It has been so beautiful to see all of the women in our community praying with the Put on Love journal. For an easy way to carry a reminder with you throughout the day is by downloading this free wallpaper for your phone and desktop. We love the reminder that the Holy Spirit is literally pursuing each and every one of us - every minute of every day. Download it below! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

The Central Texas painted churches are famous, but not so famous that they’re a touristy hotspot. Don’t you love discovering hidden gems? This Lent, our family decided to make a day-trip pilgrimage to see five of them. We prayed a decade of the rosary at each, taking people’s prayer intentions with us. It was a really beautiful day with only minimal sibling rivalry. <– the true miracle of the day! Yes, you can take an “official” tour through the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce. But with no room for the tour guide to “step on” our van (unless riding strapped to the top was an option) and with the need for flexibility with six kids, we flew solo. The painted churches are a beautiful, physical reminder of Czech and German immigrants who settled in Texas. These immigrants wanted schools and churches to help nurture their faith, so they erected and painted these awesome places of worship. Unfortunately, hurricanes and fires destroyed many of the first-generation churches. Thankfully, communities rallied and have re-built (and re-built) these churches to pay homage to their heritage. When I posted our pilgrimage on Facebook, a friend commented how she grew up in the area and went to countless festivals, weddings and events as a kid in all these churches. I couldn’t help but be a little jealous. How cool would that be? It was an awesome day. Here’s a peek at our pilgrimage, what we loved, what we learned and why we’d do it again. In a heartbeat. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church | Ammannsville This was our first stop. We were the only ones in the church and the kids did amazingly well. This was a really light, airy church inside and I loved that the altar was all in white. In fact, the Sacred Heart of Jesus was one of the prettiest I’d ever seen. Situated just to the right of the church was the cemetery. All the churches have huge pavilions nearby and it made me itch to attend a summer festival. I bet those are grand! Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church | Dubina Otherwise known as the church that caught us on surveillance video. For some reason, this church was gated on the inside. But because I needed pictorial proof that we did, indeed, visit Dubina, I encouraged three of the kids to crawl through the gate. I swear all they did was take photos. We ended up praying our decade of the rosary in the church’s narthex, so that totally counts. Figures that two of the kids needed to use the facilities, so they got to break in the outdoors. I almost posted that picture, but a rehearsal dinner in 2030 kept me from doing it. Most of these churches don’t have onsite bathrooms (at least not that were easy to find), so I suggest going to the bathroom in places like Shiner and Schulenburg. Or, bring an empty water bottle. HA! St. Mary’s Catholic Church | High Hill You may remember this beauty from our Texas Forever vacation last summer. St. Mary’s is the church where I nursed my baby because Pope Francis said so. Well, I did it again, all while praying the rosary. Yep, just as lovely, only with a bigger baby – 10 months vs. 2 months. St. Mary’s is probably the most ornate of all the churches and it just feels like home there. If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be a close tie between this one and Ammannsville. St. Mary’s, Church of the Assumption | Praha We were so incredibly sad to drive up and see that Praha was closed. We knew it probably would be, but there was a part of us that hoped the internet was wrong. Instead of breaking in to yet another church, we opted to pray our rosary at the Marian grotto just a few steps away. While we prayed, Luke picked me flowers and the sibling rivalry ramped up. There may, or may not, have been some elbows thrown during that last Hail Mary, or four. After Praha, the wheels were starting to fall off. The troops were hungry. We swung through Shiner for a little What-A-Burger. Because nothing says Texas like spicy ketchup and sweet tea. We jokingly called this trip the addendum to our Texas Forever vacation. Once everyone was fed, Gianna included, we hit the road for our last stop. Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church | Shiner Sadly, this church didn’t also come with a side of Shiner Bock. Next time, we’ll have to make a stop at the brewery. As the last stop on our painted churches tour, I was hoping to finish strong. And finish strong we did. This church is also connected to the local Catholic school and I couldn’t help but think, “Wow. What’s it like to have school Mass in here every week?!” After we prayed our final prayers, I could hear the anxious feet of my kids. They took one last look around and then bolted for the door to run off some energy with Scott following quickly behind to manage that crazy. Gianna and I found ourselves in the church, just us. For a moment I stood at the back and took it all in. The beauty. The quiet. The solitude. And I felt peace. Our spring has been filled with little schedule, open weekends and less chaos. This moment in the church reminded me that we had made the right choice for our family. That choice had afforded us this brilliant day. What a way to enter into the final weeks of Lent. Wherever you may be on your Lenten journey, just know that, in the words of our associate pastor, “it’s never too late to start again.” When to Visit The churches are all open Monday-Saturday, 9am-4pm (some a little earlier or later). Most of them still conduct weekend services, so keep that in mind if touring on Saturday or Sunday. The church in Praha is currently undergoing renovations and is closed until mid-August 2015. Thanks for letting us pray for you! Written by Kathryn Whitaker. Original published here. Find out more about her here.

