Here we are at the second week of Advent. How are you doing, sister? Emily of Emily Rachelle made the most beautiful wallpaper for us to keep our eyes on the Lord. How are you preparing the way for Him? You can download this wallpaper for free, below! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Having a break is absolutely wonderful and completely necessary. We tend to be very busy people, constantly filling our schedule with things to do, ways to make money, people to hang out with, and of course, food to eat. This is especially true of young adults; and we should remember this when reaching out to college students in the context of our Church community. For the past four months, these young adults have been filling their schedules past maximum capacity. They know when they have time to eat, to catch up with their best friend, and to watch the latest episode of their favorite TV show on Netflix. They know when their Catholic campus ministry is hosting a fun event. These schedules only work at their school, where the entire campus has the exact same concept of time. So when they have a month off to return home and celebrate Christmas with their family and hometown friends, their routines dissolve. Daily Mass times are not in the late afternoon, Bible studies aren’t full of college students experiencing similar hardships and struggles, there are no free dinners or speakers each week, no praise and worship nights. Reaching out to college students to encourage them in the Faith, then, can be a bit of a grassroots movement. Reaching Out to College Students in Love During Their Christmas Break While these young adults have been away at college, some have deepened their relationship with Christ, while others have turned away from the Catholic Church entirely. Most colleges will have a student center where students can meet other Catholics and get involved in events and small groups. The reality is, very few parishes have a young adult group where 18-30 year olds can meet each week and actively engage their Faith. While these students may only be home for Christmas for a month, these same students will most likely be back for the long summer break. If they don’t have an opportunity to come home to a group like one that has been available to them on campus, it can be more difficult for them to either genuinely encounter or deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. I-N-V-I-T-E So you may be asking, as an established parishioner, what can I do to help? While these students may only be around for a short period of time during the winter break session, there is something impactful you can do. You can INVITE! Introduce Name Value Interest Tribe End or Evangelize Introduce Say hello! Your name is a big part of who you are. Pope St. John Paul II said: Man who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself. Offering your name from the get-go creates an intimacy and familiarity - both great foundations for an influential conversation. Name Now that you have told them your name, ask them for their name. Commit their name to memory. Nothing makes a person feel more welcome than when they walk into a room and are welcomed by the sound of their own name. Try to use their name in the conversation as much as possible, without overusing it. If their name escapes you as the conversation continues, don't be afraid to ask them for it once again, as well as reinforcing your own: One more time, your name was…? Thanks. I’m Maggie! Value (them as a person) It is so important to view each person as a child of God. We are each a unique creation who has a story and a divine purpose. We can show how we value others by listening with our undivided attention. Make sure that you put your phone away or that you aren’t in a rush during conversation. Interest When reaching out to college students, find out what they love to do. Don’t just ask about what they're studying, but why they are pursuing that major. Are they involved in a club or on a sports team? How do they spend their free time? What do they love most about the university's town or city? Try to avoid the typical questions every student is asked (What is your major? How is school? What do you want to do when you graduate?). They hear these questions very often both in and out of school, and they can get very old to answer. Mix it up! Tribe This is all about family! You might know their family if they have been a part of your parish for years. If not, ask to meet them. Not only are you learning more about the person, but you're also getting to know even more people in your community. End or Evangelize This is where you determine how the conversation has been going. If it is challenging for you to keep the dialogue going, wrap up the conversation and maybe extend a small invitation to an event or group meeting. Know that it is OK to end a conversation. Not all of them will be smooth. Now if the conversation is going well, keep it going! Ask if you can have their number and try to meet up later during the week for a cup of coffee. You can even invite them to your house for a meal. Let them know about the daily Mass schedule, or if you are part of a small group Bible study. Invite them to be a part of your life! If you're feeling ambitious, you can talk to your parish about starting up a young adult group or even a young adult Bible study. There are many resources to help you get started like Blessed Conversations and FOCUS. Be Not Afraid! It may seem like a small step to talk to people after Mass or to get to know a new face at a small event, but the invitation is important. To be able to go deeper in conversation with others, we first must get to know them and share our lives with them. Just as St. Paul says in his letter to the Thessalonians: So being affectionally desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. (1 Thes 2:8). Using the INVITE method when reaching out to college students helps us give ourselves to those we meet, and when we become a gift of self, not only do we allow for others to feel more welcome, but also shows them that we see them and care for them as our sisters in Christ. Take a step out of your comfort zone and invite these students into your parish, small groups, your own life, and ultimately, the life of Christ. How can you do a better job of reaching out to college students during the holidays? Let's share ideas in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Home for Christmas: Reaching Out to College Students During Holiday Break //"] Maggie Grevas is a FOCUS missionary currently serving at Valparaiso University with her loving husband and adorable baby girl. Originally from the mountains of Virginia, you can find her spending all her free time doing anything outdoors with a smile on her face and coffee in hand. You can learn more about her here.

Nothing good comes easily. You have to lose things you thought you loved, give up things you thought you needed. You have to get over yourself, beyond your past, out from under the weight of your future. The good stuff never comes when things are easy. -Shauna Niequist (source) Reflect My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength of your Heavenly Father. Louisa May Alcott, Little Women Listen For musical inspiration for your restful Sunday, listen to our BIS Rests playlist. I recommend praying with “Here’s My Heart” by Lauren Daigle (inspired by the prayer above). [bctt tweet="BIS Rests: Losing + Gaining //"] Curated by Patty Breen. You can find out more about her here.

