Abiding Together

In this episode, we continue in our Lenten series as we journey through Sister Miriam's book Restore. It's not too late to join us! You can find your copy today at Ave Maria Press. This week we discuss the power of fasting and sacrifices to bring healing within ourselves and deeper communion with Jesus. We chat about how fasting can bring forth repentance and right ordered love when we remember we are saying no, so that we can say a greater yes to Jesus, our lover. We pray that your fasting would bring about healing and restoration this Lent! Sister Miriam's one thing - French Onion Soup Heather's one thing - I Shall Not Want - The Worship Initiative Michelle's one thing - Abide: A Pathway to Transformative Healing and Intimacy with Jesus - Heather Khym Michelle's other one thing - Sunday Bead Co. Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? Can you recognize any disordered desires or loves in your day to day life that become more right-ordered through fasting? Is there something you could never imagine giving up for the Lord? When it comes to fasting during Lent - do you see God as a slave driver with high expectations, hoops to jump though, and demands upon you or as a lover worthy of your sacrifices? How can this small group help one another in the area of fasting through accountability? Journal Questions: What do you hunger and thirst for? Do you allow the Lord to satisfy your desires? How do you dull your desires, choosing comfort or convenience first? What lies - "God won't satisfy. God cannot provide the comfort I desire. I have to do it for myself because God won't provide." - are you tempted to believe when you choose fasting? Instead of allowing shame and condemnation about the things you crave, how can you feel your desires as a sign to come closer to Jesus? Quotes to Ponder: "Penitential fasting is obviously something very different from a therapeutic diet, but in its own way it can be considered therapy for the soul. In fact, practiced as a sign of conversion, it helps one in the interior effort of listening to God." - St John Paul II Scripture for Lectio Divina: "It is well that we are here." Mark 9:5 This episode is sponsored by Rooted for Good. Rooted for Good hand makes premium all natural products that feel amazing and actually work! Enhance your skincare experience with Rooted and join the growing number of satisfied customers across the US and beyond who are switching to Rooted and going all-natural. On top of the amazing benefits and affordable pricing, using Rooted products makes a difference for others as well. Every time you choose our all natural premium products 10% of your purchase goes to help someone in need in a developing country! From Coffee Exfoliators & Sugar Scrubs to foaming Face Wash, luxurious Bath Salts to Premium Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils and everything in between, make Rooted for Good your source for all natural healthy living. Rooted provides an option to choose all natural living that resonates with your Catholic values. See all of our amazing products and read the stories of the lives that are being blessed through Rooted purchases at RootedForGood.com. Shop your values and experience for yourself why more than 95% of Rooted customers give their Rooted products 5 stars, and don't forget to use Abide10 to enjoy 10% off at checkout!

In this episode, we begin our Lenten series as we journey through Sister Miriam's book Restore. It's not too late to join us! You can find your copy today at Ave Maria Press. We share our own perspectives entering this new season of Lent before diving into the first section on prayer. We speak about the healing power of the disciplines of Lent: prayer, almsgiving and fasting as a means to lean into our desire and God's desire for us. We remind one another of the true goal of Lent: union with Christ. We pray that it blesses you. Sister Miriam's one thing - Restore the Glory Podcast episode with Archbishop Sample Heather's one thing - Reconnecting with dear friends and community Michelle's one thing - Dig to the Roots - Reform Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? What is your disposition as we enter the season of Lent? How is God inviting you to receive restoration rather than to white knuckle your way through fasting, prayer and penance? What does God want to strip away during this season to create space and expose idols that you may be keeping? How can we approach Lent through the lens of love rather than the lens of fear? What does it mean to allow Jesus to be your guide this Lent? Journal Questions: As we begin Lent, are you aware of anything that is blocking your gaze towards Jesus? How can you create space to get into the Lord's gaze again? Have you taken time to ask the Lord: What would you like to give me this Lent? What would you like to talk to me about this Lent? Where would you like to invite me into deeper intimacy and union? How can you allow yourself to experience desire and God's desire for you during this season? Quotes to Ponder: "For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." - St Therese Scripture for Lectio Divina: "But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things, and you overlook men's sins that they may repent…you spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord who love the living." Wisdom 11: 23,26 Check out the Abiding Together Shop and Heather's new book! Check out the Abiding Together Shop and Heather's new book! Did you know that we have our very own Abiding Together shop filled with very cute mugs, t-shirts print stickers, scripture cards, and much more. Michelle has designed most of these items and they each reflect saints, quotes, and inspirations that have been a part of our podcast discussions over the years.A couple of my favorites are the quit talking to the dang snake. And our coffee is the eighth sacrament mug. This Easter we'd like to highlight the Saint story cards that would be great for your Easter baskets. Michelle created these in collaboration with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Our Sunday Visitor. They feature Saint John Paul the second, Mother Teresa, Saint Therese, and St. Francis of Assisi. These story cards offer a new way to learn, pray, and play together while deeply reflecting on your own journey towards sainthood, you can order these using the code abide10 for 10% off. Just head over to abidingtogetherpodcast.com/shop. Also Heather just finished writing a book called Abide: A Pathway to Transformative Healing and Intimacy with Jesus. This book asks questions like what if God's promises are real? What if we truly could live the abundant life that Jesus is offering to us? Through my personal stories, scriptural truth, church teaching and practical tools. You'll be invited to break through the barriers that prevent you from trusting and experiencing the deep love of Jesus and to be transformed by the freedom that comes when we vulnerably bring our entire selves to Jesus, the divine healer, restorer and miracle worker. You can use code abide22 at avemariapress.com for 20% off today.

In this episode, we conclude our conversation on motherhood focusing on the feminine genius of maternity. We speak about how to grow in spiritual maternity to allow new life and lasting fruit to come forth through us. We discuss the need to continue to allow others to mother us, as well as the importance of showing up for ourselves and tending to our own needs. We revisit the ideas of abiding in the Lord and living a right-ordered life in community in order to live our vocations as mothers. We pray this week you would bring forth the life God desires to birth in you. Sister Miriam's one thing - Prayer from Mother Mary Francis "Our Lady is a home where people are helped to be what they can be, to grow to the maturity for which God has destined them. Like her, the family is called to be a place where someone helps me to rise when I stumble. Always a hand reaches out to sustain me, and my hand goes out to help the stumbling one. All these appellations that the Church heaps upon Our Lady show her as both homemaker and the home. When we are homemakers, we are ourselves a home. We must be all these things to one another: a lookout tower, a place of beauty, a refuge, a help, a strength and a consolation. Let us be engaged more earnestly than ever before in being homemakers. Despite the word being used in a somewhat condescending term in our time, to be a homemaker is the greatest glory of woman. It is essentially the mission of the Church, the Bride of Christ. She is the home and the homemaker. She is the home for us all. Our Lady is essentially the first physical home of God himself, and always our home. We must strive to make a home for one another: a home of peace, of love, of worship, and of focus on God." Heather's one thing - Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe from Mel's Kitchen Michelle's one thing - Amazing Grace - Aretha Franklin Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? After listening to this series - what does the expansive view of motherhood look like to you? What does authentic motherhood look like? What does it look like to put your own needs first (in right order), to show up for yourself and allow others to mother you? Who is one woman who has mothered you well that you would like to thank? Journal Questions: How is the Holy Spirit asking to collaborate with you to re-mother yourself? Are you still open to God creating new life through you? With mindfulness of the difference between productivity and fruitfulness - where is God inviting you to be fruitful? What may need to be pruned to create fruit that lasts? Quotes to Ponder: "For an understanding of our unique feminine nature, let us look to the pure love and spiritual maternity of Mary. This spiritual maternity is the core of a woman's soul. Wherever a woman functions authentically in this spirit of maternal pure love, Mary collaborates with her. This holds true whether the woman is married or single, professional or domestic or both, a Religious in the world or in the convent. Through this love, a woman is God's special weapon in His fight against evil. Her intrinsic value is that she is able to do so because she has a special susceptibility for the works of God in souls — her own