Andrew and I were passing ideas back forth—sweets, alcohol, eating between meals. What to give up for Lent? I could do the typical, but I want this year to be different. I want to thrill in Easter joy on a level deeper than Reese's and the relief that the strife is o'er. So I thought I'd start with God's biggest call in my life—my husband. Marriage with Andrew is my life's work. A priest friend of ours told us recently, "Your vocation is not to this general idea of marriage; it's to Andrew. And God will call to you from within that vocation." Marriage-to-Andrew is my ticket to Heaven and the most important thing Jesus asks me to do. And so I'm focusing my sacrifices and efforts on seeing that we are bigger than me, as well as the fact that the Lord Himself designed us to draw the other closer to Him. And if there's anything the two of us could use more of, it's Jesus. Here is non-exhaustive list of what any two marrieds, us included, could do during Lent. 1) Go to Mass during the week. Leave the kids with grandparents or a sitter (or bring them along!) and go to Mass. Nothing and no one will improve our marriage better than Jesus. 2) Ask, "What can I do to make your day better?" Put the answer at the top of our To Do List. 3) Keep in mind that we are a team. We try to approach conflict in a way that tackles the issue instead of each other. One of my favorite professors at Benedictine College once told my class, "My wife and I know that we're two people looking for the truth, so what could be an argument becomes a joint effort toward what's best for us and our family." 4) Go to adoration. Swing by the chapel at the start or end of a date or plan a whole hour together. Drawing closer to Christ will bless all that vocation stuff we do. If we can't make it as a couple, I try to bring his intentions with me before the Lord. As his wife, I know I'm Andrew's designated intercessor. 5) Don't interrupt. We try to not interrupt either vocally or in our minds. Whether he's filling me in on his day or hashing out his side of an argument, I quiet myself and give him an ear instead of conjuring a response while he's talking. 6) Anticipate his needs. Does he need a lunch for work? Do I know that his keys aren't in the usual spot? Put them away. Get his car washed. Send a love note email every day around the same time so he'll look forward to it. Help make life at home enjoyable for him and our kids. 7) Pray the Litany of Humility. Find it here: Litany of Humility. Ouch, I know. But lemme tell ya—it hurts so good. 8) Give together. Serve your parish, extended family, or group of friends. Host a big potluck or treat another family (or a few!) to a night off from making dinner by prepping the whole thing yourself. Volunteer somewhere. Substitute for someone's holy hour. Imitate Christ through shared self-giving. 9) Complete The Love Dare together or solo. 10) Help each other go to Confession. Make that time for each other to go every couple of weeks. Be gracious and generous about how long it may take and if you have kids, don't complain or elaborate on the chaos and challenge of keeping them when your sweetie comes home. 11) Bless another couple! Offer to watch their kids while they take a much-needed night or morning out together. 12) Pray together daily. It doesn't have to be complicated, but I challenge you to join me in going one step beyond what we're doing right now. If you don't pray together yet, start with one Glory Be together when you wake up or go to bed—ultimately, our marriages are made for the glory of God. Pray the Rosary or a Chaplet. If we want to be really spiritually intimate, we can pray over each other out loud—speak to Jesus about your husband and let your sweetheart have a listen in. It will change you both. 13) Fast. Abstain from something—cream and sugar in coffee, snacks on Tuesday afternoons, butter on toast. Offer small sacrifices solely for our spouse's salvation and well-being. 14) Read Scripture together. The Word of God changes hearts. 15) Give alms. Comb our budget for extra discretionary funds to offer a particular charity or give it to our parish on top of our tithe. [bctt tweet="A non-exhaustive list: Lent for the Married:"] How else can you Lent with your man?? I want to remember that Jesus who blessed the marriage at Cana wants to be invited to my relationship with my husband. And doing so will heal our wounds, fortify us for life's storms, and help us experience that deep Easter joy. Written by Katie Sciba. Find out more about her here.

