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a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

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About Amy Brooks

About Me

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Most posts contained links that allow me to earn commission if you shop through those links.

I am a 44 year-old wife and mom to three AMAZING children!  My husband and I became parents through the blessings of adoption after our journey through infertility. I am a dreamer, a believer and a constant work in progress. I am all about setting goals and going for it.

I believe in life’s abundance, the Lord’s love for each and every individual and that every day is a new beginning that can be filled with hope.

For as long as I can remember, my faith has been my parachute, bridge, comfort and lens.

I always dreamed about becoming a wife and mother, but the journey to those destinations were not the routes I had envisioned. As I traveled here, I had the opportunity of losing myself in my passion for teaching, the honor of coaching many young athletes in track and cross country and the privilege of earning my Master’s Degree in History.

I recently wrote and published a book,

 Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls

I love coffee. I love chocolate. I LOVE wine.

I truly appreciate a comedian that makes me laugh without making me feel uncomfortable. I am a sucker for romantic comedies. I wish my house was cleaner and I wish I were more organized. I’ve been a runner since I was in eighth grade, although lately my motivation needs a boost.  I absolutely love history and my Catholic, Christian faith.  Living right outside of Philadelphia, I try to be a “tourist” in my home town as much as possible!

Listen to Leah Darrow interview me on her podcast: Do Something Beautiful!

I am passionate about relationships (with the Lord and the friends and family He has given me), adoption, and the pro-life movement. I strongly believe that love and truth will find a way, and I often ask God to make me an instrument of His peace.

I believe in miracles. I hope the stories I share give hope, laughter and a renewed sense of gratitude for all of life’s gifts.

About Prayer, Wine, Chocolate

What is “Prayer, Wine, Chocolate”?

The name Prayer, Wine, Chocolate surfaced from a group of my friends who got together regularly for the Rosary . . . and wine and chocolate.  We once were reminescing about all the intentions we had prayed together for and how many prayers were answered and thought, “we could write a book”.  We discussed what the title would be and prayer, wine, chocolate seemed like the perfect fit.  We never wrote the book, but I did start this blog! (Read more: Rosary Group and The Origins of Prayer, Wine and Chocolate)

Prayer, Wine, Chocolate is a blog about my Spiritual Journey to Motherhood and Beyond.

I originally started the blog to share how my husband and I were networking to adopt a second child.  Since money is and was tight, our second adoption journey did not involve an agency.  Our second adoption became our second and third adoption . . . and I learned that faith is the most important aspect of the journey. I thought that what I would share would be organizations to connect with and the best ways to network, I discovered connecting with Our Lord through prayer and growing closer to our Blessed Mother far surpasses our own plans and to-do lists!

Pursuing Adoption Without an Agency: What We Did Right

Here more about our adoption journey on the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast 

I share stories of faith and seek to inspire everyone who reads my writing.  I feel like the Lord just wants us to grow closer to Him and that so much joy and hope comes from that relationship.  I believe Catholics can learn a lot from other Christians – especially how to embrace fellowship.

At Prayer, Wine, Chocolate I try to invoke unity among all people and spread a love for the culture of life. I strongly encourage Catholic fellowship.  I believe both our faith and lives should be celebrated!  At the same time, I have faced depression – I want people to know that God wants all of us to hope for a better future and believe that He will provide.

Prayer, Wine, Chocolate is also about my love of wine and pairing it with food.  I hope to write more about wine in general; pairing wine with food, and wine tasting.  I dream of one day traveling to Italy!

I am extremely interested in freelance writing opportunities and writing sponsored posts. I enjoy reaching out to people through articles, videos and social media platforms.

I am available to lead Prayer Journaling Workshops 

and give talks on topics such as

 The Power of Prayer in the Pro-life Movement (the Spiritual Adoption Prayer)

Prayer Journaling

Considering Adoption to grow your family? What you need to know to get started

Finding Yourself and Your Mission through Your Interests and Ta lents.