My first married Christmas was the first one I had ever spent outside of my parents’ house. It was always my own bed that I woke up in far too early in the morning every December 25th, and I loved it that way. We spent most of my childhood abroad, so while our Christmas traditions didn’t always look exactly the same—at our apartment swimming pool in Singapore or surrounded by lit-up palm trees in Qatar, for example—I always spent them at home with my parents and three younger siblings. Until December 2015. That year, instead of flying south to Texas, my new husband and I bundled up and drove the opposite direction to his childhood home in New York. Your first Christmas together has the potential to be one of the sweetest parts of your first year of marriage; but, let’s be honest, it can also be one of the hardest. Anything from what you eat for Christmas Eve dinner, to when to exchange gifts, to even which Christmas Mass you attend may be steeped in tradition, and more than likely, neither of you will be able to celebrate the exact same way you always have. If there’s a time to exercise the compromising muscle in your marriage, it’s certainly this one. Advent and Christmas Traditions for Newlyweds Letting go of a tradition you hold dear is hard, but here’s the twinkling light bright side: along with carrying on a few of the things from your childhood, the two of you get to create your own traditions together. When you refocus your attention from your past to your present—your marriage, your love story, what the two of you value and appreciate most, and what you hope your legacy will look like—planning meaningful Advent and Christmas traditions together becomes a joyful challenge. Don’t be afraid to get creative! As well as carrying on the most beloved and precious of each of your family’s Christmas traditions, here are some considerations to make as you start new ones, plus ideas for what they may look like. Choose something that can be done anywhere. Many newlyweds, particularly those who moved away from home or are from different places, find themselves crisscrossing the country every holiday season, at least for the first few years of marriage. If that’s your situation (it was mine!), try to think of a tradition that can be done anywhere, and possibly with any number of people, rather than something that needs to take place in your own home. Ideas Buy or make an ornament that is significant to the year. Make a list on Christmas Eve of the blessings from that Advent in gratitude to God. Pop a bottle of champagne with Christmas dinner. Choose a person or organization to serve or donate to in some way. Say a prayer for each family from whom you receive Christmas cards or greetings (even Facebook comments!). Love each other well. Want to know one of the best ways to keep yourself from moping about your holidays being different this year? Focus on loving your husband well and making sure he has a magical Christmas. Seek inspiration from his love language to start a tradition that he’ll find especially meaningful. Ideas Write a love letter expressing how grateful you are for your husband and sharing your favorite memories from the year. Plan a Christmas-themed date night. Surprise your husband with his favorite Christmas cookies—bonus points if the recipe came from his mama. Wake up early to brush the snow off of his car before he heads to work and leave a sweet note on the steering wheel. Plug in some twinkle lights and snuggle up on the couch for a Christmas movie night. [bctt tweet="Focus on loving your husband well and making sure he has a magical Christmas. #BISblog //"] Dream of the future. Even if you don’t have little ones just yet, discussing the ways you may want to teach your future children about Advent and Christmas and celebrate together as a family someday can be a wonderful catalyst for ideas. Who says you need to wait until you have kids (or until they’re old enough to understand) to start some of these sweet Advent and Christmas traditions? Ideas Bake a birthday cake for Jesus to serve for Christmas dessert. Make or buy an Advent calendar to display in your home. Set up a Jesse Tree. Attend your parish’s nativity play. Set out your shoes for St. Nicholas. Sing a hymn together while lighting the candles of your Advent wreath. Focus on Jesus. Because when it comes down to it, this season isn’t about us. It isn’t about our traditions, as much as we may cherish them. It’s about Him. The very best traditions we can start in our families are the ones that will point us to Christ and remind us of the goodness and mercy of God. Ideas Read Luke 2 out loud as soon as you wake up on Christmas morning. Add extra daily Masses or holy hours to your Advent schedule. Pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena together. Commit to reading a spiritual book every Advent and discuss it regularly. Compile a playlist of seasonal hymns to listen to in your home throughout the season. Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary regularly. [bctt tweet="The very best traditions we can start in our families are the ones that will point us to Christ. //"] Wishing you a blessed Advent and a joyful first married Christmas! What are some of your favorite holiday traditions you began with your spouse? [bctt tweet="Advent and Christmas Traditions to Start as Newlyweds #BISblog //"]

For most of us, the words to the popular Christmas carol "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" sum up pretty accurately how we feel about the the holiday season: It's the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you be of good cheer It's the most wonderful time of the year It's the hap-happiest season of all With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings When friends come to call It's the hap-happiest season of all But for some of us, we would rather the words read something like this: It’s the most wonderful time of the year With the fireplace glowing while everyone’s going and leaving you there It’s the most wonderful time of the year It’s the hap-happiest season of all With one intimate party and most days you hardly Go outside at all It’s the hap-happiest season of all If my version of that song resonates with you more than the original, you’re probably an introvert. And the Christmas season, while being enjoyable, can also be a challenge. You want to see family and friends and attend all the gatherings and celebrations, but you find yourself becoming too emotionally drained and socially maxed-out to actually enjoy them. Friends become frustrating, family members feel burdensome, and you find yourself turning into the Grinch. And that definitely is not what Christmas is all about. Holiday Survival Tips for the Introvert But don’t despair, it is possible for an introvert to enjoy the holidays. You may just need to plan things out more carefully than your extroverted counterparts. With the right balance of social and solitary time, the month of December can be that wonderful time of the year that the Christmas carols boast. Pay close attention to your calendar. You RSVP “yes” to a Facebook event, make plans with a friend, and schedule a family gathering. Then you go to write these events down in your calendar and realize you’ve booked yourself three consecutive nights in a row. Has this ever happened to you? This happens to me all the time. I think I can remember my schedule, so I make plans without looking at my calendar. Before I know it, my schedule is packed and I’m crabby. Record events as soon as you know about them. Try to space things out as much as possible. If plans are being discussed and you don’t have your calendar on hand, it’s OK to say, “I’ll have to get back to you about that.” Be intentional about which social gatherings you attend. During busy times of the year, like Christmas, there is just so much going on in our social circles. Everyone will have to say "no" to some things, and the introvert may need to say "no" more than the extrovert. Spend some time thinking about who you really want to see during the holidays. What relationships are worth investing in during the busy season? Which gatherings will provide meaningful conversation, and which will simply be a lot of small talk with people you don’t really know? These are all things to take into account when planning your social calendar. [bctt tweet="Spend some time thinking about who you really want to see during the holidays. #BISblog //"] Say "no" to FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out is a real