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Two single thirty-somethings with thriving lives and a lot to say. Marilis and Gabrielle dive into the joys, struggles, and hilarities of modern singlehood—faith, dating, friendship, and everything in between. Real talk, good laughs, and honest conversations for women who know there’s more to life than waiting around.
Marilis (00:00)
Hello everyone. Hi Gabrielle.
Gabrielle (00:03)
Hey Mariless, how are you?
Marilis (00:05)
I'm doing great, how are you?
Gabrielle (00:07)
I'm doing good. Welcome to, I would say, the official first episode of season three. ⁓ last week we kind of gave you a preview of what to expect from season three and just our little summer recap. But today is kind of like the first episode of the series, this falling into series that we want to launch for season three. And today is gonna be falling into your faith.
Marilis (00:34)
I think as single women, we don't fall into haha see what I did there? Into a specific category of like a state in life, right? Like our state in life is being single, but it doesn't fall into marriage or religious life. So it can look different for everyone what fostering the faith looks like to you. We all have
Gabrielle (00:40)
Ha ha
Marilis (01:02)
busy lives. I think as lay women especially like you're juggling your work but you're also juggling like managing your house by yourself, paying your bills by the s by yourself. Everything is on your own. And so of course then fostering the faith you're having to go out solo also. And of course you have, you know, your priest, your church community possibly, your friend community that might be a part of that. But at the end of the day, your faith very much
is on your own in a way that's different from what it would look like if you were married or if you were in the convent. So I thought this obviously would be a good topic to get into. Like Gabrielle did the outline. I was like, duh, like why didn't we I was reading through this last night and I thought why didn't we do this before? Talk about this before. But also to talk about the faith in I hate to use the word normal, but in a normal way. Like you can be a Catholic or Christian
Gabrielle (01:50)
I know.
Marilis (02:01)
and very much be devout in your faith while still going out and having a good time, like, you know, within reason of course, you know, but like being a normal Catholic, I as much as I hate to use that word, is very possible. Ask us how we know.
Gabrielle (02:10)
Yeah.
Yeah, and I think this obviously is gonna come through a very Catholic lens because Berylis and I are both practicing Catholics. But I feel as if you're a Christian, ⁓ I think this is still like a really good episode to just stick around for. because it's still gonna be a really good, really good theme. And yeah, it's just focusing kind of like not on finding someone, but like also I put on here like
Marilis (02:28)
Yeah.
Gabrielle (02:46)
It's about investing in the longest relationship you already are a part of, which is the one with your creator. I feel like sometimes, like obviously, this podcast, we've talked about a lot about relationships, romance, dating, all that kind of good stuff, which is fun to talk about. And there's so many layers. But I think so many times. I know like cliche, we forget, but it's like this like relationship with your creator is the best one you can have. You know what I mean? It's like,
Marilis (02:51)
Mm-hmm.
For sure.
Gabrielle (03:16)
The most intimate, the most romantic, like if you make it that way. So stick around, even if you're not Catholic, I invite you to like listen to what we'll talk about today.
Marilis (03:26)
Yeah, definitely. I mean, like, I know for both of us it's such a huge part of our lives. and so much of the faith I think we fall into the I don't know if it's it's not a temptation, but we fall into the habit of compartmentalizing our lives, right? Like we have our work life, our fr relationship with our friends, and we also have a tendency to compartmentalize the faith.
Gabrielle (03:33)
Mm-hmm.
Marilis (03:55)
But if you really have a relationship with God and make it a daily part of your life, it just kind of becomes almost like a seamless garment in your life. It's not like, yeah, I go to church, you know, once a week on Sundays and that's my church life. Like, no, like it just becomes a part of your everyday, which then f flows into becoming a part of who you are as a person and it's not like some some separate thing.
Gabrielle (04:21)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Marilis (04:25)
in your life. You know what I mean?
Gabrielle (04:27)
Yeah. Totally agree. Yeah, so before we kind of jump into it, we're gonna start with our sweet single slice, which is kinda like our hot take, highs, lows of the week, whatever. So, Mirlis, you start us off. What is yours this week?
Marilis (04:37)
Yeah. We didn't do that yet.
So this summer I fostered a love for matcha and I I always have enjoyed like making coffees and things and recreating it at home, like fun little coffees. ⁓ I've joked that if I can have a career change, I'd be a barista. Like I really like if money didn't matter, I would own like a coffee shop that's
bookstore and a flower shop all in one. You know what I mean? And then I would be making coffees and matchas for people. And Romeo would be like my little sous chef.
Gabrielle (05:16)
I love that.
Recommending books.
Marilis (05:28)
Yes, like that's a but you know, like let me somehow find a gazillion dollars to open this kind of a shop in New York City. ⁓ you know. But yeah, if in in like another world this is what I would do. But anyway, I got really into making matcha this summer and I'm obsessed. Like I I've gotten all the tools and have tried all different kinds of matchas.
Gabrielle (05:36)
Yeah.
Ha ha.
Marilis (05:54)
If any matcha brand wants to sponsor the pod, I would die.
I love it so much. I'm obsessed. I've made like all different kinds of like match. I just yeah. It makes me happy. It takes, you know. And the thing with matcha is it's not just like ⁓ making a shot of espresso that takes a couple minutes. You know what I mean? Like you gotta it's a whole process to do it right. So then it's like a reminder for me to slow down.
Gabrielle (06:02)
We are
Mm-hmm.
Marilis (06:23)
and put intentionality into what I'm doing. ⁓ which then translates into so much of like kind of what I want my life to look like. You know, of just like not always rushing, using nice beautiful things to create my matcha. You know, it just like makes me happy. I don't know. What about you? Gabrielle
Gabrielle (06:32)
Yeah.
The official matcha sponsor of One Queen Single Life is still open for Merylith, so
Marilis (06:46)
Yes.
Yeah.
I'm obsessed.
Gabrielle (06:53)
Just hit up the email. ⁓ for me, I think I was just thinking about when this will come out. So we're recording on September twenty first, a few weeks ahead of time, because some of us have some travel and fun stuff. But I think the week this comes out is the weekend I'm gonna be throwing a Halloween party. So ever since I've got my house, I have thrown a Halloween party. And it's like a tradition now. So
Marilis (07:05)
Yes.
Yeah, that's right. You did one last year.
Gabrielle (07:22)
Uh-huh, yeah. So I'm throwing a Halloween party. I have not really chosen a theme or I don't know what I'm gonna wear at this point, but I do know it's gonna be this weekend. Cause I have some travel later on in the in the month ⁓ that I can't. So I'm just kinda looking forward to that because it's this weekend. So as you're listening to this podcast, I'm probably scrambling trying to like make my house all spooky and getting my outfit ready.
