Just so you know...

 A blessed new week to you all!

Just so you are aware, I have been discerning whether to stop filming and posting videos... at least the regular ones.  It's been awhile since I have been able to fit in the time and patience to go through the process, as much as I have enjoyed it, as nap time for my precious children is claimed by my own time for rest and catching up around the house.  So, in short, I may be taking down my backdrop as we plan to rearrange the "film set" for more practical needs to better serve my family.  

If you see short videos, that's great, but I think this is something I must do.  I will forward them onto the Facebook page "A Catholic Presence" to keep you updated.  Or better yet, simply subscribe to the channel.  I will still be posting blogs, which is much easier to do than waiting for a quiet moment to film.  I wanted to share this to assure you that nothing is "wrong," I'm simply living out my calling and posting on the blog whenever I get a chance.  

God be Praised, and keep Living Jesus, as the Sisters say!

Examples of Hope in the Face of Crises

I wanted to share some hope-ful news (interesting how I just posted on this virtue previously, as we so need it in times of harship).  Jason Evert and his wife just posted on YouTube (see link at the end of this post) that their son's cancer diagnosis has changed!  Praise God!  While there still may be a long journey ahead for treating his changed diagnosis, after going through surgery, they move forward filled with hope and gratitude.  Miracles happen!  

 While many people in the world suffer, whether known or unknown, I have noticed how certain Catholic evangelists, well known to the world, have recently been affected with deadly health struggles within their families.  Is a test, like Abraham and his son Isaac went through, in the Old Testament?  I have pondered much on this, while extending prayers for them, as I am sure so many of you have also done.

At the same time, I think their responses in the face of crisis is a witness to us of their faith in God, and their unwavering trust in His All-Powerful, All-Wise, love for us and in His Plan.  Micah Kim has passed away, but his father does withdraw in his own personal suffering to be in vain or in despair.  As Jason Evert has mentioned, Paul (the father) has offered up his time of mourning for Jason's son, and it obviously was not in vain!  Jason's son is still suffering, but the family is full of hope in this change of diagnosis.  

I speak - or rather, writing- to anyone reading this: whether your struggles are known or lessser known to the world, everything can be offered to God, everything can be united with the sufferings of the Heart of Jesus, and a positive, hopeful, trusting heart can always bring about a miracle and new perspective in your life.  

I have been praying about the quality to being resilient.  This is a choice, and sometimes a further effort, but it is also a positive hope for a better change to life's circumstances.  This too can impact not only our mentally handling a rough situation, but also the physical and emotional.  

So have hope, and do not lose faith, even if life looks grim.  And I mean that from personal experience as well, which I hope to further share in the future.  Let us not lose our courage, our hope, our faith in Jesus, Who is resurrected and still among us!  

God be Praised!  Please see the link below for Jason Evert's recent post on his son's hope-filled change in health diagnosis.

https://youtu.be/kWePGec2Ql8?si=v6d4wzyLhUulS7Jv

A Positive Outlook of Living With Hope

 Happy, Blessed New Year of 2026, and may Our Lady’s motherly intercession encourage us!

Though we are nearing the end of the Jubilee Year in the Church with the theme of hope, it is not my wish to put an end to writing about it, talking about it, or living this key virtue.  I am still pondering it.

Many years ago, I was writing a story, and the main character, feeling helpless, said “We can only hope.”  Let’s just say it had a negative connotation to it.  I wanted a more wise character to respond to her statement, but never got around to it.  The scene remained incomplete, and I moved on to other scenes.  But now, I wish I had supported my “defeated hero” with the actual hope-filled statement she needed to hear, before proceeding in her venture.

Hoping can be about surrender, yes, but it is meant to be a trusting disposition that does not end in defeat.  It is called to be one of humility, but also confidence.  “I can’t, but God CAN.”  I repeat, it is about placing confidence in a better outcome, even when things look grim.  

I have learned a lot about the word resilience lately, and having that positive outlook to “bounce back” is so important if we want better things to happen!  Besides, does it not say in Scripture “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Phillipians 4:8)?

God wants the best for us!  We are not meant to stay weary and depressed.  

Hope is what we all need in life, to overcome an obstacle.  Let us not become hopeless, but hope-filled!  

I literally hope to fill in the gap in that story soon, to give my character hope and for her to be a true hero, as I am striving to do such in daily life as well.  

May we welcome this new year with hope and continue to live in it, with God!

 As we wrap up 2025, I am wearing my shirt that has the Magnificat on it.  I am praising God for both the good and the rough times.  How much greater is our God!  

Until 2026, God be Praised!  Always!

Our Grace-Filled Mother

 The Feast of the Mother of God is almost upon us, and I would like to spend some time reflecting on how she is full of grace, and what I am contemplating about her.  I have been trying to pray a decade of the Virtues of Our Lady (see https://marian.org/mary/prayers/chaplet-of-the-ten-virtues-of-the-bvm).  I've got to admit, I love but do not currently have a big, spiritual draw to the rosary, but I like to see Mary as my mom.  In praying the different virtues in this chaplet, I have been seeking to receive inspiration from her.  What was she like, and how can I imitate her in faithfulness and grace?

But what is full of grace?  I think, in the recent past, I associated it too closely to being graceful like a dancer.  Believe me, I am not close to being there as wife and mother, and I don't think the Blessed Mother expects me to do such, gracefully!  (While discerning religious life, I read that she was the perfect religious, and to strive to imitate her....  But at least I don't have to do it gracefully!). 

It wasn't the way she gracefully carried herself, or gracefully wore her flowing veil, as I often picture her.  It is in the virtues she depicts, and in the ongoing perfection, that she fulfilled her duties as Mother of the Most High.  Now this is how I can be inspired by her!  "Mother of God, (then state the virtue of that particular hail mary).)

She is all pure, as in she trusted the angel and in the Word of God, and both acted and pondered all the events of Jesus' life in her heart.  True, I cannnot imitate her perfectly because she is sinless, but I can use her as a model as I too seek to follow Jesus.  I hope, as I continue in meditating on her virtues, that you will join me in contemplating this grace-filled Lady, Our Mother.    

Christmas, With the Holy Family

 In the busy-ness of Christmas, there is also the call to stillness.

Hush!  The little baby sleeps.

Let the Blessed Mother rest, with the little One in her arms.

Joseph stays near, guarding his family,

and angels sing their lullaby to the Savior- the Savior of the world.

So pause from the gift-opening, pause from the rustling.

Let the holy family spend some time in your hearts.

Merry Christmas!

Gaudete Sunday: Rejoice!

 As we approach the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, I reflect on the First Reading of

Isaiah 35:1-6a-, 10.  I would especially like to draw on the phrase "Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!  Here is your God...  He comes to save you."  

It is so easy to be caught up in our troubles and anxieties.  But now is also the time to cry out to those in need, and to heal our own hearts as we rejoice in our hope: "He comes to save you."

Lord, help me to know that these concerns are valid, but that I must not stop there.  Let me see that You, the healer and savior, will provide.  

When we choose to live in a spirit of gratitude, our courage is gained in Christ and we rejoice.  No suffering is wasted, and our hope is restored!