Hi there, readers! May has five Sundays, so we have another “bonus week” post on our hands. I would like to share a little about my progress with my book and this blog. There’s a lot going on for my family right now, so I have some updates there, too!

Book update

I will be honest and say I was hoping I would have some exciting news about my book getting picked up by a publisher by the time I wrote this update post. No dice. People like to tell me that J.K. Rowling had to send Harry Potter out to a hundred publishers before it was picked up. I’m not sure how this is supposed to help, as I am certainly no J.K. Rowling. I guess it will take TWO hundred publishers, then? Thanks, friends.

Anyway, while it does not seem that publication is God’s will just yet, He has slowly been revealing other plans He has for me and the research I have done. When I started researching and writing my book, it was the singular writing project on my mind. I never imagined also writing a weekly blog like this one. But as I was wrapping up my book and looking to the next step, it sort of came up naturally. I truly enjoyed the year I spent playing author, and this blog pushes me to continue writing. In these days of rejections and unanswered e-mails, this blog lets me push forward anyway, working right now to build a platform for my as-yet-unpublished book. And, even if the book is never published, this blog lets me introduce you all to some of the holy role-models in marriage I met along the way and share some of the Church’s beautiful teaching on marriage. That makes it all worth it!

I have shared this blog via e-mail with marriage preparation and enrichment ministries around the world, and at the end of March I launched a Facebook page and Instagram account to spread the news. Instagram was totally new to me, and still baffles me sometimes! But sharing quotes from married saints and the Catechism there (alongside a few pictures of my adorable children!) has quickly changed from just a marketing technique to something much more beautiful. It’s a ministry. The blog, the Facebook, the Instagram, and, God willing, one day the book. It’s all a ministry to inspire strong Catholic marriages. This ministry isn’t unfolding exactly how I expected it to… But, as always, God reminds me that His plans are way better than my own.

Since launch, more than 1,600 people have checked out the blog. About 50 even subscribe via email so they never miss a post (to join, enter your email address on right hand side of any page!). I have been able to collaborate with other awesome Catholic authors and bloggers, such as when I wrote this guest post for Surprised by Marriage. I have gotten to interview a handful of amazing modern married couples and share their stories with you all. I have challenged myself and my husband right alongside you readers to go to Confession, to pray novenas and the Stations of the Cross, and to adore Jesus in the Eucharist. I’ve even gotten to know a few married saints who are not in my book for this blog, like St. Gianna and St. Rita. Stay tuned for more of all of that!

I know that Chris and I have benefited from the marriage challenges, as well as from meeting the new saints and the modern couples. Maybe one or two of my readers have, too. Publisher or no publisher… that is enough. That is so much more than enough.

Personal life update

As far as family life goes, the Bennetts are currently in transition! The kids and I left our home in south Florida on Wednesday after four years there and are headed to our new home in Elizabeth City, North Carolina soon. Chris has a few weeks of work left in Florida before he can join us. As first time homeowners, we are so excited to finally see the house we bought in person, meet new friends, and join a new church community! If you are over that way or know anyone there, let us know!

So basically life is crazy but it is crazy good, too. Praise God for having such amazing plans for us all! We don’t always get quite what we thought we wanted… But He knows what we really need, and He is a good, good Father. Thank you all for supporting my ministry here! I will keep you updated as we continue to move along.