My dear friends, Lent begins in just a few days and I have been pondering for some time what I should do this Lent. I have been asking myself the questions, “What is keeping me from deepening my relationship with Jesus? What is causing me to harden my heart and turn to the idols of [...]
Author: Love Begins at Home JMJ
Hello, I’m Nina! I am a Catholic wife and mother. I pray that by sharing my stories as I journey through marriage and family life you may find encouragement and I may be encouraged from all of you as well! I would love to hear from you so please feel free to message me through the contact tab! +JMJ+
Loving Christ in our Ordinary Tasks
My dear friends, I was given a beautiful book for my wedding called By Love Refined: Letters to a Young Bride by Alice Von Hildebrand. In this book the newly married Julie writes letters to her Godmother, Lily, seeking her advice as she learns how to live and love as a newly married wife. As [...]
Our Family is Growing!
My dear friends, I am overjoyed to announce that Adam and I are having another baby! Oh to feel life dancing within me for a second time is such a gift! It is with great reverence that I approach the throne of God to thank Him for gifting our family with another child. I am [...]
The Best Sort of Gift
My dear friends, Love Begins at Home has the honor and privilege to introduce to you all Athena Mota de Alcantara, one of my dear friends. As we are quickly approaching Christmas, deadlines are imminent as well as time to come up with last minute gift ideas for those we love. Athena sheds some wisdom [...]
Advent Traditions
My dear friends, Advent is a wonderful time, isn’t it? We have the opportunity to prepare for the great joy of Jesus Christ being born into the world with the rest of the Catholic Church. Growing up my family had certain traditions that we did for “the season of Christmas,” which was actually the season [...]
For Richer, for Pooerer: Finances within Marriage
My dear friends, Love Begins at Home has the honor and privilege of introducing to you all David and Nicole Ranalli, a beautiful and holy couple. They will be writing about finances within marriage, focusing on the part of their marriage vows which states, “For richer, for poorer.” Nicole and David Ranalli have been married [...]
Helpful Prayers and Tips for Gianna’s Birth
Part 1: It’s a Girl! Gianna’s Labor and Delivery Story My dear friends, During a recent blog post I discussed Gianna’s labor and delivery story. I wanted to include some very important prayers and tips that helped me during my labor and delivery process. However, I did not want to cram tons of info into [...]
Jesus, I trust in YOU!
Dear Sisters in Christ, While I was in college one of my dear friends printed off a blog post from our Women's Ministry Blog and gave it to me to read. I loved it so much that I ended up printing off at least 20 copies (I'm not exaggerating) to give to my friends. It [...]
After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses – St. Therese
Happy Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux! "After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses" St. Therese of Lisieux. When I was young my mother and I went to a huge garage sale. With all the items there the only things I remember getting were two holy cards. One was of Jesus [...]
It’s a Girl! Gianna’s Labor and Delivery Story
My dear friends, Childbirth has been one of the most profound experiences within my life. Contrary to the fear-inducing stories you may have heard about labor and delivery, I actually had a different childbirth experience. Being able to bring children into this world through the Sacrament of Marriage is a gift God gives to us. [...]