Yeah, it'll be fun. I just like like to like when I first got the house, I felt like I did a lot of like little like things, like little parties and stuff. And now I don't do it as much. I just like I'm a little bit more intentional of like what did I really like to do? Like Halloween party, it's fun. It's like it's already like a theme, you know what I mean? Cause it's like you gotta think about it. It's just provide some drinks and some music. Little snacks.
Marilis (08:10)
Yeah.
Yeah. And it's fun like to dress up, you know, and I've already Yeah. I've already I remember that. With the hair. I remember how you did your hair.
Gabrielle (08:22)
It's funny, like like last year I was Justin Bieber, so
I had the whole swoop and everything. So I don't know if I'm gonna go funny or like more I don't know what I'm doing. But that's my one sweet slice. I'm excited. Yeah.
Marilis (08:41)
I love like the pop culture references people do with Halloween. Like it'll be interesting to see what pop culture references people do with Halloween this year.
Gabrielle (08:51)
I know. I mean I seen like it's not really like a reference, but I saw a lot of people say they want to do like Dolly Parton.
Marilis (08:57)
I was just gonna say that, like R.I.P. Dolly.
Gabrielle (09:01)
And I was like that would kinda like if I was get like a huge wig, like I almost feel like that would be kind of funny. Cause like Dolly is also like famous for like her girls, you know?
Marilis (09:05)
Like a blonde wig and like really long nails.
my gosh, I know. Like she and she I was watching I've been I was a hu I mean, I'm still a Dolly fan, but I've been a Dolly fan my whole life. My mom listened to her ⁓ growing up and the interviews she gave about why she dresses the way she dressed the way that she did is just so funny. Like how she talks about who inspired her, you know, her town
Gabrielle (09:39)
Yeah.
Marilis (09:39)
The town, what did she call her? The town tramp. She was like, I thought she was beautiful. And I'm like, Dolly is so pure.
Gabrielle (09:44)
Ha ha ha.
like I feel like that could be good. Just get a blonde wig and just get a little little shirt and suddenly I'm Dolly. She looked good. Sh I don't feel like I mean
Marilis (09:53)
Yeah. And but she looked good though. Like she looked she and her heels like she was a walking Barbie. Like the way her she'd walk around in those little heels, you know, all the time. I just ⁓ yeah.
Gabrielle (10:09)
And she dressed like obviously she had like bigger tops, stuff like that. But it was just like I never thought she was like super like over sexualized herself. But like she showed her assets in a nice way, like, okay, chick had boobs, like just like other people do. You know what I mean? But it wasn't like I don't think it was ever racy. Like, was it sexy for some times? Sure. Did I think it was racy? I don't necessarily think Dolly. I would not just describe her as like a sex symbol or something, you know?
Marilis (10:13)
Yeah.
No.
Yes. Well I think because sh no
No. Well Yes. Even when she was younger, like even when you see photos of her, you know, in her twenties or thirties, like it just I think it just goes to show a lot of the dignity with which she carried herself is why it didn't come off skanky. You know, like ⁓
Gabrielle (10:54)
Yeah. Which I appreciate because I feel like the same way. Like I feel like sometimes I can dress like to my curves, but I also feel like I'm hope for me, I'm never like trying to do it like in a super racy way, you know. But embracing the the body that God gave you and like it is beautiful. Like shouldn't always have to be like hidden in turtlenecks and long skirts and all that good stuff. So I don't know. So maybe I'll be dolly. Maybe. I don't know.
Marilis (11:08)
Yes. Yep.
Yeah.
My gosh, I can't. Don't get me stuck.
If you are, my gosh, I definitely I would want to see photos. I don't do Halloween, but if we're here for Halloween, I definitely want to dress Romeo up. Last year he was ⁓
Gabrielle (11:28)
Yeah.
Marilis (11:37)
fryer, like a Franciscan fryer. And people loved it. So I
Gabrielle (11:42)
You need to like get him a cost like you need to start thinking about it right now, probably.
Marilis (11:47)
That's I have been. I've definitely been brainstorming already. these are like when I start thinking, it'd be so cute to have another dog because they can be like yeah, match. Like Beauty and the Beast or you know what I mean? Like something funny, but we'll think of something. We'll think of something. Also, if we're in New York, if you listen to our little intro, I was telling Gabrielle how people go crazy with their dogs here, like i it's next level.
Gabrielle (11:56)
So then they can match.
Yeah.
Marilis (12:16)
And I saw it last year at Halloween, so I know for sure if we're here for Halloween, like it's gonna be we're gonna need to like go all out. Like none of the like Amazon costume. Like he's gonna need a costume plus I don't know, like a float. ⁓ it's just s it's just crazy. People go all out here, so
Gabrielle (12:39)
And Halloween's on a Saturday this year too. So I feel like it's gonna be even more, yeah. So it'll be fun. Eventually prepare yourself. So yeah, anyway, today's talking about falling into your faith, which I frankly think is like the most important part of your humanity is your faith. Like this is what should guide you in
Marilis (12:41)
Even better. Yeah, no, we're gonna we'll figure it out. Romeo, did you hear me?
Yes. Anyway
Gabrielle (13:08)
Literally your daily tasks, your life decisions, like all that stuff. And I know, like I said it before, like it is like you could call it a cliche, but you are already in your longest lasting, healthiest, most fruitful relationship you'll ever be in, which is with Christ. Like he's perfect. We I can speak for myself. I'm very much not. Yet he is like totally, wholly committed to me.
Marilis (13:24)
Mm-hmm.
Gabrielle (13:36)
just says he's committed to like each and every one of you listening. So it's just like I think it can be like the easiest relationship, most fulfilling, like all those things. But I feel like so often, like there are some of us that like put on the back porn back burner. Like I like honestly can say I've done that. ⁓ and I just feel like it's like why why does that even happen? Because basically we have one party in the relationship who is literally perfect.
Marilis (13:36)
Yeah.
Gabrielle (14:06)
Christ and somehow like I'm still like ghosting him or like putting him on the back burner of his and it's like why am I doing that? You know what mean? Or like why does that happen?
Marilis (14:18)
Well, think because life gets busy. Not that that's an excuse, you know. But yeah, life gets busy and I know for me personally, like well, A I was in the convent, for those who are new.
Gabrielle (14:20)
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
We have an ex none on the run on Instagram. It's not just for nothing. She was actually in the comment.
Marilis (14:33)
X nanon Yeah.
I was actually a nun. For better or for worse. for almost a decade of my life. So obviously that formation, like that was my entire twenties. So that formation obviously made a huge imprint in who I am today and my prayer life and ⁓ really helped me form like a pretty regimented schedule when it comes to prayer.
