2014

It's the last day of the year, 2014 is almost over (or over depending on how long it takes me to write this). Yesterday I was listening to the radio and they were asking callers to say why 2014 was a great year so I decided that is what my last post of 2014 would be. I'm here to say why 2014 was a great year because it was.

2014 was a great year because it started with Mass at one of my favourite places Mt St Benedict

I missed the Mass that I wanted to go to because I was running late, decided to hang around for the next one so I ended up getting to spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament where I prayed the Rosary and then there was Confession. I had a pretty great start to my year.


I rode down a river into a swamp in a very tiny boat. There was some screaming and holding tightly

to the boat but the destination was worth it.

I ran into way more iguanas than usual this year. They were everywhere.

I planted a garden that did pretty well. The peppers especially were plentiful ending my black thumb,

inspiring me to try some more gardening in 2015.

I flew to Savannah and met up with some amazing women. It was so great to meet bloggers in person

and learn that they are just as awesome in person as they come off on their blogs. #NASavannah

I took a cooking class, the food definitely made up for having to wear a hairnet. I so want to do more

of this in 2015. It's fun, there is rewarding food at the end plus it's a great way to meet people and put yourself out there.

I met Teresa Tomeo over my birthday weekend, and got her to sign my book. She spoke at the

Women's Conference I attended.

Finally, I spent a lot of time in Adoration.

2014 was great and I am really looking forward to 2015.

An Advent Blog Hop - O Anthiphons

Today I joining Bethanne's Advent Blog Hop. Be sure to check out all the great bloggers who are participating.

Today is seven before Christmas, one week. This season of waiting is almost over.

Yesterday the O Antiphons started. I love the O Antiphons, besides the fact that they act as a count down to the end of Advent and therefore the start of Christmas, they provide a way to contemplate Jesus under seven unique titles.

O Wisdom, O Adonai (Lord), O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dayspring (Light), O King, O Emmanuel.

Each day's prayer ends with a plea for the Messiah to come. To end our wait. To be here with us.

From the 16th to the 23rd the O Anthiphons are the Alleluia verse at Mass. They are the antiphon before and after the Magnificat in the evening prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours. They can also bee prayed on their own.

O Sapientia (December 17) O Wisdom (Eccl 24: 5), you came forth from the mouth of the Most High (Sir 24: 30), and reaching from beginning to end, you ordered all things mightily and sweetly (Wis 8: 1). Come, and teach us the way of prudence (Isa 40: 14).

O Adonai (December 18) O Adonai or O Lord and Ruler (Exod 6: 13) and Ruler of the house of Israel (Matt 2: 6), you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush (Exod 3: 2), and on Mount Sinai gave him your Law (Exod 20). Come, and with outstretched arm redeem us (Jer 32: 21).

O Radix Jesse (December 19) O Root of Jesse, you stand for the ensign of all mankind (Isa 11: 10); before you kings shall keep silence and to you all nations shall have recourse (Isa 52: 15). Come, save us, and do not delay (Hab 2: 3).

O Clavis David (December 20) O Key of David (Apoc 3: 7) Scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no man closes; you close and no man opens (Isa 22: 22). Come, and deliver him from the chains of prison who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death (Ps 107: 10).

O Oriens (December 21) O Rising Dawn (Zac 6: 12), Radiance of the Light eternal (Hab 3: 4) and Sun of Justice (Mal 3: 20); Come, enlighten those who sit in darkness & the shadow of death (Ps 107: 10; Lk 1: 78).

O Rex Gentium (December 22) O King of the Gentiles (Hag 2: 8), Desired of all, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one (Eph 2: 20). Come, and save poor man whom you fashion out of clay (Gen 2: 7).

O Emmanuel (December 23) O Emmanuel (Isa 7: 14; 8: 8), our King and Lawgiver (Gen 49:10; cf. Ezek 21: 32), the Expected of the nations and their Savior (Isa 33: 22): Come, and save us, O Lord our God.

The first letters of the Latin words read backwards are ERO CRAS meaning Tomorrow I will come.

Rejoice

Today is Gaudete Sunday. We've lit the pink candle and we get into a rejoicing mood. We rejoice!!!

Do we?????

