This weekly wallpaper is so incredibly beautiful from Erica of Be a Heart. It comes from Psalm 118:21 - I will give thanks to you for you have answered me and have been my savior. No matter what is going on in our lives today, let us be a grateful people. Let us reflect upon all the times that he has indeed answered our prayers and the great act of laying down his life for us so that we might live. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I remember the first day I felt alone. We were all giggling around the lunch table, the popular girls and I, and we were looking at our other classmates, laughing and telling jokes and mostly just being kids. And I remember laughing -- I have a ridiculous laugh sometimes, one that stops people in their tracks -- and snorting and making all sorts of bizarre noises ... and then I remember the tables turning. My best friend leaned over to The Most Popular Girl and whispered in her ear, staring at me all the while. She whispered, they both looked my direction, and they both just died in a blow of giggles that left me feel bludgeoned. I sat there and stared right back at them, as I couldn't avert my eyes from the train wreck happening right in front of me: the one that was taking away my spirit, the one that was taking away my innocence, that was quickly chipping away pieces of my vulnerable self. They snickered and cackled and pointed and I couldn't stop watching them just be mean. It was the first time I felt alone. I felt abandoned by the ones I let myself love. I realize now that children can be mean, that it's not just in the Popular Crowd, that it's not just in high school or in clubs or in college. I realize it happens all the time. I realize that I am, even today, tangled in the messy weave of gossip and of "I just have to tell you this story," and of "Did you see what she's wearing??" It's all so insanely catty and ridiculous. It hurts my heart to think of the things that I've said out loud about another woman, another person on my team, a fellow soldier in the ranks. And because of this awareness, I am caught up in the beauty of this community. I am caught up in the honesty. I am caught up in the vulnerability. I am caught up in the laughter. I am caught up in the avoidance of gossip. I am caught up in the expectation of good. I am caught up in the faith, the love, the generosity, the care. I am caught up in the solidarity, the unity, the bond that we women share. And with every single ounce of my being, I want this sisterhood to creep into every crevice of my life. I want this online, virtual space to become a reality in my own soul. I want to continue to have an expectation of good and holiness and generosity and love in every area of my being. This past week, nine of the writers and I got together for the first time via Google Hangout on Air (meaning we chatted with each other on video and then we broadcasted it live). It was eye opening. It was me really seeing these women, some for the very first time; it was me hearing these women, again, for the first time; it was me listening to them speak, that really revealed to me: this is where I am supposed to be. I am supposed to work hard on a women's ministry that gives voice to all women. For the woman surrounded by people but who feels alone, for the woman who sits unaccompanied and wishes for friendship, for the woman who needs a friend who can speak truth into her life, for the woman who can be an example of patience and love and kindness to others. The Lord created this community for those women. For you, and for me. I remember the first day I felt alone. The laughter, the pointing, the cattiness. And I rest in this sisterhood, and I sit back, at peace, and praise the Lord for the friendship and the fellowship and the love that He has embedded into my soul.

Mass with little ones is always chaos. I graduated from a Catholic college, and Mass was the highlight of my day. Really. Depending on my mood, sometimes I liked the lunchtime Mass, with the incense, Latin, and chant, where most of the student body worshipped together. But, oftentimes, I found myself preferring the quiet of the late afternoon Mass. Less attended, I could have an entire pew to myself and feel as though it were just Jesus and me. Now, with three little ones chatting or screaming through Mass, I hear almost nothing. The readings are lost on me, as I am usually bending over requesting for the umpteenth time that someone be quiet, which checking myself to use a gentle tone. I miss the homily because I am standing outside with my youngest, as she screams and tries to suicide jump from my arms. I find myself distracted about dinner, bills, or my never-ending to-do list. I hear nothing anymore. And with an exasperated, exhausted air, I tell Jesus, “Well, I’m here.” He always responds, “I am here, too.” And he is. As I kneel at the Consecration, I feel His presence fill the Church. There is a quiet and holiness that fills my soul. The anticipation is intense. “I am here. Come.” I approach the altar with my children, and feel deep unworthiness and yet deep love. He comes. To me. Oh Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. Only say the word, and my soul shall be healed. And He says it: “I am here. Come.” He truly comes down for us. For you. For me. He is present completely at every Mass. Body. Blood. Soul. Divinity. Read each word. Slowly. And with it, realize how much He loves you. Our God comes down so that we can become one with Him every day. He loves us that much! He calls to us, yearning to be with each one of us: “I am here. Please come.” As I receive Him and corral children back to the pew, I am usually teary-eyed and in awe at what a humble and loving God I have. He is still there, just as He was in that little Chapel. Despite the children, the noise, the distractions, He is there. Waiting for you. For me. Deep within me, I hear Him calling. Listen. “I am here. You only need to come.” photo credit Adrienne Stravitsch is a mom of three beautiful girls and a military wife. When she's not making sweet memories with her girls, she’s cleaning, crocheting, or blogging at Army Wife Life.