Gabrielle (14:51)
Yeah.
Marilis (15:09)
Only because well yes, it helped form a regimented schedule, but I've been able to take it with me outside of the convent, just that ki same kind of discipline, which I've intentionally done only because knowing me, if I don't, I won't do it. You know, I literally every other aspect of my life is very like on the fly. ⁓ you know, I'm supposed to be traveling today and I have not packed.
Gabrielle (15:28)
Yeah.
Marilis (15:40)
So I told Gabrielle, I like, I'm just gonna go get there and then come back home and pack.
Gabrielle (15:46)
Yeah.
Marilis (15:48)
return again. So like if I'm not regimented in my prayer, I feel like that's such a strong word. Disciplined might be better. If I'm not disciplined in my prayer, I just know I won't do it. So I have to, for example, like get up at a certain time and make sure to pray my morning prayer at the same time that day because I know I'm not the type of person that can say, I'll just get to it later.
Gabrielle (15:57)
Okay.
Marilis (16:16)
Because later rolls around and I'll still be doom scrolling on Instagram instead of praying whatever you know what I mean? Commitments I had made. So personally for me, like it really, really helps having made a commitment to stay dedicated to whatever kind of prayer schedule I've, you know, decided to do.
Gabrielle (16:20)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
No. I think that yeah, I mean, I feel like that's like a really good practice because I'll let say like I'm not saying I'm complete opposite, but like I just feel like and I've used the word like slip because I really do like I feel like when something slips out of your hand, it's kinda like an accident or sometimes you don't really realize it's slipping and then it's like then it gets dropped and then you're like, ⁓ I didn't realize that. Like it wasn't even in my mind. Like it's just because I'm distracted.
Marilis (17:07)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Gabrielle (17:12)
And like some of the examples I said, like why does it get on the back burner? And I don't think these are ex like legitimate excuses. I just think that this can be some. Like, like you said, life, life gets busy or stressful. I think sometimes like work or family demands sometimes like rest and relaxation is like a big priority nowadays. Like, you know, like treat yourself or self-care, stuff like that. And I feel like
Marilis (17:36)
Yeah.
Gabrielle (17:40)
Friends and a social life too, I feel like sometimes creep in for me. ⁓ but I just feel like when life is good, it's so much easier for my relationship to like slip, is like kind of what I said. Because if if I don't plan it, like Marilys is saying, like, it just doesn't happen. And it's nothing wild that I'm just like saying like I stopped believing or like I purposely am not practicing my faith. But like
Marilis (17:45)
You're right.
Yeah.
Gabrielle (18:09)
When life is good, I'm just like, this is like so fun. It's like, hey, there's an extra shift at work. Yeah, I'll pick it up. I'll get some extra money. And then like I get off work and my friend's like, I wanna get a coffee. Do you wanna catch up? Okay, yes. And then like my sister's like, I wanna hang out with my nephews. Okay, I'll go over there. And like I just start filling my calendar up. And then all of a sudden, I'm like, Wow, like I show up to Sunday Mass and I'm like reflecting on the week and I'm like, when did I like sit?
Marilis (18:29)
Yeah.
Gabrielle (18:38)
Quietly or like literally do anything intentional in this relationship. I was just filling it with everything else. You know what I mean? Cause like life is good. And it's just like I sometimes have a habit of that. And I'm like, that's when I'm like, okay, I have to reel in. Let's like set a schedule. Let's do stuff. Because I feel like when my life is going like it's more difficult times. And I'm like, okay, like this is what I need to do. And it's not necessarily because I'm asking God for things, like, okay, I'm
being more devout during this difficult time. But I kind of like do find solace and like purpose in my prayer. And during good times, I think it's just so much easier for me to be like, ⁓ like I would love to catch up with this friend or this family member or like do this house project. And I'm not like being like, no, but I need to also like invest in this relationship with God. You know? And sometimes I just kind of like
Marilis (19:16)
Yeah.
Right.
Gabrielle (19:34)
I don't want to say innocently forget because I don't I I'm still choosing that path. Like I feel like it's like you're either choosing Christ or not. Like if I'm not stepping forward, I'm still like not stu I'm stuck kind of still stepping away. Do you know what I mean? But for me, it's just like a little bit easier to fall off that path. So I need to like have check-ins and actually like plan out my schedule to be like, okay, I wanna do, you know, XYZ. Yeah, of like, you know.
Marilis (19:49)
Yeah.
X, Y, and Z. Mm-hmm.
Gabrielle (20:03)
And whatever is good for me and like where I'm growing.
Marilis (20:06)
Yeah. And I think that's a pretty common thing, you know, that like prayer is very easy when you're going through desolation. You know, when you're like going through a hard time and feeling like you have no one else to turn to but God, like prayer comes easily, real quick. Even f like for me too. Like I am like begging Jesus like for help, but
when I'm in a great place, I'm like doo doo doo, like distracted in my prayer, ⁓ kind of not really wanting to go pray. Like I'm like right now, 'cause right now this time of year is perfect. Like it's gorgeous out. Everything is beautiful. Do you know what I mean? Like the last thing I want to do, no offense, Jesus, is go sit in a dark adoration chapel. Like I love that time with him.
Gabrielle (20:46)
Yes.
Marilis (20:57)
But I'm like, you know what I mean? Like, there's all these things I could be doing instead. Of course, like once I get there, I'm like, of course, this is why I'm here. Like, I'm so happy I'm here. I'm so grateful for the gift of being able to have adoration so accessible. But and that's probably Satan tempting too, of like trying to use all these other distractions or all these other things instead of going to pray. You know? But prayer is harder. You know, a lot of the Saints.
Gabrielle (21:03)
Exactly.
Yes.
Marilis (21:27)
A lot of the church fathers have written about how prayer is harder when you're in consolation because you're just like in a great mood. and like there Yes.
Gabrielle (21:38)
Yeah, it's and it's like n not malicious distractions like you're saying. It's just like, but there's all these fun things I can do and God made this big, beautiful life with all these fun things and people to hang out with. And then it's just like sometimes I'm like, but like he made all these things and I'm just like just in just enjoying, you know, just like which is like you want that, but it's like there needs to be a limit.
Marilis (21:45)
Yeah.
Like right. And he's given right.
Yes. Yeah. There's a different kind of difficulty in prayer with desolation. It's like, but he's not responding to me anyway. You know, like that's a different kind of difficulty. So there are definitely challenges then too. I think prayer overall, it's like not it's the simplest of things but also the hardest of things to do. So classic Catholics, it's a both hand. It's a both hand.