Christmas is a little over a week away. Everywhere we go the crowds are ridiculous. That uncle we deleted from our gift list has decided that he will come to the family Christmas gathering after all so we should really get him a gift did I mention he has suddenly gone gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. You spend an hour driving around a parking lot, 25 minutes navigating the crowds in store, 45 in a line at the check out and all you wanted was 3 items yet still forgot one of them.

Yesterday I found myself in my car praying about my attitude. I left home an hour later than I wanted to after getting a phone call about a Christmas get together that I was asked to plan that I didn't really want to plan but felt pressured to. I was now driving around and around a car park looking for a space to park, cars behind me we honking because we hadn't moved in a few minutes, I was thinking of everything I still had to get done that day plus I needed to make some headway with that party.

I felt myself getting frustrated, annoyed, overwhelmed and mean. I sat in a car that was neither moving nor parked, waiting for the ones in front to figure out what they we doing and my mind, heart and attitude just tanked. I was having unpleasant thoughts, a pity party and arguing with myself (I swear I am not crazy), definitely nowhere near rejoicing or finding joy in this beautiful season that we are in.

Thankfully God's graces abound. Just before I made another loop of the parking lot I caught myself. This is not the person I want to be, this is not how I want to find myself in these days leading up to Christmas. I took deep breath and just started pray asking God to change my attitude. To give me an attitude and spirit of joy, patience and love. To take away my anxiety and to give me peace in the situation.

It is very easy to let the petty annoyances build up and cause us to react. To let disappointments become bigger than they really are and lead us away from the peace and joy that we are trying to have this Advent.

This Gaudete Sunday let us find one thing to rejoice about. You got one present wrapped. Your favourite Advent song was sung at Mass. Someone complimented you on your clothes, hair, smile or the wonderful behaviour of your kids.

Rejoice!!!!

Our Lady of Guadalupe

On my trip to Mexico a few years ago one of the most obvious things to me was the number of tourist knick knacks that bore the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Why not after all the story is remarkable and even more remarkable is the millions converted because of it.

Don't know the story.

Juan Diego, a Mexican from the 1500's, had encountered Our Lady on a number of occasions on his walk to and from his home to the Catholic Mission. She wanted him to get the bishop to build a church, not that Juan Diego was rich and influential, he was a simple man. The bishop didn't go for it. Then on the faithful day of December 12, 1531 his uncle was very sick and JD needed to get help quickly. In order not to be slowed on this obviously important mission Juan Diego decided to use another route. Our Lady was pretty, the mother of God, definitely someone you want to make time for but his uncle was sick she would definitely understand that he needed to avoid her just this one time. No. She found him.

Our Lady told JD that his uncle had been cured and asked him to go back to the place where they had first met. You know the one he was avoiding on this particular day. There on the frozen ground he found roses and not just any old roses, roses that were not native to Mexico. Miracles of miracles right, roses on the frozen ground in the middle of winter and non-native roses in the bargain.

That was just the opening act of the miracle. JD gathered the roses in his tilma, Our Lady arranged them (a woman's touch is so important) and rushed to show this wonderful miracle to the bishop. Those beautiful roses should be more that enough proof to the bishop. However when Juan Diego opened his tilma to show the flowers to the bishop the main event really happened. As the flowers fell away an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was imprinted on the cloth.

The bishop was amazed, I'm not even sure he paid all that much though to the flowers, God after all is an amazing artist. The Basilica of Guadalupe was built, millions were converted. Mary once again lead many to her Son.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the unborn so for her Feast Day I leave you with a prayer.

A Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Virgin of Guadalupe,

Patroness of unborn children,

we implore your intercession

for every child at risk of abortion.

Help expectant parents to welcome from God

the priceless gift of their child's life.

Console parents who have lost that gift through abortion,

and lead them to forgivenss and healing

through the Divine Mercy of your Son.

Teach us to cherish

and to care for family and friends

until God calls them home.

Help us to never see others as burdens.

Guide our public officials

to defend each and every human life through just laws.

Inspire us all to bring our faith into public life,

to speak for those who have no voice.

We ask this in the name of your Son,

Jesus Christ, who is Love and Mercy itself.