How to “Be Yourself” – Who you are meant to be and why you are so important!

– if interested, email me at [email protected].

If you would like to know more about my family’s adoption journey; or are looking for support or answered questions about infant domestic adoption; check out our adoption support group on Facebook: The Rose Garden: Adoption Support Group for Catholic Christians.

I look forward to getting to know you on this exciting adventure! Please feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Looking forward to hearing from you! 

What is “Prayer, Wine, Chocolate”?

About CatholicsOnline.net

Catholic Social Media Influencers started as a group I created on Facebook, and has now grown into a website called CatholicsOnline.net.   Much more is in store for the future with this amazing group of both men and women who write, own businesses, create products and more.  If you are interested in working with our group, which is an extremely supportive community, and if you are a “Catholic Social Media Influencer”; please contact us!

If you are a business or organization seeking exposure through our influencers, here is the best way to get in touch: Contact Catholic Social Media Influencers

If you are a media influencer and would like to be included in the directory, apply here: Become a member and listed in the Directory!

Advertising Disclosure:

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

 Some pages on this site or in our emails may contain advertisements or affiliate links for which I am compensated (not only Amazon). I try to keep these relevant and few in number, but they help me to continue to provide this service.

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GUIDE: How to Plan your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat

Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

prayerwinechocolate

Friendship can be confusing to tween and teens. th Friendship can be confusing to tween and teens. they hear “love one another” but are not taught that there are different kinds of love and that friendship is meant to be selective. Saint John Bosco left similar advice. He said:
“Fly from bad companions as from the bite of a poisonous snake. If you keep good companions, I can assure you that you will one day rejoice with the blessed in Heaven; whereas if you keep with those who are bad, you will become bad yourself, and you will be in danger of losing your soul.”
Yes, love! But love God above all and remember “Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one finds a treasure” (Sirach 6:14). 
#holyfriendship #Catholicsonline #Catholicreels #saintquotes #CatholicSaint #CatholicSaints #Catholictween #Catholicteen #genlife #Catholickids #youthministry #Catholicyouth #catholicyouthministry
I asked my husband if he could give me some sugges I asked my husband if he could give me some suggestions for Father’s Day Gifts and he said 3 books I was going to give our son for his birthday… which is the day before Father’s Day.
🤨🤔
Do you think they’ll appreciate a joint gift?

Do I just give them to my husband?
Do I give them to my son?

They do look pretty cool!

They were sent to me from Voyage Comics… link for their shop is in my bio!
As an associate of Voyage Comics, I earn on qualifying purchases.
#Catholicdad #Catholicyouth #catholicyoungadults #Catholicmen #Catholicmemes #Catholicsonline #catholicinfluencers #catholicministry #Seek #prolife #prolifegeneration
Decrease stress and increase prayer time! 20 inspi Decrease stress and increase prayer time! 20 inspirational, prayerful coloring pages available (link in bio).
Color outside, at Eucharistic Adoration, with your teens, tweens, kids, and friends !
Enjoy your summer and calm your soul!
#Colorandpray #Coloringpages #Catholicteen #Catholiccoloringpages #Catholicshop #Catholickids #Catholicwife #liturgicalliving #Catholic
This is not a joke, I actually do this. I have a h This is not a joke, I actually do this.
I have a hard time answering God’s call to “be still@. Coloring as a way to slow down is such a great way for me to relax and meditate.
Plus, the feeling of nostalgia that I feel when color brings an added joy to my time with Jesus ❤️
Grab this coloring page and 19 more… link in my bio!
They’re an instant download!
#Catholic #prayerjournal #catholiccoloringpages #adultcoloring #bestillandknow #EucharisticAdoration #CatholicsOnline #Catholicspeaker #SacredHeartofJesus #catholicinfluencers #CatholicsOnline
Let’s talk about Catholic gifts for men… My h Let’s talk about Catholic gifts for men…

My husband’s birthday was on Monday, and I was so excited to give him this book from Voyage Comics!

