This is For All You Sassy Singles Out There

Good afternoon! I apologize for some bad spelling yesterday I was sweating so bad. I am sweating again today all this heat has taken a toll on my skin. If you join as a member you will be included in prize drawings and you will get exclusive access to my Book of the Month Club and all exclusive access to my upcoming website. I will be penning a book of my own sometime in the near future so stay tuned for that. I am not into structured writing, I am more of a free writer. So be prepared for that when my book is relaesed in the meantime I will be publishing little mini books on such things as Christian beauty guides and Christian fashion guides, and many more subjects. i will make them available through my website once it is finished it is still in the creation process as well. But those that join as members will get all exclusive access. BEST OF ALL EVERYTHING IS FREE! The support to assist ongoing families, singles preparing for marriage, and those in different stages ina  relationship. I am going to warn everyone this is not a replacemtn for therapy so if I see soemthing that raises the need for counseling I will research counselors in your area and refer you.

All you singles around my age that think there is no hope for you think again. God answers prayers ( sometimes I must rather say he takes too long on occasion), but sometimes it is worth the wait letting God take the reign. As you all know several relationships took sudden nosedives. Hey! This kind of echos my relationship patterns. Today's topic is aimed for singles, especially those who are feeling called to marriage. That's right, all you singles are going to get in the practice of something that will come in handy when you do enter a relationship. Not many of you has set foot in a church door have you? My late spiritual advisor Sister Betty "Betty Boop" Glemboski once told me, " Some are not comfortable in a Catholic Church that is very understandable, but I pray if God is not found here he is found somewhere. Everyone needs to seek God and place him above all else". So today is going to be spiritual exercises for singles that will get you in  a more prayerful disposition. That's right for all you out there who are single, today's topic is going to be a lesson on how to BEGIN placing God int he center of you life! Lets begin today you are going to need a bible, your prayerbook, and of course your journal.

Let's start with a brief journal entry this will get you in the practice of journaling.
Step 1 Ladies and gentleman you may begin writing down all the personal qualities you want in a man or a woman. Let me tell you where today's topic fits in. The number one quality should be that whomever is out there should be centered on God.  Those who are god centered can help get those that need to be right on focus.
Step 2 When you write down all your qualities pray over them. Yes I said it! Pray over them that you may adapt some of the qualities yourself. Go back to my introduction post and look at the chart. That should be the foundation all relationships must start. Even relationships with God.
Step 3 After praying on them, never bend or compromise on the qualities you find the most important, especially God be at the center. If you do go on a date and that person does not meet the requirements it is a very important to be honest and address them. Ask them questions just because qualities are not showing up on the first date then be patient if they do not show up after keep communicating. Tell the other person because they may ask you how they can adapt to that quality if they think it is a good idea to take that quality on after a few attempts and they act like they do not care or show signs they do not want to change then move on. Jot down what qualities that are inflexible and mention why it would be a deal breaker in your journal. A lot of relationships call for compromise. Not on the qualities. If you want a God centered man or woman you are in the right step towards centering God in your own life.
Now that you have completed your list of qualities and why they are there, you have completed your first journal ever (that is if you have never journaled before)!

Now lets take out those Bible's! The Bible should be a number one staple on a book shelf. Mine are placed in very prominent places it helps remind myself. When mine is placed prominent, it screams READ ME! That means read out of the Bible daily!

First things first the qualities (this is for men) that echo what defines a true ideal woman should be virtuous over skinniness and beauty. Take out your Bibles and read Proverbs 31 verses 10 - 31. This verse was read to me when I was making note of qualities of a true Christian woman, it titled "A Lily Among Thorns: The Qualities of a Christian Woman. The reason I mentioned both is because you can read excerpts of femininity from the bible and from the book itself. You may wish to add this to your journal entry.

Here is a link to obtain a copy men it is alright to read books aimed for women it is how you get a gauge of how a Christian woman should behave or act.
http://www.sos-nar.com/tabor.htm

There is even some lined space for you to take notes too!

