Meet Christina!

I am so happy to introduce you all to Christina! Here is her inspiring story to share.

1. Cradle Catholic, Convert or Revert? 

I'm a cradle Catholic, but grew up in an unconventional Catholic family: my parents were both part of the charismatic movement before they married, so I got a lot more Scripture, praise and worship, and extemporaneous prayer than most people who are raised Catholic. I knew from a young age that Jesus was a real Person who loved me and wanted to be in relationship with me--the devotional aspects of the faith (especially to the Saints and Mary) didn't really become part of my practice of the faith till I was in college. 

2. You're very open about having got married 'late' in life, tell us a little bit about how you met your husband and the circumstances surrounding that. 

I fully expected to meet my husband in college and get married at 22. Thanks be to God (because I was *so* not ready), he allowed me to remain single until 33, which gave both myself and my husband Kristian (unbeknownst to me at the time) lots of time to work through our issues and prepare ourselves for marriage. We met through my mom (you can read the whole story on my blog (theevangelista.com)--it's a good one) and dated for about five months before we got engaged, and then were married about five months after that. It was quick, but since we were older and had done a lot of personal work in therapy and spiritual direction, that pace was perfect and didn't feel rushed at all. 

3. As a segue to that, what words of advice and encouragement do you have for other women who find themselves in that state in life (i.e. a little older, wanting to get married and haven't found 'the one")

Be honest with the Lord in prayer. Find a good therapist if you need one (and you probably need one). Get into spiritual direction. Enjoy all of the things that are unique about being single: time for prayer, going to Mass and being able to focus, sleeping as much as you want, leisurely meals, having total control over your schedule, etc. 

4. Finding yourself "in the motherhood" now, how do you balance being newly married, a mother and prayer life?

I wouldn't say I "balance" anything, really. I'm not sure if that's possible. My hope is that the unifying principle of my life is Christ, but that doesn't mean that I get to spend long periods of time in silent prayer each day (ha!). As a married woman and mother, the primary way I love Christ is by being faithful to my vocation, but that looks different each day and in each season. Some days, like recently when Joseph had croup, caring for my son takes all of my time and energy  and I can only pray in snatches. When both my husband and me are sleep-deprived, which happens often with a little one in the house, we do what we can to stay connected throughout the day, but we don't necessarily go on full-fledged dates regularly. He works from home, so it's a bit easier to connect throughout the day than it would be otherwise. I do have daily non-negotiables that I try to do no matter what: prayer, silence (no podcasts or music in the background), playing with Joseph, movement (whether it's a workout or just a walk around the neighborhood), and reading (aloud to Joseph, and doing my own reading during naptime or before bed). Otherwise, I keep our home life very simple, which I think is the key to peace.

5. What skill do you struggle with the most?

Cleaning. I love making my home beautiful in terms of decor and plant life and I enjoy tidying up, but actually cleaning is really tough for me. Thankfully, I have a husband who cares more about cleanliness than I do, and understands that I don't have time during the day (usually) to deep clean. A lot of times, he's the one who does most of the cleaning! #blessed

6. What are some things you avoid, as a family or otherwise? 

Over-scheduling ourselves. Kristian is an extrovert and would be happy to do something social daily, but Joseph and I both need more quiet and consistent routine. I need it because I'm more on the introverted side and struggle with anxiety, and Joseph needs it because he's a toddler. We don't usually go out on weeknights, and on weekends we try to pick one activity to do as a family. I recently stepped away from some freelance writing work and put a few ministry-type ideas on hold because although those things were good, they would have made our lives more complicated and stressful. There will be a season for outside apostolates, but now is not that season. 

7. What book(s) are you currently reading? The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies, Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (I'm re-reading it for the umpteenth time), Co-Workers of the Truth by Joseph Ratzinger (my favorite theologian of all time), and every picture book about trucks/cars/vehicles that our library has to offer. 

8. Who have been your go-to saints through the years? St. Edith Stein, because of her intellectual prowess and writings on women; St. Gianna Molla because she got married later in life and was such a heroic mother; Sts. Perpetua and Felicity because they were the first women martyrs in the Church, and we have firsthand accounts of their martyrdoms that are powerful; Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, because her novena has been one of the most powerful I've prayed. 

9. What's your favorite product, baby or otherwise? 85% dark chocolate. Always. 

10. If you wrote a book, what would the title be? While You Wait: A Guide to Seeking Holiness and Wholeness During Your Single Years 

BONUS QUESTION! With Mother's Day around the corner, tell us how you would like to celebrate this day? In other words, what would be your ideal day? My ideal day would include 1) sleeping in, 2) Mass with my husband and son, 3) time to pray by myself after Mass, 4) flowers, 5) not having to cook, 6) a delicious dinner made by my husband with Joseph's "help." :) 

THANK YOU CHRISTINA for sharing your story and your encouraging words! May God continue to bless you and your family abundantly!