The truth is, him and I are both fans of this small Catholic business.

Our son loves their comic books too!

Catholic gifts for women often seem plentiful… but when it comes to men, well … shopping for them can be more of a challenge.

I love how the men over at Voyage Comics create extremely incredible content and works of art that entertain without compromising virtue.
I love that I can say to my son and other young people, “look, you can enjoy your work and give glory to God at the same time”!

If you want to give an inspiring gift for Father’s Day… and make your husband or dad smile that this handsome guy… definitely go shopping at Voyage Comics!
(Link in bio ~ Catholic Comic books)

In full disclosure, I was given some products in exchange for my honest review. Honestly… 5 STARS!
As an associate of Voyage Comics, I earn on qualifying purchases.
#Comicbooks #Catholicman #catholicgentleman #Catholicdad #bigbangtheory #thechristbearer #VoyageComics #CatholicSaint #Catholicgeeks #catholictheology #theology
Thank you God, for so many answered prayers and bl Thank you God, for so many answered prayers and blessings!
#Momlife #Catholiclife #Churchhistory #Catholichistory #Catholicart #Artmuseum #Rockysteps #Catholicmom #Catholiclife
Friends!!! Please join me in welcoming Katie home! Friends!!! Please join me in welcoming Katie home! Katie fully entered the Catholic Church on Sunday!

Katie was raised by wonderful Christian parents in the New Apostolic Church and I honestly want to really get her to share her conversion story.
Until then
I will say this… 

never hesitate to invite someone to pray the Rosary with you!

Katie embraced the Rosary as a Christian 
and funny story… I remember her holding it once and saying “I’m not converting “ as her Catholic husband walked by us 😂 

Truth be told, Katie has helped me pull off every single Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat since the very beginning!

Watching her research and completing dive into the Word with her whole heart has been a beautiful, inspiring sight.

And quite frankly, between her and Mark Wahlburg… I think I hear about the Hallow app at least 3 times a day 😆.
Seriously @hallowapp , you should hire her 😉😜!
Welcome Katie and drop a hug emoji below!!!
Love you Katie @craftymom714 !!!!
#Catholicconvert #RCIA #Catholicfaith #Bibleinayear #stayprayedup
How can we love our identity and still be humble? How can we love our identity and still be humble?

Does that sound like a good title for a talk?

I’m working on a “Talk” on Identity (or a blog post if I chicken out 🐓)… and I’m really liking the topic of humility… along with modesty.
My plan was to post this morning and ask for your prayers… but along the way I saw that today is Saint Philip Neri’s feast day.
So, naturally, I googled “Saint Philip Neri humility”.
To my delight, I found this quote:

“Humility is the safeguard of chastity. In the matter of purity, there is no greater danger than not fearing the danger. 

For my part, when I find a man secure of himself and without fear, I give him up for lost. I am less alarmed for one who is tempted and who resists by avoiding the occasions, than for one who is not tempted and is not careful to avoid occasions. When a person puts himself in an occasion, saying, I shall not fall, it is an almost infallible sign that he will fall, and with great injury to his soul.”

I feel like some great message is coming together here, but, I need your prayers.

I mean, I don’t even know if posting about humility on Instagram is like, a total oxymoron?

I’m so thankful to have Scripture and the writing of Saints to help me. I’m also extremely grateful for your prayers.

May we both live as it is written in 1 Peter 5:5 ~
“And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for:
“God opposes the proud
but bestows favor on the humble.”
* if you like that Saint Philip Neri quote, you can see and share it over at @catholicsonline 

Do you have any questions or thoughts on humility?
Let me know in the comments!

Photo taken by @nadiapittmanphoto 📸 

#Catholicspeaker #Catholicauthor #Scripturequote #SacredScripture #humility #Saintquotes #Chastity #virtuouswoman #Catholics #InstaCatholic
Moms, have you ever heard someone say, “You’ve Moms, have you ever heard someone say, “You’ve got your hands full!”?

I have … and it’s usually very true!

