Pray + Plan (BIS Pre-Orders Live!)

I don't know about you but I am fairly certain your planner or calendar the last few months has looked very different than you expected.
I know mine has.
Looking ahead to when life resume a bit more from this virus and #quarantinelife, I am eagerly looking forward to starting the month of August with the new Blessed is She 2020-2021 Academic Year planner.

Pre-orders began this week and they're at a discounted price ($10 off!) for people who pre-order. They planners will begin shipping at the end of May.
Continued from last year, there is a larger size and the mini version of the planner.

Larger Size - Monthly Layout

Mini Size - Monthly Planning Section

Mini Size - Weekly Layout

I wanted to share with you what are some new features this year and the meaning behind Pray + Plan.

New this Year:

• a gold elastic band to keep everything in place. Am I the only one losing my papers or reminder notes?!
• A monthly call to prayer with prayer prompts and space to journal right in the planner.
• At the very beginning of the planner are various prayer guides: How to Pray a Holy Hour, an Examination of Conscience, popular Catholic prayers, and How to Pray the Rosary.
• One novena per month that lands on a specific saint's feast day.
• For both planners, the pre-weekly planning sheet has been cleaned up a bit.

The Purpose of Pray + Plan:

This year's Catholic planner invites women to encounter Jesus as we plan our days with and for Him. We will dive into the persons of the Trinity in this planner: Father, Son, and Spirit. Women are invited to contemplate a different name / attribute of God with a bible verse and prayer prompt at the start of each month.

I am so excited to connect more with each Person of the Trinity this year!

If you have specific questions about the planner or which size is best for your needs, head over to the FAQS page. Don't need the FAQ and want to snag the order discount?

Grab yours here.

As always, thank you so much for using my affiliate link when shopping with Blessed is She.

Money from affiliate sales goes right a my next smallest loan in my debt snowball. Be impressed, Dave Ramsey.

Happy Planning, friends! :)

God is Here, Too

Do you ever have phrases that seem to define certain seasons of your life?
I know I feel that way in my own life.
Your current reality is in the center of God's will.
The above sentence speaks deeply to where life finds me right now.
Friends, God is here, too.
In your present moment, the current chapter - even if it is not necessarily what you wish for or desire.

I found myself thinking about this sentence again today as the 2020 Blessed is She Lent Devotional launches.
The theme and title of this year's devotional, Here, Too: Where We Meet God, accompanies readers through the Gospels, Psalms, and personal stories from 8 different writers on the team whose experiences and sharing reveal those unexpected times and places where we meet God in life. 
Throughout Lent, we will journey together; through the desert, storm, at home, the tomb, and many more places we may not even consider.
There is also a beautiful bundle option that includes the Lenten devotional, a gorgeous rosary from Chews Life, and a tote to carry around in daily life. 

If you would like to pray through Easter, you can grab this combo deal that includes a copy of Risen: 50 Ways to Celebrate Easter. The Easter book is undated so you can use this book every year.

Where are you this season in life?
Do you believe God can meet you there, too?

I promise you, He can and He will.
Your current reality is in the center of God's will.

Wherever your life finds you right now, you can meet and find God right here, too.
I am looking forward to journeying with you this Lent.

There is No "Right" Way to Become a Saint

The Internet can be a confusing, harsh, even judgmental place sometimes.
I am sure you know what I am talking about.
More times than I care to admit, I see fights and mud slinging about the "right" way to be a Catholic woman - like it's all or nothing, a competition to win - homeschooling vs. conventional, working vs. stay at home, married vs single, organic vs. non-organic food. The list goes on and on.
It is sad to me more than anything. I get that we all have different thoughts and opinions on what works best for your own life and family. But when we become harsh, unloving, and judgy towards what works for other people it is neither kind or how Jesus calls us to treat each other.
What can get lost in the process, is the beautiful fact that holiness is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It looks different for every woman and that is a-okay. 
The point is that we are called to be holy, to be like Jesus right where God has placed us. No striving or comparison needed.