Gabrielle (22:21)
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Yeah, so we're so like falling into faith, like it's kind of like the premise of all today. It's just like I think the first step is kind of like what we're saying, just like be honest. Like find time maybe this week to like reflect or just think about when we're talking. maybe this you you're already thinking about it, like reflect and actually evaluate like, am I actually making room for God in my life? Or is it like kind of like an
Marilis (22:55)
Yeah.
Gabrielle (22:57)
After thought, you know?
Marilis (22:59)
Right. And I always like to say you don't need to start with a whole holy hour right from the get go. You know, I I get 'cause I talk about my holy hour on social media from time to time and people are always like, What do you do? Can you give me like a kind of a play by play, like a step by step of like what you do in adoration? And I'm like, Yeah, like I could, but honestly, like you don't need to go into adoration. my goodness, sorry, this is like a little side tangent, but I'll see these people who will be like, w here
Gabrielle (23:05)
Yeah.
Marilis (23:29)
Is my prayer bag, and then they start showing, like you know, kind of like a take on what's in my purse. It's like, what's in my prayer bag? And they pull out a journal, a Bible, a book, a rosary, a chaplet, another chaplet. And I'm like, okay, all these things are great and beautiful. Like, devotions are great. Obviously, reading scripture is great. Like, none of these things are bad, obviously. But at the end of the day.
Gabrielle (23:34)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Marilis (23:55)
When you go into prayer, God truly all he desires is for you to spend time with him. You can sit there and say nothing, or you can sit there and say literally anything and everything that's on your mind and your heart. You don't need to have a whole like list of what to do. But before you even get to the point of making a holy hour, ⁓ daily, weekly, whatever type of a practice, I always I'm like, start with five minutes.
You know, maybe do five minutes a day of just silent prayer, no no reading, no distractions, just silent prayer with God for five minutes for like a week. You know, a few days to a week. And then work your way up to ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty, and then before you know it you'll be at f a whole hour. ⁓
Gabrielle (24:43)
Mm.
Marilis (24:44)
But I think so often, especially if we aren't already having a regular prayer life, we jump to an hour and you're like distracted the whole time or like wanting to rush it the whole time and you leave it discouraged and it's like, Well, prayer like everything else is a practice, it's a muscle. It you know, it's not just gonna be something that comes easily if you haven't been making it a regular part of your life. And it's beautiful that you desire to pray, but it's okay to start
small rather than like let me run a marathon and I've never run one before. You know, I haven't like trained for marathon. Like I couldn't I couldn't even run a mile right now. You know what I mean? So obviously I'm not gonna try to do one right off the get go. Like
Gabrielle (25:21)
Exactly.
Ha ha.
Yeah.
Marilis (25:35)
So I I always kind of give that advice, take it for what you will when it comes to prayer. Like you don't need to take on all these practices that you're seeing. I think social media really can be a detriment to this of like, well she does this and she does that. It's like, no, no, no, like take a look at your life and what you're able to do honestly.
And start small and then work your way up. I think it also really helps having like a priest or a spiritual director to talk through it of like what to commit to and to help you also be accountable to what you're committing to in prayer. So
Gabrielle (26:13)
Yes. Cause I mean, I totally agree. Like I have put that like gradually building is a very healthy and also realistic, sustainable thing in the long term. Like I put on that example too of like you said running the marathon. I put an example of like, I wanna lose twenty pounds. Like no matter how hard like you start the first day and you do like four workouts and you count your calories and like you're just doing everything perfectly for one day and then you just try to like and it's an extreme.
Marilis (26:21)
Yeah.
Gabrielle (26:43)
It's just like not sustainable. It really is not. Like you can still reach that goal, but like maybe it's gonna take you three months, six months, a year. You know what I mean? And like you can have these like goals that you create for yourself in prayer. And maybe it's gonna take you again, three months, six months, a year, a few years for you to like have that practice. And I love how you said about adoration. I don't know if I said it here, but you probably have heard this. It's just kind of like
Marilis (27:00)
Yeah.
Gabrielle (27:13)
If you're in a relationship like with your like with your friends, you can both be on the couch, scrolling on your phone. And it's like you're still like but together. Like when Merylist came to visit me, like we just had a long day. Like we were just out and about doing things. And I think we like were on the couch for like at least over an hour, just like scrolling. We'd like show each other a a video and then she showed me a video. Romeo would go with sitting with her, then he would come to sit with me. And like
Marilis (27:21)
Together.
A real.
Gabrielle (27:40)
But we're still like spending time investing even though it was just we're just there. I mean, it's same with like your boyfriend. Would you wanna like sit with your boyfriend on the couch for five minutes and like just sit. No, you don't even have to talk, just sit. Like if you're sitting and watching a show or whatever. Like this is the same way, like just think about it, like in adoration, like crisis present in the Eucharist, it's not like this hidden thing. Like he's actually there. So it's kinda like just sitting, like sitting on the couch with your friends, sitting on the couch with your boyfriend, your family member, whatever.
Think of it like that. Maybe that could like be a more palpable way for you to be like, this is obviously not a waste of time. Like this is something I'm investing in. ⁓ and I think like there's obviously like different people, like you might come across this podcast and be like, I'm not even like close to that. Cause like maybe like you being Catholic or you being Christian is just like a routine. Like, this is what my family did. We prayed before meals.
Marilis (28:09)
Yeah.
Right.
Gabrielle (28:36)
Mass every Sunday or like Mass on Christmas and Easter. Or maybe it's a cultural thing, like I'm Mexican and like our Lady Guadalupe and like it's just like I'm a cradle Catholic, it's like what my family does. But like while you're evaluating, like God isn't calling you like he wants a relationship with you, not just because of like a byproduct of like how you grew up. You know what I mean?
Marilis (28:59)
Right. Right. Yeah. And yeah, it's just it's one of those things that it very much is your own. Even if you belong to a religious order or you're married, like your relationship with the Lord is
can look completely different from other people's. It doesn't need to look like anybody else's. And then for those who are just coming into the faith and might be feeling discouraged of like, gosh, I can't believe I've gone this amount of years not having a prayer life or a practice like I just want to really encourage you that it's okay. Saint Teresa of Avila, who's a doctor of the church, okay, reformed the Carmelite order, was in the convent.
and did not pray for twenty years. So just think about that. Like she was in the convent, guys. A nun. A habited nun.
And wasn't praying. She talks about ⁓ how her prayer was just ⁓ just she was just distracted the whole time or would fall asleep and she was preoccupied with visitors, like 'cause people would come visit the convent and talk to her and she was like a little social butterfly, like holding court, you know, talking to visitors. So just to think of like what God did with her after she started to take her prayer seriously, and it was after twenty years.