Single women you can also take not of what I addressed to the men as well. I want to go a little more in depth with all of you about a very healthy and active prayer life because woman are more apt to catch on then men, sorry guys it is true for the most part. This is why it is easier for a woman to put God in the center than men. Women are more spiritual I can say for the most part. To grasp a sense of identity in God's eyes matters of the heart and life situations must always be taken to prayer. God desries us, and when we allow God in our lives it shows where the utmost infinite love comes from. God displays his love all around us we may not be able catch on sometimes, because his hints are soft and subtle. God woos us all and wants us all to love him back as much as he loves us. that is the first step in centering God in our lives. Those pretty flowers that you or your mother have planted, those beautiful bloom's fragrance do not leave lingering scents through a window or past a bench swing for no reason. When that happens to me I take in the smell and tell God thank you and I love him right back. These are subtle ways God tells us he loves us.I am very fond of the book "Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul" by John and Stasi Eldredge for the fact it is the best example on how God loves us and desires us, and  does a far better job than I explaining how God pursues us. I will post links to their books at the end . Yes they even have journal too! Eventually when I get into doing book discussions I may choose this book sometime down the road, another example  is a book titled "The Love That Satisfies" by Christopher West this is another amazing book John Elderedge has a man's verion titled "Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul".  Again I will be posting links to all these wonderful books. I am giving links to the most affordable ones. Like I said, I will be hosting a global book discussion when I start my book of the month club. I am getting established here first and will be penning several of my own myself in the future, so you may have some of this content off the web and on your bookshelf. I am also goingt o put a lot of my books into ebook format as well for the readers. Getting back on topic, Singles make themselves more accessible and open when they become God centered. Remebering God's love in the forms of Eros and Agape will help place you in that frame of mind. Remeber gentleman, nothing attracts a woman more when a man is spritual and is not afraid to take things to prayer!

TODAY'S BONUS SINCE IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO POST!


Instead of a closing prayer i will give you ALL the proverbs bible verse so you can meditate upon it. This weekends stuff will be fairly simple. Stay tuned next week! You will begin to learn the parts to the Roman Catholic Rosary, you will get the next installm,ent on how to become God centered and there will be some crafts that accompany some of the topics next week. See you then!


Here are the links I will be providing them in hardback and paperback form.
Hardcover
Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul
Wild at Heart Journal
Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul

Paperback
Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul
Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul
Captivating: A Guided Journal: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul

May God bles syou and keep you! See you tomorrow!

Good Afternoon! God Has Made It Hot Hot Hot For A Reason: Check It Out!

Greetings! It is a very hot afternoon today! So instead of doing a full article review which is supposed to be scheduled today, I will be sharing a craft project that will have people of ALL ages cooled off in no time! Wait a minute there will be a small faith sharing today as well. So turn up those air conditioners, sit tight, and enjoy the post of the day!


As you all know the theme of the day is based upon this unbearable heat!


That's right, the topic is the forty days and the forty nights in the dessert! How does the forty days and forty nights of Jesus fasting, sweating, and trudging across the dessert have to do with family life you ask? How does the topic apply to singles you wonder? How does it apply to couples at all levels of discernment? Inquiring minds are probably wanting to know. For starters Jesus had to sacrifice on his journey through the desert, he even snubbed Satan when the devil himself appeared as a serpent offering him food and comfort.
There are several aspects of the trudging through the desert besides a message of sacrifice, but today I want to discuss sacrifice and sacrifice of comfort. 

The many families and couples do not realize the sacrifice that the other(s) has made for the overall comfort of the other partneror the rest of the family. Think back when a boyfriends arm went numb when you fell asleep on his shoulder at the movie theater just for the sake of not wanting to wake you. The heat has been so intense! Think of the times your girlfriend or wife has fired up the stove to prepare a meal in this dreadful heat sweating over the stove ungracefully. The idea is that putting aside comfort to assure the other persons comfort is kept at a higher priority, realize and appreciate it. If you have not took the time to say thank you now is the time to do it. Look you partner in the eyes and tell them "Thank you for offering up your own personal comfort for the sake of mine, I love you and I appreciate you".  To put God in the center yes you will hear this quite often! When you bow your head in prayer today tell God you are grateful for his mercy and tell him tank you for offering his son at a great  deal of pain doing so also, thank Mary for giving up comfort when delivering Jesus just to make sure the infant savior had a comfortable place to sleep, finally that our savior Jesus Christ for offering up his suffering the many he endured through his life span to his death so we all can be forgiven and live a life in comfort free from venial sin. 

My faith story begins when I was in a previous relationship. I was being beaten badly and I told no one. Unbeknown to me the neighbor knew what was going on, he refused to bite his tongue. He did not have a care in the world as to what my ex and his family would say or do to him. Giving up the comfort of personal safety of his family and himself, he would come to my aid when he heard my screams through the open windows. He also risked comfort when he suffered personal injury stepping between. He made that sacrifice for me knowing it was the right thing to do and the Christian thing to do. If it wasn't for my ex boyfriends kind neighbor, I would not be typing today. I am reminded of that sacrifice for one good reason because, God so willed him to step in! So every sacrifice is only a part of God's destiny he chose for you.  Meet God halfway for once go to a daily mass if you are not Catholic go sit somewhere where there is cold water to take a swim in and say a prayer of thanksgiving.



Now for the fun project! We will be making "Bible Babies" frozen treats.

All you need is single serve popsicles on a stick ( not the "twin" pop variety that has two popsicles stick that you have to break apart, though those will work if you are making a face only).

