St. Valentine, Pray for Us!

It's Saint Valentine's Day today. On my way to class early this morning I was reflecting on all the love I have received in the last 22 years. My parents have a beautiful marriage, and my siblings and I are products of their love. God has loved me into being, He has loved me through the rough homeschooling years when I was nothing but a terror for my poor mother, He has loved me when I was broken and alone and was by my side as I navigated the dreadful high school hallways, He loved me as I left home for the first time, He loved me through and despite every mistake, and He made me new again.

Between those 2 examples alone I have had more than enough fruitful and wholesome examples of love to look up to. I am thankful for that. Five years ago I fell in love for the first time. He too has loved me through many hard time, and has been with me as I grew into adulthood. He has seen me at my very best and he has seen me at my very worst, and still he loves me.

Love really is a gift. And, I realized this morning that I am so incredibly blessed by the love I receive from my parents, from God, from Troy, from my sisters and brothers and through my friends. And, I think I was, unknowingly, taking for granted that love. Until this morning.

I thought about the girls in my class (there is something like 38 students, and only 2 men...) on my way to the school this morning. Many have boyfriends, or friends with benefits... many have children and they are all preparing for careers that will require giving a whole lot of love.

But there is something else I have noticed. Many of them are barely 30, and have at least one child (which is beautiful), but of those who have children I would say probably only 2 of them are married. That is sad, but what saddens me even more is that most have them have been married. They are 30 years old (or younger), have a family and divorce papers. It's hard to keep an optimistic view of marriage in our world when this is becoming the norm.

So, what went wrong? It's hard to say, I guess. But, I have discovered that maybe it isn't so hard to pinpoint after all... love has become disposable. We are lending a hand in this divorce epidemic by presenting the view to the world that love isn't something that needs time or work. We cannot sugar-coat relationships or provide advice that consists of the sentence, "Maybe you have just fallen out of love with him." We need to be real, and honest. Love is a choice that is made in every moment of every day. And, love is impossible without God. Yes, impossible. I am not saying it's harder without God, or different without God. It is truly impossible without God IS love...without Him love cannot exist in our world. Not only is God the maker, creator and giver or love, but He is also the perfect example of love. He never gives up on us...and we are as imperfect as imperfect can get. We need to seek after His wisdom and example and enter every relationship in life with the understanding that romance is not present every moment of life, and we may have a crappy day or our friend, spouse, parent or sibling may treat us terribly sometimes (guarantee you treat them like crap sometimes too!) or you just may not feel in love. But love is more than a feeling...it's a choice and the result of it is more beautiful and miraculous than you could ever imagine.

Make sure people in your life know you love them today... even if you don't feel like it.

St. Valentine, please pray for us.

Emily xo

Is Valentine's Day a Silly Celebration?

You probably noticed that as soon as Christmas was over the store shelves were cleared of all things red, gold and green and they were quickly replaced with pink and white hearts and candies. Our world has become consumed with Valentine's day, and it has absolutely nothing to do with St. Valentine {who really is deserving of some attention here, come on!}.

But, I think often times we are quick to brush off Valentine's day as nothing more than ridiculous, and added pressure to do something special for those we love. But, here is what I think

1. We should not find it burdensome to celebrate our love. We are called to love...to love everyone around us. I don't think it is silly, or stupid to take a day to acknowledge your love of your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend. Look at is as an added opportunity to serve and love them {St. Valentine died rather than renounce his faith in God. His love was larger than life, and a beautiful example of how we need to sacrifice to love more deeply}.

2. Love deserves celebration. Love is hard work, sacrifice and a lot of the time it can be downright difficult and unpleasant. But, it is worth it. God designed us for love...to give and to receive love. He never promised an easy, merry-go-round romance, but He did promise His love would be infinite and unconditional. Take a moment and look at your life. How has He proven that love to you {not that we need anymore proof, He died on the cross for us for goodness sake!}? Is it in the face of your spouse, in the eyes of your Mother, in the smile of your boyfriend? The love God has given us is worth celebrating.

3. Valentine's Day is an opportunity for honoring. When I was on NET they instilled in us the critical importance of loving AND honoring one another. In big ways and in small ways, honoring one another to show our appreciation and gratefulness for their life and all they have done. In 1 Peter 2:17 it says, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood.". We need to show our love, respect and appreciation for those whom we love. Valentine's day offers an opportunity to show that. 

So ladies, don't say the all too familiar line, suggesting Valentine's day is stupid and not worth acknowledging. And gentlemen, don't say it's a secular world's way of pressuring men into buying flowers and chocolate. It is more. It's a celebration of something that's hard, beautiful and worthwhile and a celebration of someone who is wonderful, and deserving of being celebrated. Ladies, celebrate your husband, boyfriend, sister, best friend, and parents. Men, celebrate your wives, girlfriends, mothers and sisters. 