And she's become one of the greatest mystics in the church and obviously, like I said, is a doctor of the church now. So like don't be discouraged if you feel like, I'm whatever age and I don't have a prayer life and I'm just now getting started. Like, God's not holding that against you. He's not up there going, Mm, you're late to the party You know? I'll be hold I'll be withholding grace from you. Like, no, that's not how it works. ⁓
Gabrielle (30:40)
Yeah.
Marilis (30:50)
So the fact that you even desire to potentially pray at all is a huge grace in itself. And to just encourage you to follow that desire.
Gabrielle (31:02)
Yeah, I mean even in Our Father, which is like the prayer Jesus taught us, like give us this day our daily bread. Like it's this is something we start new again every day. It's not like you can be so devout and do all this stuff. And then like I said, like I've gone through seasons where it's like great and then it's like, it's slipping, and it's like, I needed I still need this. So it's just like but
Marilis (31:05)
Yeah.
Every day.
No, yeah. I'm in dire need of conversion every day. Like if it weren't I think all the time if I did not pray, I'd be in prison. Like truly, you know? I I just or I just would be like such a heathen. Like I don't even know what I'm like almost scared to think of what I would be capable of if I did not have if I weren't Catholic, if I didn't have faith. Like
Gabrielle (31:48)
Faith. Yeah.
Marilis (31:51)
And I didn't have that keeping me in line. Like I'd be yeah. Who knows? I don't even wanna think like it kinda scares me a little bit. I'm not exaggerating, you know, or just like I know like my temper, I can go from like zero to a hundred real quick. Like if I didn't have the grace of prayer like my prayer life, I would I'd be in a lot of trouble. I'm not trying to be funny, but it's just the truth you know what I mean? Like I just know. Yeah, like
Gabrielle (32:16)
I know you're not trying to be funny, but like I know you sound like shoop.
Marilis (32:21)
No no no I know. I y I don't think you're laughing at me. I just know you understand what you 'cause you s know me outside of this. Like I yeah. I prayer keeps me in line. I'd yeah. I just would be yeah, crazy. I don't yeah, it's cra I would be crazy.
Gabrielle (32:23)
Yeah. No.
And not in a bad way, like yeah.
Yeah, so like I think if you need some ideas like while you're reflecting, if you want to like do this kind of like exercise, like just ask yourself, is this relationship particularly deep or intentional? And kind of like sub questions to like reflect on and take and get rid of what you see necessary. But like how am I growing in this relationship? Am I talking to him daily, weekly, ever?
Marilis (33:11)
Yeah.
Gabrielle (33:11)
Every day, like multiple times a day. is he like is Christ getting the first fruits of my labor or the leftovers? ⁓ for some of us that means like praying in the morning, like when I'm fresh. For some, that's like maybe that's the evening for you. Maybe like clarity, like your day is done and you can really focus on like him at that point. It's just different. Or like, how am I integrating faith into my life and decisions? ⁓ which is
Marilis (33:30)
Mm-hmm.
Gabrielle (33:38)
Kind of like kind of we're gonna go into next is like building a faith life. ⁓ and you already kind of touched on this when we first started. I think that like faith, which 100% agree with you, like it shouldn't be like something like to be like a to-do list, like, I'm Catholic, so that means I have to do X, Y, and Z now more. Like, faith should just be part of my life. That's why it's really great to like add it to your routine ahead of time. Like
Praying before I get out of bed or like doing a rosary or my monthly confession, like scheduling those things out. ⁓ because then it becomes like a new normal instead of like me doing extra work. I mean, I mean, even just like an example of like it's just the way I do things. Like, even like when I like I work as a paramedic. So obviously I see all different types of things, but and I also they're like when people pass away. And how like
have integrated that into my work life is like if someone does pass away, I always naturally just say like an Our Father and a Hail Mary for them. And I every week at Mass, I'll like pray for like all the people that I saw that week, like all my patients and stuff. ⁓ and that's like not something extra I do. It's just like integrated into my work life because of like my faith. Like I just remember all like those souls that I helped. ⁓
Marilis (35:02)
Yeah.
Gabrielle (35:03)
Or I encountered and just like trying to be like patient with them too because I work twenty-four hours so like my patience is thin at 3 a.m. as but like I I that just like that's not me being like, like look at how good of a person this is. It's just like I don't know, that's just was an example of just like it's just integrated. It's like, okay, this happens for a person. I'll say like just quick little prayer for them and I'll remember them and then that's it. Like it's not
Marilis (35:11)
Yeah. Whose isn't?
Gabrielle (35:32)
Anything extra for me. It's just kinda like my routine.
Marilis (35:35)
Yeah. ⁓
Gabrielle (35:36)
But I mean, and it's integrated into my life too. Like even like when it comes to travel, like I look to see like what saint is in that like city or that country or like what churches can I go see or like art or galleries or like museums with Christian Catholic artists that like worked on them. Like I gave an example of my work, but like it's like how I just faith is how I decide like who I want to date. The friendships I really invest in, like
Decisions I make in my life, like all these types of things. So it's just like very much integrated where it's like I'm not thinking of like
I'm Catholic, so I do this, but it's like I just already have my own morals and values. So it's just like guides me to like the path I think God's leading me towards.
Marilis (36:27)
Right. No, I totally can relate to that. I think, like I said earlier, once it is a part of your life in your everyday and you're deepening your relationship with the Lord and then obviously as Catholics too, like the church very much guides what decisions I make in my life or kind of how helps to form how I see things. ⁓
And even though I might disagree with some things that she teaches, like she always trumps out my opinions. Like I I always say, you know, the church is not a democracy. Like, if I'm as Catholics, like we very much believe like Jesus and his church are one. There's not a separation, you know? So
It really does, like Gabrielle already said, kind of s become a seamless thing in your life of like it helps decide how I spend my days, ha who I interact with, what I'm interested in. I mean I already just naturally gravitate towards beauty anyway, and the church has provided like so much beauty in the world, created so much beauty. And so when I travel I naturally like I could spend hours just visiting churches. Especially in Europe, like
just visiting churches and looking at art in churches. And that's so much of what interests us when we travel together. Like Gabrielle and I when we were in Mexico, yeah, we had a good time. We ate lots of great food and like did saw a lot of things. But one thing that we both were like wanting to do was going to see obviously our lady Guadalupe, but then other churches in Mexico City as well just to explore. Just to go see them. So
it really does kind of form every aspect of your life whether or not you're aware of it right away. Like there are things that are obviously very apparent, but then there are other things that are like, wow, you know, like this is because the church has helped shape that in me. Or like you mentioned with friends. Like it's like, yeah, I have non Catholic friends, but my inner circle of friends are all Catholic. And it just it it just kind of
Gabrielle (38:47)
Yeah.