I’m so excited to share this new belt bag from Be a Heart (@beaheartdesign )with you!

I chaperoned a field trip today and it made my whole experience more pleasant than if I brought a pocketbook or handbag!

I’m hoping to enjoy lots of adventures with my children this summer, so this will be such an incredible blessing!

I LOVE the Marian blue lining and it truly is lightweight and comfortable!
Use coupon code PRAYERWINECHOCOLATE when you shop at Be A Heart and you’ll save 10% off!

Link in bio!
In full disclosure, Be a Heart sent me this bag in exchange for my honest review… and I honestly love it!
📸 by @nadiapittmanphoto 
#CatholicMom #Catholicmother #Middleschoolmom #Tweenmom #Momlife #classicaleducation #Catholicmomma #Catholicwoman #Catholicshop #catholicyouthministry
Do our sons understand what it means to be a “sp Do our sons understand what it means to be a “spiritual warrior “? Do we?

I learned and relearned a ton of things writing Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys.

Here’s what we all need to know about being a “Spiritual Warrior “:

1. Yes, there is a battle between good and evil and we are all in the midst of it. Years ago, in cartoons, it was common to see a devil on one shoulder and an Angel on another. It was CLEAR which voice was good and which was evil. The animation gave us a visual of what we were very familiar with.  Today, we must work a little harder so that all of us are detecting what is good and what is evil.

2. You don’t walk out onto a battlefield unprepared.
You put on your suit of armor and you bring your weapon. You do this FIRST! Faith is our shield, prayer is our greatest weapon. In other words, God has to be number one if we want to truly protect our soul. Knowing God has to be not only a priority, but our first priority.

3. We are not alone, but not everyone is going to grow in virtue. The virtues are our “armor of light” that protect us from the enemy. We would be wise to follow the advice of St. Francis de Sales in this, “Love everyone with a strenuous love based on charity, but form friendships only with those who can share virtuous things with you.”
Want to help your son on the battlefield?
Get him a copy of this journal today!
Link in bio!
#spiritualwarfare #Catholicmom #Catholic
I did this in one take… and you can totally tell I did this in one take… and you can totally tell, I know.
FYI I saw this movie the theater and there were real nuns there 😂 
I seriously don’t know what hashtags are appropriate for this…
My son has 2 Be Yourself Journals… I asked him t My son has 2 Be Yourself Journals…
I asked him to show me his favorite page and he chose the “mad libs like” activity 😆.

Anyone who purchases 2 copies of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys from me this weekend will get the Bible Study for Boys (7 lesson plans) for FREE!!!
Tag your friends that are youth ministers, ccd teachers, DRE’s, catechists and Catholic school teachers!

You could even use it for a VBS program for older kids!

I believe we need the be excited about our faith… especially when we present it to young people!

Our faith is FASCINATING! It’s EXCITING!
It’s anything BUT boring!

Let’s do this!!!

#Catholic #religiouseducation #Catholicyouth #metacatholic #DRE #Catholicdre #Catholicparish #Catholiclink #bustedhalo #Catholicsonline #bibleinayear #Catholictween #catechism #Catholicpriest #spiritualwarfare #Theology #theologyofthebody #babiesanddreams
Prayer of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus O Jesu Prayer of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus

O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests;
for your unfaithful and tepid priests;
for your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields;
for your tempted priests;
for your lonely and desolate priests;
for your young priests;
for your dying priests;
for the souls of your priests in purgatory.

But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me:
the priest who baptized me;
the priests who absolved me from my sins;
the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me your Body and Blood in Holy Communion;
the priests who taught and instructed me;
all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way (especially …).

O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart,
and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.
Amen.
#Catholicprayers #CatholicSaints #prayforpriests #Catholic #praymore #audienceofone #prayer #prayerjournal #instainspiration
I dare you to comment below 3 to 5 things you are I dare you to comment below 3 to 5 things you are thanking God for today!!!
#answeredprayers #cultivategratitude #Catholicmom #Catholicsonline #Instamom #MomsofInstagram #CatholicChristian
I have a super sweet story to share with you! Las I have a super sweet story to share with you!