and others. She relates to others in His spirit of love." - Edith Stein Scripture for Lectio Divina - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew ] you,before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:4-5 This episode is sponsored by Scapulars.com! Scapulars.com is proud to offer the most durable and comfortable scapulars in the world. These scapulars are made of super-strong American paracord and super-soft Australian merino wool—so it's as tough as it is comfy. They hold up to all the daily wear and tear that your life can throw at it. In fact, if a scapular breaks within 7 years, they'll replace it for FREE. Plus, most sizes include a secret pocket—so you can safely store your sacred medals without wearing out the cord. They come in a variety of gorgeous, original designs. It's a beautiful way to honor our Blessed Mother through the devotion that she gave to the Carmelite Order. Scapulars.com has more than 1,000 5-star reviews (and counting!). They are proud to offer large family discounts so you can place your entire family under the protection of Our Lady. Orders of 2 or more scapulars ship for free. Visit scapulars.com to order your today! Use code ABIDING10 for 10% off one purchase per customer. Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we continue our discussion on motherhood by reflecting on the gift of sensitivity. We discuss how Our Lady reveals in her motherhood how God knows us, notices us and responds to us. We chat about the temptation to conform, wall off our hearts, or see the gift of sensitivity as a liability rather than a tool for healing. We speak about the space within our hearts as mothers that allows for others to room, grow and cultivate their true humanity. We pray for you to experience healing this week! Sister Miriam's one thing - Christ Taking Leave of His Mother - Piotr Stachiewicz Heather's one thing - The mothers in my life that teach me how to be a better mother. Michelle's one thing - The Lifegiving Home - Sally Clarkson and The Lifegiving Table - Sally Clarkson Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? How have you experienced the gift sensitivity through mothers in your life? Is there a particular instance or memory where you experienced healing through the sensitivity of a mother? How do you create moments, space, and time for others to open up and be vulnerable or become who they are created to be? How can we as a group be more sensitive to the needs of those entrusted to us? Journal Questions: Where have you felt the need to conform? Are there particular memories or messages that you desire healing from? How do you live out the gift of sensitivity and when do you feel like you have had to wall off your heart? Ask Mary to mother you and show you how to mother those entrusted to you with sensitivity. What does Jesus want to reveal to you about his mother? Quotes to Ponder: "Mary, she is the poetess and prophetess of redemption.." - Pope St. Paul VI, Homily, April 24, 1970 Scripture for Lectio Divina - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew ] you,before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:4-5 This episode is sponsored by House of Joppa. This week's episode is sponsored by House of Joppa. If you are looking for beautiful Catholic home décor, jewelry, art, rosaries or other Catholic gifts, look no farther than House of Joppa. Each product is curated from artisans throughout the world, and is designed to uplift your spirit and share the beauty of our Catholic faith. If you are looking for something for yourself or a special gift for a friend, head over to their website in the show notes. My favorite products are their Vintage Sacred Heart Medallion, Mini Mary Garden and Miraculous Medal rosary. Abiding Together listeners receive 15% off their purchase at checkout with discount code: ABIDE15. Visit them online at https://www.houseofjoppa.com or on Instagram @houseofjoppa. Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we speak about the impact of maternal wounds caused by distraction, harsh words, and abandonment. We discuss repairing relationships through time, perspective, and understanding the context of the situations our mothers experienced as women. We speak about the importance of maturity as mothers, especially when our children hurt us and how to seek healing, restoration and repair immediately. We pray this week the Lord would respond and be the healer of your wounds! Sister Miriam's one thing - Verso Alto Coffee Heather's one thing - On the Altar - Upperroom Michelle's one thing - A Mother Like You - JJ Heller Other Books Mentioned: Sheltered Within Her Heart : 33 days to deeper entrustment to Mary - Joshua Elzner Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? Every one of us has been born of a woman. How would you describe your relationship with your mother? How have you seen the power of words at play with your mother, your children (if you have them) or in other maternal relationships? How have your actions spoken certain messages? When you find yourself hurt by your children (natural or spiritual) - what is your first reaction? How can you rise above, see their true