"Never quit, never give up, never lose your faith! It's the one reason you walk this earth, for God chose this time and place just for you. So make the most of it" ~ William J Green, Jr.noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Thu, 21 May 2026 05:43:34 -0400Blogger http://www.blogger.com2248125http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/en-usno"Never quit, never give up, never lose your faith! It's the one reason you walk this earth, for God chose this time and place just for you. So make the most of it" ~ William J Green, Jr."Never quit, never give up, never lose your faith! It's the one reason you walk this earth, for God chose this time and place just for you. So make the most of it" ~ William J Green, Jr.noreply@blogger.comhttp://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/12/waiting-praying-and-wondering.htmlFamily Lifegriefnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Sun, 18 Dec 2016 13:40:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-8894626297789026179 Grandpa and Grandma with Courtney and Jerry - October 2014 As we enter this final week of Advent, Jerry and I once again find ourselves praying for a loved ones health and healing. Jerry's Dad, Don, had been feeling unwell about ten days ago and after trying to work through a few things at home, my mother-in-law Eleanor made the command decision to head to the hospital. At 85 my 9http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/11/advent-week-one-hope.htmlAdventcatholic lifeFamily Lifenoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Mon, 28 Nov 2016 13:11:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-3786328243340288873 How can it be Advent already? It's only four weeks until Christmas. FOUR weeks!!  Insanity I say!! The older I get, the faster time goes. I'll never forget one spring evening, when I was in high school, my Mom and I were chatting in the kitchen while doing dishes. I kept bemoaning the fact that summer seemed so far off. It was taking for-eeevvv-eerrr to get here and I was impatient.&0http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/11/feasting-together.htmlFamily LifeThanksgivingnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Sun, 27 Nov 2016 21:28:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-8232918976031888769 I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I know we did. It was filled with good food, great conversation and so much laughter. I am grateful that three of us got to spend the day together as a family, along with dear friends.  We started the day with Mass. It's the one place where we can all be together again, the four of us. Courtney was there, right in the midst of things. There 0http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/11/thankful-heart.htmlcatholic family lifeCourtneynoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Mon, 21 Nov 2016 17:45:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-7676381334042189102 In a few weeks we will be celebrating the second anniversary of our Courtney's death. Two years. How is that even possible? Time seems to spill through my fingers like water these days and I am struggling to keep pace with it.  How am I?  Well, being completely open and honest, there are good days, great days, hard days and days that are like black holes of sadness.  This 2http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/11/prayer-and-fasting.htmlPoliticsPrayernoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Sun, 6 Nov 2016 12:02:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-3041898727106500558 Things will be quite here as I take the next two days to be in prayer and fasting for our country as many of us head to the polls on Tuesday. No matter your political affiliations or party, or the outcome of this election, ...remember my friends that we aspire to be ONE nation, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE with LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL! May God BLESS America and all who serve this nation here2http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/11/all-holy-men-and-womenpray-for-us.htmlAll Saints Daycatholic lifeCourtneyloss of a childnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Wed, 2 Nov 2016 10:00:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-6571073289080129192 Yesterday was the Feast of All Saints, a Solemnity (a high holy day) in the Catholic Church. It's a day set aside to honor the Communion of Saints, those holy men and women who have gone before us having attained heaven through the witness and examples of their lives lived for Christ.  Today is the Feast of All Souls which is where we honor the dead, especially those in our own families5http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/10/getting-my-sea-legs-back.htmlfallhomemakingsoupnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Mon, 31 Oct 2016 17:02:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-6354369786074727238 In the first year after Courtney died, I didn't spend much time in the kitchen on a regular basis. We lived off of the contents of the deep freezer and then when I went to work for the church, I spent more time eating at my desk than I did at our kitchen table. I have been home now for a month and I finally feel like I am getting my homemaking sea legs back again.  This morning, after a1http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-bend-in-road.htmlBlessed Is Shedevotionalprayer lifewritingnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Thu, 27 Oct 2016 12:26:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-7572325980554592720 This morning dawned grey and cloudy with a strong fall breeze kicking up the leaves the tree have given over to the change of seasons. I opened my laptop and there in my email was today's Blessed is She devotional written by...me?  Why is it I always forget these things?  