Mimi, Author at Grace and Mimi

Prayers December 5, 2018

A Prayer of Transformation

One of the most powerful ways to invite Jesus into your life, is to say a prayer of transformation. Whether you say it once in your lifetime, or each and every day, it is certain to be life changing. Inviting Jesus into your heart, and dedicating your life to Him is the most powerful way to experience God’s everlasting love. As St. Augustine said, “Our Hearts are restless, until they rest in you Lord.” The Prayer of Transformation below comes from Matthew Kelly’s book, “Rediscovering Jesus” as referenced here. Loving Father, Here I am. I trust that you have an incredible plan for me. Transform me. Transform my life. Everything is on the table. Take what you want to take and give what you want to give. Transform me into the person you created me to be, so I can live the life you envision for me. I hold nothing…

God Moments November 21, 2018

The Irish Rosary

The story of the Irish Rosary is one of the very reasons that I started graceandmimi.com. When I first heard Father Jim Halleron share this story, I couldn’t help but wonder how many other stories like this exist. News channels and social media cover the latest tragedy or political drama, but they tend to skip over the good news; especially that which evidences God at work. I wanted to do my small part to change this by creating Grace & Mimi, a place for sharing true testimonies from everyday life. I hope Father Jim’s story of the Irish Rosary inspires you to share the good news, too. The Irish Rosary When Father Jim Halleron graduated from Seminary, he desperately wanted an Irish Rosary. Despite his meager earnings, Father Jim “splurged” and purchased a rather expensive Irish Rosary. Not long after, he received a call from the St. Joe’s parish office where he…

Lifestyle November 1, 2018

Socktober 2018

This October, the kids of St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Bryan once again hit it out of the park by collecting 209 pairs of brand new socks for donation to our local shelter. Pictured above are some of our great sock collectors. From left to right; Phillip Calabrese, Joe Calabrese, and Tucker Miller. Great job, kids!

God Moments October 4, 2018

I’m Listening

This past March, I found myself in a rare moment, attending a Church service without my Family. Deep in prayer and reflection, I felt God calling me to tackle a task that I REALLY didn’t want to tackle. He was calling me to spend more time with him, and to really LISTEN to Him. I knew just what He wanted me to do. For the past 10 years, I’ve been running 3-4 days a week. I typically run around 5 miles in the dark of the morning before the rest of my family rises. It’s during this time that I pray. I pray for EVERYTHING; big things, little things, and personal things. I pray for myself, family, friends, neighbors, and complete strangers. If you can think of it, I’ve probably prayed for it as I jog. It’s just how I process things, and it’s just how I DEAL with this crazy world.…

Inspiration September 24, 2018

An Unlikely Friend

I haven’t always had a lot of friends. For a long time, I only had a lot of “acquaintances.” Matthew 5:47 helped me to recognize the difference. “If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? Ouch. I was (and still sometimes am) guilty of only engaging would-be friends with superficial small talk. Afraid to open up for fear of rejection, I dance around deeper subjects, missing the opportunity to fully engage with God’s fellow children. When I make this mistake, I am missing out on experiencing one of our Father’s greatest gifts: friendship. We can be certain that God intended us to have friends on this earth; Scripture is full of friendship references, and the word “friend” appears approximately 107 times (depending on the version of the Word.) Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found…

Prayers August 2, 2018

Please Lord Remind Me

When the sink is full of dishes And the laundry overflows, Please Lord remind me Every good and perfect gift is from above. When my nerves are frayed And my patience runs thin, Please Lord remind me Every good and perfect gift is from above. When sleep is but a memory And I hear cries down the hall, Please Lord remind me Every good and perfect gift is from above. When precious moments surround me And I am not in awe, Please Lord remind me Every good and perfect gift is from above. Amen *This beautiful prayer was written by Jody Freeman*

Inspiration July 22, 2018

God Loves Math

I’ve never been a “math” person. I struggled with it in school, spending many evenings crying at the kitchen table while my Dad tried to explain the principles of Algebra and Geometry. In college, my best friend (now husband) tutored me throughout my Calculus, Accounting, and Economics classes. Today, I rely upon my handy calculator on my phone to complete simple math problems. So to say I’m not a “math” person, might actually be an understatement. What I’ve recently noticed though is, GOD LOVES MATH! This concept that God Loves Math really dawned on me when having lunch with a new friend a few weeks ago. She kept using the word, “discipleship” to describe how she and her husband complete their work as campus missionaries for Cru (also known as Campus Crusade for Christ.) In their work, they seek out others to “disciple” with the hope and intention that they too…

Prayers June 10, 2018

A Prayer for the Graduate

Father, I have knowledge, but need You to show me now, How to use it wisely, and find a way somehow, To make the world I live in, a little better place, And make life’s problems, a little easier to face. Grant me faith and courage, and put purpose in my days, And show me how to serve Thee, in effective ways. I pray my education, knowledge and skill, May find their true fulfillment, As I learn to do Your will. May I be aware, in everything I do, That knowledge comes from learning, and wisdom comes from You. Amen. *Prayer Source: http://www.lords-prayer-words.com

God Moments May 24, 2018

The Big House

Have you ever had a bible verse show up at just the right time, with just the message that you needed? How about one that showed up from an unexpected place? This has certainly happened to me many times, yet no matter how frequently it happens, I’m always caught off guard. I have no idea why it continues to surprise and amaze me that He takes the time to speak to me. Perhaps it’s because it seems too hard to believe that He has time for my tiny, first-world problems. After all, there are countless others with worry, grief, and need beyond any scope that I’ve experienced. Nevertheless, despite my undeserving state, there God is, time and again, showing me the way through His written word. One example that stands out to me occurred a few years ago. We had outgrown our current home (in my opinion) and I had convinced my husband (who thought our…

Prayers May 8, 2018

A Prayer for Mother’s Day

As we approach Mother’s Day, I wanted to find a prayer that could truly honor my Mom, and all the Mom’s out there. This one struck a note with me, and I invite you to pray it on behalf of your Mom, too. A Mother’s Day Prayer I thank you, Creator of us all, for my mother. I thank you that she gave me life and nurtured me all those years. She gave me my faith, helping me to know you and to know Jesus and his ways. She taught me how to love, and how to sacrifice for others. She taught me that it was okay to cry and that I should always tell the truth. Bless her with the graces she needs and which you want to give her today. Help her to feel precious in your eyes today and to know that I love her. Give her…

Inspiration April 14, 2018

Nancy’s Favorite Show

Early last week we had a vibrant storm with thunder, lightning, and pouring rain. It made me smile. I smiled because I knew this storm would bring joy to my friend, Nancy. You see, Nancy lives in a nursing home,. She’s been there for years, has no family to speak of, and she will most likely live in this nursing home for the rest of her life. I’ve been blessed to get to know Nancy through Church ministry. As a Christoper, I am one of many members of our Church taking turns visiting and distributing Holy Communion to those that are institutionalized or home bound. Nancy is just one of many special souls that I’ve been blessed to meet through this service, but she holds a special place in my heart. Nancy lays in a bed day after day, and night after night. She is unable to walk or…