Friday, April 23, 2004 - 7:54 PM EDT

Yes, that's the problem with "junk food," both the material and the spiritual kinds. You feel "full" for a little while, but there's no nutrition, no substance, it doesn't last (and it makes you weak). But it's SOOO easy, you're right, and that's the temptation we have to resist. The only thing we can be sure of in this life is that anything that's worthwhile, anything that will have lasting (or EVERLASTING) benefit to us will involve struggle and effort.

Yeah...distractions...*smiles* That sums up the spiritual life for a lot of (probably most) people. But you can OFFER UP your distractions as part of your prayer, and in doing so you can gain the grace to overcome them (if that's God's will for you at that moment). I'm not always successful at this myself, but like I said, it's part of the spiritual battle we're in (Church Militant, right?).

Well, I hope you can feel renewed strength, joy and hope from the prayers we send up in your behalf (both you and your brother).

(What did you mean "half joking" about your picture? I don't see anything wrong. I think you have a beautiful face--personally, I think you look just a little like Brian).

If you'd like to chat in a less public forum, please feel free to e-mail me (or Brian) whenever you like.

Friday, April 23, 2004 - 8:03 PM EDT

Oops. Sorry. Made a mistake in the homepage link in the above message (there's no "www").

Friday, April 23, 2004 - 8:12 PM EDT

Actually, the URL above does work,
even with that "www" added to it.

-and thank you for your good advice
-I will get through this, prayer is really helping...