It's a gloomy day here in Los Angeles as I write this. So many things are up in the air in my life, a new change seems to becoming at me every day. I feel weary as I carry the suffering of my friends. When I heard the psalm for today, it was like my soul sighed in relief. It is in God that I can rest. I can bring it all to Him. And find rest. Grab this free wallpaper for your phone and desktop below! "Rest in God alone, my soul." Psalm 62 -Erica Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

When we are talking liturgical year, I know Fat Tuesday is the term most people use to describe the day before Ash Wednesday. But as a New Orleans native, for me, it always has been and always will be Mardi Gras. And in contrast to the vision most non-natives have of the debauchery that Mardi Gras is projected to be, or that maybe they have even experienced as tourists, for me, many of my favorite childhood memories and memories of my family center on the yearly two-week long celebration that is Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Heading out to parade routes early to stake out a good spot, and setting up our special Mardi Gras ladders that are topped with wooden boxed seats for small children where they can have a good view of the passing floats above the heads of the adult crow. As a child, I coveted the seat in that ladder, and as an adult, I have cherished being the one to stand behind a nephew or niece and the joy when a coveted throw landed in his or her hands. The lights, the sounds, the music, the smells of Mardi Gras are mixed up in my brain with childhood joy and unforgettable family memories. Even running to find a place to use the bathroom has been a memorable occasion enough times that I can still augh about a few adventures. A few years ago, our missionary family happened to land ourselves in New Orleans smack in the middle of Mardi Gras season without planning it that way. For most of my children this was either their first experience of New Orleans Mardi Gras, or the first time they would remember it. I don’t think I stopped smiling the whole week to know they had received this gift of which I have so many fond memories and being able to share it with them. Come to think of it, I don’t they stopped smiling either. Mardi Gras in New Orleans also has a very formal and traditional side of courts and kings and queens and maids and balls that require full-length gowns. There is the secret tradition of the King of the Rex parade that is not announced until close to the day of this kick-off parade on Mardi Gras morning, always a figure honored for his civic duty and contribution to the city. There is his arrival by barge on the Mississippi River on Lundi Gras (the Monday of that same week) and the traditional meeting of the Rex and Comus courts during their balls on Mardi Gras night that signals the end of the season. While many celebrations of this day liturgical year revolve around Shroud Tuesday pancakes or other dishes, for me Mardi Gras will always be about picnic food that could be toted easily to the parade route, soft drinks in cans cold from the cooler, Popeye’s fried chicken (a parade route classic), early morning doughnuts when you needed to arrive at sunrise to claim your spot, and copious amounts of King Cake. For many New Orleanians that crowd the streets on Mardi Gras Day, the next day they are serious Catholics crowding the doorways of Ash Wednesday masses. For us, the season is a time of enjoying the uniqueness of our hometown and the families that inhabit it, most importantly our own. And then taking up the traditions of our faith as moving on to the solemn season of Lent with the same fervor with which we celebrated the day before. If you choose to celebrate Fat Tuesday with pancakes or in some other way, relating the liturgical tradition to a different aspect, all is well. But if you want to imitate a little New Orleans Mardi Gras in your home on this day, might I suggest Popeye’s fried chicken and King Cake. This recipe has worked out well for me, even here in Costa Rica, but simply ringing together cinnamon rolls and sprinkling them with purple, green, and gold sugar (traditional Mardi colors) will work. You can also find many family friendly vides on Youtube to celebrate Mardi Gras as well. Whichever way you choose to celebrate this aspect of the liturgical year, know that we New Orleanians, both near and far from home, are hoping you’ll “Laissez le bon temps roulez!”, that is to say, “Let the good times roll!” Written by Colleen M. Find out more about her here.