thing, and if you’re not careful, it can lead you down a path of stretching yourself too thin. When my husband and I were first married, we didn’t want to miss out on any of our family's Christmas traditions. We live in the same city as both of our families, so it’s possible for us to go back and forth between the two in a matter of minutes. On Christmas Eve, we would go to church with my family and have dinner with them, then go to Mass with my husband’s family and be with them for presents until the wee small hours of Christmas morning. On Christmas morning, we would spend about two minutes at our house exchanging gifts with each other before hurrying off to my parents house for stockings. We’d have a midday meal with my family, and then we would go back to my husband’s family for dinner. We were so busy getting in on all the traditions we had each grown up with that we hardly had time to catch our breath, not to mention having time to forge our own traditions. Our house was beautifully decorated for Christmas, but we were never there to enjoy it. It wasn’t until our first child was born that we realized we could not keep up with it all. We decided, instead of going to church with both of our families, we wouldn’t go with either. We would just go to Mass at our own parish on Christmas Eve. It gave us the amount of breathing room we needed, and it allowed us to have some meaningful time with just our little family. Make the most of your downtime. If your downtime is limited, be sure to make it count. There are some solo activities that leave me feeling recharged and others that don’t fill me up. A prime example of something that does not leave me feeling recharged is scrolling through my social media feeds. I usually end up feeling frustrated with myself for not having used that time to do something more productive or meaningful. Social media can also contribute to FOMO, which, as we already discussed, can be disastrous for the introvert during the holidays. So when you finally get an hour to yourself, do the thing that makes you feel the most recharged. For me, it is knitting, journaling, or reading a book. If I’m really maxed-out, it's closing my eyes and taking an actual nap. If you’re staying with family over Christmas... So what if you don’t have the freedom of being in your own home for Christmas? Being someone else’s house guest can be incredibly draining for the introvert. But there are still ways to recharge alone. Offer to do the more solitary chores like grocery shopping, walking the dog, or rocking the baby down for a nap. Suggest watching a good Christmas movie, which allows for a break from conversation. There is nothing wrong with going to bed before everyone else. Remember, there will be plenty of time to visit tomorrow. Don’t forget to recharge spiritually. It is always important to have a life that is rooted in prayer, and it is all the more important when life is chaotic. Find a time that works for you to be silent, to reflect on Scripture, and to pray. And do it everyday. It will benefit your mental well-being as much as your spiritual well-being. Quietness and introspection are incredibly energizing for the introvert. So what better way to be introspective this holiday season than to ponder, in silence, all it’s beautiful mysteries: the virgin birth, the Incarnation of Our Lord, and the gift of salvation that He brings? Are you an introvert? How do you cope well with the busy Christmas season? [bctt tweet="Holiday Survival Tips for the Introvert //"] Anna Coyne is a Minnesota native, wife, mother, and convert to the Catholic faith. When not chasing after her two young children, she is probably making pour-over coffee, knitting, gardening, playing the piano, or sipping on a glass of red wine. Find out more about her here.

This first week of Advent has already been so fruitful as we work through the In The Beginning journal. If you didn't snag one before we sold out, you can still download a digital copy in our shop! As a beautiful reminder of the Advent season, Marie of Fawnly Prints has designed this wallpaper of Isaiah 64:8, "we are all the work of Your hands." You can download it for free below! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Every year my husband, Stephen, and I put our Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. It is a tradition from his family we carried into our married life, because my family tradition was: put the tree up a few days before Christmas and leave it there until it becomes a fire hazard, then maybe take it down before Valentine’s Day. His was the obvious choice. We have made it our own by launching a full-on house decoration day complete with John Williams' Christmas playlist, hot cocoa, and feeble attempts to keep our animals from wrapping themselves in all of the garland. Because decorating can quickly become expensive, I’m sharing a simple guide I like to follow when styling for holiday home decor on a budget. How to Create Festive Holiday Home Decor on a Budget 1. Create A Mood Board/Pinterest Board The first step in my decorating process is always a mood board. If I don’t organize all my thoughts and ideas in one space, I’ll end up with 57 different color schemes and a look that is more chaotic than cohesive. It can be fun to make a physical board of images if you have that kind of time, but since I’m usually on the go, my favorite way to do this is through Pinterest. It’s the perfect place to gather looks for seasonal decorating without the added clutter and cost of a physical board. You can find all the inspiration for images in this post via my Pinterest board. 2. Upcycle/ Use What You Have Before purchasing anything, I check our inventory from previous years to see what I already have on hand. This prevents me from impulse-buying glittery knick-knacks from the dollar section of Target (sometimes). It also encourages creativity to design an entirely new look with previously used items. Many of us have more items to work with than we think, and I often find I only need to purchase a few things to complete an entire look. 3. Thrift or DIY After taking inventory, I write a list of items I still need and start shopping at a local thrift store. Other great resources include Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and asking friends and family if they have the needed items. Besides the unbeatable price point, thrifting and borrowing is a great way to shop sustainably in a season that is fraught with consumerism. Also, I know I am really romanticizing the $3 throw pillows with this statement, but I love thinking about the history behind the items I find while thrifting. Sometimes I imagine how they were used and loved by another family and how Stephen and I will make them our own. If you are extra talented in the craft department, there are so many great resources for DIY decor. I am especially loving this DIY card display I found on Pinterest, and it looks super simple to recreate. 4. Purchase When Necessary Despite the treasures to be found from thrifting, sometimes I am unable to get exactly what I need for holiday home decor on a budget. If all of the above tactics fail to keep me from purchasing items at full price, I peruse a few of my favorite stores: Amazon, Target, Dollar Tree, Michael’s and places like HomeGoods and Pier 1. The latter are last resorts, only because they are the most expensive. Let’s be real, if I could afford to, I’d march right over to HomeGoods this minute, buy the entire store, and proceed to live in it. 5. Make it Personal I love adding personal touches to our holiday home decor, tying them in to the overall look. We usually display Christmas cards with ribbon and clothespins, frame family Christmas photos from previous years, and add our favorite prints and a Nativity scene to our display. If you're in need of extra inspiration for your own decorating, you can find more ideas on the Blessed is She Pinterest boards, especially the Dwell in Beauty board. Happy Advent, sisters! How do you decorate your home for the holiday season? We’d love to know in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Holiday Home Decor on a Budget #BISblog //"] Katie Waldow is a wife, youth minister, and blogger living in Ocean City, NJ. You can sometimes find her sipping lattes, often corralling her dog and two cats, always on Instagram. She loves praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet and dreams of one day buying an old house and converting it into a coffee shop. You can find out more about her here.