needs, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you respond in love? Journal Questions: What wounds can you recognize from your relationship with your mother? Are there wounds your mother inflicted - intentionally or unintentionally? Take a moment to invite Jesus into these moments. What wounds can you recognize from your relationship with your children - natural or spiritual? How can you seek repair and restoration? As you make your own journey of healing and you notice certain patterns of behavior or belief, have you ever asked your children or people who look up to you "I am noticing 'x' in myself. How has this affected you?" How could this conversation bring about greater love in that relationship? Quotes to Ponder: "Love can be reborn." - Pope St. John Paul II Scripture for Lectio Divina - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew ] you,before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:4-5 This episode is sponsored by Catholic Match. In a time where online dating is the new norm, CatholicMatch provides a place to meet other singles who share your faith. Unlike other dating websites that encourage casual relationships, CatholicMatch primarily strives to help singles connect for the purpose of Sacramental Marriage. We also provide a community where Catholics can share their challenges of living life in a single state and make new friends. We receive new stories every week from Catholic couples who met on CatholicMatch. You can set up a free account today in just a couple minutes and use their app or website to start connecting with other singles through messaging or video chat. Create your free profile today and start meeting other single Catholics now! Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we begin a 4 part series on the identity of women as mother. We talk about the power of motherhood at this time in history and how we are called to cultivate, guard, and develop true humanity. This call is innate in every woman whether they are a biological mother or not. We discuss the power and need for community where we can receive and be received by others and experience deeper healing. Be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts! Sister Miriam's one thing - Restore (also available on Amazon) Heather's one thing - Faith of My Father album by Steffany Gretzinger Michelle's one thing - Sheltered Within Her Heart: 33 Days to Deeper Entrustment to Mary Other Books Mentioned: Essays on Women (Edith Stein) — also available on Amazon Living from the Heart (E James Wilder) Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? What are some ways that women can cultivate, guard, and develop true humanity? What ways do you long to be mothered, nurtured, and guarded? What ways do you desire to experience healing in the area of motherhood either in how you are called to offer it or in how you have received it? Journal Questions: What did the episode stir within your heart? Where do I not feel safe to myself? What are my desires in the area of motherhood? Take time to talk to the Lord about this. What disappointments do you need to offer to the Lord? Quotes to Ponder: "To be a mother innately means to cultivate, to guard, and to develop true humanity." Edith Stein Scripture for Lectio Divina - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew ] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:4-5

In this episode, we declare and claim this new year as a year of God's favor! We discuss the power of repentance and blessing and the beautiful exchange that God wants to bestow on us as his beloved children. We continue our discussion on becoming a new creation in Christ through repentance, claiming God's blessings, and destroying areas of idolatry in our life. We pray this week each of you would allow yourself to be found and renewed by the God of restoration! Sister Miriam's one thing - The King of Love My Shepherd Is - Sarah Kroger Heather's one thing - Hail O Queen - Damascus Worship Michelle's one thing - Rhythm - Lisa Keeven Michelle's other one thing - Crowned for Ashes. You can read more about this ministry through the following interview. Other Books Mentioned: Deliverance Prayers for the Laity Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? Where does God want to bestow a beautiful exchange in your life (a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair)? How can you cultivate the spiritual practices of repentance and renouncing? How can you cultivate the spiritual practices of claiming blessing and calling forth goodness? Journal Questions: What part of Isaiah 61 is God inviting you to be rooted in, in this new year? Michelle shared a quote from Andy Couch, "Idols promise everything and deliver nothing." What areas of idolatry is God asking you to repent as you move into a new year? Are there areas of dysfunction, sin, or idolatry you would like to renounce especially for the sake of restoration in your family and future generations? Quotes to Ponder: "… in this new year that God is giving us to sanctify us and unite us more closely to Himself, let us make Him grow in our souls, let us keep alone and set apart; may He be truly King." - St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Scripture for Lectio Divina - "...