 Materials
construction paper
glue
markers
Bible (so you can research your ideas, plus you also get the word of God)


1. LEAVE POPSICLE IN PAPER WRAPPPER!
2. Draw on the facial features of your favorit or your researched biblical characters ( see above).
3. Make the clothing out of the construction paper (children please have adult supervision when using sharp objects, later on I will have my final suggestions, so stay tuned for that).
4. After you have glued the clothing on stick the "Bible Babies" on a tray or cookie sheet. Have plenty of room in the freezer! Let them refreeze as they may soften so, I suggest researching or planning your characters ahead of time before pulling the popsicles out of the freezer to decorate them. Leave them in the freezer for a few hours not only will the popsicles refreeze, but the glue will need time to dry.
5. Serve them to your family and friends! Couples you will have fun doing this too! It will get the door open for communication.

Final Take ~ Family time is always good time! So remember when making your "Bible Babies" remember to do it as a family, as a couple, or in a group! The conversation ideas when crafting should be opening up and sharing on prayer life. If there is a new prayer you learned share it. Then at the dinner table later or in a random conversation ask if the prayer was remebered. it is a very good way to brush up on cummunication skills!

Now this is an icebreaker, LITERALLY!

Don't forget to fill yopur journals in at some point of the day! Discuss sacrifice!


Closing Prayer
+ Sign of the cross +


We are offering up thanksgiving for the wondrous sacrifices our eternally beloved savior has offered up for our worldly comforts we wallow in sinfully, to have a laid back comfortable life. Teach us God to have greater respect for what it really means to sacrifice. Thank you God for your mercy and compassion.
Amen

+ Sign of the cross+

God Belongs in the Center

Welcome to my first OFFICIAL post! For an introduction on what is to follow, I will carefully explain what some terms are ( note that I will post terms I will use frequently), give an overview of what my posts will contain in an itemized list, and finally I will conclude each post with a prayer. Memorize the prayer ( I will try to post each prayer in a sub post as well for copy and pasting for journals and or prayer books.
  I. Terms and Definition
    a. Theology of the Body ~ September 5, 1979,  Venerable John Paul II gave an introduction on how to give dignity to the human body in aspects of sexuality, health, and even how to treat the body in death. Several authors have books that interpret, describe, explain, and give witness to the Theology of the Body.
    b. Natural Family Planning ~ The means of measuring a female fertility cycle by charting basal body temperature taken daily, cervical shape, cervical mucus monitoring, and charting and recording periods.
    c. Contraception ~ Means of preventing pregnancy such as injections, pills, barrier method, IUD's, arm implants, withdrawal, patches, vaginal sponges, vaginal rings, and the morning after pill. (future references will describe why all forms are not ideal).
    d. Abortion ~ termination of a a pregnancy forms such as saline abortion, suction of embryo, and the RU-486 pill ( I will discuss often the reasons why abortion is not ideal on a multi-faceted aspect).I Hate Anti ABORTION - Window Bumper Sticker
    e. Devotionals ~ Prayer and repetition of certain prayers in the Roman Catholic faith to incite meditation and ask for intercession and answering of prayers.
    f. Prayer Intention ~ The itemizing on why a devotional is offered and meditated upon. It could be for individuals, finances, career, family, relationships, the poor, the sick, the  homeless, the unborn, children, the church clergy/hierarchy, military, world leaders, and the list is vast and limitless. Just be prudent on what you ask for, as well as be appropriate about it ( you can learn the rosary or get in practice of the rosary for the whole family). Four Rosary Beads - Style 34518
    g. Journaling ~ Writing down thoughts, personal accounts of the day. Indeed, a portion of my program is journaling each couple will have a separate journal and a joint journal. Family journaling will be the same each family member will journal their own then each jot an entry in the family journal. The family/ joint journal will be where prayer ideas are shared as well as writing notes of encouragement. The family/joint journal will be the place where a couple or family can also share what they are disappointed in or where there can be some improvement shown, as each person can read and understand and lines of verbal communication will soon follow.
   h. Prayer Book ~ A book containing written prayers and a book where prayers can be written.
Well, that was almost the abc's of what will be frequently discussed.

A rule of thumb I expect those who will read and participate in the activities and discussions to be honest, be respectful, be polite, be open, be knowledgeable, be sincere, be charitable, be prudent, and FINALLY be chaste.

 THE FOUNDATION THAT ALL COUPLES SHOULD POSSESS

I have created a base universal to ALL couples, and those discerning relationships. If you are single and you have a shortcoming in any of the areas on the diagram. PLEASE WORK ON THEM BEFORE ENTERING OR ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A RELATIONSHIP. The inspiration for the foundation chart came from a relative's Native American craft, she used to craft these to hang on the wall. As a child, I was inquisitive when I only seen five colors wound around it. This is where I learned what it took for a couple to thrive in ALL five aspects of the foundation to build relationships. I think my great grandmother known all along, she was married to my great grandfather more than forty years.

