I came across this amazing "true love" story on Ann Voskamp's blog. It was just what my shallow heart needed to see. It humbles me to admit that marriage is hard for me. In other words, I'm not very good at it because I have carried in my heart a very selfish definition of what love is. The Gospel gives us the correct definition, of course, but it has always been hard for me to convert that self-sacrificial definition of love into my marriage. Perhaps I watched a few too many sappy romance movies over the years when I should have been reading my Bible instead! :) But anyway, this story of marriage lives out the Gospel definition of love more beautifully than I've ever seen...it is definitely worth the 9 minutes!
Immaculate Conception, Mary, my Mother... Live in me. Act in me. Speak in and through me. Think your thoughts in my mind. Love through my heart. Give me your dispositions and feelings. Teach, lead and guide me to Jesus. Incline me to constant adoration and thanksgiving of God. Pray in me and through me. Let me live in you and keep me in this union always.
~A prayer by St. Pope John Paul II
PAUL & MARIA
We strive to be a "Totus Tuus" family, which is Latin for "Totally Yours." Pope John Paul II used the term Totus Tuus to signify his deep devotion to Mary, knowing that she would lead him more perfectly to her Son, Jesus. We inscribed Totus Tuus inside our wedding rings to signify our total commitment to each other and to our Catholic faith. We try to live that commitment daily...although we perpetually fall short and rely on God's forgiveness and grace! :}
JOSEPH
Joseph is 21 (gulp---he's an adult!) He attends college at Franciscan University where he is growing in his faith, earning a business degree, and playing baseball for the Barons. He loves hiking, fishing, guitar-playing, and skiing in the winter.
MICHAEL
Michael is nineteen (gulp...we've raised another adult!) and is the only one in the family with brown eyes (Grandma Theresa is very proud of this fact). His passions are playing baseball for NSU, watching sports, and fishing.
DOMINIC
Dominic is sixteen, crazy smart, and can run like the wind! For fun he reads Calculus books, chillaxes with friends, listens to classic rock music, Minecrafts, and runs for miles and miles..
NATHANAEL
Our big 11 year old who likes playing baseball, collecting baseball cards, Minecrafting, or playing outdoor Airsoft battles. He keeps everyone in the house smiling!
ISAIAH
Our baby, who is already nine! He is filling our hearts and our home with joy! He is crazy about reading, collecting baseball cards, playing board games, and doing whatever his big brothers are doing!
"Let nothing disturb you, nothing distress you; while all things fade away, God is unchanging. Be patient, for with God in your heart nothing is lacking. God is enough. " ~St. Teresa of Avila
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