From terror to intimacy...

Throwback to our quarantined Easter 2020. I came upon this memory of praying with my family and the word that came to me was “intimacy.”⁣
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I have done so many things wrong as a mother and wife. As I approach 25 years with my husband, I am finally starting to understand one thing…⁣
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My power as a parent does not come from my ability to manage my home, but in my surrender to Jesus Christ.⁣
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My husband’s witness has taught me that. This photo reminds me. His strength in his duties is admirable. But nothing moves me to goodness and repentance like his humility in service and love of the Lord.⁣
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It is that quality which first brought me to Christ and inspired me to enter into relationship with Him. It is that quality which helps me stay steady in faith when I otherwise might run.⁣
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One of the greatest gifts God has allowed me to receive is the gift of sickness. He permitted me to lose control. To experience profound humiliation and confusion. To be stripped of identity in the world so that I could no longer hide from Him.⁣
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I found Him in the darkness. And He replaced my terror with Intimacy.⁣
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I know that my household does not look like my musings on Instagram. We are sinners. I fail daily in my living testimony. But perhaps somewhere in all the busyness and disorder, my kids will be moved to surrender.⁣
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Dear Jesus, capture me. Capture the hearts of my family. Draw us constantly into intimacy with You.

Healthy masking? Molds, allergens, common sense.

Let’s talk masks, allergies, and mold today. I’m going to put on my aromatherapist cap for a minute—but mostly just my common sense cap—to discuss some rotten health practices... and some good ones.⁣⁣
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First of all, solidarity with all allergy sufferers! Spring is rough. Especially when coughing in public is super awkward. (Please forgive me, fellow Mass-attendees… I promise it’s not the vid.)⁣⁣
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Now...⁣⁣
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There’s a time for extra caution. But it’s always time for looking closely at what is biologically beneficial for the body. There’s NEVER a time for propaganda-driven-one-size-fits-all-government-enforced health care… but I won’t go there today (much).⁣
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Let’s talk about personal health and masks. A lot of us are sick. A lot of us have allergies and disease. A lot of us have chronic fatigue and pain. A few points of consideration:⁣⁣
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•Masks trap allergens.⁣⁣
•Masks trap bacteria and mold.⁣⁣
•Within minutes, your mask will produce positive cultures for fungus and bacteria.⁣⁣
•Masks force you to aspirate waste that you exhale and anything that is trapped in your mask.⁣⁣
•People with chronic sinus/allergic issues often have mold trapped in their sinuses.⁣⁣
•People with emphysema are often medically mismanaged because their lung condition is actually fungal in nature.⁣⁣
•As a victim of severe mold poisoning and Lyme who has experienced a serious fungal lung infection... I don’t mask.⁣⁣
•As someone with chronic lung inflammation from autoimmune disease, I don’t mask.⁣⁣
•As an aromatherapist, I regularly diffuse anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal oils while I sleep to keep my airway passages healthy and support damaged tissue.⁣⁣
•I consider breathing fresh air an essential part of basic health.⁣⁣
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I’m not telling you not to mask. I’m giving a picture of whole health. In a culture with a far greater epidemic of chronic disease than ‘rona, we’ve got to be smarter than we have been.⁣⁣
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Also, I’m sharing my favorite respiratory diffuser blends below. Because plants are beautiful and God created them for our happiness and health.

Note: Instagram added a flag to this post there. It reads “Missing Context. Independent fact-checkers say information in this post could mislead people.” Further confirmation of my decision to back up content here. Because Instagram thinks you are an idiot and can’t think for yourself. I do not think that. You are free to accept or reject my content here. We are free together.

Interested in any of the oils and blends above? Find my preferred brand HERE.

Surrendering again...

Sometimes you get a great shot of the back of peoples’ heads... because you are following behind them as they lead. These two beautiful women have modeled such joyful surrender to me that even their ponytails make me smile. (Thank you @soulcorecleveland)⁣
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When we last met 6 months ago, we were just emerging from a quarantined world and the Holy Spirit was continuing a great work in my soul.⁣
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Through this apostolate, I was returned to the arms of Blessed Mother, spouse of the Holy Spirit.⁣ The change I have undergone in just a year’s time is nothing I expected.⁣
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In the first half, I learned how to praise again. I learned to surrender a bit more. In the second, I learned to believe in miracles. I learned awe.⁣ I thought I knew these things before. Now I know with certainty that I am an infant in faith.⁣
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I was blessed to also spend this weekend with one of my daughters, who modeled for me great faith. I took notes at times during our talks. Privileged to ponder her words.⁣
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We talked about the Holy Spirit. We prayed together along with 10 other women. We offered ourselves again to the Lord and Mary. We laughed. And we contemplated the life of Christ, friendship, and martyrdom.⁣
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I don’t know how to express all of the thoughts and emotions of this year outside of a desire to RUN interiorly and exteriorly.⁣
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To give great effort. To throw myself toward His help. I am looking forward so much to the Rise Up & Run 5k, not because it will feel great (this was not my experience last year!) but because I want to push...⁣
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I don’t want to be asleep anymore. I want to feel my arms shake during a workout. I want to pray when it gets hard. I want to weep at the right times. I want to see what is beautiful with redeemed vision.⁣
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I was moved this weekend when we were praying a SoulCore rosary and a woman named Mary was leading. As she prayed, her face was alive with joy and her arms extended in praise. Her “Hail Mary!” was one of the most authentic prayers I have ever heard.⁣
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And I wanted to follow her radiant smile... and her ponytail. Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me people who radiate Your Spirit. Thank You for everything.

