We have some exciting news to share! In 2015, the bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, AZ, Bishop Thomas Olmstead, wrote a letter to the men of his diocese called Into the Breach. The phrase “into the breach” comes from the Bible, specifically, from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel: “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I
What is grief? How does it impact the person? What can you do to help a friend who is grieving? In order to help someone who is grieving, we must first attempt to understand what it means to walk in their shoes. One of my goals with this blog is to show you, with words, what grief is like. Leave behind the “I could never imagine” and begin to imagine with me for just one
As I type the title to this latest blog post it shocks me to my core and I dissolve into tears. In a million years I never would have thought that I would be advising other grieving families on their child’s gravesite. It is something I had never stopped to imagine or consider and I know that most people don’t. It’s just not a normal thing to think about. As I have walked this path
Let’s talk about overwhelm. I cannot speak to what men experience but I can speak to what so many women experience. We are consistently exhausted and overwhelmed by the many demands life places on us. When grief is added into this mix all of these thoughts swirling around in our heads are suddenly exacerbated one hundredfold. How do I get the laundry folded when I can’t stop crying? How do I show my children peace
I took these pictures of some sunflowers that Jeni bought me a few months ago. They're among my favorite pictures.
I remember sitting at my desk watching them die. It was when they looked orange. I was so captivated. I thought to myself, "Look how defiant of death they are. They are determined to die with beauty!" That's when I decided to take the picture.
For months I followed their journey, beholding the resiliency of beauty dueling with death and its ugliness. I can't say that I was sad when the fight was over. In truth, they made me smile, because it seemed clear to me who really won.
Death will not rob Beauty of its dignity.
This applies to us all. Love always costs dearly. It means you must sacrifice much of yourself. It means recognizing that when you truly love this means you will truly grieve. Love costs us everything. But it is what saves the world. I wouldn't have it any other way.
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If you know the artist please comment here so that I can give credit.
#marymotherofgod #mycatholicfaith #griefandloss #loveissacrifice #lovesavestheworld #childloss #infantloss #miscarriage #teamdonutdogs #MaggiePrayForUs #JoyfulLikeMaggie #ReflectTheLight #ForeverMyDaughter #griefquotes #griefrecovery #griefislove
What a beautiful tribute to our Maggie! Maggie is a saint in Heaven and she can pray for you and your children. How wonderful is it for our little ones to have saints to look up to who are just like them? Feel free to right-click this image, save, and print. Hang it up where your children can see it!
Please visit Crafty Little Blessings and give her a like and a comment as a thank you. ❤️❤️❤️***Scroll naar beneden voor Nederlands/Dutch below***
Today I want to share a special story with you. A story about a young girl, her brave and faithful parents and loving siblings.
A tale about growing in holiness as parents, a tale of helping our kids grown in their relationship with Christ and how a little girl can be a source of joy and comfort to others..even after death.
It is not an easy story to read. If you’re anything like me you will cry and smile and cry some more. But it is a story of faith, a story of hope, a story of love.
This is the story of Maggie. Maggie was born on May 19th 2007 and was about to turn 11 when on May 6th 2018 she unexpectedly and tragically died from a previously undetected brain tumor overnight.
I 'met' Maggie’s mom Jenifer online in 2016 through our shared love for baby wearing. Little did I know that her and her family would impact out faith lives so much a few years later..
I remember reading about Maggie’s unexpected death online (www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155504061111659&set=a.10150169077151659&type=3&theater).
You don’t have to know this family in real life or have experienced child loss yourself, to feel their devastating pain. What however struck me most was the way Maggie’s parents spoke about their loss. Their complete trust and rest in the resurrection of Christ.
In the 2+ years since the death of Maggie, the way Jenifer and her family have been dealing with their loss, the way they are living their faith, is truly an inspiration to me (and many with me). Although of course heartbroken by the unexpected loss of their daughter, they exhibit an even bigger love for and trust in Jesus.
On top of that I want to share that we personally have invoked Maggie’s intercession when praying for the frequent unexplained headache flares our 5 year old had. And I am thankful to say they have completely subsided!
You’ll often be told to read about the lives of the saints as an inspiration how to grow in holiness. Well, although Maggie and her family aren’t recognized as saints in the Catholic Church (yet), Maggie and her family are an example for me personally how to grown in holiness (as a family). Their unwavering faith in the midst of this devastating loss, their joy and love are just astounding.
I welcome you to read and follow Maggie’s story online at: joyfullikemaggie.com/ or on Facebook: Joyful Like Maggie
I hope their story will be an inspiration for you as well! An inspiration and a reminder that our lives, our actions impact others. That we may all strive to be reflections of God(s love) in our daily lives <3
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Vandaag wil ik een bijzonder verhaal met jullie delen. Een verhaal over een meisje, haar moedige, gelovige ouders en haar liefhebbende broertje en zussen.