Amen

Not Alone Series: Preparing The Way

Happy Advent! How do you prepare you heart, home, etc. for the coming of the Lord? Are there specific recipes or traditions you partake in? Share with us how you are making way for our newborn King!

I LOVE Advent!!!!! It's why I started my blog two years ago today on the 1st Sunday of Advent.

During Advent I like to stop and slow down which is kinda difficult in this very go season that is going on around me. Don't get me wrong I get my Christmas shopping done, I face the crowds, the inconsiderate parkers and bad attitudes that this season of joy brings out but I try not to get sucked into negatives. Christmas is not just one day and I need to prepare myself to enjoy it fully in these leading up.

This Advent I have set up my prayer corner complete with purple cloth. The purple walls are just a bonus.

 

Having an actual space to intentionally spend time in prayer that is dressed for the season gives me a reason to stop so I can spend some time with the Lord. I used to have an actual wreath for the candles but word to the wise when you live in the tropics do not pack away your wreath with your candles, it is not pretty 11 months later.

I am also praying the St Andrew Christmas Novena again this year. This is not a nine day novena. No, this novena is prayed 15 times a day from November 30 to Christmas Eve. I have prayed it for the last few years and I have found it very helpful in getting me to stop and set my heart on Jesus during the Advent season. I do not pray all 15 in one go, instead I prefer to pray it throughout the day to keep me in a prayerful spirit. Over the years I have used a variety of ways to help me keep track of the prayers. Pins, beads, stitch markers but whatever I use becomes a visible reminder to me to prayer and I love that. I also keep the prayer on my phone so if I look at my phone for some superficial reason I can also stop to pray.

I will be spending extra time in Adoration. Jesus is the reason for the season so why not spend some extra time with Him. I also want to be less selfish with my prayers, it's not all about me, so I'm also offering to pray for any intention that anyone may have (just leave a comment). I'm hoping for at least 3 days a week so I have lots of time to pray for all those intentions and still get quiet, reflection time and time to pray for my own intentions.

This is the last NAS post until next year (sad face) but don't worry we'll be back in 2015. So all the NASers hope you have a prayerful Advent, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

How do you prepare for the coming of the Lord? What ways do you find to stop or slow down during this busy rush season to truly focus on what is important? Leave a comment telling me all about it.

Don't forget to visit Jen for the link-up to see what everyone else is doing. Be sure the watch the video at the end of her post!!!!

An Advent Prayer

I LOVE Advent. It is my absolute favourite Liturgical Season. It may be because it's colour is purple but I don't feel quite the same way about Lent. It is a season of waiting and I hate waiting but I love Advent so I learn to joyfully wait. I think that may be it, for a season I learn to wait with joy and almost perfect patience. I learn to wait with anticipation and not anxiety. To wait with hope and not dread or despair.

So as we begin this wonderful Liturgical season I offer this prayer that was given to me a couple years ago.

Advent Prayer

Come, long-expected Jesus.
Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom
and power of Your Father and ours.
Receive my prayer as part of my
service of the Lord who enlists me in
God's own work of justice.

Come, long-expected Jesus.
Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace
in the world, peace in my home, peace
in myself.

Come, long-expected Jesus.
Excite in me a joy responsive to the
Father's joy. I seek His will so I can
serve with gladness, singing and love.

Come, long-expected Jesus.
Excite in me the joy and love and peace
it is right to bring to the manger of my
Lord.

Raise in me, too,
sober reverence for the God who acted
there, hearty gratitude for the life begun
there, and spirited resolution to serve
the Father and Son.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ,
whose advent I hail. Amen

Not Alone Series: Thanksgiving

The obvious and probably expected: Thanksgiving Post!! :)

In what ways are you thankful? Talk about anything you want here, folks!

"Give thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" Eph 5:20

Though life is not perfect or easy there is always so much to be thankful for and so many little thankful moments that we miss so I am very happy and thankful for this topic.

I am thankful for my family. My sister and I do not agree on many things but we slip so easily into just being in each other's company and friendship. Even when we have fought I know I can count on her to have my back when I really need it. My grandmother drove me crazy when I was younger with her "sage advice". She never stopped giving it even when we rolled our eyes and gave her bad attitude. I now quote my grandmother, a lot, when I'm trying to make a point or explain why I feel a certain way about things. She has influenced many of the things I find myself doing now. My cousins, they were my first friends and still are some of my most favourite people in the world.