I wrote it two months ago in the middle of some serious discernment over leaving my job and striking out on a 2http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/10/i-will-love.htmlabortionphysician-assisted suicidepublic speakingyouth ministrynoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Mon, 24 Oct 2016 20:40:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-5056990057063816498 I saw this quote recently on a friends Facebook timeline and it just spoke to me... "Many are called to do great things, but few do great things. Why? Because very few will take the responsibility for the call. It doesn't end with a call... First comes the call, then comes the work, then comes the sacrifice, then comes the never giving up, then comes the going all the way through."  5http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/10/our-litany-of-saints.htmlAll Saints Dayartcatholic family lifeCourtneyetsy shopshomemakingloss of a childprayer lifenoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Mon, 10 Oct 2016 20:42:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-2783265571009289544Gina Fensterer is a busy mother of 6 kids, a pretty amazing graphic artist and a fabulous human. I have followed her instagram for the past few years and am always amazed at what her creative brain comes up with. I have also dropped a dime or two purchasing prints from her fabulous easy shop other side of the fence. Her shop is filled with beautiful prints, quotes from the saints and stunning 3http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/10/a-sunday-in-october.htmlcatholic family lifefallhomemakingmarried lifenoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Sun, 9 Oct 2016 21:49:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-3116420757577092702 I love fall. It's my favorite season of the year followed closely by winter. I am a cold weather lover, a sweater and leggings girl with a side of hot cider. I love the changing color of the leaves, revealing the depth and richness of God's palette. It's the season of apples and pumpkins and beef stew. There are long walks in the woods, football games all weekend long and don't get me 2http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/10/creating-space.htmlcatholic family lifehomemakingnew beginningspublic speakingwritingnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Mon, 3 Oct 2016 19:35:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-7604287502580634929 OUTTAKE #529 - CAPTION THIS IN THE COMMENTS... Hello Dear Friends,  Thank you for your patience as I have begun walking this new path. I know I have not been very present here but I promise that will be changing here in the next few weeks. There are so many things to share and I am excited to do so. For now, I just wanted to pop in and share a little bit of where things are.  In 15http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/09/heyhey-its-fridaysqt.htmlcatholic family lifechurch ladypicnicSMOS{SQT}noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Fri, 2 Sep 2016 19:41:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-6644645816076118126It has been forever since I have participated in {SQT} with the fabulously awesome Kelly @This Ain't Lyceum. Let's see what's happening at Chez Lenaburg shall we... 1.  Tomorrow I get to actual spend time with the splendiferous Kelly Mantoan of This Ain't Lyceum as we are both speaking at the CWBN Mid-Atlantic Conference in Front Royal, VA. It's gonna be a party and I 4http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/08/lifeisshort-makeitcount.htmlcatholic family lifeconfessionCourtneyencouragementmarried lifenew beginningspublic speakingwritingnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Mon, 29 Aug 2016 08:00:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-5582113179922623157 Life. It's a grand adventure. Sometimes you are in a valley and can not see the light.  Sometimes you reach the summit of the mountain and survey all the awesome wonder God has made.  Most times we are heading up that mountain or on the other side heading down.  God has a purpose for each season and each challenge we face within that season.  Courtney has been in 49http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/08/pushed-to-edge.htmlacceptencecatholic family lifeCatholic Women Rejoice ConferenceCourtneynew beginningssurrender to God's willnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Thu, 25 Aug 2016 14:40:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-4410840434552758090 One of the biggest life lessons I have learned is that when God pushes the limits of my comfort zone He is getting ready to talk me into leaping off a cliff with him. Y'all I am not a thrill seeker in life. I don't ride roller coasters or jump out of perfectly good airplanes. I do enjoy a good surprise from time to time but in general, NOT looking to leap without knowing where I will land. 5http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/08/in-kitchen-moms-cold-tuna-salad.htmlcold summer saladsfamily recipeIn the Kitchenpasta saladtunanoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Mon, 15 Aug 2016 21:42:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-3013632723081615227 I have eaten this salad as long as I can remember. Growing up in a family of ten, my Mom was always looking for ways to feed a crowd on the cheap. The most expensive part of this recipe back n the day was the Miracle Whip. Now I think the tuna's price point is higher. Mom would whip this up on the hottest of summer days and it was a staple at any potluck that we attended. There were never 0http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/08/my-sunday-best-vol-13-14-and-15.htmlblue and whitedressesfashionMy Sunday Bestsummer wardrobeWhat I Worewhite slacksnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Sun, 7 Aug 2016 15:54:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-8761830703579825795 It's been a few weeks since I have chimed in for a fashion post. The weather is hot and very humid these days in NoVirginia. It must be August.  