For all the above reasons, I am most excited about the newest Blessed Conversations study, Misericordia.  It is based on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and the study follows the examples of 12 different Catholic saints (11 lay and 1religious). 
Each of these holy women had different careers, vocations, backgrounds, talents and passions, and countries of origins. To me it is a sweet reminder that the universal call to holiness will play differently in each of our lives. I am particularly looking forward to learning about a handful of female saints and blesseds that I have never heard of before!

Four women in different walks of life on the Blessed is She team beautifully make these holy women come alive by reflecting on the works of mercy. They all bring a unique perspective bringing to life the lives these saints.

The study is broken down into 12 sessions (one for each woman) and is bound, which is a different style from our previous studies. 
My copy arrives tonight and I cannot wait to open it up after work!
And for the love, can we as sisters in Christ just stop fighting amongst each other on how to best be Catholic?

I am looking forward to diving into the Works of Mercy more, and hope you will also join us!

With Lent in Mind

It's here!
On January 30th, Blessed Is She released their Lenten journal To The End: the story of sacrificial love. 

If you have the paid membership, your own copy will be arriving in the mail soon unless you have already received it. If not, head over to the BIS store and order yours now. We always run out, so don't sit on it too long!
There is also beautiful bundle option which includes the journal, tote bag, and a hand lettered print.
Hopefully you find something you like in either option. :)

This year's journal focuses on the Gospel of John and a deeper look at the sacrificial love of Jesus.

Written by Jenna Guizar (with co-authors Beth Davis and Nell O'Leary), this year's Lent Journal examines seven characteristics of Christ's sacrificial love. We see this most clearly in the Passion and Death of Jesus. Each week of Lent has a theme to reflect upon:

• Vulnerability
• Generosity
• Courage
• Humility
• Faithfulness
• Surrender
• Presence
• 
  

The layout is similar to previous Advent and Lent journals with a mix of Scripture, personal essays, reflection questions, and space to journal and write.

I am really excited to be doing the journal with a couple of close girlfriends throughout the weeks of Lent. Whether you do it on your own or in a small group, I hope you'll join our community in prayer and reflection as we keep this season.
Here's my affiliate link so you can order yourself a copy of To The End or gift a special lady in your life with one. And thank you very much, for using it.

Advent, Bearing Light, & why I'm not just trying to sell you stuff

It is currently 82 degrees in southeast Michigan on October 8th. 

I have needed to turn the AC back on for at least the next day or so. When you live for fall, this feels absolutely insane.  I totally feel like I have been getting gypped on the weather department.
The good news is by the weekend it will be in the mid fifties.

Let's talk Advent, yes in October. If fall is my favorite season, Advent is my favorite liturgical season in Church year.
On Friday, Blessed is She released the new Advent devotional, Bearing Light. This year the author is Shannon Evans. She wrote a great blog post on her own blog describing the story behind the prayer and making of this year's Advent devotional. 

What I am most looking forward to in this Advent devotional, is that we will get a chance to dive more deeply into Mary's prayer, the Magnificat. There will also Lectio Divina prayer to related Scripture verses, as well as, three unique female saints who bear the the light of God out into the world.
Another way to order the Advent devotional is to order the Bearing Light Advent Bundle.  It is exquisite. 

This year's bundle includes: the devotional written by Shannon, an imago Dei canvas mini wristlet, and the Magnificat candle (which is made of frankincense and myrrh essential oils).
I have seen the candle in person. It smells amazing, and the packing it arrives in is equally beautiful.
Shannon is such a gifted writer and her own first book will be published this spring. I hope you'll join me and thousands of other women around the globe to prepare our hearts together this Advent.  And if you wouldn't mind using my affiliate links, I would be so very grateful. ;-)

Sometimes it feels weird to ask people to buy stuff through using my affiliate links, but I really try not do it a lot. And I only do so when there are products I personally use in my life and ones that I get excited about.
So I am not just trying to sell you stuff, honest. :)

It can feel crazy to talk Advent so early in the fall, but we all know it will arrive sooner than we think.

Have you started thinking about Advent yet?
What do you most look forward to in that liturgical season of the Church year?