Marilis (38:49)
happens in t like unintentionally. Like I wasn't picking out, you know, my friend group and it was like, yep, I want her in on the team, her on the team, you what I mean? Like it just naturally fell together in that way. And then too, like, for example, during the conclave when all my friends were in town in Rome, why were we all in town? Because everybody was coming to see the new Pope. And yeah, there were lots of non Catholics there. I remember being really surprised with how many non Catholics were there.
Gabrielle (39:13)
Yeah.
Marilis (39:19)
But all my Catholic friends were in town. I like, this is like my funeral, except I'm living through it 'cause all my favorite people are here. But it was so great to then be able to connect everyone all together. Like you remember, like we got I was like, let's all have lunch and it was all my different friend groups coming together as one and what was the one thing that we all had in common? We were all Catholic women. In various dates in life. But it was that's what made it so much fun and beautiful.
Gabrielle (39:42)
Mm-hmm. And it's like
Like you're everyone's like guided by the same compass. And like your prior like everything might look a little different. Obviously, all of our lives are very different. But like the pri the main priorities are still the same and the way like we're shaping our lives to just like be that like seamless thread of just like I make these decisions and choices and actions in my life because
Marilis (39:53)
Yes.
Yeah.
Gabrielle (40:15)
I'm Catholic and this is like the most important thing of my life is like my faith life and that should like guide all my decisions. ⁓ so yeah, just think that's like a beautiful this conclave was just such a blur. Yeah, I love it.
Marilis (40:28)
Special time. Special time. But yeah, that was one of those occasions where I'm like, Wow, I am so grateful I'm Catholic and I think this often. ⁓ with when I really think about just different opportunities and blessings in my life or the people that I really value in my life that are in my life. it really is thanks to the church. It's thanks to Jesus and his church that have somehow like
Gabrielle (40:55)
Mm-hmm.
Marilis (40:58)
brought them into my life, you know? So it's great on this side. Highly recommend.
Gabrielle (41:05)
For you Christians out there. Just or not I don't know. J just come over, okay? We're welcome, you know. Just DM us about it. But
Marilis (41:09)
Or non I don't know, non religious folks.
Yeah.
But yeah, like building the faith life is very much a thing. Like I you know, I think it looks different for everybody, but like I don't know if you're looking for examples, but for us, like it's obviously mass at least on Sundays, sometimes more during the week, but definitely on Sundays. Making confession a regular part of our lives, like ⁓
Gabrielle (41:24)
Yes.
Mm-hmm.
Marilis (41:43)
And like I f I know for me, like I need to go at least once a week. I don't always make it once a week for whatever reason. It's harder for me to go when I'm in America 'cause it's harder to find. Confession. Yeah. You know, in Italy, especially in Rome, the Basilicas have confession all day. And they have it in English too. So I'm like, I don't need to worry about trying to translate this into Italian. Like that stresses me out of like, what if I mistranslate or I miss a sin or whatever?
Gabrielle (41:54)
It really is.
All the time.
Marilis (42:13)
That's my scrupulosity getting in the way. But, you know, like it's harder for me to find here when it's at a church for an hour on like a r like random afternoon on a s hour on a Saturday. ⁓ so I it is harder to go. But anyway, make so Mass at least on Sundays, sometimes more during the week, depending on whatever you have going on. ⁓ confession regularly and then
Gabrielle (42:25)
Yeah.
Marilis (42:39)
I like to pray the rosary every day. I especially like to do when I'm walking Romeo. It's like our little rosary walk together. and also reading scripture every day and then having like my holy hour. ⁓ and I have my little devotionals and things here and there, but that's pretty much like the pillars, you know, my five pillars are prayer. ⁓ and it can look different for everybody. Like I think
Gabrielle (42:48)
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Marilis (43:07)
Everybody's state in life is so different. Like I just often when I hear like people list off like you must do X, Y, Z, I'm like, Well, what does their life look like? Like obviously as single women, not saying that we have more time, but the time you know, we do have more time in the sense that we're not having to like take care of kids, you know, or a family or cook for my husband or whatever it is. ⁓
Gabrielle (43:34)
And then just I mean, even just like mass as a single woman is wildly different than like mass as like a woman with young children. Like, I mean I there I mean I'm just happy that they're there, but I'm just like they don't have a moment like I can like sit before mass and like really take in the readings and just like journal my thoughts and like I ha usually have this one journal I bring to mass often and I just will like, you know.
Marilis (43:41)
Yes.
Ha ha.
Gabrielle (44:02)
My thoughts on the homily or the readings. And my sister's like, my sister has three kids under three. And she's like, Well, you better enjoy that little writing in that journal. Cause if you ever have any kids, like that's that little journal ain't gonna be coming out. It ain't and it's not her being cynical, it's like kind of like realistic. Yes. Like for a time, that little journal ain't gonna be coming out.
Marilis (44:14)
Game over.
Just the real that is the reality. I just I can't imagine.
Yeah, no, your kid's gonna take that little journal and doodle.
Gabrielle (44:31)
Yes. So it's just like, yeah, I mean it's f everything's different. I think mine are very similar. Like I love I've been doing ⁓ like either like readings of the day or like the Bible in a year. It's gonna be like Bible and like 'cause it's good. And like I like doing the I love doing w like rosary walks. I just I don't know, there's something about it. I was literally on the phone with somebody the other day and I was like, I love walks because I feel like
Marilis (44:46)
Yeah, I like five one a year too.
Yeah.
Gabrielle (45:00)
Even with my friends, like sometimes if we're catching up or like we're gonna have a hard conversation or just like opening up to each other. Like for some people, I think it's hard to like sit down and like I'm looking at you, you're looking at me, we're having coffee, and I'm like opening up and to maybe something personal about me. And it's just more, I don't know, it's just harder. But like if I'm gonna walk, we're walking, it's an activity, it's like it's almost like a distraction. And like sometimes I feel like I've had very deep conversations with people when I'm out for a walk.
Marilis (45:08)
Yeah.
Yes.
Gabrielle (45:30)
Because I don't know, it's just like naturally things just flow. And I just feel like sometimes like my conversations with like God or like my rosary, it's just like I don't know, they just flow better versus like when I'm sitting in my house trying to have prayer time versus like when I'm in nature walking or even just like down the street, like if my my thoughts flow better.
Marilis (45:33)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Same. No, I really like I the rosary walk for me, I didn't start doing I would always pray my rosary during my holy hour. I didn't start doing the rosary with Romeo until maybe like a year or two ago. And now I just automatically grab for it when we go for our walks.
