Thanksgiving around the corner!

What are your Thanksgiving plans? Tell us about them in the comment box. I've been so busy lately. My husband had major surgery, I just completed a book and I'm starting to write another! As well, I have one that is releasing any day now called, "Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women." You can check that out on my website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com.

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is only ONE week away? I can't. The days zip by--a reminder to us that we need to seize every moment to pray and be a wonderful witness of Christ's love to others. 

Did you ever pause to consider that God gives you an amazing opportunity to evangelize at your Thanksgiving dinner celebration? When you gather around your family table at the heart of your domestic church, you bow your heads to thank God when you pray your Grace Before Meals, followed by a Hail Mary or whatever you feel called to pray. You may have relatives who have joined you at the table who don't share your faith or who have left the faith. You might have grown children who have turned their backs on God. But, you're all there together breaking bread. Pray in advance that you can be a mighty light to all gathered, all by God's grace. And, whisper up a prayer while seated at your table that God will touch everyone deeply.

Hang on to your Thanksgiving traditions and continue to gather the family and other guests to your table to break bread, share stories and laughter. Who cares if the gravy burns or you forget the rolls in the oven! You'll laugh about that later, hopefully. For now, bask in the moments together, We really don't know what tomorrow will bring. All we have is now. Now is our time to pray and love.

For now, I'll leave you with a radio segment from a previous Thanksgiving regarding making Thanksgiving dinner and being together on the holiday, "Keeping it sane, simple, and holy" with Teresa Tomeo and me on our radio segment, "Mom's Corner."

Don't forget to leave your comments below, I'd love to hear from you. Share with us what you plan to do or perhaps a recipe.

God bless you and yours!

What's up?

What's up in your mothering?

What challenges do you face? What joys do you experience? What can you share with us here? Let's get a conversation going about one of the most sublime vocations ever.

I hope you'll leave a comment and share a piece of your heart with us.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

update

If you don't see a new post here, go on over to my blog: View From the Domestic Church.

Catching up

Hello!

I just returned home from a trip to Rome - actually a pilgrimage for me. I am blogging about it at my blog: View From the Domestic Church. Go on over each day and check it out. I'll be posting photos and news from the trip. I have been spreading myself thin lately so I may not be able to post much here for a while. But come back and check - you never know. So go on over to View From the Domestic Church and be sure to check the posts each day, not just the one from this link because I will be updating regularly.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Guess who just studied my Domestic Church book?

Guess who just studied my book, The Domestic Church: Room by Room? One of the women in this study group recently told me:

"We had our last summer book study gathering last week. We discussed the final chapter of your book while munching on appetizers. Several of the ladies were missing. We're an Atlanta, GA group. We really enjoyed your book and the discussions that ensued. Thanks for encouraging Catholic wives and moms everywhere. I'll be on the lookout for your new book in September. Congrats! God bless!"

In addition to featuring this lovely group here at "Embracing Motherhood" and very soon on my website, I decided to run a contest. The first person who identifies (no one in the photo is allowed to participate - sorry - or tell anyone else, please) one of the women here in this group will win an autographed copy of my new book Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship! It is scheduled to be released in September. I just thought I'd have a little fun with this group to liven things up a bit. :) Just leave a comment here at this post and the first correct answer will win my new book!

Thank you, ladies for taking part in this study. I pray that it has inspired your souls and that you will carry the torch to other mothers and women who may be struggling or just in need of a little light and nourishment.

God bless you all!

hugs,

Donna-Marie

A baby's conversation with God...

"A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'

The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.'

'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.'

'Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.'

'But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'

God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'"

(Author unknown)