silent.  We were allowed to talk freely during the first evening and then in ‘hushed tones’ the rest of the time. The first evening started out slow and made me wonder if I was going to get anything out of it.  Then, I realized that if I was going to get anything out of it, then I needed to open my heart up to receive.  

The second day was much better.  The priest focused on the authority of God to help us overcome whatever it is that we are struggling with. He reminded us that God is even more interested and committed to our healing than we are! 

I went to confession and it was very powerful.  Mass was beautiful, as was Eucharistic Adoration.  Hearing over 100 ladies singing and praising the Lord was amazing.  For me, being prayed over by the priest was the best part. I am not sure how to describe it but I felt something….well ‘Someone.’  I felt a shock through my body when the priest first laid hands on my head. 

I am such a doubter though.  I still felt resistant to the Holy Spirit.  So, I do wonder how much my skepticism affected my experience.  Remember, I have a trust issue with God.  Two priests have told me this in the last two confessionals so it sounds like a legit diagnosis.  It is helpful to hear this because now I can put things into perspective.  I can recognize it and bring it to God with the sweet reminder that I have a ‘trust issue.’  Smiley Face. He already knows this but it apparently was important for me to know it.  I can now participate in the healing and more readily recognize the ‘medicine’ that is offered. I would call that a successful retreat!

God love and bless you!

p.s.s. Check out all my posts listed by category here!

If you have enjoyed my blog, please “like” my Facebook Page, The Veil and sign up to receive my blog posts automatically by clicking the rectangular “Follow“ button. Please check me out and follow me on Twitter too! Thank you!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —   This Week’s Post: Esther’s guest post, Guard Your Heart, had an amazing number of hits and the high-hit-trend lasted for days!  Fantastic job, Esther and thank you so much!

— 2 —   Upcoming posts:  I have some great guest posts planned in the next couple of weeks!  The first is from a girl who shares her story and wisdom about how to know if you are a priority or just an option. She is now married and took the time to share her stories from the dating battlefield.  Awesome! 

The next mystery guest blogger is a guy.  And, he is a Doctor of Psychology!  I will be interviewing him about his journey toward marriage and his insights into God’s providence and will when it comes to our vocation. I cannot wait to share this with you!!!

 —3 —  Not Alone Series: This week’s NAS topic was: “if only I knew then…. What would you tell your former self about being single if given the chance? What have you learned that you wish you could tell your younger self?”  It made me think about what I would tell my younger self which I think most of which is captured in this blog.  In summary:  “Dear Young Cindy:  You are covered by a veil. He can’t see you!”

Rachel had some excellent lessons which included:

1.  Stop worrying and projecting irrational fears onto your future.  

2. Don’t judge people from first impressions. 

And Laura did a surprising take on it when she captured what she wish she didn’t know about love.  Check out all the girls’ posts!

— 4 —  Spotlight On:  This week’s spotlight is on 2 girls from……..Argentina(!!) who launched their new blog, A ti te lo digo,on Tuesday, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes!  This almost makes me cry when I tell you that the purpose of their blog is to translate others’ blogs about the wisdom of Chastity from English into Spanish.  And, they have asked for my permission to translate The Veil of Chastity blog posts into Spanish.  Yes, of course they have my permission! Their first translation: ¿Los hombres necesitan ayuda?  Anyone want to venture a guess?  What a beautiful mission for these lovely girls!  Here is their new blog, their Facebook page and Twitter.  Let’s all support them and show the beauty of the Universal Church!

— 5 —   Valentine’s Day:  Ignore.  Stupid marketing ploy. 

— 6 —   Secular Romance Is Overrated:  I have never been a fan of V-day and when Gregg and I were dating, I think I gave him an electric toothbrush for V-day.  Yes, Miss Practical.  He gave me chocolates and jewelry. I think.  He is very generous yet, as the years go on, the focus of V-day becomes less and less.  This does not make me feel less loved at all because what makes me really feel loved are the things he does for our family every day.  It is less about secular and material romance and more about sacrifice, acceptance, affection and protection.  These are the beautiful fruits of Superabundance.  All of which lead to holy romance.  As a reminder, I am once again sharing this post from Ann from A Holy Experience called Redefining Boring: 

“The man who imagines slipping his arm around his wife’s soft, thickening middle age waistline and whispering that he couldn’t love her more…. The real romantics imagine greying and sagging and wrinkling as the deepening of something sacred. Because get this, kids — How a man proposes isn’t what makes him romantic. It’s how a man purposes to lay down his life that makes him romantic. The real romantics know that stretchmarks are beauty marks and that different shaped women fit into the different shapes of men souls and that real romance is really sacrifice. And there is now and the beautiful boring, the way two lives touch and go deeper into time with each other. The clock ticking passionately into decades.”