For those who have been following me on the gram, you know I made a poor life chose last week in regards to my hair. Not only did I get it cut waaaayyyy too short but I strayed from my natural auburn color (with highlights of course) and went 14http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/08/28-years.htmladvicecatholic family lifehumorMa Significant Ottermarriagemarried lifePapa Jerrynoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Fri, 5 Aug 2016 22:22:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-7349174340136884237 Greetings Blog Readers! Saturday my lamby-pie and I celebrate 28 years of married bliss. Ok, maybe not ALL 28 were bliss. There were some days of “Holy crap what did I do?” and “Who the heck are you and what have you done with my sweet adoring life companion?” but for the most part we consider ourselves fortunate to have made it through the last 28 years still in love and with most of our10http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/08/freedomits-what-god-wants-for-all-of-us.htmlcall to armscatholic family lifeCatholic Women Rejoice Conferenceconfessionfreedompublic speakingRejoice and be Freewomen of faithnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Mon, 1 Aug 2016 20:46:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-1334708796133749654 Freedom.  Freedom from shame.  Freedom from guilt.  Freedom from past mistakes and sin.  Sounds awesome doesn't it?  You know it's possible, right? You know that God loves you more than your sin and your shame, right? You know that the war has already been won and the gates of hell shall not prevail, right?  You know that Jesus died on the Cross for you 8http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/07/when-world-goes-crazyfight-back.htmlBlessed Mothercatholic lifeintercessory prayerOur Lady of FatimaPrayerprayer lifeprayer warriornoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Tue, 19 Jul 2016 21:07:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-3005109324556951054 Is it just me, or has the world gone batshit crazy overnight. Pardon my language y'all but seriously the news these days is just cray cray insane. I don't even recognize my country anymore. Murder, mayhem, chaos and disorder are the new norm. I don't watch the news anymore and recently stopped reading the newspaper (on-line version) because I was getting seriously stressed out by all the 13http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/07/monday-love-letter.htmlcatholic lifecocktailsdirector of liturgypoetrywomen of faithworking girlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Mon, 18 Jul 2016 19:47:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-6085601693255184829 oh monday, how do I love thee, let me count the ways... caffeine strong and bountiful over ice is preferred in the heat and the haze the heat and humidity turn my hair to frizzle frazzle  making me unable to dazzle dieting is difficult with the push and pull of ice cream galore all my belly says is bring me more, more, more... the phone calls begin bright and early as 1http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/07/my-sunday-best-vol-8-9-10-11-and-12.htmla-linedressesfloral pantsgoldMy Sunday Bestnavynavy and yellownavy blueorange and navyWhat I Woreyellownoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Sun, 17 Jul 2016 19:55:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-1965331782960993827 In my quest to return to regular blogging I have a massive My Sunday Best post joining in the fun with Rosie over @ablogformymom There are bold colors, patterns and lots of heat and humidity to make my hair poof and frizzle. Yay summer! First up we have a sunshine yellow dress I wore today. It has a knife pleated skirt with a lace inspired top, an empire waist and cap sleeves. It was 16http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/07/cape-cod-how-do-i-love-thee.htmlcatholic family lifecouple timedate nightmarriagemarried lifevacationnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Tue, 12 Jul 2016 19:08:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-7672420188520076135 Recently Jerry and I had the privilege and honor to attend the wedding of one of my best friends children. When I first received the invite, I was somewhat disappointed that it was in Massachusetts, figuring that my husband would not be in favor of going. He is not a big road trip guy. We both have taken new jobs in the past year so neither one of us has a lot of vacation days but we could 6http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/07/no-i-have-not-abandoned-you.htmlcatholic family lifeCourtneygrievingmotherhoodnew beginningswomen of faithworking girlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Sun, 10 Jul 2016 18:41:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-717748920078589638 Hyannis Port, MA - 2016 Hello Dear Friends,  No,  I have not abandoned you. I am sure you have wondered where I have been or what I have been doing. So much to catch up on and share with you guys. Life has been craziness central and I feel like I have been put into a blender and whirled into a oblivion.  Nothing bad mind you. Just moving through the next stage of grief and 7http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2016/06/my-sunday-best-vol-7bold.htmlbold printchurch ladyfit flopsgreenMy Sunday Bestorange and navypencil skirtweekday wardrobeWhat I Worenoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Sun, 12 Jun 2016 18:22:00 -0400tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021790960140952232.post-3132951975725225089 Summer has unleashed her hot and humid weather here in NoVa. As y'all know I am a fall/winter girl. I love the crisp cold air. Hot and humid is not my cup of tea but one must soldier on. Dresses and skirts are the staple of my summer wardrobe. As always, color and bold print are front and center.  This morning I went with a scuba pencil skirt with a wide striped, bold graphic print. I 6