The Rundown of What My Posts Will Look Like
1. Introduction to the topic followed by an explanatory overview.
2. Full length article.
3. Reasons why some may object (counter argument).
4. My experiences on the topic.
5. Activity (could be a small exercise, brainstorm ideas for incorporating the topic of the day in your journals, or a craft related to the topic that will be a cute way of remembering and learning the topic of the day).
6. A concluding prayer.
***NOTE*** Sometimes a post may not be an article it may be a diagram, picture, song, or a video with an explanation. The post can also be one huge project that takes teamwork as a couple and/or family. However, ALL posts will conclude in prayer. I will re-post the concluding prayer in the comment box to make for easier copy and paste for your prayer books, which leads me to the final bit.

The following are staples that are needed to be able to actively post and participate in debates/discussions, faith sharing, experience sharing, and to post ideas.
1. A bible (New American preferred, but any that you possess will work).
2. An individual journal.
3. A communal journal ( a journal that both write in as a couple and/or everyone in the family writes in) Aside from the family communal journal a couple may want to keep a separate for both to mutually in. Whatever way works as long as EVERY person in the family participates or the participation is mutual for the couples.
4. Prayerbook. A book with prayers already printed are fine however, the preference is a blank hardbound book or a 3 ring binder is recommended as I will be posting prayers and i will be posting common prayers as well, you may want to jot them down or copy and paste into a word processor with font design and size of your choosing. It is recommended if copying and pasting into a word processor then printing you may want to obtain a three hole punch with reinforcer tabs, or a plastic sleeve for the printed prayer then add it to the binder.
5. Rosary (if you are Catholic), or prayer beads for non Catholics (NOTE this is from a Roman Catholic perspective, but ALL are welcome).
6. Obtain materials for craft projects.
I will be posting links throughout where to obtain the movies, videos, talks/lectures, and such. I am contracted through Amazon so I will for some materials post the most affordable.
With that being stated, if you are in need of journals I have some that are attractive yet reasonably priced.
Celtic Journal (Diary, Notebook)
Red Embossed Heart Leather Journal - Line
Blue Embossed Dragonfly Leather Journal - Lined
Turquoise Embossed Butterfly Leather Journal - Lined
Tree of Life Journal (Diary, Notebook)
Brown Embossed Carpe Diem Leather Journal - Lined
Tan Embossed Leather Journal - Lined
Asian Landscape Journal (Notebook, Diary) (Coptic Journals)
Markings by C.R. Gibson Brown Ruled Paper Bonded Leather Journal, Small (MJ3-4792)

MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!
Names of Jesus Journal

You may also obtain them through other sites as well. These are just the ideal journal.


CONCLUDING PRAYER
+ Sign of the cross +
Ever blessed on our paths and in accordance to your true calling, I ask you to look favorably upon us sinners and know that we strive to become you likeness and image in which we was made from natural conception. I ask that you bless all those who are in the discernment process and that you provide the answers that we all need. Eternal father I am grateful for all that you have given me in life, that includes the bad as well as the good. You continue to over pour you eternal grace in us, allow us to have the wisdom and strength to see you in the eyes and faces of others. Your gift of your sons salvation is an example for the broken in society. The life, death, and resurrection serves as a beacon of light and promise that all couples and families may remember in servitude towards each other. I ask that you impart your knowledge so I may be your vessel of learning. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
+Sign of the cross +

Brief Introduction, Goals, and Objectives

To introduce myself, my name is Jessica and I am a Roman Catholic woman in her late 20's. I have never been married however, I have had relationships where I happened to have been engaged. The purpose of my page is to share tools, resources, and provide support for those an all phases of relationship discernment that will eventually lead to marriage and family from a Roman Catholic perspective. In addition to providing a variety of assistance, I will be sharing a vast array of ide3as and fun activities as well. God truly calls, and his calling has never been more clear he wants me to aid families and couples in all aspect of relationships, from every phase of a relationship (when a man and woman discerns to enter a relationship with each other, engagement, all the way through married and family life) to ongoing family support. In today's society the prevalence for broken families and divorce are at an all time high furthermore, in this broken society we often see travesties within family settings such as prolonged use of contraception and yes abortion. The goals are to raise awareness on a familial level to preserve a God centered life, preserve life, and keep family together. This is going to be educational relax, education can be fun with the right balance of fun, background knowledge, rhetorical knowledge, activities, experience, and group feedback. In the future I also plan to create forums to discuss, share, and seek. Gods is everywhere. I will place the disclaimer now. WARNING: My post will have adult themed posts on occasion (this is for those happily married couples), there will be topics of co0ntroversial subjects such as contraceptives and abortion, and last but not least you must be 18 years of age to view or be able to post. If I note that you are not 18 your comments and such will be removed. I will be creating a page for teens in the future.