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor… " - Isaiah 61:2 This episode is sponsored by OSV Challenge. Are you a Catholic innovator or entrepreneur? OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation invites you to apply for the 2022 OSV Challenge. This multi-round entrepreneurial competition seeks and builds up Catholic innovators by offering opportunities for personal development, professional guidance, and idea acceleration—and a shot at one of five $100,000 prizes. This year the OSV Challenge also includes four new idea tracks for creative arts, entrepreneurship, parishes and dioceses, and technology that are specially designed to support the applicants in each track. At least one $100,000 winner will be selected from each track. Applications for the OSV Challenge are due February 18, 2022, so don't wait to enter! Visit osvchallenge.com for full details. Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we reconnect after an extended winter break to continue our annual tradition, sharing our Word of the Year! Each year we each ask God to give us a theme to focus on for the new year and invite you to do the same. After personal prayer and reflection, we share our words for 2022 and how our words of the year have been connected. We discuss the importance of claiming this year for Christ and invite you to join us on the journey again! Sister Miriam's one thing - Christmas Cards Heather's one thing - Peace Vol. II - Bethel Music Michelle's one thing - Word on Fire Bible Volume 2 Michelle's other one thing - Born of Wonder Podcast Michelle's other other one thing - Revelations 19 - Maverick City Music Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? Who's word - Heather: Increase, Michelle: Jubilee, Sister Miriam: Secure - resonated most with you and why? After prayer and reflection, what's your word of the year? How can you see your spiritual progress through the evolution of your words of the year over the past few years? How have these words or themes built upon each other? Journal Questions: Take some time to reflect on what God desires to reveal to you as your word of the year. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal this to you. Make sure to write it down and memorialize it in a way that will keep it at the forefront of your mind throughout the year. What would it look like to "live a different life, closer to God" this year ? Are there specific scriptures, saints, or quotes that will serve as a guide or reminder of your word during the year? Quotes to Ponder: "During this new year I resolve to begin a new life. I do not know what will happen to me during this year. But I abandon myself entirely to you, my God. And my aspirations and all my affections will be for You. I feel so weak, dear Jesus, but with Your help I hope and resolve to live a different life, that is, a life closer to You." - Saint Gemma Galgani Scripture for Lectio Divina - "...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor… " - Isaiah 61:2 This episode is sponsored by Pink Salt Riot. To keep your Word of the Year top of mind all year long, we encourage you to check out the custom word of the year pieces from Pink Salt Riot. They offer a variety of pieces, from jewelry to keychains, that are totally customizable - not only with your word, but your personal style as well. But hurry! They only make their custom word of the year pieces through February 15, so order ASAP. Abiding Together listeners can get an exclusive 15% discount on all regularly priced items in their order with the code abide15. Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study! This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we conclude our four part Advent series revisiting the women Doctors of the Church with a discussion on peace through the life of St. Teresa of Avila. We discuss the key to peace as abiding in the love of Christ despite the storms of life. We chat about peace that comes from rightly ordered relationships and the need to cultivate peace through daily acts of trust, rest, and surrender. We pray that as we near Christmas, you would experience the peace of Christ in a new way! For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women Doctors of the Church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts! Sister Miriam's one thing - Oh Come Let us Adore Him - Maverick City Music Michelle's one thing - All of our Abiding Together Podcast Staff - Lizzie, Emily, Katie, Kristina - and the staff at Spirit Juice Studios Heather's one thing - All of our Patrons Other Books Mentioned - The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux Discussion questions: What stood out to you from today's episode? How do you find, cultivate, and maintain peace in your life? What role has 'abiding' played in creating a life of peace? What does it look like to embody Shalom - peace that radiates wholeness, completeness, and order? How do you make time throughout the day to breathe and intentionally open your heart up to Jesus and his peace? Journal Questions: Take a moment to pray "Jesus, teach me to find peace in the storms of life." How will you 'abide' with Jesus over the next few days as we enter into Christmas? Imagine yourself in the boat with Jesus and the disciples in the storm. What is your posture and expression and why? How does this reveal Christ as the king of peace or not? Take a moment to pray, reflect and prepare for Christ's birth through a brief examination of conscience. In the areas we have discussed this Advent - faith, hope, joy and peace - where have you gone astray? Where do you need God's mercy? If you haven't yet, commit to making space for the sacrament of confession before Christmas. Quote to Ponder: "Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing, God alone suffices."