A Faith-Filled Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother's Day can sometimes be a painful holiday. 
Whether your Mom is gone, or you grieve the loss of never getting to hold your babies in your arms, it can bring up a lot of big feelings. I always say a prayer for those women whom this day is often difficult.
Whether you are a psychical mom or spiritual mom, here are some gift ideas at Blessed is She for celebrating the women in your life who are mothers or have been a mother to you in your own life.

Encourage Bible Memory Cards

These Bible Verse Cards are great for memorizing Scripture or send them as an encouraging note to a sister or girlfriend. I have hung mine from a shelf in my living room. When I have memorized those six cards, I will rotate six new ones in.

Catholic Journaling Bible

While I am not a terribly artsy or creative person, I have really enjoyed the extra wide margins to write notes or jot down thoughts while I am praying with my Bible. The extra space has been really helpful for me, especially as I am the type that loves to write in the Bible.
Saint Print Set

These and the Spring Prints are new. Good gracious, I LOVE the Saint Print Set. My favorite is Fiat, but in all honesty I will probably end up buying them all.

Liturgical Academic Year Planner 2018-2019

I really love this planner and I have tried several of the fancy big-name planners (Emily Ley and Erin Condren), but this is the most comprehensive I have ever used. 
I am most excited that the weekly grocery is perforated so I can tear it out from the planner and take it with me when I go grocery shopping. And for the first time we've rolled out a MINI planner, that is easier to carry around in your diaper bag, purse, or backpack.
Feminine Genius Tee
Women are such a gift to the Church, thanks Saint John Paul the Great for all your good words on the matter.

I am eagerly waiting for when this shirt will be available.
But I LOVE this one I wear frequently at home.

Marian Posters
May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Mother. And there are several Marian posters that would be a great touch of Mary for a woman you love. 

My favorites are the Memorare and the Morning Offering. I am currently trying to decide which one to buy for my bedroom.



Hope some of these idea's spark your imagination to share beauty and truth with women in your life this Mother's Day.
And thank you for supporting my writing by using affiliate links. :)

I use and love them. Maybe you would too?

Yes this is a post with affiliate links.
But here is the thing. All of these items (or similar ones) I have in my own home and have benefited me personally. In case you interested, I want to share them with you. Also I really think you would enjoy them.
I have written here before how much my life has been benefited from the personal friendships that have formed through being a part of Blessed is She. This has been amazing.
But even better, has been the personal spiritual growth and a deeper desire to read and study the Bible.
There are several new products available in the shop, specifically focused on Sacred Scripture and the study and application of it in your home and daily life.
Up first: 
The Blessed is She Academic Planners are on sale right now BUT the pre-order will be ending soon. And yes the planners always sell out. The cool thing about this year is that there are two sizes now - the standard, 8x10" and now a mini version.
Both of the planners still come with all the popular features - liturgical information, weekly planning sheets, and follow the academic year. They will be shipped this summer, so grab one now before the pre-order ends.

Curious what the lay-out of the mini looks like? Well here is a sneak peek. There has been feedback for awhile on a smaller size, so here it is. You can pre-order yours here.

Personally, I love and will be sticking with the academic planner. I like a larger size. My favorite part is the weekly planning pages before each week. It leaves me feeling organized and focused. You can pre-order yours here. 

Next:
The four-part study guide on the rosary (Mystery) is still available. I am actually going through Believe right now over Voxer with my friend in California and we've been loving it so far. You can order all four in a bundle here or individually at the same place.

And, the first ever Catholic Journaling Bible is still for sale. While I have written in my Bible for years, I am learning how to be okay that my Journaling Bible is not terribly colorful or creative.

And:
The brand-new Scripture memory cards are a great way for you to memorize more Scripture on your own or with your family. I am still debating where to hang mine up in my apartment, but I am excited to hang them this weekend.

That's it friends! I hope that was helpful or maybe you at least have a good gift idea for Mom for Mothers Day.
Have a wonderful weekend!
We may hit 50 degrees this weekend in Michigan. #heatwave