Last evening my husband and I decided that we were long overdue for praying a Rosary with the family.

We have friends searching for jobs that have asked us to pray and many others intentions.

Our kids were outside playing with a little girl who lives up the road.

I walked outside with a bunch of tangled up Rosaries (see reel I made yesterday) and told my 3 children they had to come in to pray the Rosary.

My daughter, who made this Rosary for me, asked if their friend could pray with us.

I said she was, of course, welcome to pray with us!

All 4 kids came inside and my son volunteered to lead the first decade. Our 9 year old guest led a decade too!

She stumbled a little with the words to the Hail Mary but by the end of her decade, I was so impressed.

Once we were done praying my husband complimented our young guest on how well she did.
It was such a beautiful, unexpected event.
What a great reminder… courtesy of my daughter in Kindergarten… to always invite others to pray with you!
#praywithothers #TheRosary #manyhailmarysatatime #HolyRosary #praytherosary #familyrosary #Catholickids #Praymore
Some people want to start prayer journaling, but t Some people want to start prayer journaling, but that first page intimidates them.
Here’s a way to start that it totally stress free!
#prayerjournal #prayerjournaling #Catholic #Catholicreels #JesusItrustinYou
We haven’t even started yet and there’s an iss We haven’t even started yet and there’s an issue 😂 🪢 
#familyrosary #prayingmama #signofthecross #Catholicreels
“I don’t even remember that”~ my Mom. When I “I don’t even remember that”~ my Mom.
When I told my mom how she inspired the title of the Be Yourself Journal, that was her response 😂.
As a tired Mama, I so appreciate this now.
It’s amazing what God’s grace and a mother’s love can do!
My mom felt bad that I felt left out. But, she was also tired and was probably in survival mode with 3 or 4 children at that point.
I get that now.
But God took what my mom didn’t say and placed in my heart the contents of the book I get to the author of!
I am finding so much relief in this realization today.
I often see my shortcomings as a Mother.
I’m tired.
I’m still disorganized like I was before motherhood.
But I do have faith in God and love for my children.
I believe that God knew exactly what He was doing when He chose me to be the mother of my children.
He knows my strengths and weaknesses.
His grace is sufficient… for all mothers.
Praise the Lord!
Happy Mother’s Day!

Share this post and remind others that it’s totally okay to not be perfect.
Keep loving!
#Catholic #Catholicmom #holy #faithful #babiesanddreams #mothersday
Did you know Our Lady of Fatima taught the three y Did you know Our Lady of Fatima taught the three young children a couple of prayers?

The Blessed Mother taught the children to offer all their personal sacrifices to God by praying:
O My Jesus, I offer this for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Another prayer Our Lady taught the children was:

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

I love how Our Blessed Mother encourages to us to start a prayer by addressing the Lord with these words:
“O my Jesus…”
One of my favorite prayers was taught to the Fatima children by an angel.
This is that prayer:

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.

Today, May 13th, is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

#Catholicprayer #prayerjournal #Catholicprayers #Catholic #prayerjournalprompts #OurLadyofFatima #Catholicwoman #Catholicwife #Catholicmom
Sometimes, when I go to Mass, the homily isn’t e Sometimes, when I go to Mass, the homily isn’t exactly stellar…

But bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes, when I attend Mass, the other people in the pews don’t participate in the prayers or sing the hymns…

But bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present.

Sometimes, when I’m at Mass my own mind wanders and I’m distracted by children who can’t sit still…

But bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

An incredible miracle happens at every Catholic Mass… 

The whole Christ is truly present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is the body of Jesus Christ, which was given up for me and you.

#RealPresence #Eucharisticrevival #EucharisticAdoration #CatholicInspiration #Catholicchurch #HolyEucharist #HolyCommunion #Catholicblog #prayerjournal
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