Most! plus {7QT}

Sarah over at "Amongst Lovely Things" is holding a link-up.  So since I am coming to the end of my first full year of blogging, I thought I would do it...and heck....link-ups are just plain fun!!

And since it is Friday, I'm also going to link up with Jen at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

So, my Most Posts for 2013, as follows:

Quick Take #1 - 1st - Post with the Most Clicks - Theme Thursday: Secret

This one surprised me the most....but it was a link up, and in hind-sight the title probably drew some clicks too...who doesn't want to know a secret...

Quick Take #2 - 2nd - Post with the Most Comments - My Bookshelves

Again, another link-up, but one of my favorites.

Quick Take #3 - 3rd - Post with the Best Picture - 7 Quick Takes

The picture quality isn't the best, but I'm voting it best because I love when my kids have fun together.

Quick Take #4 - 4th - Post that was the Hardest to Write - Where I Come From

I did a blogging challenge in September called Blogtember. The first challenge was to write a post about where you come from.  I really opened up on this and put a lot of stuff out there for all to see.  I don't regret it for a minute, and this is one of my very favorite posts.

Quick Take #5 - 5th - Post that was My Personal Favorite - Sacraments and Confession

This post and the time around when I wrote it was a spiritually charged time in my life.  I had finally come to an understanding of Confession and was able to celebrate the Sacrament fully knowing I was receiving God's Grace.  I knew without a doubt that I was doing what I should be doing, what God intended for my life.

It was a little hard to pick a favorite post.  (So that's how I am going to make this 7 Quick Takes...)

Quick Take #6 - Another Favorite Post - My Conversion Story

This is the post that I expected to the be the Most Clicks...It's second.  Anyway, this one is a favorite for a couple reasons.  First, it's the story of how I came to this beautiful Catholic faith. I can't imagine where I would be today without it. I have been given so many blessings that I wouldn't have otherwise recognized, and I wouldn't have been shown God's love in so many people that have come into my life because of it. And second, it prompted my interview on SiriusXM's Catholic Channel with Gus Lloyd. I know God wanted my story heard....I trust Him that the one who needed to hear it did.

Quick Take #7 - Another Favorite post - New Job

This one is one of favorites because it is when I really started seeing God's active plan in my life.  And I haven't stopped since.

So, that's my contribution for this weeks quick takes and also my 2013 Mosts!  Thanks for stopping by!  You are welcome anytime!

Feeling Proud

Today is my dad’s 76^th birthday.

Growing up, he was a great example to me of a good Christian man.  He was involved in the church, helping out wherever needed, even building a church building at one time.

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I am open about becoming Catholic.  Anyone who is my Facebook friend also would easily be able to tell that I am Catholic.  I have often wondered what the people that I grew up protestant with think about that.   There are a couple of them that often ‘like’ my status updates, which makes me feel good, but I just sometimes wonder.

Since becoming Catholic, I haven’t had any conversations with him about that decision.  Part of the reason being that we don’t live near each other; the other reason is because we just don’t talk as much as we should.

I called him to wish him a Happy Birthday.  We had a really nice conversation, and I was telling him all about my recent promotion and about how many doctors’ offices I manage, and his reply was that his is proud of me but then he also said how proud he is of me for what I have been doing in the Catholic Church. 

I have always wanted to make him proud of me, and to hear him say that about my faith was one of the most beautiful moments I never expected.  In the midst of me trying to make him proud about what I have done in my career, ultimately it was my relationship with God that made him the most proud. 

 

It meant the world to me and I will cherish that conversation always.

 

Thanksgiving

I’m showing up a little late to the party, but I wanted to put something on here about the blessings in my life that I am Thankful for.

First and foremost, I am Thankful that God is in my life.  He has given me so many blessings and gifts that I couldn’t even begin to count them.  I try to see them every day; however I know I miss many more that he has given me.

I am Thankful for a loving family, my husband, my beautiful, smart, and caring children, and all of our extended family. That I always feel loved and appreciated, and a part of something much bigger.

I am Thankful for all of my family that live far away, that we all know that we love each other even though we don’t talk every day. 

I am Thankful for special friends who support me in my faith.  They are always there for me when I have questions or am in need of support. They always show me what good faithful people of God are like and have been wonderful examples of devout Catholic Christians to me. 

I am Thankful for my Church family. It gives me great joy to serve on the altar at our Parish and to greet the parishioners as they leave Mass.  It truly fills me with love every time I get to do it.

I am Thankful for the deacons and priests in our diocese, along with our Bishop.  We have been blessed with some wonderful men who have truly dedicated their lives to God and strive every day to be faithful shepherds to His people.  I wouldn’t be where I am today without a few of them.

I am Thankful for my co-workers (some of whom have become great friends) for all they do every day. I am proud to be their leader and I couldn’t do it without them.  I want them to know every day how much I appreciate what they do and cherish whatever extent of a connection I have with each of them.

I am Thankful for blogging.  I never could have imagined how much of impact it would have on me.  It’s been amazing to ‘meet’ lots of new friends through blogging and feel like I have a whole set of prayer warriors at my beckon call.  It has been incredibly beneficial for me to put my thoughts down in written word.  That is something I have never done before and am so glad I started.  I am Thankful for all of you who spend a little bit of time reading what I have to say.

 

 

 

Linking up with Cari and the others at Clan Donaldson for today's Theme Thursday!