— 7 —  Retreat:  Remember I shared with you that I am going on a Silent (shhhhhh) Retreat?  Well, it is this weekend!  I will be praying for those of you on my Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer list as I adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  I anticipate some healing will take place and am excited to see how the Lord moves in my life. 

God love and bless you!

p.s.s. Check out all my posts listed by category here!

If you have enjoyed my blog, please “like” my Facebook Page, The Veil and sign up to receive my blog posts automatically by clicking the rectangular “Follow“ button. Please check me out and follow me on Twitter too! Thank you!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —   This Week’s Post:  These Beautiful Bones by Emily Stimpson.  I hope you enjoyed the book review and are inspired to read her amazing book!

— 2 —   Next Week:  Ohhhhh….I am so pleased that my bloggy friend, Esther from For Such A Time As This, will be featured next week with her guest post, Guard Your Heart.  Look for it on Monday, Feb 10th. You will love it!

 —3 —  Not Alone Series: This week’s topic was Chastity ~ A Choice.   All of these NAS girls are bravely embracing a life of Chastity and each one did a great job sharing their specific reasons for their virtuous choice. Check out their posts and be inspired! I really liked Bec’s post where she makes the case for chastity in the same way we look at holiness:

“…if God calls me to holiness, then He will provide the grace and ability to be holy. The answer “because God calls me” is deep: do I fear God? do I want to obey God? do I believe that God enables me to do what He directs? do I want to be like Him? If even one of these questions is answered with a yes, then I need to choose holiness.” Bec

— 4 —  Spotlight On:  This week’s spotlight is on Ruth Rutherford from I Kissed My Date Goodnight for her post, Considering The Possibility I May Never Get Married. Ruth is a single Christian girl in her 30’s who blogs about……. life as a 30 year-old single Christian.  Lots of good writing and honest dialogue going on over there.

— 5 —   Superbowl/Meat Candy:  We celebrated the Superbowl with wonderful friends and I made Meat Candy.  Well, it is really Ball Park Franks wrapped in candied bacon.  Delish!  I am glad that Football is done with because I spent a lot of time watching it this season.  There were games all day Sunday, including Red Zone. Then, there was Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football.  Now that the season is over, I will be a productive person again.  Now back to the Meat Candy! Click on the image to get my amazing recipe!

— 6 —   Car Rosary: I admire people who are brave enough to hang a rosary from their rear view mirror.  I felt that if we did that then we would have to always be on our best behavior when driving.  As a way of raising money for the Run For Vocations, our awesome friends did a fundraiser where they made Rosaries and had them blessed by a priest.  We received 3 Rosaries from them and one of them now hangs on our rear view mirror. 

Now I understand that a Car Rosary reminds us and others about the passion and death and resurrection of Christ.  Last night on our way home our son said, “Mom and Dad.  I think the Rosary is working!”  Not exactly sure what he was referring to but… there it is.  I cannot tell you how pretty our Car Rosary looks so I will just show you.  Thank you, TEAMD!

— 7 —  A Lamp Unto Our Feet:  From the encyclical, Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith):

 “Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey. To those who suffer, God does not provide arguments which explain everything; rather, his response is that of an accompanying presence, a history of goodness which touches every story of suffering and opens up a ray of light. In Christ, God himself wishes to share this path with us and to offer us his gaze so that we might see the light within it. Christ is the one who, having endured suffering, is “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Heb 12:2).”  Pope Francis

God love and bless you!

p.s.s. Check out all my posts listed by category here!

If you have enjoyed my blog, please “like” my Facebook Page, The Veil and sign up to receive my blog posts automatically by clicking the rectangular “Follow“ button. Please check me out and follow me on Twitter too! Thank you!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!