I am thankful for my friends who nurture my Faith. Saturday I was supposed to do something but it got cancelled at last minute and I was not in a good mood. A friend of mine called me up to go to Adoration with her, I did not want to go and tried to get out of it but she kept at it and I went. I am so happy that I went it was exactly what I needed. Friends who pray for you and with you, send you funny messages, verses and timely quotes.

I am thankful for this online community which is also made up of friends. This community of beautiful Christian women has been a great blessing in my life in so many ways. I love how we encourage and support each other.

I am thankful for my Faith. Life gets hard sometimes and I think without my Faith it would feel so much harder.

I am thankful for the priests that I know. I have had one re-arrange a whole Saturday morning to come give Confession to a retreat group.

I am thankful that Advent is just a few days away. Advent is my favourite Liturgical season. In fact I am thankful for all the Liturgical Seasons of the church and how they are set out to help us grow and deepen our Faith and relationship with God.

There is so much we can be and should be thankful for. What are you thankful for? Leave a comment and visit Morgan for the link-up.

Not Alone Series: Praying At Home

How do you pray at home? Do you have a special place in your house? How do you make that area special? Comfy chair? Prayer cards? What suggestions do you have to make a home altar? If you don't do this, in what ways can you begin?

I'm more of an evening prayer person since mornings except for Saturday my mornings are all about getting out the door for work. In my room I have a little corner (away from my bed, falling asleep is not allowed) where I usually pray. It's close to the door which has a crucifix over it, a bible, some prayer cards and books, a candle and a pen should I choose to journal. My journal is transitory.

My living is where I get my quiet mornings (my sister is not a morning person). Again there is a crucifix over the door, images of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart plus a few other images. Saturday mornings especially this is my favourite spot for praying, journalling and reading my bible.

At my kitchen sink. I grew up with my grandmother praying and singing hymns while doing chores and I never thought I would but I sometimes find myself praying while doing dishes.

Do you have a special spot to pray at home? How do you make that area special? Leave a comment and visit Jen for the link-up

Ten Things About Living A Godly Life

This past weekend I attended a Catholic Women's Conference where Teresa Tomeo was one of the speakers. Now I listen to her on her Catholic Connections radio show some mornings and I have watched her on the Catholic View for Women so I may have gotten a little fangirl. She is very friendly and personable, a great speaker and pretty funny in person. I hope to do a review of the Conference soon, in fact Teresa mentioned the conference on her show on Tuesday.

One of her talks was "Ten Things I learnt about living a Godly Life" so with her permission here are the 10 things:-

1.Offer it up to God and put it at the foot of the cross

2. Remember the Blessed Mother is watching you. (and we need to be watching her)

3. Remember, it's the Ten Commandments and not the ten suggestions.

4. Pray and go to Mass

5. Think of the word Bible as an acronym: Basic Instructions before Leaving Earth. (Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives)

6. Give thanks. (an attitude for gratitude)

7. Say God spares or God willing. (In Trinidad we say Please, God)

8. Be Nice

9. Remember it's not all peaches and cream you know. (all sunshine makes a desert)

10. Keep Smiling (even if it hurts)

Not Alone Series: Feeling Down

What ways do you run to implore the Lord's help when you are struggling? Do you always spend time in Adoration? Do you dive into the bible? Automatically go to Confession? Could you be better? And what about those times when things are good and you are joyous? Do you still give the Lord your time?

"Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I try. I really, really try. I'm not perfect at it but I try really hard and sometimes get it right.

Daily Mass, great for starting the workday. My job consists of 10 people asking for different things at the same time on top of regular deadlines and another 10 coming in right after for yet more things. Patience was not my go to virtue but since I've started going to Daily Mass I've noticed a change in my attitude. Patience is still not a perfect virtue but I'v learnt to take a deep breath and call on the Lord more often.

Adoration. I love Adoration and I'm getting good at getting there every week. I've picked a date and a time unless it's a life and death emergency I tell most people that I'm busy. Last year I thought about weekly Adoration but didn't see how I could fit it in. Now I try to get there more than once for the week if I can. Sometimes all I do is sit and many times that is all I need, an hour or so sitting with Jesus.