I recently finished a short, ambiguous novel called Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous (yes, the author remained anonymous!). This was, unfortunately, yet another memoir-type account of obsessive, unhealthy love. The idea that “romance” is equated to something toxic and innately selfish was a definite motif throughout. To love someone is to trap them in emotional chains. To be each other’s emotional life-source. To not be able to breathe without them. For some reason, that romantic, supposedly beautiful love sounds suffocating. Where is the freedom in that? “Love will fight for you, but it will not fight you. Love doesn’t manipulate you with fear and intimidation and control. And it doesn’t back you into a corner so you have nowhere else to go because love, it doesn’t trap you. Love frees you because it honors your freedom.”—Lacey Sturm As Lacey Sturm says in her beautiful Ted Talk: love is free. I look at how Christ loves me, and I see and feel a love that is immensely startling and liberating. It’s a love that makes me want to dance on the edge of the earth and scream with all of my lung power because I am alive and free. It’s a love that celebrates my worth and allows me to take risks. It’s a love that will never get bored or run dry. Whether we are single or in a relationship this season, we must remember that love is rooted in freedom because that is the kind of love that Christ lavishes on us. He absolutely loves it when we express our individuality with abandon and aren’t afraid to unashamedly be ourselves. I constantly have to remind myself to claim my belovedness. I do not ever need to change myself for a guy to like me. I never need to lose weight, change my hobbies, or act differently just to please someone else and appear “dateable.” In this flowery, fuzzy teddybear month of February, let the cheap cards and chocolate be a small reminder that you have a love living and burning within you that does not thrive on plastic kisses. You have a love that frees, a love that liberates and causes your heart to riot. Single, consecrated, wife, mother, girlfriend, fiancee, daughter, sister, friend—we are powerful, we are loved, and we are free to dance to our own colorful songs with the composer Himself. Do not settle for a love that restricts or discourages or dulls. You are significant and have a sacred, necessary purpose in this world, and this purpose is not to obsess over your body or succumb to the desires of another person. We are meant for far more holy, far more extraordinary and profound callings. So breathe, and rest in the freedom of knowing you are worthy, able, and treasured. [bctt tweet="So breathe, and rest in the freedom of knowing you are worthy, able, and treasured."] Jesus, I want to fall in love with You. I want to feel life in my bones. I want to see and feel every color You created and I want Your passionate Spirit to fill my heart. I want to fall in love with You because I’ve seen You die for me, and I know this is a painful love, but so utterly real and perfect. No man shows greater love than You. I give you my heart. Teach me to love You, love others, and love myself. Written by Cassidy K.

There used to be coffee and hot cocoa dates (because up until last fall, I didn't drink coffee). There were flowers. Pearl earrings. Homemade steak dinners (cooked by Fence, of course, because back then, I didn't cook, either). Decorated dorm doors for birthdays. Mixed tapes (we are old enough to have made mixed tapes for each other). Wishing on shooting stars. Dances. Late nights talking and staring into each other's eyes . . . romance and love. And then it was marriage, and the sugary-sweet flutters of a budding romance gradually transformed into a deeper, harder, but also a still-romantic kind of love. When my husband and I celebrated twelve years of marriage nearly two year ago, we took our second-ever trip without kids, overnight, for one night, in our town. We have known each other for seventeen years, been together for close to sixteen. That romantic thirty-six hours out? It looked like this: A sunset walk through a favorite mountain park. Mass at the cathedral, with just us, after a night away. Coffee at a great local downtown coffee shop. (I drink coffee now, after years of ordering a vanilla steamer every time Hubby and I would go out. It only took fifteen years for me to share in that with him.) Walking downtown a bit . . . and then . . . wait for it . . . our romance after all these years looks like . . . school-supply shopping sans kids. Oh yes, we did a chore while on our anniversary getaway. Hubby offered, knowing that taking all the kids on errands ranks low on my list of "most enjoyable things to do." At first, I thought he was a bit crazy, offering that on our anniversary. I probably groaned inwardly. Then I realized not only was the idea practical (just like my husband to be practical!), it was a truly loving gesture. He knows how crazy it can be taking kids on errands, saw an opportunity for helping me avoid that, and offered to make it happen. Be still my heart. This man knows me and my life and still wants to make things easier for me, even when it meant spending part of our alone time on school shopping. The romance! Our marriage is full of it; it just isn't the sappy romance of movies and pop songs. This is the romance of our marriage, our youngish, growing-old-together true love. It is the romance of deeply knowing each other, and anticipating needs and how to help. It is the romance in which we have inside jokes. It is the romance in which the little things really are the big things, the things which cement us together in love more each day. Ah, wedded love. Our love has changed in thirteen years, but I wouldn't trade any of it. Written by Gina Fensterer. Find out more about her here.

