Michael's Senior Pictures

Of all the changes that happened this year, I think our son Michael probably had the biggest adjustment.  Changing to a new high school his senior year is certainly not for the faint of heart, and he has handled it with grace and confidence.  Paul and I agonized over whether we were making the right decision to switch schools for our kids, but once the school year started and we saw how happy our kids were (especially Michael!), we felt like we made the right decision (at least for now).  

Michael has been more happy and talkative this year than I ever remember him being, which is such a blessing to this momma's heart :)  And this month he has officially made his decision where to go to college....  He picked Northern State University (NSU) in Aberdeen, SD!  Aberdeen is where Paul and I both grew up; it is where my parents and my brother Mike's family still live; in fact, NSU is my alma mater :)  I think it will be the PERFECT fit for Michael.  He will be able to hunt and fish with his grandpa and uncle.  He will be able to play cards with grandma and eat copious amounts of her cookies.  He will be able to play baseball (his #1 passion) while receiving a degree (of some kind) :)  

It's so hard to believe that another son is about to graduate.  I am so proud of him and I will certainly treasure these next 5 months or so while he is still in our home before sending him off on the adventure of college and beyond.  Please say a prayer for God to bless him and guide him on this next exciting chapter in his life---thank you!

Here are his senior pictures, taken by Eric Connolly, a talented photographer at our church.  He did a great job and I will treasure these photos always.

I love you, Michael!

I'm so proud of you and am excited to see what the Lord has planned for you.

Stay close to Jesus and Mary, call your mom and dad often,

and everything will always turn out fine! :)

Totus Tuus,

~Maria

Recent Medjugorje Messages from the Queen of Peace

Many of you know that I have been to Medjugorje twice---once when I was a senior in high school back in 1997, and once with my husband in 2006.  I give Our Lady of Medjugorje credit for bringing my husband and I together, which is a story for another day, but needless to say, I am a believer that Mary is really appearing to the visionaries and giving them messages out of her deep love for us.  She has been appearing daily since 1981, which is quite miraculous, and I thought I would share a couple of her more recent messages because they are very encouraging.

March 18, 2021  Annual Message to Mirjana

"Dear children, in a motherly way I am calling you to return to the joy and the truth of the Gospel, to return to the love of my Son - because He is waiting for you with open arms; that everything you do in life you do with my Son, with love; that it may be blessed for you; so that your spirituality may be internal, and not just external. Only in that way will you be humble, generous, filled with love and joyful; and my motherly heart will rejoice with you. Thank you."

March 25, 2021 Monthly Message to Marija

 

 "Dear children! Also today I am with you to tell you: Little children, the one who prays does not fear the future and does not lose hope. You are chosen to carry joy and peace, because you are mine. I have come here with the name 'Queen of Peace' because the devil wants peacelessness and war, he wants to fill your heart with fear of the future - but the future is God's. That is why, be humble and pray, and surrender everything into the hands of the Most High Who created you. Thank you for having responded to my call."