- St. Teresa of Avila Scripture for Lectio Divina: In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him, not one thing came into being. What has come into being in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. - John 1:1-5 This episode is sponsored by Walking With Purpose. Are you ready to discover not only what matters most in life but also how to prioritize those things? Are you ready to build a life that you don't want to escape? Another glass of wine, just one more episode on Netflix, a little more scrolling on Instagram…Women are numbing out at ever-increasing rates. Why? What is it about our lives that make us feel so overwhelmed? What might change if we figured out how to build lives that we like? Ordering Your Priorities is the latest Bible study from Walking with Purpose, a women's ministry whose mission is to help every Catholic woman and girl in America encounter Jesus through scripture. Ordering Your Priorities is an immensely practical Bible study that will help you put the most important things first. We'll begin by paying attention to the One who made us because He can best tell us what we need for our lives to run well. AT podcast listeners can receive 15% Ordering Your Priorities study with the code ABIDING15 (thru 1/31/22).

In this episode, we continue our four part Advent series revisiting the women Doctors of the Church with a discussion on joy through the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. We discuss trust, simplicity and self surrender as the keys to experiencing the beauty of Christmas and the miracle of Christ's birth. We share our own personal stories of God bringing radical transformation in our lives, doing things for us and in us that we could not do ourselves. We pray that this Advent you would be able to joyfully accept the gifts God desires to give to you. For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women Doctors of the Church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts! Sister Miriam's one thing - The National Shrine and Museum of Saint Thérèse - Darien, Illinois Michelle's one thing - Behold: The Luminous Mysteries Visio Divina Book Heather's one thing - Forever, Amen - Steffany Gretzinger Other Books Mentioned - The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux Discussion questions: What stood out to you from today's episode? What kind of miracle are you desiring this Christmas season? What do you hope Jesus will transform into something new? Where is God inviting you to greater self surrender this Advent? What situations/relationships is He inviting you to ask "How can I surrender it?" instead of asking "How can I fix it?" How is Mary inviting you to embrace and accept your hiddenness, littleness and poverty this Advent? Journal Questions: Take some time to reflect on your own 'Christmas miracles'. Ask the Lord to call to mind a time when He did something for you, that you could not do for yourself. Do you entrust your hiddenness and littleness to God like St. Therese? Why or why not? Where have you over-complicated your spiritual life, vocation, and relationship with God? How can you reintroduce simplicity this Advent? Quotes to Ponder: "Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be and becoming that person." - St. Therese Scripture for Lectio Divina: The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God. To comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion. To bestow on them a crown of beauty, instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise, instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. - Isaiah 61:1-3 This episode is sponsored by Reform Wellness. This week's episode is sponsored by Reform, a functional medicine and holistic wellness practice rooted in Christ. Reform redefines health as the state of your body and soul, and their mission is to empower others to find well-being in Christ, thrive in whole-person health, and become the best versions of themselves—physically, mentally, and spiritually. We highly recommend Reform Online, a twelve-week course that walks you through Reform's nine Wellness Pillars to help you reclaim your identity in Christ, optimize nutrition and sleep, manage stress, and much more. We invite you to say "yes" to Christ-centered wellness and begin your journey to wholiness™ today with discount code ABIDE10 for the next Reform Online class beginning in January. Learn more at reformwellness.co and on Instagram: @reform_wellness.