Sometimes, fully living out the season of Advent can seem like a lost cause. With Christmas decorations making an appearance in October and raging consumerism appearing everywhere you turn, it can be difficult to focus on what is truly a beautiful time of anticipation. So when it comes to fruitful and creative Advent activities, many of us give up before we even start. But it's possible to truly have fun during this busy season! 10 Meaningful and Stress-Free Advent Activities To help you (and your family) enter into the possibilities of Advent, I’m sharing ten Advent activities for you to consider adopting this season. 1. Good Old St. Nick December 6th is the feast of St. Nicholas. If you have children, read his story during bedtime on the 5th and have your kids put their shoes outside their doors to be filled with goodies! Some simple and exciting items to possibly include are: holy card rosary small prayer books chocolate gold coins (the traditional gift) If you don’t have kids, you can still celebrate the feast day. Pray about the spirit of generosity that St. Nicholas carried and ask God how you can bless someone else’s life in the same way. Ideas for taking action could be: going through and donating some of your gently used clothes volunteering at a soup kitchen buying someone the first warm meal they've had in a long time 2. Petitions for Baby Jesus Dig through your Christmas decorations and find either an empty manger or a nativity figure of Baby Jesus. Find a special place for it in your house. If you have a little oratory, that would be the perfect spot! Take some time to write down a list of prayer intentions that are on your heart. When you are finished, place your list in the empty manger or at the feet of Baby Jesus. For the rest of Advent, make those petitions your focus and know that the Infant Jesus is holding them close to His Heart. 3. Roses for Mama December has two awesome days celebrating Mama Mary that are wonderful opportunities for meaningful Advent activities. December 8th is the feast of the Immaculate Conception (a Holy Day of Obligation) and December 12th is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pick one of those days (or both) and bring roses to place at the state of Our Lady at your parish. If you have children, make it a family activity. Let everyone choose their own flower to give to the Blessed Mother. 4. Music for the Soul Around this time of year, many city orchestras perform Handel’s Messiah. Look up performance times and grab a ticket. You could even get a group of your friends together and make it a special outing with dinner before or after the show. Handel’s Messiah is a really beautiful way to enrich your soul and prepare your heart for the upcoming birth of Our Lord and Savior. 5. Christmas Card Prayers The Christmas cards start to arrive around this time. Find a fun way to display the cards as you receive them. Every night at dinner, when you light your Advent wreath candles, pick a Christmas card and pray for that specific family or friend. 6. Care Packages During Advent, as we prepare our hearts for the greatest Gift ever given, think about the gifts you’ll be giving. But I'm not referencing the ones under the tree. Think about the gifts you can be giving those around you who may feel forgotten, or to someone who challenges you (read: is helping you get to Heaven (wink)). Assemble some care packages for the homeless you pass on the street, bake cookies for your garbage man, or pick out a special ornament for that person in the office who lost a loved one this year. When it comes to the potential generosity of this Advent activity, the options are endless. 7. DIY Wrapping Paper As part of your Christmas preparation, host a wrapping paper party. Thrilling, right? But seriously! Buy a few rolls of brown and white craft paper and have your guests bring a variety of paints, stamps, or glitter (if you dare). Make a large batch of hot chocolate for everyone to enjoy and listen to your favorite Advent playlist while decorating the wrapping paper for you each to use while preparing your gifts. 8. Pink Candle Week On Gaudete Sunday (the third Sunday of Advent), the theme is pink! Have fun with it! Buy pink flowers for your home, eat pink donuts after Mass, paint your nails pink, dress in pink, and so on. The main thing to remember is that whatever “pink” you decide to add to your day, do it with great joy and anticipation of Christmas! 9. Feast of St. Lucy You don’t have to have a Lucy in the family to celebrate this feast day! On December 13th, the Church remembers the saint who lost her eyes and was ultimately martyred for her Faith. Go to Mass and listen for her name in the Eucharistic Liturgy. Then, enjoy a baked sweet in her honor (here's a recipe for Lucy Bread) as is the tradition in Sweden. In the evening, light a candle and ask for her intercession. Get cozy by the fire and read more about St. Lucy and the many traditions of her feast day. 10. Purgatory Advent is a great time to remember those who have passed away, those for whose freedom for Heaven Christ came to earth. During Advent, make a list of the people you know who have died. Bring the list with you to Mass on Christmas Eve and pray that they are now enjoying the Beatific Vision. BONUS! Technically this is for “after” Christmas Day, but be sure to celebrate the octave! As Catholics, the Christmas season only just begins on the 25th. If you have little ones, have them place their stockings out each night of the octave and leave little candies or other small gifts inside the stocking for them to find every morning. This simple tradition reminds them (and us!) that the celebration of Christ's birth continues. What Advent activities or traditions do you practice? Leave a comment and let us know! [bctt tweet="10 Meaningful and Stress-Free Advent Activities //"] Susana Starbuck is wife of a youth minister and mother to four littles five and under. She lives in Phoenix, AZ and enjoys reading a good book, posting her highlight reel on Instagram, and drinking wine. You can connect with her here.

O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand times do I want to glorify Your mercy. I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all Divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable Mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor. Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but always look for what is beautiful in my neighbor’s souls and come to their rescue. Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbor’s needs, and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings. Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of others, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all. Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and always try to take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks. Help me, O Lord, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor. Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful, so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me. Amen. -St. Faustina (source) Reflect What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. In comparison to the love of Jesus, everything else is secondary. And without the love of Jesus, everything else is useless. Pope St. John Paul II (source) Listen For musical inspiration for your restful Sunday, listen to our BIS Rests playlist. I recommend praying with “Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath. [bctt tweet="BIS Rests: Service + Love //"] Curated by Mary Haseltine. She is a writer, a certified birth doula and childbirth educator, and homeschooling mom of five boys. You can find more of her writing here or find her on Facebook.