Bible. Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I've read the whole thing at least once. I've pulled out verses that really touched me at the time and written some down, underlined others. I hate writing in books, really really do but my bibles are underlined, highlighted and scribbled all over. I just go out and buy a new one (different version) when I need more space. I have four so far but really only use two most of the time. In times of struggle I have my go to verses written all over the place and if I sort of remember one that I don't really know it I google the part that I remember and usually find the full verse. I repeat it to myself, I think about it, I pray it, I hold on to it to get me through.

Music. Sometimes I don't even want to think because even that is too hard so I just put on some christian music really loud and let it play. When I feel like singing along I know I'm feeling better. Surrounding myself with positive words and messages is so much better for me than the music I used to listen to, to match my mood.

I'm constantly learning new ways to run to the Lord when I'm struggling and the best time to learn them is in the good times so I'm working on doing these things all the time.

How do you handle your struggles? Do you remember the Lord in the good times? Leave a comment and visit Morgan for the link-up to see what everyone else is saying.

7 Quick Takes Friday #61 Birthday Edition

--- 1 ---

It's my birthday today!!!!!! In my world my birthday is a holiday, one of the great things about having a birthday at the end of the year is frivolously using one of P.T.O days without worrying that an emergency will crop up and my days will have run out. The kid part of me is happy that my birthday is close enough yet far away enough from Christmas that people still remember to get me two presents and I don't have to wait to long between the two. My sister is 21 days before Christmas. and a cousin is 5 days after.

--- 2 ---

I am not alone celebrating my birthday today. Arlene Spencely is celebrating today. Her book Chastity is for Lovers comes out in a couple of weeks (a little book plugging for a birthday buddy). Apparently it is also Billy Graham's 96 birthday today.

--- 3 ---

I've been to Mass this morning and followed that up with some time in Adoration starting off this new year of life right. I'm having a special birthday lunch where I plan to indulge in 3 desserts this is in addition to the mini cupcakes and ice-cream I have waiting at home for me.

--- 4 ---

Tonight and the rest of my weekend will be spent at a Catholic Women's Conference. A couple friends I and will be having a very Spirit-filled girls weekend.

Teresa Tomeo will be one of the speakers, tomorrow I think and I am really looking. She also has a new book releasing soon Walk Softly and Carry a Great Bag (I'm all about the plugs today)

--- 5 ---

On the Not Alone Series we discussed our deal breakers again. How and why we hold on to our standards in dating. I mention my birthday in my post so this counts as a birthday take  Come check out the link up.

--- 6 ---

I usually celebrate my birthday for a whole week anyway, it's on the 7th it's practically a must, having it fall on a Friday I get to give myself a bonus weekend of celebrating. This past year has a great one, there were more ups than downs. I made new friends and kept most of my old ones. I tried new experiences and have been better for them. I grow daily in my Faith, my walk with God and my attempts to live a saintly life. Looking forward to what this year going forward brings.

--- 7 ---

A song has been stuck in my head every time I've been to Adoration lately (I've managed to get there 3 times this week including today) but I didn't really remember which song it was. "All to You I surrender. ALL to You my blessed Saviour. I surrender all." I knew I knew the song but couldn't remember and thought it was a great prayer for Adoration so I let it play in my head for a while. Today I remembered which song it is "More of You" by Colton Dixon.

So a song to end the week and words that make a great prayer to start my new year of life

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
 

33 Days To Morning Glory

I'm finally doing it!!!!!

Earlier this year when Joan invited a few of us to do the Marian Consecration with her and I really wanted to join her. I have been thinking and praying about it for a while but it was just not the right time for me.

However as the year continued Marian Feast days came and went but I was either swamped or I forgot. There was the added wrinkle of not being able to get the book "33 Days to Morning Glory". The e-book version was always available but I wanted the actual book. Even amazon kept running out, at least when I was checking.

I finally picked January 1st as my Consecration date and that I would get the e-book if I had to. Then some time in August I was talking about it with a couple friends they were talking about the book by Montfort but I mentioned 33 Days, so one of them sent me an email a little while about a group's 33 Days starting today, November 5th for a Consecration date of December 8th. She also gifted me with the book "33 Days to Morning Glory".