Een verhaal over groeien in heiligheid als ouders, een verhaal over onze kinderen helpen te groeien in hun relatie met Christus en over hoe een klein meisje een bron van vreugde en troost kan zijn voor anderen ... zelfs na de dood.
Het is geen gemakkelijk verhaal om te lezen. Als je op mij lijkt, zul je huilen en glimlachen en dan nog wat huilen. Maar het is een verhaal over geloof, een verhaal over hoop, een verhaal over liefde.
Dit is het verhaal van Maggie. Maggie werd geboren op 19 mei 2007 en stond op het punt 11 te worden toen ze op 6 mei 2018 onverwachts en tragisch stierf aan een niet eerder ontdekte hersentumor.
Ik heb Maggie's moeder Jenifer in 2016 online ‘ontmoet’ door onze gedeelde liefde voor het draagdoeken. Ik had me toen niet kunnen voorstellen dat zij en haar familie een paar jaar later zoveel invloed zouden hebben op ons geloofsleven..
Ik herinner me dat ik online las over Maggie's onverwachte dood (www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155504061111659&set=a.10150169077151659&type=3&theater).
Je hoeft deze familie niet in het echt te kennen of zelf een kind te hebben verloren, om hun verwoestende pijn te kunnen voelen. Wat me echter het meest opviel, was de manier waarop Maggie’s ouders over hun verlies spraken. Hun volledig vertrouwen en rust in de opstanding van Christus.
In de meer dan 2 jaar sinds de dood van Maggie is de manier waarop Jenifer en haar familie met hun verlies omgaan, de manier waarop ze hun geloof beleven, echt een inspiratie voor mij (en velen met mij). Hoewel ze natuurlijk diep bedroefd zijn door het onverwachte verlies van hun dochter, tonen ze een nog grotere liefde voor en vertrouwen in Jezus.
Aan dit verhaal wil ik nog toevoegen dat we persoonlijk Maggie's voorspraak hebben ingeroepen wanneer we baden voor het ophouden van de frequente onverklaarbare hoofdpijnen die onze (toen) 5-jarige had. En wat ben ik dankbaar om te kunnen zeggen dat de hoofdpijnen volledig zijn verdwenen!
Er wordt je vaak verteld dat lezen over de levens van de heiligen als inspiratie kunnen dienen voor hoe je kunt groeien in heiligheid. Hoewel Maggie en haar familie (nog) niet als heiligen in de katholieke kerk worden erkend, zijn Maggie en haar familie een voorbeeld voor mij persoonlijk hoe je (als gezin) in heiligheid kunt groeien. Hun onwankelbaar vertrouwen te midden van dit verwoestende verlies, hun vreugde en liefde zijn gewoon verbazingwekkend.
Ik nodig je uit Maggie’s verhaal online te lezen en volgen via: joyfullikemaggie.com/ of op Facebook: Joyful Like Maggie
Ik hoop dat hun verhaal ook voor jullie een inspiratie mag zijn! Een inspiratie én een herinnering dat ons leven, onze acties anderen beïnvloeden. Mogen we er allemaal naar streven om reflecties van God(s liefde) te zijn in ons dagelijks leven <3
Today, is not only Mother's Day for me. The date of Magdalene's burial just happens to fall on today's festivities. I woke up this morning and cried for a while. I went through my timeline and looked at the incredible pictures of families from all over who posted pictures in bright clothing in honor of Maggie. I remember her funeral like it was yesterday. I remember the dirt falling onto her coffin. I remember it all. And while I mourn I also rejoice. Our heartstrings will always be connected.
You see, we are bound together by the love of Christ. Scripture tells us that NOTHING can separate us from God's love. Not even death. So, today, while I miss my girl desperately I also rejoice in the fact that she and I are still intimately bound together.
Happy Mother's Day. We here at Joyful Like Maggies knows what it means to weep and cheer simultaneously. To all of those who have lost a mother or a child we hold you in our prayers today and ask God to bind your broken heart.
-Maggie's Mom
We are excited to announce that Maggie's dad will be interviewed today at 3:10 PM (CST) on our local, Catholic radio station The Guadalupe Radio Network. Many, many thanks to Dave Palmer for the invitation to the studio. We are so thrilled to continue to share Maggie's life and mission.
DETAILS: If you are able please join in at 3 PM for the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Frank Ramirez interview begins promptly at 3:10 PM.
Please join in at www.grnonline.com OR by using the Guadalupe Radio Network App.
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To learn more about our mission visit us at www.joyfullikemaggie.com
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