Parenting adults: A shifting

Running for you...

We went to the track last night with the kids to get in some practice for the Rise Up & Run 5k in July. Link is in my profile if you’d like to join us from wherever you are! My kids are super excited. But...⁣
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Some of us forgot how painful running can be when you’ve done a lot of hibernating over the winter!⁣
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Little Z ran and ran. His short legs gave it everything just for the love of the effort.⁣
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The rest of us need the dangling carrot of race day to keep us going. But we will take it. Let the preparations begin! And...⁣
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Every runner registered so far and any intentions you’ve shared were carried with us. We run...⁣
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For your marriages.⁣
For your children to return to the Lord.⁣
For you to find a permanent home.⁣
For your healing of disease.⁣
For your grandchildren.⁣
For a softening of your grief.⁣
For your business venture.⁣
For Beckett Weinert.⁣
For peace in our country.⁣
For an end to abortion.⁣
For your private heartaches.⁣
For your broken bodies.⁣
For healing from mental illness.⁣
For freedom from addiction.⁣
For your deployed loved ones.⁣
All known and unknown petitions...⁣
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All of it offered up with our efforts everyday. And those of you who are running/walking/rolling/crawling toward the same goal...⁣
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Please carry all of us with you, too.⁣
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Also, if you didn’t share your intentions on your registration form, feel free to send me a message. And if you aren’t registered but would like us to carry your prayers... just drop me a dm or comment below.⁣
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“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3)⁣
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#riseupandrun21 ⁣

Parenting Tips (3 bigs)

Someone asked me for my top tips for parenting. Well, I still have a lot to learn. But I’ve learned a few big things that I will tell my children when they become parents.⁣
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I have quite a long list. (My older kids can sense this coming, I know). But I’ll just pick three today:⁣
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1. Don’t yell. At least yell less. Yelling in anger makes you sick and unhappy. Makes your kids reactive and defensive, and reduces their sensitivity to your words.⁣
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2. Smile at your kids often. Fake it if you have to. Show them that you like them and love them. Show them that your testimony to Jesus’ love means something more than a Sunday obligation... and that your happiness isn’t just reserved for people outside the house.⁣
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3. Read Scripture together every day. Learn to love the Word of God as a family. So that they will have more of His words in their minds than they have lyrics from Frozen. Or whatever is on the radio.⁣
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I don’t follow these tips very well. I’m still very much in training (still novice level after 23 years actually). But I have seen these changes make a positive difference in my home when I make the effort.⁣
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Well worth it. ⁣

Registrations are open! Rise Up & Run 5K

Registrations are open!⁣⁣⁣ Go here to learn more and join us: Rise Up & Run Virtual 5K run and walk
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Last year was amazing and we are ready to run/walk/crawl/stumble/roll and pray with you again. With brand new swag for 2021… and a new song of gratitude to sing.⁣⁣⁣
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“Call us back… Let us run.” is taken from a prayer of St. Augustine:⁣⁣⁣
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"You never go away from us, yet we have difficulty in returning to You.⁣⁣⁣
Come, Lord, stir us up and call us back. Kindle and seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness.⁣⁣⁣
Let us love. Let us run."⁣⁣⁣
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Race date is July 22nd, 2020 (Feast of St. Mary Magdalene) But because it is a virtual run, you can participate on your time table.⁣⁣⁣
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During the heaviest times of life, we look to the Transfiguration (Matt. 7:17). The disciples fell terrified before Jesus. And Jesus said:⁣⁣⁣
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“Rise, and do not be afraid.” …. “And when they lifted their eyes, they saw only Jesus.”⁣⁣⁣
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Those are the words which move us to courage…⁣⁣⁣
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I shall not be afraid of what is evil.⁣⁣⁣
I shall not be afraid of what is beautiful.⁣⁣⁣
I shall not be afraid of sickness… or healing.⁣⁣⁣
I shall not be afraid of the magnitude of the calling God has placed upon my life... or of my littleness, which seems insufficient for that call.⁣⁣⁣
I shall see Jesus alone… and I will RISE UP AND RUN to Him.⁣⁣⁣
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May our lives be a testimony of praise, and this run a small act of courage in the storm. It began as a seed planted through tears; a note of defiance against sorrow and quarantine. But has grown into a cry of victory.⁣⁣⁣
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We raise the standard of HOPE. He has won. Alleluia! Let us run to Him.⁣⁣⁣
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Registration link is in my profile.
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• Several shirt options this year w/youth sizes.⁣⁣⁣
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• Three registration levels (shirts, medals, stickers, and digital-only options)⁣⁣⁣
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• Your prayer intentions go with us on every training run and race⁣⁣⁣
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• Give Spiritual Race Bouquets to friends and family.⁣⁣⁣
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• Proceeds from registrations will go to abuse recovery ministry in the Church.⁣⁣⁣
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Thank you @1brooketaylor for being willing to enter in with me again. And to @joyfilledfamily @runningmyselftogether @chroniclesofstrength @solesearchingmamma #riseupandrun21

Preparing to run...

