Happy Thanksgiving!

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday it only seems fitting to focus on the many things that I am thankful for and I have realized through this process that I am often in complaining mode. "Dear God, I don't have this, I need this, why do I lack in this", and forget to truly thank God for the many blessings He has given me. If I were a betting person many of you find yourself in this same situation.

Often it is hard to take a step back when we are immersed in the day to day and recognize the ways that God is working in our lives and blessing us. Many times I forget that He is blessing me in the small ways like a beautiful morning when the sun is shining, or a good cup of hot coffee, or a conversation with a friend. I usually am looking for him to bless me in the "BIG" ways and when I don't see that happening I become discouraged.

This Thanksgiving I will be taking the time to sit in the presence of the Lord and write down all the many ways that He has bestowed His blessing on me. Thanking Him for the times of struggle and of joy. I encourage you to do the same.

I Stand with Thomas Peters

As some of you may remember from a few years ago, Thomas Peters, was one of our Keynote speakers at the "Live Out Loud" Frassati Young Adult Conference. This past summer Thomas sustained serious trauma to his neck after a swimming accident that almost left him completely paralyzed. By the many prayers offered and the grace and love of God Thomas is beginning to recover.

This Thursday, November 14th, his family is calling for an "I stand with Thomas Peters" media-thon to help raise awareness to the sanctity of life, marriage and faith that Thomas over the years has been a strong advocate for, but to also help raise money to help with the high costs of his continued treatment.

I know many of us do not have a lot of extra funds laying around that we can always donate to causes that need our help, but I do ask and encourage you to offer up prayers for Thomas and his new wife Natalie as they continue down this tough road of recovery.

Tis the Season... Not

Tis the Season…NOT

Alright, I don’t know about you but I am not sure how it all of a sudden got to be November. I feel like this year is flying by. I guess time really does fly when you are having fun!

The other day I was walking through Hobby Lobby and to my surprise (not so surprised) the Christmas décor was already in full swing. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good Christmas wreath or statue of the Holy Family and all the lights galore that come with this season, but did I miss memo that Christmas is now celebrated in November and not on December 25^th? It seems as though every year the consumer market moves up the Holiday season and we are unable to really enjoy and embrace the season that we are in.

If we begin to give into the well marketed idea that start November 1^st we are to start the Christmas Spirit, begin the Christmas shopping, start listening to Christmas music etc… we will be doing ourselves a great disservice spiritually. The church in her wisdom gave us a time of preparation, the season of Advent, to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. A time to step away from the noise and chaos that comes with this season to reflect on the true gift of the birth of Christ and the impact that has made on our lives.

So as we approach one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving, I challenge you not to overlook the great gift it is to offer prayers of thanksgiving to God for the many blessings He has given to us of our family, friends, work, school, a house to live in and food to eat. Let us not get caught up in the buying of material gifts that will come on Dec. 25^th under the tree, but take time to embrace this season of Thanksgiving.