God sometimes has to knock me on the head a few times but this time I got it really quickly this time around. I am now planning for a Consecration date of December 8th and I started my 33 day journey today.

Please pray for me as I dedicated myself to this retreat with the "intensity and zeal of a Celtic warrior".

Not Alone Series: Deal Breakers Again

We have chatted about our deal breakers/non-negotiables before, but how do you keep from letting your standards fall? What prevents you from just dating any guy out there? What keeps you going?

God wants the best for me so I should also want the best for myself.

My birthday is Friday. "Another year older, still no man." "You are not getting any younger." Lovely words to hear this last week and although I some times I think similar thoughts the people who do say these things to me don't know me very well.

Last year I was talking to a friend whose birthday is just after mine, wishing each other happy happy, lamenting getting older and being the only two from a particular set of friends still single. In the last 2-3 years everyone else has gotten married, entered the Seminary or Religious Life and one decided just to do it her own way and had a baby. Dani said "God's timing is perfect and it will happen when it's time to happen." She is very wise and I hold on to her words.

God's timing is perfect and even though the old clock seems to tick faster I'm not about to become desperate. I don't just want a husband to say I have a husband. I want the right man. A godly, prayerful man. A man who shares my Faith and values. The Eucharist, the Body of Christ is very important to me and when I go to receive Him at Mass I am walking towards Jesus so I want my husband walking with me. Not left behind in the pew or even worse not even there but back at the house watching football, cricket or hockey.

I think that if I just grabbed the next available guy even though he is totally unsuited to me I just may be happier single than married.

I want to be happily married. I know we may disagree and everything will not be perfect or even happy all the time but the guy I envision will work with me and pray with me so we can keep figuring it out.

Having friends like Dani and the NAS community is really helpful. Looking around sometimes it feels like everyone is paired up even 10 year olds (rant for another day) it's great to have people in your corner who also have similar standards, who are waiting or have waited.

I had a co-worker ask me a few months ago if I thought maybe my standards were too high and if I really thought there was a guy out there like that. I said yes and it was a really easy yes for me to say. Sometimes I doubt and lose patience but I keep trusting God and His timing.

What helps you to not let your standards fall? What keeps you going? Leave a comment and visit Jen for the link-up to see what everyone else has to say.

Not Alone Series: Discernment Challenges

We all agree that discernment is challenging. Figuring out what the Lord is calling you to do with your life can be frustrating and exhausting. But, then add on lack of family support, cultural pressures, and your personal expectations... ugh. And, this isn't just in relation to vocational discernment, but general life discernment, too! How do you keep going? What helps you to push through? How can we encourage one another? What indicators have you experienced that lets you know you're going down the right path?

Most High, glorious God,

Enlighten the darkness of my heart,

And give me right faith,

Certain hope,

And perfect charity,

Wisdom and understanding,

Lord, that I may carry out

Your holy and true command. Amen.



I have been saying that prayer of discernment everyday for almost a year. I've had that prayer for a couple years but I've never given it much thought or anything but earlier this year it just stood out to me and I felt called to start praying it and I did.

Not all decisions happen that quickly. There are many times I would pray for or about something and I feel like God is saying yes but I hesitate. I ask Him if He is 100% sure this is right, maybe one more sign, a clearer one this time.

At some point in time after I've prayed and discerned and talked it over with whomever I trust to guide me in the right direction I have to make a decision, a choice. I need to trust that God has given me the "right faith" I have been asking for. I need to let go of the doubt and the fear, I need to trust.

Many times the choice will be the right one. Everything will work out and I'll see a clearer picture of where and why God is leading me.

Sometimes I'll make the wrong decision but that's okay. "In anguish he prayed more earnestly" Luke 22:44. That verse really caught me last week, many times when things go wrong I take the time to go over in fine detail what was and where I made my mistake.

What does Jesus do? He prayers more earnestly. So I'm trying to let that be my guide. If I make the wrong decision I can't just stop or give up. I need to pray more intently and earnestly. Pray for my next step. Discern my way out, around or through my current situation.

Discernment is a lifetime. How do you handle it?

Do you struggle with discernment? Leave a comment below and don't forget to check out what everyone else has to say. Visit Morgan for the link-up.