Every time we participate in Mass, our priests offer us the peace of Christ, we offer that heavenly peace back to those around us, and then we pray for peace throughout the world. Peace is a central theme throughout the liturgy and liturgical year, and should therefore be central in the life of a Christian. But we often give this theme extra attention and contemplation during the Advent and Christmas seasons. It is especially relevant if we find ourselves needing rest from a long year and hoping for peace in the one to come. This is certainly where I find myself. But as I have reflected recently on peace, I have discovered how deeply I have misunderstood this essential part of my faith in my personal life. The Peace of Christ Jesus says, “Peace I leave you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27). The world says love is a feeling and when that feeling is gone, so is the love. As a follower of Christ, I know better, and so I know that when Jesus speaks of peace, He is offering a kind the world cannot give. The world can offer a temporary feeling or state of peace, but not lasting, eternal peace. This way of understanding heavenly peace is new to me. Peace has always been a something I thought I could achieve on my own if I could muster up the will to stop worrying and have more faith. I could never understand why it seemed unattainable until I had a personal revelation about peace and discovered two essential keys to finding and maintaing peace in my life. Know Jesus, Know Peace In Luke Chapter 8, a sick woman touches the cloak of Jesus and is immediately healed. Jesus says to the woman, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” This relationship between Jesus and the woman results in peace. First she finds Jesus, then she finds peace. The first step to experiencing peace in our lives is to remember that Jesus is constantly offering the gift of peace to us because we have a relationship with Him. To find peace we must return to the source of every good and perfect gift in our lives, which is our relationship with Jesus. The seed of peace was planted when we began our conversion journey, whenever that was and continues to be. This means that as our relationship with Jesus grows, so will the amount of peace we experience. We know from Jesus' example that this does not mean we will be granted a life free from turmoil and strife. But we will know unshakeable peace as we walk through difficult situations because we know Who we belong to and where we are going. [bctt tweet="As our relationship with Jesus grows, so will the amount of peace we experience. //"] Rediscovering that a relationship with Jesus is our source of peace in life begs another question. How do we maintain this relationship, and, therefore, a state of peace? Prayer, studying Scripture, and recieving the Sacraments are all essential to mainatianing a relationship. There is one other tool I think is helpful. This one is particularly revelvant as we contemplate what Advent and Christmas mean for our relationship with God. Becoming Peacemakers Jesus says in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Not only does God want us to experience peace in our own lives like Jesus did when He walked the earth, He calls us to bring peace into a world that largely does not know it. As we bring the peace of Christ to others in a soup kitchen, or by visiting a greiving widow, or by giving a child a gift this season, we are doing those things to Christ. As the Scripture says, when we act as peacemakers, we are acting like who He claims us to be - His beloved children. No other knowlegdge can bring about heavenly peace like knowing we are claimed by God as His beloved children. Furthermore, if we are helping those around us experience greater peace, how can we not benefit in our own experience of peace? As St. Theresa of Calcutta so wisely stated: The fruit of service is peace. True Heavenly Peace During Christmas, we celebrate the Incarnation. Jesus humbly came to us in the flesh as a helpless baby. As He grew, He entered into relationships with others to serve and love them unconditionally. We know Jesus experienced peace even as He lived, by human standards, a difficult life as a poor and despised man. He experienced peace through His relationship with the Father and brought peace to those around Him as he did with the woman who touched His cloak. As we nurture our relationship with the Lord and, through His example, humble ourselves by loving serving others, we can all experience this great gift He offers us. May this Advent and Christmas season result in a renewed relationship with the Prince of Peace and a commitment to spread that heavenly peace throughout the world with tidings of comfort and joy. How do you find the peace of Christ in your own life? [bctt tweet="Heavenly Peace: Returning to the Source //"] Bond Strong lives in the mountains of Southwest, VA with her husband, Reece, and son, Willis. She is a former Methobapticostal whose written conversion story has been featured on The Coming Home Network website and shared on Sirius XM's Seize the Day with Gus Lloyd. She believes in the power of a good meal, good beer, and lively conversation. You can learn more about her here.

Running was one of the most important things that brought me to the Catholic Church. My journey is rather unique. When I ran my first half marathon in 2011, I had just become a Christian after growing up Jewish for most of my life. By my second full marathon in January 2017, I was in RCIA, preparing to enter the Catholic Church. Until very recently, I never would have imagined that this would be my story. In middle school, I dreaded the mile run we had to do in PE class every week. In high school, I felt judged and criticized by my Catholic boyfriend’s mother, which left a bad taste in my mouth for the Church as a whole. Yet, when I decided to train for a half marathon to get over a broken heart, I saw that God was slowly and gently directing me down this path. I haven’t regretted this direction one bit. Running and Catholicism It’s difficult to run without thinking of the frequent use of running metaphors in the Bible. Many people might call to mind the author of Hebrews’ encouragement to “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Indeed, while I’ve trained and strengthened my body for races, I’ve trained and strengthened my soul for the spiritual race. Here are five lessons I’ve learned. 1. What You Eat Matters When you start training for longer races, you quickly realize that you can’t just hit the neighborhood in your shoes. You need sustenance for anything longer than about 8 miles. Otherwise, your body will expend all of the calories you’ve eaten so far, and you’ll crash. Additionally, you need the right amount and balance of carbs/proteins/fats, even on days when you’re not running. Today, you eat for tomorrow. When it comes to our Faith, Who we consume during Mass transforms us. Jesus in the Eucharist, of course. The Eucharist nourishes us and sanctifies us so that we can be in union with God. We eat this Sacrament on earth in order that we may enjoy a Heavenly reward in the future. 2. Discipline Leads to Joy I had to become very disciplined to train for my first marathon. It meant I missed nights out with my friends since I had an early morning run the next day with my teammates. In the last few weeks of training, I had to restrain myself from drinking a beer at dinner while everyone else enjoyed a cold one. Not to mention the fact that, most of the time, I didn’t even feel like lacing up my shoes and hitting the pavement at all. But if I didn’t make all of these short-term choices, I would regret it in the long-run. It wasn’t only my Catholic boyfriend’s mother who kept me away from the Church for so long. It was also all of the rules and regulations that I found to be restrictive and antithetical to the Christian value of love. Yet running taught me that following a guide ultimately causes me more joy than suffering. In fact, it’s the decisions I make that go against my training plan that make me the most miserable. I may not understand why the Church has a certain teaching. But now, I know that means I just need to learn more about it, rather than ignore it altogether. 