Catholic Camper

I remember the day I let go of my son's hand so that he could walk for the first time. He was eleven months.  It was nerve-racking to think he might fall, slip or bust a lip.  But instead, I let go so that he may cross the copious bedroom floor. And still, I peaked, stood suppressed around the corner to make sure that he did not fall. My son has graduated from various universities with credentials in intelligence, security, cyber studies, and analytics.  He is older now with larger hands.  And with the same practices I used when he was younger, I still use today.  Parents, avoid a disgruntled college graduate who resents a pre-set path by letting go of fears before your young adult walks across the collegiate stage.  Walking independently is to learning as decision making is to confidence. Both are growth factors that build a social code between child and parent.  It's based on mutual respect.  Throughout the sprouting moments of my son's relationship with me, I always en

After Easter Mass at a nearby church, a family walks out with a bouquet of Easter lilies. The little white flowers are beautiful and a delight to see. These flowers remind me how beautiful life is when paying attention to life’s details.  It also reminds me of the story of Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897), also known as the Little Flower. Her life story offers a humble testimony of being faithful to God while attentive to ordinary life. As a devout Carmelite, she gave Jesus Christ her whole heart and mind while her body suffered greatly from an illness.  Nevertheless, she cultivated a childlike faith.  St. Therese did not fret because she was sick. She sought it as a grace to carry on in life and embrace it. Furthermore, as sick as she was, she had a dry period in her faith as feelings of despair and abandonment overwhelmed her. But God did not abandon her as he does not abandon anyone.  Instead, God graced St. Therese of Lisieux and she prevailed, seeing everything as

Overlanding can be both exhilarating and exhausting. From the thrill of exploring new places to the stress of navigating unfamiliar off-road trails, the rigors of travel can often take a toll on the body, mind, and spirit. In this article, I'll explain why overlanding can be so exhausting, and why it's essential to include a break.  So if you're a seasoned explorer or just starting on your first journey, consider the following:   1. Packing and unpacking the rig for base camp is sometimes redundant.  And no matter how often I practice, the setup still takes time and physical energy – which can be especially taxing after a long day of driving. Let's not forget outdoor meal prep is tuckering as well.  As much as I love big overlanding trips, it’s important to take breaks during long-term adventures to fully recharge and rest up. 2. Planning for a long stretch of highway that only leads to an offroad trail takes mental stamina. I generally consider how I'm getting ther

"So how did ya'll stay married so long?"  We get funny looks and comments about being married 36 years when people learn we started as high school sweethearts. But there's no secret about the longevity of our marriage, it's pretty simple really, and extremely intentional.  My wife and I are Catholic and believe that marriage is a gift  rooted in authentic love. Love's full expression is experienced through the  teachings and practices of the Church.  Now, don't get me wrong, we don't just follow the rules. That would be moralism, meaning, our marriage is about doing good things because we want to "get to heaven". On the contrary, we live a very fluid life with misadventures.   How do we remain in these teachings and practices?  First, understand that we have a purpose union in which love is the core.  A purpose union can be defined in four ways:  Marriage unites a couple in faithful and mutual love. Marriage opens a couple to give li