St. Valentine, pray for us!

Emily xo

Some Valentine's Pins-piration

Happy Tuesday...

Saint Valentine's day is approaching...here's some themed pins for you that I enjoyed over the last week!

       1. I am certainly going to have to make this on Feb. 14th!!
       2. I just thought this was beautiful.
       3. Isn't her hair great? This style would be great for your date this year.
       4. How could I not include this?
       5. Just a perfect little image.
       6. I thought this was so neat. A subtle little reminder from God that His love is everywhere, even when
       we least expect it.
       7. And, just a reminder that on the most romantic day of the year there is a King who loves us perfectly.
       I would love this for my home.

Emily xo

Pin-spiration

I just wanted to share a few things that have inspired me, made me smile and brought joy over the past week.

1. I just thought this was too cute. Little animal kisses brought me a smile on this chilly Monday!

2. Winter has definitely set in here, and when it's cold and icy and we're up to our eyeballs in snow drifts it is sometimes difficult to remember how beautiful winter truly is. 

3. These flowers were my little hope of springtime...And, the colours are just so subtle, girly and gorgeous.

4. This quote speaks for itself.

5. Daddies and their babies are just so precious. Thank God for my good, holy daddy.

6. Warm toes...this just reminded me of Christmas, and my sisters, with our warm, wool-y socks :)

7. Again, just the beauty of a winter wonderland. This sparkling snow really is more beautiful then any diamond necklace or sparkly ring. It's a reminder moments are better than things.

8. Again, Daddy and his girl. Not only is this just so stunning, but it's also so innocent. Daddy is her prince, and those days end too quickly. 

I hope you find joy, wherever it lies in your life today!

Emily xo

23 Things

A few days ago I read a blog post, written by some 22 year old woman who thinks she has the answers to solving divorce rates....

Her post, maybe you also saw it, was a list of 23 things to do before the age of 23, instead of getting married. When I noticed the title of her post I was intrigued. I wondered why someone would make a list of things to do instead of getting married. As if life and marriage are two separate things that we have to choose between. So, I read her post, intrigued by what this stranger had to say about what I should do with my life in the next year.

In a month I will turn 22 years old. Up to this point in my life I have traveled to the Dominican Republic for the most beautiful, life changing experience I have ever had. I have completed high school, and have 4 months left until I graduate from college. I have moved across the country, away from my family, where I lived and volunteered for a year and met some of my best friends. I have fallen in love with my very best friend, and we plan on getting married. I have healed the relationships with my siblings and have become real friends with my sisters and brothers. I have stood next to my aunt on the day of her wedding, and watched her husband's face light up. I have held 2 sweet baby boys on the day they were baptized and I am so thankful I have the honour of being their Godmother. I have had the awful experience of finding out my best friend had been hurt and violated, and I am thankful she allowed me to be her shoulder as we worked through her healing process for two years. I have driven from Ontario to Alberta, and got to see the wonder of Lake Superior. I have splashed in the icy waves of the Atlantic Ocean and seen the splendor of God' creation as we explored the Hopewell Rocks. I have seen the beauty of the sun rising over the mountains that the stunning springtime in Vancouver. I have seen the great ships  on the Pacific Ocean. And, I have found a full, deep and satisfying relationship with my King.

When I take inventory of my life over the last 22 years I am thankful and I am satisfied.

I think this article that this young woman wrote was sad. It wasn't a list of things she's thrilled to have accomplished, or that she is thankful for. It's a list of emptiness. Standing naked in front of a window and making out with a stranger are not things you will look back on and remember with happiness. They are not life-altering, profound moments that will make you search your soul. They will not make you a better, more well rounded person. They will make you empty. They will make your soul yearn for something greater. They will not be memories of happiness, but regretted mistakes.

As sad as this post was, I realized something...this girl wasn't all wrong. There are things you should do before getting married. Being married young, at 23, isn't for everyone. Heck, some people won't meet the person they'll marry until they're much older than 23. But, I think that there is a list of things to do, for your entire life, so you are ready, totally and completely, to walk down the aisle at whatever age God calls you to. I believe age is irrelevant.

Here is my list of things to do before you get married...

- Know who God is. This starts at childhood, if you're lucky. Before you are prepared to walk down the aisle you need to know God. God is love. I know, you probably heard that a million times. But, say it out loud. God is love. The very definition of God is love and we cannot love ourselves or another person until we know what love is.

-Define love. Once you know that God is love, and you know what God's love looks like then you need to define love. For you, what does mimicking God's love look like. Here's an example- my definition of love is willing the total good for the soul of another. What's yours?

-Know who you are. I don't mean have a vague idea. I mean really know. Know God, and ask Him to show you who you are, ask Him to reveal to you who He created you to be. This is a life journey. You will constantly be discovering who you are. But, know who you are, right now, in this moment.