3. Sometimes it Requires Solitude I just finished the Bourbon Chase this past weekend. It’s a different kind of race, a relay with 12 teammates who each run three legs of a 200-mile race alone. One of my legs was at 3 a.m. Although there was a runner a couple of hundred feet ahead of me at all times, in essence it was just me, the light from my headlamp shining on the ground, and the stars and moon above me. I was alone. But that was okay. Solitude in the spiritual race is even more than okay. In fact, it’s something that we need to embrace more often. Remember how often Jesus went away to spend time alone with his Father before going back to teach the crowds? God wants to spend time with us without any distractions. That’s how much He loves us. 4. Other Times, Community is a Necessity Back to the Bourbon Chase. My third and final leg of the race was at 2 p.m., and that meant there was a 20 degree difference in temperature. Praying the rosary to the pace of my feet worked in cooler weather, but it wasn’t quite as helpful in the midday heat. Although I was grateful to be alone for my second leg of the race, I was equally excited to match pace with a stranger on my last leg of the race. He and I only talked for a little bit. But just having someone else beside me to complain about the weather every once in a while was enough to keep me going. Similarly, the Church is made up of individuals working on their relationship with God. But it’s often the communal aspects of the Church that encourage us to go deeper into the Faith. I can’t tell you how often I’ve appreciated it when a member of my parish asks where I was one weekend. It’s not accusatory. Instead, it’s genuine concern about my wellbeing, since it’s not typical for me to miss Mass. On another level, the Communion of Saints is another example of looking at the example of others in order to become as virtuous and holy as we possibly can. 5. Everyone Can Do It - But It Takes a Lot of Work Speaking of the saints, here’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned from running: It’s not out of reach for anyone. After I finished my first full marathon, I actually felt very uncomfortable with the impressed looks and comments I got from my friends and family. I felt like a fraud because, in the end, it wasn’t as awe-inspiring as everyone thinks. It takes a certain amount of training and hard work, yes. You just have to decide to do that work. Lately I’ve been wondering if this is how the saints might feel if we were to speak with them. Some do have awe-inspiring stories that seem outside the realm of possibility for ourselves. But others are holy in a simple way. Mother Teresa herself, in the darkest point in her spiritual life, may never have felt worthy to receive sainthood. Yet she did, and we are all called to strive for the same ideal. The only thing that’s holding us back is ourselves. What areas of your life teach you lessons about prayer and relationship with God? [bctt tweet="Running So As to Win #BISblog //"] Johnna Dominguez is a four-time half marathon and two-time marathon finisher who became Catholic during the 2017 Easter Vigil. She is currently developing a running and prayer journal for Catholic women to use during Advent and through Lent. You can connect with Johnna and find out more about the #CatholicWomenRun challenge on Twitter, Instagram, and on her blog.

We all know we should be praying with our families daily. We understand the merits and fruit of the practice. But when it comes to actually doing it, many of us run into several obstacles. We are all busy with work and school and responsibilities and home and children and we're just trying to get enough sleep. But praying with your family is possible, it just takes some ingenuity. Here's how to pray as a busy family (even with young children!). How to Pray as a Busy Family: A Beginner's Guide We started praying the rosary almost six years ago. During that period we had a three-year-old daughter, a two-year-old son, and a six-month-old baby. I also had a husband who didn't know any of the prayers. We started saying it as a Lenten sacrifice (at the suggestion of my mother, who knew we were under a lot of stress and struggling). We have maintained this family prayer time ever since, even in the midst of work, school, activities, friends, and family obligations. No matter your preferred method of prayer, here are a few tips that were helpful to us when we started praying as a family. 1. Start small and go slow. Quality is more important than quantity. When you are first starting out, I would suggest trying a decade of the rosary. Or a shorter prayer like The Glory Be. When we first started praying the rosary, we looked it up on our phones so we knew each of the prayers and especially the meaning of each mystery. We also would have our children recite the prayer after we said it, going very slowly. Our children had the prayers memorized after a few months. 2. Find a ritual that lets them know family prayer time is about to begin. This could be lighting a candle, ringing a bell, using incense, or playing soft music. 3. Hold hands. In the beginning, especially when they were little, we would have our children hold hands. It makes everyone feel connected and they are less inclined (for at least 30 seconds) to start running all over the place. 4. Ask everyone who or what they would like to pray for when you start. This gets kids excited and it also lets you know what is on everyone's mind, including the mind of your spouse. Sometimes the days are so busy I may not have been informed that my grandfather-in-law was having surgery that day. This time of intercession serves as a fantastic time to reconnect as a family. 5. Let the children choose a spot where they can be still and quiet. Wondering how to pray as a busy family with young children? Let them get comfortable. Let them sit where they want. This can be a blanket, a chair, a couch, a piece of wood, or even sitting on a rock. 6. Do not expect perfection and try to be positive. We do not expect our children to say their prayers perfectly but we do expect them to be respectful. I try to focus more on myself and my behaviors, because I believe what registers for my kids is not what I say but what they see. 7. Set some boundaries. This will vary depending on your family and children, but you want the kids to be quiet and still if possible. Kids are wiggly, so we let our kids age five and under move about as long as they are quiet. We also have a 3-strikes-and-you're-out rule. This means you go to bed or you miss out on dessert or receive some other consequence. We try not to be too harsh because we want prayer time to be somewhat peaceful. 8. It is OK if it feels awkward. Prayer is very intimate, and when you don't know exactly what you are doing, it is OK if you feel a little weird. This feeling will ease over time the more you all pray together. Just keep going! 9. You can pray anywhere, but I suggest a location with less distractions. You can pray in the car, in your home, while walking, or sometimes we FaceTime Grandma and Grandpa to join us for moral support. Try to remove distractions as best as you can. 10. Let your children lead. If your children are old enough to read, you can have them lead some of the prayers. When we first started, this wasn't possible with our kids. But eventually, when they have memorized the prayers, they can lead one prayer or even a decade of the rosary. We have found they are more engaged when leading. 11. It is ok to change up your method. If you're wondering how to pray as a busy family, flexibility is key. In the last six years, we have changed our rosary recitation up a lot. There are a variety of other methods that work. Here are some other ways of introducing the rosary: Youtube videos - The visuals help really explain the mystery, but I would advise making sure your children are old enough because the sorrowful mysteries are intense for children. We really enjoy Father Patrick Peyton's videos Coloring sheets 10-minute quiet meditation where you state the mystery you want them to focus on Use each bead to have them tell you what they are grateful for Have a child FaceTime another family member and recite it with them You can incorporate chocolate chips and once they have recited the prayer for that bead they can eat the chocolate chip Let your kids write cards to a loved one who is sick or hurting Let them walk and play follow the leader as you recite the prayers Even if the rosary isn't your family's prayer of choice, don't be afraid to mix it up! Prayer time can transition with the liturgical year or with prayers your children are learning at school or at Sunday school. The options are truly endless for Catholics - we are lucky to have such a rich prayer deposit! What are your tips for how to pray as a busy family? Let's share ideas in the comments below! [bctt tweet="How to Pray as a Busy Family #BISblog //"] Written by Kristin Reilly, this piece original appeared on her site and has been updated and republished here with permission.