Tara never disappoints us with the beauty that she creates! Today she made your free downloadable wallpaper with Psalm 119:18 // "Open my eyes that I may consider the wonders of our law." You can see more of her beautiful work at Frameworthy Designs and download this beauty for your phone and desktop below! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

After navigating the early years of parenting, our family has solidly entered middle-childhood. Although the frustrations of potty-training and sleepless nights have shifted to arguments over bedtimes and screen time, one thing that has not changed is the need for alone-time-together for my husband and me. We were invited to spend our first wedding anniversary at a wedding in New York. It was a whirlwind trip that with mounting school debt we really couldn't afford. But we went. That weekend we decided to get away every year for our anniversary. Most years it has been a little trip somewhere local, other years it has been a big trip. Going away and being away on a real vacation is liberating. I suddenly find my husband's jokes funny again, his embraces intoxicating, his stories intriguing. His attention is no longer in competition with anything else. I pack my favorite clothes and spend the days feeling attractive, not thrown together. The combination of no stress, no lists, no carpools or deadlines, nice clothes and brushed hair, well it is rejuvenating. I again become the woman he sought, he fell in love with, and he married. So here is how you get away with your spouse . . . . Set your budget. Putting yourself into serious debt or fighting over money the whole weekend won't help. Determine how much you can spend and then plan accordingly. Don't forget to set aside fund for food, uber, taxes and tips. Check out Groupon or other discount sites. You can get great packages when you really plan. Set aside the time. It doesn't have to be on your anniversary. Find what is best for work schedules and school schedules too. We have found that leaving while the kids are in school is actually easier for sitters because they get a brake. It also gives us a weekend with the kids when we come home and many of the travel expenses are cheaper. Find your sitters. If you have children this is the biggest challenge for most, but it is only for a few days. They will behave better while you are away and worse when you come home. That's normal. Deal with it. Think outside the box. Can you split them up with friends or relatives? Can you bargain with a close friend for a babysitting swap? Maybe this time they take your children with a promise that you will take theirs next time. Don't assume one child is easier than multiple children as the multiples entertain (and tattle on) their siblings! There is no such thing as an even swap so just ask around and give up a little control. If your budget allows find a nice college kid to come nanny for the weekend. Let go and go. Just go. And don't look back. Don't ask for them to send you photos (that always makes me miss them like crazy). Don't worry. Don't call (that often makes it worse for everyone). Ask the sitter not to call unless there is a need. The last thing you want is to be negotiating bedtimes from another time zone. Have fun and take a break! You need it and every marriage benefits from a little time to recharge. I used to think that the early years would be the hardest on our marriage. I assumed that if we could just get through the rough years with little ones, once they were all in school my husband and I would have so more time together. The reality is much different. With our eldest on a grownup sleep schedule, alone time for my husband and myself is still at a premium. Even when we do get alone time together, being alone together at home, with all the stress and todo lists, and things to fix and meals to make, it just isn't relaxing. Make it a goal this year to save and get away. Just the two of you. And invest in your marriage. [bctt tweet="Invest in your marriage."] Written by MaryRuth Hackett. Find out more about her here.