Just because yeah, like you said, it just helps me focus on the actual mysteries and the prayers in the rosary. And then too, it's like I don't know, it's just I feel like I'm going for a little walk with our lady. And it's also like, Okay, my rosary is over, so now it's I can go home. Like Romeo's done with his walk now. You know, without me like looking at the time like, it's been twenty it's a bit of twenty minute walk or whatever it is. ⁓
Gabrielle (46:25)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Marilis (46:41)
It's just yeah, I love it. Would recommend.
Gabrielle (46:44)
Yeah. So it's like, I think we'll probably I'll make probably make a little Instagram post on this when this comes out. But it's just like I think it's really important to not looking at others and also us talking about it. Okay, great for ideas, but like find out what works for you. Like I was saying, like, what's your confirmation saint? Or like the saint that's on your birthday. Do you even know what saint that is? Or around your birthday? Like maybe look at that and like see like
Marilis (46:50)
Yeah.
Yeah.
No.
Gabrielle (47:12)
no Venus to that or just like learning about that state or you're having trouble in one area of your life. Maybe it's your profession or like an illness or whatever. Like look up the patron saint for that. Like learn about them or like find community like we're saying Rosary, Divine Mercy, ⁓ Bible in a year. Like there's so many different ways. And then you can maybe do like a bigger intentional way, like a pilgrimage, like maybe you love the sacred heart.
Maybe you have a sacred heart Catholic church in your ⁓ in your town. Like go do a little pilgrimage there or like do a bigger pilgrimage and like go actually travel somewhere. Like there's so many ways to incorporate faith into your life and it doesn't have to be all of them. And it doesn't have to be any of these. It could be even like different ones. But like don't try to compare yourself to like even just your close knit f friend group. Like maybe it's not gonna work for you.
Marilis (47:44)
Town or something.
Yeah. Right. And that's I already mentioned this earlier, but that's why I recommend having like a priest or a spiritual director to check in with because
I think it really helps having an objective voice with somebody who doesn't know you on like a personal level. it gives you the ability to just be able to like hear things objectively. Do you know what I mean? Like and not get your feel or hopefully not get your feelings all hurt. Like it I know for me it makes a difference when it's like my spiritual director telling me something and when it's a friend telling me something. You know? and
Gabrielle (48:42)
Yeah.
Marilis (48:45)
they can really help you discern kind of what you're getting in prayer, but also they can help you decide like what practices in prayer is actually feasible and make sense for you in your state in life. You know, like and and go from there with building a prayer routine that you can stick to.
Gabrielle (48:59)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah. I think that's like yeah. Cause I even put on here like the single girl stereotype and like our ideal stereotype, which we kind of went back and forth because like I really don't know what that is. Cause I feel like all like the single girls I know in my life are all like super cool, outgoing. But I'm like, I don't know what that means to you. Like if you think of like the ideal single girl. Is she like doing her fifty-four-day no Rosary Novina? Is she praying for her husband? We're joking, we're like, is she baking sourdough? Is that a Mormon thing? Is that a Catholic thing?
Marilis (49:18)
Either
Yeah.
I know, it's like what? Well, 'cause I read the things and I was like, wait, I I do all of these except the sourdough and praise for a husband. Like like I veil, I go to daily mass, I, you know, pray the fifty personalized rosary for and I like, Wow, but also like I think I have to tell 'cause women will be like, Wow, how do you do all that? And I'm like, I was in the convent, guys. Like, you know what I mean? Like that
Gabrielle (49:36)
I don't know.
Marilis (50:02)
It's just different. Like I don't know how to explain it, but it's just different. Like it's just almost ingrained in me. ⁓ I definitely don't pray as much as I did then. Like I'm not doing stations of the cross every day anymore. But I I live alone. I have zero responsibility except for my dog who already comes to church with me.
Like please and I work remotely for myself. You know? So I it's it's this is exactly what Gabrielle and I mean of like not comparing with other people and not trying to do what other people do because I know the way my life is set up is wildly different by s from so many people, even from single people, you know, because of
Gabrielle (50:26)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Marilis (50:48)
being self employed, working remotely and having the ability to be as flexible as I am, then gives me the room to be able to devote to my prayer life in a different kind of way. And not that it's a better kind of a way. Just 'cause it's different. You know what I mean? Like just because I'm making believe you me, I am a sinner. Like my old hour does not make me any more righteous.
Gabrielle (51:07)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Marilis (51:13)
You know, my daily going to mass does not make me any more righteous. Like I'm cussing up a storm the minute I step out of that church ninety nine percent of the time. That's why I need to go.
Gabrielle (51:24)
Yeah, I'm like, I was just trying to think of like maybe from where you're at versus like your mind ideal or like other people you see have ideal. Like, none of these things are bad. But I was just kind of like going after like you shouldn't chase a Catholic aesthetic, whether that be like social presence or just like your perception of your friends or your family. Like Catholicism should be like a relationship. And yes, that is going to naturally spill out in your life. So people are gonna be like,
Marilis (51:32)
Yeah. Right.
No.
Yeah.
Yes.
Gabrielle (51:54)
yeah, she's a Catholic girl, or like, yeah, she believes in this or that. And you don't necessarily even have to be like so showy or like let it come out. It's just gonna naturally spill out in a in a good way. When you're filling your cup with Christ and like your faith, like it's going to naturally spill out and it's gonna be something good. So it's like it's not bad, but like do it for that reason, not for like a performative reason. It's kind of like what I was going with the stereotype.
Marilis (52:04)
Yes, yes.
Yeah, it's
Yeah.
Yes. Yes. And also like I wanted to mention the church, the Catholic Church herself is very ⁓ flexible too with like what she requires of people. So for example, the church says go to church on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Do you know how many times a church says you need to go to confession a year? One time. Once a year. I you know, I had an I had
Gabrielle (52:45)
Once.
Marilis (52:49)
An auntie tell me she only goes once a year because a church goes once a year and I was like a little scandalized by it. I was like, Really? Because I need to go almost daily. Like, what do you mean you get away with like you she generally feels like, okay, like I only need once a year. I was like, let me not judge, you know, because then I'm reflecting it onto myself of like, wow, I need it all the time. ⁓ But the my point is the church does not tack on all these things as mandatory for a reason.
Like in her wisdom, she says you have and you can look this up. We can add it in the show notes of like what is actually required of baptized Catholics. And then from there you can decide for yourself how much you want to do. ⁓ and how much you want to add to foster your relationship with Christ. And of course we're not saying be la dida about it. Like prayer is something that you wanna be
Gabrielle (53:26)
Yeah.
Mm.