Not Alone Series: Sex

Our culture is obsessed with sex. With anyone! At anytime! If you want to, just do it! But, the Church teaches that sex was created for the context of marriage. Why do you choose to abstain? Why aren't you going around having sex with just anyone? How would you encourage others to do the same? How do you remain strong when everything in our culture is encouraging you to abandon your convictions?

In the beginning I wasn't having sex because I had no interest and now I'm not having sex because I know better.

During my teenage years I didn't date. I may have wanted a boyfriend at some point but I had no interest in sex. The girls I hung out with were the "good" girls, some had boyfriends the rest of us didn't but we were all not having sex. We didn't go around thinking sex was some dirty thing but we knew and agreed that sex was not right for us at that stage of our lives. One of my friends was a pastor's daughter so she probably had some theology or at least biblical understanding about why she was waiting the rest of us were just waiting.

Sex wasn't something we discussed in our circles. We knew other kids who were having it, most didn't try to keep it a secret. It was something they were proud of. I hadn't even kissed a boy before I graduated so sex wasn't something on my to do list. Plus even some of the "bad" girls were virgins and proud of it. There was no pull to have sex to fit in so I graduated an 18 year old virgin and was okay with that.

Now I know better.

In the early years I didn't care to have sex, everyone around me wasn't having sex and my closest friends were committed to their virginity. My decision wasn't based on my Faith or God.

Now I know why I shouldn't be having sex. I know that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. I know that I am made for love. I know that true love waits.

God wants only the best for me and that is not having sex with every guy I feel attracted to. That would be insanity. Sex is the total giving of self, my mind, my heart, my soul, my fertility, body and every single hangup I have with it. Having sex outside of marriage doesn't allow for that total giving of self you instinctively hold something back to protect yourself or because that is not the person you want to give those things to. So you withhold your heart because you don't really love this person you're just having fun. You withhold your fertility because you can't get pregnant for this guy. Your mind and your soul because you're not sure you can trust this guy with your deepest thoughts and feelings.

I have a new group of friends who are committed to not having sex until marriage. Many are virgins, some have had sex before but have re-committed to waiting until marriage, I draw encouragement from them and I hope I also encourage them. Our conversations resolve around the premise that if you aren't married you aren't having sex therefore if we talk about the hot date you had over the weekend no one will be asking if you have or when you plan to sleep with him.

How about YOU? Why do you choose to not have sex? How do you stay strong to your commitment? Leave a comment below and check out Jen for the link-up to see what everyone else is saying.

Not Alone Series: Rosary and Single Life

October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, so we wanted to honor Mary and reflect on her help during this time of singleness. How have you called on her intercession before? What is your relationship with our Blessed Mother like? If you don't know much about Mary or the Rosary, is there something keeping you from getting to know her?

I pray the Rosary everyday, I have for the last five years.

Before that Mary has always been an integral part of my life even when I wasn't paying attention. My mother shares Mary's birthday, September 8. I was baptised at a Marian church, the Cathedral of the Immaculate conception. Attended the school for that church and made my First Communion there. Confirmed at a different Marian church the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. My great-grandmother Mary had a strong devotion to Mary and both of them lead me back to Jesus and my Faith.

I was going to church but not really there and a challenge to pray one decade of the Rosary quickly lead to praying a full mystery daily. What I love is that Mary does not point to herself but to her Beloved Son. In her Magnificat she proclaims "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour". At the wedding feast at Cana she tells us "do whatever He tells you", nothing after that.

Mary is not spoken a lot of in the bible so I have been reading up on her as much as I can.

Just a few of the books I have

It's a journey, I seek her intercession but I also seek to emulate her. Her courage, her Faith, her steadfastness. Seriously if someone told me a sword would pierce my heart also I would be tears and searching for that contract to verify the fine print cause I don't think I signed up for the pain. Our Blessed Mother took the pain and sorrow right along with the Joy and Glory of being the mother of God.

I can just imagine her speaking to  Jesus on my behalf saying to Him similarly to when she said "They have no wine", "she has no husband", "she needs a new car" "that problem is too overwhelming". She doesn't whine or complain but simply states each request and trusts Him to do the what is best.

What is your relationship with Mary? Don't have one, why?

Visit Jen for the link-up and see what everyone else has to say.