This episode of ACW is sponsored by Ascension’s Alto!

Questions answered this episode:

1. When I was 11, I was in a horrible car wreck. My mother and two younger brothers were killed, and I was critically injured. I learned to swallow the pain from my trauma for years. Six years ago, after having my first child, I got help and healing began. Becoming Catholic started my spiritual healing. A priest talked about joy in bearing our cross. I did not choose this cross, but I started thinking about inviting Jesus into my trauma. Your podcast opened a place in my soul I had closed off. I want to connect my cross to Jesus. Any tips on how I can enter into that journey?
2. I've been dating my girlfriend for two and a half years and thinking of proposing, but now I'm not so sure. We talked about marriage and agree on waiting a year before having kids. However, when I mentioned practicing natural family planning, she had never heard of it and felt scared and at risk. She doesn't think it's fair for a man to deposit his seed every time and suggested pulling out. Now I'm wondering whether to continue pursuing her. How can I have a better conversation with her, or handle making that difficult call? My heart is aching for an answer.
3. I'm a cradle Catholic, married this summer to a faithful Catholic man, and we are navigating communication challenges. While he focuses on the meaning behind words, I am sensitive to their delivery. I struggle to look past a raised or dismissive tone, partly because I witnessed my father speak harshly to my mother. Harsh words or a raised voice affect me deeply and bring me to tears. Am I being overly sensitive in wanting to be spoken to gently by my spouse? How can I become more emotionally resilient, and how much should tone and manner of communication matter within a marriage?

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