It is with much gratitude that I announce...⁣
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Registrations for the 2021 Rise Up & Run virtual 5k open tomorrow!⁣
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Last year, the preparation and running of this event was a moment of significant movement of body and soul for me.⁣I came with nothing but a tiny effort... a small effort oriented toward healing...⁣
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And PRAISE.⁣
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In the midst of quarantine, I needed to find a way to grow, reach, breathe, and strive toward my beautiful God.⁣ One year later, I have new reasons to run. And some that remain the same.⁣
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It’s a song of praise.⁣
A cry of lament.⁣
Defiance against the darkness.⁣
A prayer of gratitude.⁣
A sanctified effort with my brothers and sisters in Christ.⁣
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And just like last year...⁣
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You are welcome to join us walking, running, crawling, limping, rolling... however you are able to rise on that day.⁣
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A gift to God.⁣
A prayer for others.⁣
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Stay tuned... ☀️

Becoming a SoulCore leader...

One of the great gifts of 2020 was becoming a SoulCore leader. And it was an absolute joy to lead a group of women on the Arise Retreat in person last week after loss of flesh and blood community for so long.⁣⁣
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SoulCore integrates the rosary with core strengthening, stretching and functional movements; to nourish body & soul and encourage deeper reflection on the Mysteries and virtues of the rosary.⁣⁣
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It incorporates scripture, sacred art, music, candlelight, and movement. A gentle path to grow in virtue and cultivate interior peace. ⁣⁣
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Every movement is an invitation. As I told the women on retreat, it is okay to modify the movements or just rest in the presence of the Lord.⁣
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But it does feel so good to push the muscles! To feel them shaking and know that the body is being moved to be more and do more in service to love.⁣⁣
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I was nervous about leading SoulCore on retreat because I had never led such a large diverse group. But in that context, I rediscovered the reason I love this apostolate…⁣⁣
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Gathering together with beautiful, loving sisters who are willing to be a little imperfect while we lay down our lives in surrender to Jesus and His Blessed Mother.⁣⁣
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My nerves left completely. We laid down our intentions. I only forgot one Hail Mary. And I felt again the healing consolation of community, contemplation on the mysteries of Christ’s life, physical movement, rest, silence, and the love of our perfect Mother.⁣⁣
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At Arise, we used a very special rosary centerpiece for SoulCore from @freshrosary. Simply stunning. Every bead was a fresh red rose. Julia created and packaged it with such love. And from across the country, she prayed with us.⁣⁣
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After SoulCore, the rosary was presented to Mary at the front of the chapel where it remained throughout the retreat. Many took a petal to press in their Bibles to remember a grace-filled weekend and the love of God.⁣⁣
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Please go follow @freshrosary! I can’t say enough about her rosaries, her customer service, and her beautiful soul! And she’s given me a 15% discount code just for you: ARISE⁣⁣
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If you are local, reach out for my @soulcoreproject locations. Zoom coming also.⁣⁣

What is impossible for God?

I awakened this morning to a winter wonderland... and sighed. So done with winter. But that sigh was not heavy because I knew the cold would pass soon. Spring will not be stopped.⁣
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As I drove along the roads, I saw the blossomed branches in every direction shaking off the snow. The sun broke through the gray clouds and the melting snow fell like God’s grace...⁣
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On the car. On the road. On my soul.⁣
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Then I encountered the today’s shocking first Mass reading... ⁣
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“Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him.⁣
Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the Church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment.”⁣
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And I was filled with joy.⁣
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I didn’t feel joy over the persecution and real suffering, but because I know Saul... and I know what came after the brief winter of his hatred for Christ.⁣
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What is impossible for God?⁣
Nothing is impossible for God.⁣
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Saul could not destroy the Church. And the result of the martyrdom of Stephen was a great watering of faith, fervor, and miracles.⁣
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God did not stop the death of Stephen. But he raised him up. He showered the Church with His Spirit. And...⁣
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He turned Saul’s murderous heart into Paul’s heart of a martyr.⁣
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What is impossible for God?⁣
Nothing is impossible for God.⁣
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“Behold, I am making all things new.” Rev. 21:5⁣
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He does not force us to accept Him and to be filled with the Holy Spirit; nor to accept suffering and death with peace and trust...⁣
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But He makes it possible.⁣
Thanks be to God ❤️