Is there such a thing as too many choices?

I flip through magazines. I scan through the 10 pre-set radio channels in my car. I skim Pinterest and Facebook and blogs and Boundless articles.

And every once in awhile, I stop. I think about the vast amount of information that goes through my mind every single day. We are constantly bombarded with stuff. While technology brings a lot of good and improvement into our lives, it also brings a lot of stuff.

I start to wonder if we were ever meant to deal with so. much. stuff.

Read the rest of this article over at The Catholic Young Woman

Wisdom for Wednesdays

"Holiness is not something extraordinary, not something for only a few with brains, with intellectual powers that can reason, that can discuss, that can have long talks and read very wonderful books. Holiness is for every one of us as a simple duty - the acceptance of God with a smile, at all times, anywhere, and everywhere."

- Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Wisdom for Wednesdays

"Catholicism does not call us to abandon the world but to help shape it. This does not mean leaving worldly tasks and responsibilities but transforming them...Social justice and the common good are built up or torn down day by day in the countless decisions and choices we make. "

-U.S. Bishops, Everyday Christianity

Wisdom for Wednesdays

"Deep in our hearts we yearn for what is grand and beautiful in life. Do not let your desires and aspirations dissipate, but ground them in Jesus Christ. He himself is the sure foundation, the point of reference, for building up your life."

-Pope Benedict XVI

May is National Foster Care Month!

If one word could describe what the Lord has been teaching me in the past year (besides the never-ending lesson to trust!), it would be openness.

Being open to his leading, to opportunities and people He places in our paths each day, to our plans unraveling and His better ones unfolding. Having an open mind, an open heart, and open hands so that He can fill them. It’a beautiful, rewarding lesson.

But when I read about the Rosati family, I realize I still have a long way to go!

Kelly and John Rosati chronicle their journey through the foster care system and the adoption of their four precious children in their book Wait No More. This family inspires me beyond words with their open hearts and open home.  Kelly is the main voice of the book and I loved her humble, honest, casual-yet-passionate style of writing. This was one of those books I couldn’t put down and everyone around me patiently endured listening to me rave about it. (Thanks for putting up with me!)

Here’s a peek into some of my favorite thoughts from the book…

Recently out of the clear blue, Daniel [oldest adopted child] handed me something he’d written at church: God means everything to me. He means everything to me because He made me. He heals me, and He died on the cross for me, and He gave me a home with a family. He didn’t just give to me, He gave everything to me, including His life. (This just melts my heart—the contrast of this little boy’s life before and after adoption!)

One night we had been looking at African orphanage websites on the computer and the pictures of beautiful little children on the screen. I had apparently left the computer on overnight, and when I came into the room the next morning, I saw Daniel touching the face of a child on the screen and talking to her, saying ‘Don’t worry! We’ll come for you. We’re coming.” (yep, heart is definitely a puddle now.)

And there is this truth: We would never want to experience life without our daughter or any of our kids—whether that means life is easy or difficult. After all, where did we get the notion that the Christian life would be trouble-free? That’s not what Christ promised us. But He did promise that He would be with us in the midst of everything. He has promised that in the end, we will overcome just as He has. He has promised that He loves each precious human being made in His image and likeness. And He calls His followers to reflect that same kind of love.

In the United States, there are approximately 114,000 kids waiting for families and more than 300,000 churches. If only one family in every other church would adopt a waiting child, we could eliminate the list of waiting children.

 [Thank you, Tyndale House Publishing, for sending me the book for review free of charge. This review contains my honest and original comments about the book.]

Mother's Day

In a sea of blogging posts about mothers today, this post is simply from me to you, Mom.

It’s not meant to be an essay or a tribute or even an I-have-the-best-mom reflection (even though I do!)

It’s meant to be a simple, heart-breathed thank you.

For getting up in the middle of the night when I was crying...

For sitting on the edge of the bed when I couldn’t sleep…

For believing in me and carrying the torch of faith when I could hardly keep my head up…

For the long talks and tears on the phone…

For loving me when I was unloving.

For being a tangible example of God’s unconditional love when I couldn’t see it or feel it.

Thank you for walking beside me as I learned to be grateful for every moment.

For teaching me that I don’t have to be perfect…and waiting patiently until I learned it for myself.

For reminding me that He was working in my heart and life even when I couldn’t see…and for praying every morning that I would someday.

And now for rejoicing with me, laughing with me, sharing my joy and happiness and peace.

Thank you for forgetting the bad and remembering the good.

Next to my Father and Savior, you were the one closest to me on this journey, knowing my heart more than anyone as it bled, broke, fought, and healed stronger but gentler. Your prayers, your love, and your unwavering faith are a gift I hold with trembling hands of gratitude.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Image from Pinterest.com

Happy National Nurses Week!

Somebody asked: "You're a nurse? That's cool, I wanted to do that when I was a kid. How much do you make?"

The nurse replied: "HOW MUCH DO I MAKE?" ...

I can make holding your hand seem like the most important thing in the world when you're scared...

I can make your child breathe when they stop...

I can help your father survive a heart attack...

I can make myself get up at 5AM to make sure your mother has the medicine she needs to live...

I work all day to save the lives of strangers...

I make my family wait for dinner until I know your family member is taken care of...

I make myself skip lunch so that I can make sure that everything I did for your wife today is charted...

I make myself work weekends and holidays because people don't just get sick Monday - Friday. Today, I might save your life.

How much do I make?

All I know is, I make a difference.

-Author Unknown

Wisdom for Wednesdays

Wisdom for Wednesdays

"Love the Heart of Jesus; love Him foolishly; love Him above all things, immersing all your affections in Him without fear of sacrifice. The Heart of Jesus is an abyss which does not divide. We love more, we love better when we love Jesus. Natural affection is transformed, made greater, made God-like."

-Fr. Mateo Crawley