Motivational Monday: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Happy Feast Day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton!

This educator was my favorite saint growing up. In my own childhood Catechism class, I first heard this ♪song♫ (Matthew 6:33) when we watched a video about her life…

With my own dreams of helping establish a Ca†holic school in my hometown, I look to St. Elizabeth for inspiration and seek her intercession.

Working Woman’s Wednesday: Patience = Virtue

Dr. Grassi cites scripture in sustaining patience:

1. Romans 8:28 ~ GOD works for the good of those who ♥love♥ Him ✌
2. Genesis 12:2, 7; Hebrews 6:15 ~ Abraham receiving the ☼promise☼ later in life
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Galatians 6:10 ~ Paul advising patience with other †faithful† people

I read his testament on patience yesterday, which was wonderful timing because it was just what I needed in multiple aspects of my life:

1. getting through my dissertation defenses
2. seeking a career advancement
3. dealing with difficult people

Before I read his passage, I realized how patience helped me through those obstacles mentioned above:

1. I received encouragement from my professors
2. I received my latest teaching assignment
3. I received a fresh perspective on someone

These were reasons to thank GOD!

When I went through my Confirmation classes, I sought patience as a virtue and still continue pursuing it through all aspects of my life. We live in a world of

• instant gratification
• sense of urgency

Yet …

If we patiently wait, we’ll have more reason to ☼celebrate.

As we commonly say, and I first heard from my eighth grade math teacher:

Good things come to those who wait, for they will be ☼rewarded☼ ten-fold.

Plus, as my buddy, Big D has mentioned:

Anticipation creates ☼excitement.

Spiritual Sources

• *Grassi, J. E. (2013). Guts grace and glory: A football devotional. New York, NY: Thomas Nelson. (p. 69)

Thirsty Thursday: Perfect Plan

Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the †LORD† your GOD, am with you wherever you go.

~ Joshua 1:9*

Bishop Mike ~ who reminded me to look at the †cross† for renewed hope, ♥love♥ and trust ~ sent me this beautiful †cross† that was blessed by Pope Francis during his *Stateside* visit!

Live by the †cross†: For more ☼floral☼ religious symbols from the clergy, please see the OLG medal from ♥Bishop Mike♥ & the ♥Pope Francis♥ coin

I received this generous gift from my spiritual mentor in great timing: the day before my latest conference call with my professor** to practice my dissertation defense ~ in which I advanced to my first committee defense (preliminary presentation to my professors on board)! This reminds me of how the Bishop has always come through for me ~ particularly when he gave me the Holy Spirit blessing and medal right before I took my comprehensive examinations for my Master’s degree almost a decade ago!

He will not let you down.

~ Bishop Mike

While we live in a world where ✌peace✌ is but a wish, our Heavenly Father has the BEST in store for us that is yet to come …

♪♫CHRIST be our Light ~ ☼shine☼ in our ♥hearts, shine through the darkness♪♫

*♪♫Do not be afraid, I am with you … I ♥love♥ you, and you are mine♫♪

*Bible Reference = My Mantra during my **Run-through

• Rainbow Studies, Inc. (2000). The Catholic Rainbow Study Bible: Good News Translation (2nd ed.). El Reno, OK: Rainbow Studies International.