We are knee-deep in winter. Some of you may literally be knee-deep in winter’s white wonder. But the bright, holly jolly tidings of the Christmas season have completed their cycle and we are left with short, cold, dark days and what’s commonly called the “winter blues.” Around this time each year, I start feeling itchy in my soul. I’m a lover of all four seasons, but I feel myself growing restless and longing for fresh, warm air. And, let’s be honest, I’m ready to wear dresses instead of pants. Judging by the social media posts passing through my feed, I’m not the only one who harbors these sentiments. Often, these final winter months are viewed as something to be trudged through, endured, and survived until we can finally go outside with just a light jacket and maybe even open our windows. Like a childhood-favorite game, we hold our breath through the dark tunnel of winter and make all sorts of wishes until we exit the tunnel, re-enter the light-filled roadway, and let ourselves breathe again. But this negative approach to the perceived downsides of the winter months is challenged by hygge. And I am loving it. What is Hygge? Hygge (pronounced HOO-gah) is the Danish word for “cozy”. Our European friends have long held this practice, and it just recently caught fire in the U.S. Considering Denmark frequently tops the charts of happiest countries in the world, we are wise to follow their stride, even through inches of ice and snow. Hygge is irreversibly engrained in their culture, and it must be a contributing reason the Danes unwavering happiness, even in the midst of very long, dark winters. The concept of hygge is very simple. It’s not so much a method as it is a mindset. Instead of viewing the “winter blahs” as something to be dreaded, the moments spent stuck inside are seen as opportunities for hygge, for cozy. When we hygge, we refrain from closing our eyes and wishing February away. Instead, we embrace the chance to hunker down in comfy socks, take shelter beneath a soft blanket, take the time to brew a proper cup of tea, determine our favorite homemade cookie recipe, and finally devour that novel that’s been sitting on our shelf since September. We allow ourselves freedom to write that long letter to our grandma, to invite friends over for a hot meal, and to do nothing but “do nothing” with the ones who share our home. Hygge is about comfort, community, and gratitude. When we enter the colder months with an attitude of hygge, our dread can be transformed into excitement, or at least into hope for some goodness. Hygge and Catholic Spirituality When I was first introduced to this idea, I immediately thought it sounded extremely Catholic. We Catholics are all about experiencing God, one another, and the world through our senses, so it made perfect sense (*wink*) to use our senses in order to unwrap the gift in what is so-often viewed as a hardship. At its heart, hygge is about finding the pockets of light when covered in a blanket of darkness. How often are we challenged to do this within our own souls? How often do we face life and spiritual trials with a sense of dread, instead of looking for the silver lining? How greatly would it benefit us to always be in search for the light of Christ when surrounded by cruel cold and unrelenting darkness? I find being intentional about hygge is not only comforting in the temporal sense, but it makes for wonderful spiritual training. If you’re ready to look for the light, let’s chat about some ways to hygge, and how to add some Catholic spice into your hygge this winter! 10 Ways to Hygge: Make a cup of hot tea and select a special blanket to be your snuggle buddy. Make it a point to unwind this way each night before bed. Reconnect with old friends or distant family members. This can be done simply through writing letters or making phone calls. Find a good book to read. The lives of the saints are great companions during this time, as well as adventurous fiction like the The Chronicles of Narnia (no, we are not too old for this) or The Lord of the Rings. Have friends over for games by the fire. When you’re not able to get out and walk the streets of downtown, inviting friends into your home for a game night is a great way to deepen intimacy and connect on a different level (and to find out who is the most competitive). Tackle a project you’ve been meaning to complete. Create that sacred space, learn to sew, research a new-to-you topic, hammer up that shiplap. Completing a project releases endorphins (happy hormone!) which will help battle the winter blues. Discover a new soundtrack or musical artist. Music is so powerful, especially when you’re able to take the time to soak it in and enjoy it. Find your favorite playlists or CDs and let those songs carry you through winter. There are also so many phenomenal Catholic musicians composing heart-warming music for the Lord, so I’d look there first. Invite your parish priests and staff over for a stew and bread dinner. Hygge involves lots of warm, comforting foods, and those taste best when shared. The best part is that it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Try making a simple loaf of bread and a hearty stew for the ones who serve your parish. It’s a great way to get to know them, discover their needs as they lead the parish, and make lifelong friends and mentors. Dive into a Scripture study. Have you been meaning to read the Bible more? Use these dark and cold evenings to really commit to a Scripture study (or be more intentional about reading the daily Blessed is She devotionals). Light candles and let them represent prayer intentions. Light candles and put them everywhere! This may be my favorite part about hygge. And when we treat our simple candles like powerful intercessory candles, offering prayers on behalf of those we love, we create light in the darkness both physically and spiritually. Rest. When there’s nothing to do, let yourself do nothing. These slow days are a perfect opportunity to grow closer to the Lord. If you find yourself trapped in the deafening silence of winter, let yourself become more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. There’s freedom there. Rest your mind, and lay your worries at the foot of the Cross, where darkness was definitively defeated. [bctt tweet="When we enter the colder months with an attitude of hygge, our dread is transformed into hope."] Hygge Solidarity Getting through the February blahs can be quite the cumbersome task, but I think if we approach these moments with a mindset of hygge, we might enjoy them just a bit more. Let’s do this together. As sisters, let’s hole up in our individual dwellings all around the world and raise a fine glass of red to one another in hygge solidarity, wishing for one another marvelous pockets of light. Olivia Spears. Find out more about her here.