This weekly wallpaper is so incredibly beautiful from Erica of Be a Heart. It comes from Psalm 4:6 - Lord, let your face shine upon us. We have the spirit of the Lord shining on us, sweet sisters!! Let us rest in that. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Today we are talking about MERCY. "[Mercy] is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace. Our salvation depends on it." ~Pope Francis You can find all the themes here. Welcome to the #BISsisterhood link-up. Every Thursday, we get together as one community to share our hearts. Here's how you can participate: Link-up a post that goes with the weekly theme. Share your thoughts of the theme on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook using #BISsisterhood so we can see each other's posts. Comment below with your thoughts on the prompt. Basically, let's talk to each other. Remember to use #BISsisterhood so we can all communicate well with each other out in the social media world. photo credit We're happy to announce the themes for May and June!! As May is the month of Mary and celebrates mothers with Mother's Day, we will be featuring motherhood lifestyle posts every Tuesday. We'll be doing a double lifestyle posting with an additional post on Wednesdays! May 7 - MISSION May 14 - PERSEVERANCE May 21 - BODY IMAGE May 28 - FINDING JOY June 4 - BEING LOVE June 11 - HEART June 18 - WORTH THE WAIT June 25 - BAPTISM Here is the button to our link-up that you are more than welcome to place on your blog, share on your social media, and/or save for a rainy day.   An InLinkz Link-up

Did you come from today's email? Oops, I sent you to the wrong link! Here is the correct link for today's wallpaper :) Blessings, friends! This weekly wallpaper from Erica of Be a Heart, is so simple and reminds us that just by our faith, we are blessed. It comes from our gospel reading today, John 20:29: Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. We are reminded that the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Let us pray for both of these things, his divine mercy and faith to believe in it. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Happy Easter, beautiful friends!! This weekly wallpaper is so incredibly beautiful from Erica of Be a Heart. It comes from Psalm118:24 - This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

This weekly wallpaper is so incredibly beautiful from Erica of Be a Heart. It is inspired by our Lenten Journal, Only One Thing. Let's eliminate the noise and rest in the quiet of this Holy Week. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

This weekly wallpaper is so incredibly beautiful from Erica of Be a Heart. It comes from Psalm 51:12 - A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. Let's be renewed today. We have a clean slate, we are starting over, we are being made new. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

This week's beautiful wallpaper for your phone and desktop were created by the wonderful Erica Tighe of Be a Heart. The verse is from today's Gospel from John 3:16. Such a beautiful reminder of what the Lord did for you and me. // PHONE WALLPAPER // // DESKTOP WALLPAPER // PS: These weekly wallpapers are sent every Sunday to our subscribers! Be sure to subscribe to our devotion emails to receive the beautiful wallpapers as well. PPS: Share this post with people you love. Because we want to love them, too.

I know what it's like to go through seasons in the Church year and end with, "How are we already HERE?! What have I been doing the past few months? Where am I in my relationship with the Lord?" I know what it's like to finish a season and think about all the things I could’ve done differently. I know what it's like to be in the midst of suffering and pain... and not have a way to get past the darkest days. I know what it's like to be in a season of bliss -- and not knowing why I am on the receiving end of such goodness. I've been through the hills and valleys of faith-filled life. Because that's just what this life is full of: FAITH. Through the cruddy and mucky days, through the days where the wind blows through your hair and your invincibility tickles your skin, through the mundane, difficult hours that d r a g o n . I know you've been there, too. Each day and the ones in-between the good and the bad. And I know what it's like to look back and think, "Where was the Lord in all of that?" I want to fix that for you and me this season -- so I introduce to you our 2015 Lenten Journal: Only One Thing. It will be your help these days, it will guide you through this Church season to grow deeper in relationship with Him who walks with you through every single doubt, every single moment of worship, and every single thing in between. This moment matters. This season matters. This journey matters. Because what matters most? Is your relationship with Him. photo credit

Last night's #BISchat was so, so good. It was good for my soul, for our community, and for women in general to feel rejuvenated in our hopes for this year. What does the Lord want from you? In what direction is he moving you? Where are you headed? We chatted about, thought about it, prayed about it. I loved every second. If you weren't there, you were missed. Check out the compilation of the chat below. Lots of love, beautiful ladies. [View the story "New Story" on Storify]