Marilis (53:48)
devoted to and take seriously, but also not to the point of where you're like ⁓ like over analyzing and overthinking, my gosh, I I didn't do my checklist and it's g God's gonna be mad at me and I'm you know, an awful Catholic and I'm not holy and I like all these things, which I know like as somebody who tends to be a little scrupulous, like that's been a very much of a learning healing journey for me to cut my scrupulous tendencies. Like I understand what it's like to feel like
I'm not praying, therefore I'm not holy, therefore I'm going to hell. Like, you know, the the just how intense that can get. ⁓ yeah, and like I was saying, like in the church's wisdom, she gives you the freedom. Like God will never pin you up against a wall and be like, spend time with me. Like, you know, dooms and you know, fire and brimstone. God, he is not like that at all. He just delights in your presence.
Gabrielle (54:23)
Yeah.
Marilis (54:46)
And your desire to spend time with him is brings him delight, you know, and like he already knows everything about you and everything you're thinking and praying and desiring and wanting, you know, all your intentions. But like the Lord just genuinely, like Gabrielle already mentioned, being able to sit with someone in silence and delighting and simply being in their presence. Like you have those people in your life. I you know
Gabrielle (54:50)
Mm.
Marilis (55:15)
w I have those people in my life where I c like Gary and I can sit with her and literally like be drinking my iced coffee and doing nothing and I'm happy as a clown. Yeah, I'm like, yeah, what do you like people were like, what'd you do in San Antonio? I was like, sat on the couch and just hung out. Like I had the best time. And that was a highlight of my summer, you know? So it's like the Lord desires the same thing with you in prayer. You don't need to be bringing your prayer bag with
Gabrielle (55:17)
Yeah.
Like, this is great and like, you know.
I really
Marilis (55:44)
all your devotionals again none of those are bad but just showing up empty handed is honestly the best kind of way to show up to prayer.
Gabrielle (55:56)
Yeah. And just like s bringing something like you're doing this just to deepen the relationship and that should be it. Like just you and him. And that should be it. Cause I just like kind of like a little like tying things up a little bit. I put on here like the temptation to have like a transactional mindset. And I think that's something like it's it can be very common. It's just like this like things where it's just like, okay, like.
God I'll trust you as long as you eventually give me what I'm asking for. Cause I think a lot of I mean, I don't want to put this out there, but like I know that there was a time in my life where it's like, maybe I'm like not even when it comes to singlehood, like people will say like, well, are you like, we've talked about this before, like, are you being your married to find your Joseph? Or like maybe you just need to trust in God and trust in his timing, or like maybe you need to deepen your relationship with him because like you're not ready yet. Or maybe your husband's not ready yet.
Marilis (56:29)
Right.
Gabrielle (56:55)
And maybe those things are true, but like maybe it's like not. Like you can be a fully complete person. It just doesn't like maybe you just haven't met somebody or maybe you're not meant to meet somebody. But like I think there's like just that tendency to think of like, okay, am I trusting in God or am I like negotiating with God? You know? Or like am I being on my best behavior so I can get X, Y, and Z, whether that's marriage, kids, career, finances, health.
Marilis (57:13)
Yeah.
Gabrielle (57:22)
To be like, okay, God, I'm in good standing with you. So obviously you're gonna treat me right. Obviously, I'm gonna live a privileged, like la-di-da life because well, me and you are good, right? Like, no, we need to like make these decisions and like fall into your faith, like really like pour into that and just be like, God, I'll trust you, period. But like also like God, I'll trust you regardless of my past happenings. Like I give my past to you.
Marilis (57:34)
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Gabrielle (57:52)
God, I trust you in my present life circumstances. I give this to you. God, I I I trust you in my future outcomes and I give this to you. And like not, you can be angry with God. You can be frustrated. You can be annoyed. But like bringing that to him and not closing yourself off because it's like, this is a transaction. I'm giving you all this. I'm living my life a this certain way. And like you're still not giving me what I want. But like sometimes he has a greater purpose and knows what you need versus what you want.
Marilis (58:22)
Perfectly said. Yeah. Yeah.
Gabrielle (58:22)
And like, you know. So just like just a little reflection. Like that, I just think that sometimes I like there have been times in my life I feel like I've kind of moved past that, but like I had like that transactional mindset of not like I wanting something, but like, I have to be on a good behavior. But no, it's like I just wanna be with God and I want that relationship because like he is God and I am like his daughter and I want to like have that with him, you know?
Marilis (58:49)
Yes. Yes. Daughterhood. That's really what it is. That's what it comes down to. Is a a daughter with her father. Yeah. So
Gabrielle (58:53)
Period. That's it. Yeah.
Yes, we love it. So the challenge, like we said, reflect. You can ask where's my faith life right now. Identify where am I giving God leftovers or where can I give more, you know? three, choose. So what's one thing I can add or deepen this week? Don't overwhelm yourself, but just kind of identify that. And then the last one I said is invite. Like we've really talked a lot about community, even just like our friendship.
Marilis (59:09)
Mm.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Gabrielle (59:30)
The people in our lives, but like invite a friend to join your faith life. Like faith, as we've been saying, should be integrated into our family, our relationships, our friendships. ⁓ and it's like so fruitful for every type of relationship, you know, from from romance to just family to like everything. Like having faith like integrated in those, those relationships will only deepen them and like you'll get.
Marilis (59:45)
Yeah, so
Gabrielle (59:58)
You'll enjoy them so much more because I feel like that's what God created us for.
Marilis (1:00:02)
Yeah, and I love that 'cause I think so often we are expecting the invitation. You know, I hear from women all the time, like, nothing like this exists in my church or in my community. I'm like, Well maybe you're the one that that's supposed to start it Or maybe you're the one that's supposed to extend that invitation to a friend to join you. ⁓ and what better way to foster a friendship than through the faith? So
Gabrielle (1:00:10)
Mm-hmm.
Exactly. So fall into the faith, fall into trusting God and like fall into the life God actually has for you right now, which is what we tell you guys all the time. But we hope you enjoy this first episode of falling into the faith. And we will be next back next week with a new topic of falling into for the fall. you wanna give our number for ⁓ they can contact us.
Marilis (1:00:52)
Yes. Yeah. So per usual, we'd love to hear from you. You can call us at three six one eight five seven nine three three eight or three six five eight five sweet. You can email us at sweet single life podcast at gmail.com. Also, our DMs are always open ⁓ on Instagram, Sweet Single Life, one sweet single life. And if you could rate and comment on this episode, that would be
clutch because it helps more people listen to us jabber away. But share with your friends, share with your girlfriends, your work friends, whatever. and we look forward to seeing you guys next week.
Gabrielle (1:01:27)
And share with your friends and all that gotta good stuff.
Yes, we'll talk to you guys later. Have a great weekend. Bye.
Marilis (1:01:42)
Bye.