I read quite the post recently, from a woman who asserted that women's ministries tell women too often that they are beautiful. Is this a thing? It must be a thing. She is sick of hearing it. (What woman gets sick of hearing that she's beautiful? Not in an egotistical way, but in a way that truly affirms the God-given beauty in her?) Since I'm not much of a conference-goer like the writer spoke of, I haven't a clue that this complimenting is a problem. But I'm here to tell you: Ladies, you ARE beautiful. I come from a life-long Catholic faith upbringing, in which being told I'm beautiful in relation to God is almost normal to me. It's amazing now that I'm grown. It makes sense, and I find it wonderfully important business to tell women (and girls!) that they are beautiful. Why? Because too often the world tears us down. We're too fat, too thin, too frumpy, too made-up, too pretty, too fit, too lazy, too much everything and not enough everything. Surely, the world's "beauty" dissatisfies and flatters the ego. This is not the beauty I'm talking about (maybe the other lady is?). [bctt tweet="Too often the world tears us down."] I'm talking about God-given, divine-life-within-us, inherently true beauty. We're made in the image and likeness of God! Sit with that for a moment. Sure, you've heard it and read it thousands of times, but wow! It's an incredible truth. And if God is who we believe He is, then nothing is more beautiful than God. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) in His image (Gen. 1:27), and we're beautiful. To return to the blogger's opinion, women should not be told they're beautiful or special or unique because of sin. In fact, she asserts that we're not special or unique. Hold up. False. Ladies, you are beautiful, unique, and special. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and not a soul ever is just like you. God in His infinite LOVE for YOU made you on purpose, for a purpose (Eph. 2:10), and He made you beautiful. We are beautiful as women because God placed His own life in our being. God created us and said it was good. He created us because the world—His creation—was not yet complete without us. Instead of rambling on more, I'll address one more point. "We need freedom, not compliments." Absolutely, we need freedom in Christ from sin. Yes, we're sinners. Yes, we're fallen because of Adam's sin. Yes, we need saving! I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest something—if we're not special, why save us? If we're ugly, why should God bother? If we aren't beautiful, and we're sinful and ugly, then does that make us like trash? Trash is not for saving. Beautiful things are for saving. Tarnished and stained vintage treasures from your grandmother are still beautiful and worth saving, right? So sin dims and hides our beauty, but the beauty is there. God knows it. God wants you to know it and believe it so that you know He finds you worth saving. It all works together. Gosh I love how much the pieces are woven together! God's creation is always beautiful! And even in our sinfulness, He sees the beauty that is yet to be revealed in you and me, and because of that, you and I are worthy of His saving love. If I could draw a picture to show this, I would. But God did that, too, even better than I could. He created the world. He sent us the Savior. The picture is the Crucifix—that Love for a *beautiful* creation (you and me) that is so great He couldn't help but to save us. Over and over and over. So yes, sister, you are beautiful. You are beautiful IN Christ, you are beautiful BECAUSE of God's love and life in you, you are beautiful and WORTHY of love and redemption. Gina Fensterer. You can find out more about her here.

Here we are, at the end of January. The month has been at turns fruitful, trying, and hopeful for me. We have another month to pray in this Ordinary Time before the refining power of Lent. Blessed is She will travel along with you through these seasons -- in daily devotionals and here on the blog, as well as with our Lenten journals and tools. Thank you for praying with me and all the BIS sisters this month and all year long. Comment below with your thoughts: Has this month of prayer changed your routine, your heart, your perspective? How will you continue throughout 2017? or, simply answer: Did you pray today?

