It’s taken me two full days to respond to all my texts. I hadn’t been on social media until today and I’m overwhelmed by all the messages here too. So much love.
So I can’t help but to be filled completely with gratitude…
My story has been nothing short of remarkable and I am truly blessed to have had such an illustrious, accolade-laden and, most importantly, fun-filled career. I made my childhood dream become the most wonderful reality.
Throughout this journey, I’m so thankful to have been surrounded by great friends and to have built so many unbreakable connections with people that I’m very proud to call my family.
Most people go through life without ever experiencing a love like I have for Woods and E. That bond alone would have made this whole experience worth it.
There are far too many people to mention by name here, but to everyone who has ever supported me, guided me, helped me, taught me, cheered for me, praised me, stood up for me, and even rooted against me: Thank you. I appreciate you more than words can say.
My main mission has always been a simple one: To provide a comfortable life filled with heartwarming memories for my family. And, largely in part to all of you, I can proudly say that I have achieved that goal and more.
This wasn’t supposed to be a novel, so let me wind it down with some advice:
Do your best to live a life without regrets, control what you can control, always give it your all, and fight hard for what you believe in.
Do not ever compromise or accept less than your due when it comes to your worth.
Find the courage to believe in yourself and fearlessly pursue your goals and dreams, because anything is possible.
The kid that was too small, short, skinny, and scrawny was never supposed to make it in this land of giants…yet here we are.
And so…
…as the sun sets on one chapter, so too must it rise in another. Tomorrow is indeed…a New Day. ☀️
There’s only one film in the world and one song in the world I can count on to give me a warm feeling in my whole body
That is the Curious George movie and Upside Down by Jack Johnson
I first met Charlie Kirk about four years ago when I was in Phoenix for a speaking engagement. He reached out and invited me to breakfast. I was deeply impressed by him that day. He was a man of great intelligence, considerable charm, and real goodness of heart.
I reconnected with him just last year, after I saw him debate twenty-five young people who were, to put it mildly, hostile to his views. I texted him that I was so struck by how he kept his cool and his charitable attitude in the face of some pretty obnoxious opposition. I then asked him to appear as a guest on my interview program, “Bishop Barron Presents,” and he eagerly accepted my invitation. He was scheduled to come to Rochester, Minnesota in about ten days. The last contact we had was two nights ago. After I appeared on one of the evening news shows to talk about the Religious Liberty Commission, he texted me and told me how much he appreciated what I said and then added, “I’m excited to join you on your show soon. God bless you.”
That last sentence shows what was most important to Charlie. He was indeed a great debater and also one of the best advocates in our country for civil discourse, but he was, first and last, a passionate Christian. In fact, when we had that breakfast in Phoenix, we didn’t talk much about politics. We talked about theology, in which he had a deep interest, and about Christ. I know I’m joining millions of people around the world in praying that he rests now in the peace of the Lord.
Pope Leo recently told a group of over 1 million young Catholics that they “are a sign that a different world is possible.”
There has been a recent surge in young people joining the Catholic Church, especially in America. A Harvard study showed that between 2022 and 2023, 6% of Gen Z converted to Catholicism.
Some dioceses report 30-70% year-over-year increases in converts, with converts saying they are drawn to Catholicism's meaning and “transcendent” beauty.
Converts cited the “lax” and “laissez-faire” nature of Protestant denominations and the meaning and purpose Catholicism brought them.
Many priests and catechists say the converts are more “traditional” and zealous in their beliefs.
Follow: @AFpost
Kevin James on if ‘GROWN UPS 3’ is happening.
"I think there have been [conversations about a sequel]. I would keep a lot of hope alive...Something's happening."
(Via: https://t.co/lBrRXZRUhP)
I think "dating to marry" is the entire point of dating and doing it for "fun" is a giant waste of both you and your boyfriend/girlfriend's time. The mindset of dating for reasons besides marrying is what's creating most of the problems with dating in the first place.
Pope Leo XIV stated that families are the “cradle of humanity’s future,” calling marriage the “measure of true love between a man and a woman.”
Follow: @AFpost
Canada's week recap:
* Bank of Canada cut rates by 0.25%.
* inflation went up to 2.6%.
* China executes Canadians.
* China puts 100% tariffs on canola.
* record amount of refugees/asylum seekers living in Canada - 457k.
* for giving Canada a lost decade, Justin Trudeau is leaving with an $8.4M pension.
* Mark Carney added a mass immigration proponent as an advisor.
* Tesla was removed from auto show in Vancouver because they are more upsetting than the record of deaths from overdoses there.
* 9.8% drop in home sales last month.
* 106k people left Canada last year. It's the highest amount since 1967.
* Canada went from 5th place in the World Happiness Report in 2015 to 18th last year.
* Mark Carney announces a $6B arctic radar system picking an Australian company rather than a Canadian (D-TA Systems).
* $187M for Jasper rebuilding.
* $100M for Gazans.
* small business optimism is at a 25 year low.
Team Canada still hasn't attracted a single penny into Canada.
In the face of temptation, we sometimes fall; we are all sinners. Our defeat, however, is not definitive, because after every fall, God lifts us up by His infinite love and forgiveness. #GospelOfTheDay (Lk 4:1-13)