The fifth season of the hit show Fixer Upper is underway. You might heard the news that this will be the final season of the show, which stars the husband and wife duo Chip and Joanna Gaines. Their reasons for leaving the show are nothing short of admirable: the desire to spend more time with their children. Still, their decision has fueled genuine disappointment in homes all across the country... including mine. No one can deny that this charming couple makes an incredible team, both on and off camera. They have a knack for making things better and improving whatever they can, and this talent extends beyond renovating homes. Here are four other ways that Chip and Joanna have fixed-up their little portion of the world. Fixer Upper “Fixed Up” Reality Television The irony behind reality TV is that very little of what is portrayed is actual reality. Fixer Upper is different. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m well aware of the fact that parts of the show are scripted. I’ve watched every episode of every season at least three times (don’t judge). The story, or at least the layout of the story, remains the same for every episode: look at three houses, buy the unexpected one, inspect the house before demo begins (sometimes they find a problem, sometimes they don’t), show the clients the home, enjoy demo day, go antique shopping, run into an issue, call the client, order a piece of furniture from Clint, show the Silos or the farm, pass the baton to Joanna, bring the kiddos to visit, reveal the finished product to the clients, end of show. Despite this, it’s obvious that Chip and Joanna have succeeded in bringing about a truly authentic reality show. Who doesn’t love Chip’s childlike enthusiasm? Who doesn’t admire Joanna’s vision? Who doesn’t laugh at their banter and playfulness? As a newlywed, I am thoroughly impressed by their marriage. It’s obvious they get annoyed by each other at times, yet they spend more time encouraging and affirming the goodness in one another than they do dwelling on grievances. It’s refreshing, and based on viewership statistics, I’m not the only person who thinks so. In fact, I’ve noticed HGTV adding a couple new shows that have a similar authentic, family feel to them. I’m hoping this trend is here to stay! Chip and Joanna “Fixed Up” Each Other Chip jokes all the time that he was Jo’s original fixer upper, and if you read their biography, The Magnolia Story, you see many examples of the ways in which Chip has grown because of Jo. Similarly, Chip had a major impact on Joanna as well. The show is much more about their business than their personal lives, but the book gives us a little glimpse into how the show came about. It also shows how much of a hand Chip had in “fixing up” his wife. It was because of Chip that Jo got into design in the first place. Hearing that her dream was to own a little boutique someday, Chip affirmed and encouraged Jo to chase after her dream right then. He helped his naturally cautious wife to take the risk to pursue her dream. They “Fixed Up” How Celebrities Should Interact With News Outlets Okay… maybe we can’t really call this one a fixer upper, but they certainly set a very high standard. Last year, the Gaines family found themselves under fire when it was discovered they attend an evangelical church that supports and preaches in support of Biblical marriage. An employee of Buzzfeed attempted to retrieve a definitive statement from them about their own views on homosexuality. Refusing to comment, their silence lead to a media blow-up and lots of speculation on the matter. After a little time passed, a “New Year’s Revelation” post appeared on Joanna’s blog. It doesn’t mention the fiasco specifically, but the undertones are clear. Written by Chip, the article states that they refused to be baited to use their influence for harm. They’d rather change the conversation: You wanna talk about how to build bridges between people that disagree? We want to be a part of that conversation. Do you want to talk about healing and compassion and kindness and restoration? We’re in the restoration business, we can for sure make time for that. (source) Line by line, I was blown away by Chip’s simple but wise articulation of a loving message; one that made it clear that he was a true follower of Christ, one who is in complete control of himself and chooses only to love his neighbor, including pushy reporters. They “Fixed-Up” Waco Even before landing a TV show, their family business, Magnolia Homes, was a staple in Waco’s small economy. From their construction business, to their rental properties, to their boutique, Chip and Jo were always working to bring more beauty and more goodness into their little community. It reminds me of Mother Teresa’s quote, “find your own Calcutta.” Restoration and rejuvenation are needed everywhere, and it seems as though Chip and Jo are extremely gifted at it. Waco is growing: the population, the businesses, and the tourism. So much of that has to do with the efforts of Chip and Jo. St. Catherine of Sienna said, “If you are who you should be, you will set the world on fire.” To me, it seems pretty clear that Chip and Jo have done just that. While the show is ending, and will be missed by millions of people, we certainly have not seen the last of the Gaines family. Personally, I am looking forward to whatever endeavor they decide to tackle next. Until then, you can probably find me in one of two places: in Target admiring Jo’s line, or on my couch with my husband and my dogs, soaking up every bit of Magnolia charm I can. Do you watch Fixer Upper? [bctt tweet="Fixer Upper Has Fixed More than Houses #BISblog //"]

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. -Thomas Merton Reflect I don’t understand but I trust in You. Pope Francis (source) Listen For musical inspiration for your restful Sunday, listen to our BIS Rests playlist. I recommend praying with “Take Courage” by Bethel Music & Kristene DiMarco (inspired by the above prayer). [bctt tweet="BIS Rests: Willing + Courageous //"] Curated by Patty Breen. You can find out more about her here.