These things will take you more time than going to the Philippines for the Chinese New Year. For some people forming these things begins in early childhood. For others, discovering who God is won't even begin until they're 25. It's individual. It's not for you to decide what the standard is for what we should and should not do when we're 23... Life's too short to define it with silly things. Get your soul to Heaven...get the soul of each person you love to Heaven. Don't worry about the rest.

I am so afraid young women around the world will read that blog post and they will look at their lives and be unsatisfied. Define your life by precious moments, not by how rebellious you've been or how many boys you've kissed.

God bless you!

Emily xo

Christmas Cleanse

It's that time again...Christmas is only a week away, and we are all working away to make our homes "as fair as we are able". We are looking East, anticipating the arrival of our most humble and glorious King.

Maybe you've "trimmed the hearth & set the table", maybe your tree is up and the twinkling lights are on, maybe you've pulled out every green and red piece of clothing you own to decide what you'll wear on Christmas morning, and maybe your gifts are wrapped.

And, you are also probably preparing your hearts for His arrival. Maybe you have a Jesse tree, or you are saying extra prayers or reading extra scriptures as you make your heart ready. Maybe you're making an extra effort to attend daily Mass, or you're giving more of yourself to those around you.

But, what about your soul? Have you prepared your soul?

Growing up, the sacrament of Reconciliation was a part of our life, all year. My parents made sure we attended on a fairly regular basis. As I have gotten older I realized something. Often times, for many Catholics, Reconciliation is presented more as an option.
"We are offering a Penitential Service Wednesday night, if you'd like to attend."
It isn't an option, though. It is necessary. If you miss Mass on a holy day of obligation then you cannot receive Communion. It's not that you shouldn't receive, but you actually cannot. It's piling one mortal sin on top of another. If you're unfaithful in your marriage, living in sin throughout the week, you cannot attend Mass and receive Communion without first attending Confession.

With Christmas a week away I just wanted to remind you of the importance and necessity of you attending Confession. I don't mean just in preparation before Christmas, but try making a plan...go once a month, every week, every day. Just get there as often as you can. It is unpleasant, humbling and tempting to avoid. Satan works in the unpleasantness of the thought of confessing your imperfections, sins and downfalls to a priest and to God. Do not let evilness prevail..kick it to the curb and bite the bullet.

Go to Confession. You will never regret it.

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matt. 24:36

We must always be ready.

Emily xo

Christmas is Coming-Budget Friendly DIYs

Christmas is coming! I love Christmastime & I am so excited. I hope you are too! So, of course I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to Christmas-y type things, with baking, DIY, decorations, and gift ideas... but, I though I would also do a quick post about brilliant DIY Christmas ideas that I have already tried, or plan on doing. {It's a verrry budget friendly Christmas this year...being a student has taken a serious toll on my bank account!}

My first item is this ornament. I think this is a really cute, simple idea. You can use an old ornament you already have lying around, you can buy a package of cheap ones at the dollar store or you can buy some round, foam balls from Michael's or other craft stores. You could use any scraps of fabric you have lying around, and tie a nice, festive ribbon at the top & buy some little pieces of fake holly at the dollar store. 

I haven't tried this one yet, but it's on my list!

I did try my own variation of this & was really pleased with how it turned out...however, if you're mailing cards you may want to avoid using buttons, as it can be more heavy than a typical card may be.

I also tested this one out, using my own variation. I used pieces of ribbon, instead of drawing the strings as they did in this one. Either way I think it looks cute!

I haven't done this one yet, but I plan on it! I think this is what the boys will be getting for Christmas. It's a quick, easy & cute idea. You could even fill them with candies of baking for Christmas!

This one is also on my to-do list. I think my Mom may be getting this under the tree this year. It's easy & cute, & made from mostly things you've already got lying around. 

I think this would be a cute idea for kids {big & small, haha}. I mean, who doesn't love s'mores?

This is another really great, inexpensive gift for friends or family. I gave jars with brownie mix to my friends last year & they were a huge hit! I just attached a little tag with baking instructions. It's a perfect gift for someone with a sweet tooth, but who is busy & doesn't have time to whip up some treats from scratch.

I really love to bake, so I am always looking for cute, creative ways to wrap up some Christmas baking. Last year I did this and packaged some cookies up in them and gave it to my boss. It's the perfect size for cookies and makes a fabulous, budget friendly gift. 

I have yet to try this one, but I think it is great for kids. Use an icing bag & fill it part way with hot cocoa powder and top it with some marshmallows. Use a brown pipe-cleaner for antlers, give Rudolph some eyes & a red nose & you're good to go!

Well, I hope this gives you some inspiration. Happy creating & crafting!

{Remember to click the photos for links and visit my Pinterest board for some more ideas}

Emily xo