It’s Catholic Schools Week, so I pray you’ll indulge me. We’ve been Catholic school parents for more than a decade and with five kids currently enrolled, high school to kinder, we’ve learned a few things along the way. I think it’s important to note that my husband and I are both products of the public school system (I’m the daughter of a public school teacher!) and we have many, many friends who are successful homeschoolers. This isn’t meant to shame or put down any of them. We have seen our children grow and thrive in the Catholic school environment and it’s my hope you might find the same with your family. Let’s throw it back all the way to middle school and play a little true/false, shall we? MYTH #1: Catholic schools are only for rich kids. I can personally say this one is definitely not true. Truthfully? Catholic schools are for any kid—regardless of income. It’s the question I get the most, “How do you afford to send your kids to Catholic school?” For starters, here’s 23 tips on making it affordable. But, my best advice? Go talk to the school principal before you decide if you can make it work for your family or not. There is likely tuition assistance, deferred billing or other options. Don’t just pull up the school website, search for tuition rates, and then start shaking your head. I’m certainly not saying every family can afford Catholic school, but before you cut and run, set a meeting, offer it to prayer and see what God has to say. There is a high school in our diocese that follows the Cristo Rey model of a corporate work-study program to pay for tuition. It’s quite remarkable and it’s paving the way for kids of every socioeconomic background to become first-generation college students, all while gaining invaluable work experience. In addition, our diocese conducts an annual event to raise money for each of our 22 schools. They have provided nearly half a million dollars in tuition assistance since 2009. Maybe yours does something similar. MYTH #2: Catholic schools only focus on elite academics. Are academics important in Catholic schools? You bet they are. And, it’s probably the statistic that gets the most press. Around 99% of Catholic school students graduate and 85% go on to post-secondary education. But, I will tell you as much as I’m loving that my kids are challenged academically (in the healthiest of ways), the reason we scrimp and save to send our kids is because of the whole education they’re receiving. Service is a huge part of our children’s education model and I love that. Because, truly, you can’t educate a child’s mind and forget about her spirit and her body. They are intimately woven together. When our preemie began his first day of kindergarten, his teacher, who had been with us since his birth, squeezed my shoulder and said, “Mama, he’s gonna be fine.” MYTH #3: If nuns or priests aren’t teaching, it can’t have a strong Catholic identity. The second most asked question is always, “Is there a priest assigned to the school—or—Do nuns teach?” Y’all, there is an important observation we must all understand. Spirituality and faith are not exclusive to priests and religious. Are they enhanced when a sister or priest walks the halls or teaches the classes? Yes. But they are not mutually exclusive. Some of the teachers that have changed my children, rocked their worlds and brought them closer to Christ are lay people. It is the preparation of the teacher’s heart that matters most, not the clothes she wears or title she has. Ask your principal what the academic and spiritual requirements of teachers are and there you will find our answers. The last several years we have been blessed with amazing Sisters in the classroom and mighty fine leaders of priests at the altar. But it has been the living rosaries, the saint projects, the service initiatives, the community building, adoration hours and the prayer time that has forged an indisputable Catholic identity in my school and in my children. MYTH #4: Catholic school kids live in a bubble and aren’t exposed to the ‘real’ world. I would argue that because my children attend Catholic school they are better prepared to tackle the world’s inequities. Let’s be clear, though. Catholic school does not equal a substitute for my role as a parent. School simply reiterates and further explains what we do at home, as a family. I cannot expect my children to learn service if we don’t practice it at home, nor will they learn prayer, kindness, love and acceptance if we don’t provide those life lessons under our roof. Bottom line? We are active participants and equal partners with the school in forming our children. We make a good team when we both do our part. I’m not afraid to call my principal when I see an area of improvement (trust me) and I expect them to provide me with great resources and a phone call when I need to step up my game, too. Our kids are only living in a bubble if we allow it. MYTH #5: Catholic schools are only for Catholics. Each year, Catholic schools save taxpayers approximately $24-billion based on the public schools cost. $24-billion. It costs Catholic schools around $5,200/student per year and public schools are racking up around $12,000/student. So, yeah, we’re doing more with our students, using less money. And, you might be surprised to hear that a growing number of non-Catholics are seeking a faith-based education for their children in a Catholic school setting. I’m proud not only that our schools are forming solid citizens and being good stewards of our tuition dollar, but that we’re seeking to form faith-filled young adults, regardless of religious upbringing. I’m seeing, first-hand, the fruits of a Catholic school education and I wouldn’t change a thing. [bctt tweet="Want to learn more about Catholic schools and how they might be right for you?"] Applying to Catholic School? 10 Questions Every Parent Should Ask How Do You Do it? Choose, Apply & Thrive in Catholic School An Open Letter to Catholic School Parents Five Questions Every Catholic School Parent Should Ask the Principal Five Things I Wish I Would’ve Known as a First-Time School Mom The One Lesson Every Mom Should Remember on the First Day of School Kathryn Whitaker. Learn more about her here. This post was originally published here and reprinted with permission from the author.

Tomorrow is the end of the month. Today gives us the chance to flood each other's days with prayers as we approach the end of this journey together. Lift up your heart for the sake of your sisters and cry out to God for them. Grace is available to all of us. Comment below with your thoughts: Where is grace flowing in your life right now? Where do you need to become more open to the Lord? or, simply answer: Did you pray today?

Today we are presented with the Beatitudes in the gospel. What a perfect time for us to be reminded of what Jesus came to the earth to proclaim. It's a perfect reminder on your phone or desktop to the convictions of our faith. Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." You can download them for free, designed by Be A Heart, below. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Maybe this month isn't going as planned. Maybe, like me, you are tired and worried about many things, and overwhelmed. Maybe you didn't do the prayer pledge every day. Maybe just getting started in prayer seems daunting. It's not too late. It's never too late. You can start fresh, start again, every day. Each day -- each minute -- offers a new opportunity to seek grace and turn to the Lord. Comment below with your thoughts: What have your challenges been this month? How can you start anew today? or, simply answer: Did you pray today?

Today is St. Thomas Aquinas's feast day, a saint who is very important to many, many people in the Church. Each saint's specific patronages, devotionals, or personal stories can connect us to them, and relationships with saints help us grow closer to the Lord. Comment below with your thoughts: Which saints have helped you grow closer to God? Do you have a patron to whom you turn? or, simply answer: Did you pray today?