If you sing well, sing loudly in order to thank God for the gift He has given you. If you don’t sing well, sing even louder to remind Him of what He forgot. My choir director and friend, Frank, begins every choir season with this encouragement. And I have a sneaking suspicion St. Cecilia would agree with him. Who exactly was this romanticized woman before she became the patron saint of musicians? And how can we celebrate her life and intercession 1,800 years after her death? Singing in Her Heart to God St. Cecilia was born in second century Rome and consecrated herself to a virginal life as a young girl. When she was forced to marry (another future saint) Valerian, a pagan, it is said that she sang in her heart to God to protect her virginity. She was responsible for the conversion of her husband and his brother. Together, they dedicated their lives to burying all of the martyrs killed by the Emperor Tibertius. While the men buried the dead, Cecilia used her voice to preach the good news of Jesus. She is credited for bringing over 400 people to a life of Faith. Eventually, this evangelization led to her arrest and martyrdom. She was sentenced to be suffocated in the baths, but survived for three days as the fires raged on. Despite the heat, she miraculously never broke a sweat. After that, she was sentenced to decapitation. The executioner made three attempts, but her head was never severed. She lived for three more days, preaching God’s Word all the while. When she finally died, she was buried in the catacombs outside of Rome. In the 16th century, her body was exhumed and found to be incorrupt, even releasing a slight floral fragrance. St. Cecilia is often depicted with a red string or strand of pearls around her throat, flowers in her hair, and with an organ or organ pipes. (source) Celebrating St. Cecilia: Patron Saint of Musicians I’ve been praying, “St. Cecilia, pray for us!” before concerts, either with choirs or by myself, for decades. Her intercession has helped me through tough times and performances that were plagued with sickness, anxiety, and ill-preparation. In addition to prayer, some performers wear her medal on a chain or pinned inside their dresses; some keep one of her holy cards in their folder of music. And there are many daughters of musicians named in honor of this beautiful patroness. While singers and musicians honor St. Cecilia year-round, here are some broader ideas for celebrating her feast day! 1. Thank your parish’s music director. Write a note or stop by the piano/organ after Mass one day. Thank them for the hours and hours they put into practice, for the time spent behind the scenes researching music, and for honing a craft that generally goes unnoticed by most of the congregation. In many parishes, music directors aren’t highly-trained classical musicians or liturgists. They’re just regular people who love their God and feel they can serve Him best through melodies and harmonies. Even if their song choices aren’t ones you’d make, they would certainly appreciate any kind words you can offer. 2. Attend a St. Cecilia Sing in your area. This event was not something I was familiar with growing up. In fact, I had never even heard of such a thing until I was in my late twenties! This concert or singalong is put on by a choir or combination of choirs each year. Don’t have anything like this in your parish? Check around the diocese. Many parishes, mind included, will hold their fall concert in mid-November in honor of St. Cecilia. 3. Jam out to some fantastic Catholic musicians! There are truly amazing Catholic musicians publishing now. A couple of my favorites are the ubiquitous Matt Maher and Ike Ndolo. Others to look into are Emily Wilson, Jackie Francois, Josh Blakesley, and Fr. Rob Galea. 4. Incorporate music into your prayer time. Not interested in praise and worship music? Then I suggest listening to Marian Grace. In their sacred music project, duo Colleen Nixon and Jimmy Mitchell have taken old hymns and given them beautiful, peaceful new settings. Press play, close your eyes, and let them sing in your heart to God. And if you are a lover of Gregorian chant, which is absolutely sublime for meditation, look up the rosary in Gregorian chant on YouTube or any recording by Benedictine nuns. Those ladies know how to sing! 5. Join the choir! OK, OK, OK. I know and I hear you, sisters. “I can’t sing. I don’t know anything about music. I only play an instrument. My kids are too little and I can’t leave them with my husband for the entire Mass.” Here are my answers for you: Everybody can sing. Maybe not well, but if you’re putting your soul into it, it will sound beautiful to God. No problem. Join the choir and you’ll learn really fast. Great! Lots of choirs incorporate different kinds of instrumentalists. From guitars to violins, flutes to drums, trumpets to tambourines (…and now I’ve lost the traditionalists for sure! Sorry, girls!). A good choir director can find a use for anyone who wants to help. OK, that is actually a decent excuse. Here’s what I did each time I had a baby: I would take a couple months off from singing until the baby could make it through Mass without needing to be fed. Then, when I went back, I sang with the choir at the beginning of Mass, sat with my family during the homily and prayers of the faithful, then went back to the choir for the offertory through the end of Mass. I promise you that, if the desire is there, you can totally make it work. So, there you have it! I hope your St. Cecilia day is harmonious in every possible way. And, no matter what else you do, remember to always keep a song in your heart for the Creator. What a symphony He has written in all of our lives! [bctt tweet="Music from the Heart: Celebrating St. Cecilia //"] Do you have a gift for music? What are some ways you use it in praise of God?

There is wonder in the waiting. // These words by Laura Kelly Fanucci in our Advent Prayer Journal called In the Beginning is such a beautiful reminder to us... We do not need to lose sight of the wonder while we are waiting. Keep this reminder close to you by downloading the phone and desktop wallpapers designed by Erica of Be a Heart. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Come, share your master’s joy. // Matthew 25:21 Keep this reminder close to you by downloading the phone and desktop wallpapers designed by Erica of Be a Heart. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper