Had the most epic day hiking around Mt. Rainier in Washington State! It is breathtakingly beautiful, with the snowcapped mountain tops, flowing brooks, waterfalls from melting snow, a pristine view of the Cascade mountains, abundant wildflowers, tall pines, blue skies, hundreds of chipmunks scurrying about, marmots, mountain goats and delicious wild blueberries. I couldn’t but feel an immense gratitude. For years all we wanted was more time together as a family when it seemed so impossible at the time with Andre working long hours, weekends and holidays as an executive chef at fine-dining restaurants or country clubs. Somehow, we’ve been able to transition building our own business that is location independent, gives us opportunities to travel full time and explore this beautiful countryside and have so much quality time as a family!
This didn’t happen by chance!!
I had to be sick and tired of being sick and tired.
I had to work on my mindset!!
I had to believe it was possible!!
I had to be consistent and committed!
I had to trust the process!
I had to get comfortable being uncomfortable!
I had to unlearn and relearn and learn no skill sets.
I had to make temporary sacrifice for long term gain
I had to deal with disappointment and move on!
I had to fail many times and get up again and again!
But it’s all worth it for the person I am becoming in the process, the life we are creating and the lives we’ve changed and continue to change for the better!!
Anyone who has a burning desire for a better life has everything they need to create it!
There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.
Napolean Hill
Stay tuned for a video from Andre and more posts about Mt. Rainier!!
Andre and Andrea at Mt. Rainier, Washington
Pauline and Josephine are absolutely delighted to see snow after 8 months of chasing summer!
Brad, a fellow hiker, took this photo for us! Missing are Noah our oldest and our boxer dog, Freya. Dogs aren’t allowed at national parks.
Recently a left-wing media outlet published an article brandishing the Rosary an assault weapon. The author and editor and all of the main stream media and radical left-wing politicians are portraying Catholics, and Christians in general, as a radical group that is dividing this country, forcing their will on the population, being the moral police and being intolerant. Of course that is exactly what THEY are doing and being themselves. Not to mention that this country was founded on God and freedom of speech.
It is almost impossible to speak or even defend your opinion or question any topic if you don’t agree with the main stream media or leftist politicians without being labeled mysoginist, racist, climate denier, trans- or homophobe or whatever the subject matter.
So how has the Roasry been singled out by the left as an assault weapon?
Protests by Catholics are peaceful. I have been many times with many Catholics at an abortion clinic praying the Rosary for the end of abortion, for the murder of unborn babies to stop at the clinic, in the United States and in the world. All those protest have been peaceful and civil, without profanities no burning cars, spray-paining, destroyed windows, buildings etc. As Catholics we believe that life begins at conception. The man and the woman consent at that time (I am not including rape here) so why should life be destroyed? Right there is the choice you have as a man or a woman, your body your choice. After that there may be another body. It is laughable to talk about REPRODUCTIVE rights when the DESTRUCTION of life is the subject.
So why is the Rosary such a dangerous weapon?
Because it is used peacefully in protests, unlike many “peaceful” protests by Antifa and BLM. Because the Rosary beads are visible while reciting the prayer, quietly, peacefully. Because of the success of the prayer?
The Rosary prayer is a group or prescribed succession of prayers. There are opening and closing prayers and in between are five decades of Hail Marys. During the ten Hail Marys we meditate on the different stages of life of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It takes about 15-20 minutes and people pray it by themselves or in a group . As it is being done before mass in most catholic churches around the world. Indeed the Rosary is a powerful weapon. When we are baptized into the catholic Church we are joining the church militant and are putting on the armor of Faith. God is on our side and through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary He answers our prayers. Just like the Rosary prayers around the world for the end of abortion.
Like most Catholic families we pray the Rosary daily. Our family prays for different intentions, for personal intentions and universal intentions ie. the holy souls in purgatory, the conversion of sinners, for the consecration of Russia to Marys Immaculate Heart etc. With the spiritual warfare against the Faith in the world we need all the prayers we can get. Christians are the most persecuted Faith in the world. The Holy Rosary is our weapon.
Short answer: absolutely yes!!! In fact, the greatest contribution you make to this world may not be something you DO, but rather someone who you RAISE.
Often, very often, we hear from concerned, young men and women, who would love children, but say they don’t want to bring them into this world of corruption, toxins: a country that is on the brink of communism. They ask our thought as parents’ who are very aware of the issues we face today while simultaneously raising 7 children … and open to anymore God sends our way.
First off, the world is going to need your children and their leadership and stewardship. God needs your children so He can do mighty things through them, and He needs us to be faithful and trusting and co-create our posterity and hope for the future! Children are a blessing from the Lord and each one is “made for such a time as this” and we, their parents’, are equipped to raise up these arrows when we cooperate with God’s grace! His command has always been to “be fruitful and multiply”, so have faith and trust the process. Faith always, always proceeds the miracle. If we are going to change the world, it begins in the home; a Christ -Centered, loving home that is the schoolhouse of virtue and character formation. We need strong families more than ever.
Secondly, you are never on the right track when you make a decision based on fear, lack, despair, doubt or any other low emotion. That’s a sure tell-tale sign that it is not from God.
Bodhi and Andi
Honestly, I think that fear is deliberately placed on people’s heart by the Satan, so they won’t have children! The enemy is afraid and is a masterful illusionist. The truth is there has never really been a perfect time of ease. Each era has had its challenges and hardships.
Good things are contagious and when one person chooses goodness, joy and Truth, others will follow their lead and do the same! We can’t change the World ourselves, but we can cast a stone and create many ripples that eventually will make the change! Our children are the solution. It’s not for us to know the future but to have faith and make the next right decision, after the next right decision.
Be a Warrior, not a Worrier!
Love God, love and honor your spouse, and live a life of faith, integrity and joy!
It is breathtakingly beautiful, with the snowcapped mountain tops, flowing brooks, waterfalls from melting snow, a pristine view of the Cascade mountains, abundant wildflowers, tall pines, blue skies, hundreds of chipmunks scurrying about, marmots, mountain goats and delicious wild blueberries. I couldn’t but feel an immense gratitude. For years all we wanted was more time together as a family when it seemed so impossible at the time with Andre working long hours, weekends and holidays as an executive chef at fine-dining restaurants or country clubs. Somehow, we’ve been able to transition building our own business that is location independent, gives us opportunities to travel full time and explore this beautiful countryside and have so much quality time as a family!
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