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About Julia Motekaitis

Julia is a Floridian beach girl who may have ended up in Central Texas reluctantly, but in a way that can only be described as divine intervention. She graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Psychology/English where she met her pen pal, a College Station native, who plays a mean fiddle and makes a miraculous meatloaf. She moved to Aggieland to work for St. Mary's Catholic Center of Texas A&M University as a director of Social Ministries and married her aforementioned pen pal, Bronius. Julia loves independent films, road trips, dark chocolate, rainy days and run on sentences. They live happily with their three young sons and hope to help each other get a step closer to heaven each day and love and serve their community.

Julia is a freelance writer and has written for a local publication in Bryan/College Station called AbouTown Press and also blogs at www.mama-jules.blogspot.com and www.beata-vita.blogspot.com.

I want you to be MORE than happy

Published July 23, 2015 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Faith, Family

     I find myself thinking and saying to the people I love that “I just want you to be happy.”  Don’t we all want that for the people we care about, and for ourselves? Happiness is a good thing to want for one another.      On the surface, I believe it is good… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published July 23, 2015

What If?

Published August 21, 2014 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

The more I get to know myself, the more I’ve learned that I have been a person who can not leave worries behind me.  I’ve clutched them as though they were “my precious” and carried them in my purse at all times.  And if could be out for coffee with a friend, on a date… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published August 21, 2014

Big Enough for Us All

Published May 8, 2014 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

  What an unbelievable gift we as women have been given, the potential to bear life. All throughout our lives we hold this gift within us, a stirring within our hearts, leading us to the sacrament of marriage where we play a part in the mysterious miracle which welcomes new life, however it may come… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published May 8, 2014

A Writer’s White Flag Day

Published April 24, 2014 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

The other night, my husband took the older boys to karate and I stayed home with our toddler to get a head start on dinner so it would be hot and ready when they returned. This is our normal procedure and works beautifully normally. Suddenly realizing that hot dogs were on the menu by special request… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published April 24, 2014

A Rose in the Desert

Published March 27, 2014 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

                                         Photo credit:  Desert Rose   When I first mustered the courage to introduce myself to Shawn Chapman, the Holy Spirit brought me out of a desert and began to breathe new life into me.  There… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published March 27, 2014

The Family Table

Published March 21, 2014 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

With the exception of car seats, the dining table is the only place where my husband and I have been able to hold a captive audience. During the school year, we have a mere three hour period of togetherness between the return from school and onset of dinner, activities and bedtime. Throughout the week and… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published March 21, 2014

Guiding Star lights the way to a new view of Feminism

Published February 13, 2014 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

  The Brazos Valley in Central Texas is going to be the home of a new center devoted to pregnancy resources and women’s health. The center is called the Guiding Star of the Brazos Valley, and I spoke with its foundress Leah Jacobson about her vision of the center and her hopes for the New… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published February 13, 2014

10 Great Things About Being 30-something

Published January 30, 2014 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

If you can make it past the initial shock of the moment when you realize that for some, being a 30-something is a glamourous and adventurous time of dressing well, hosting dinner parties, running marathons and cliff diving, while for others, it means crusin’ around in a minivan wearing orthopedic shoes while cds and cheerios… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published January 30, 2014

Why I’m Trying to Fall Off the Face of the Earth in 2014

Published January 2, 2014 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

      My pursuit of finding God in the present moment                            One of the scariest and most wonderful gifts of self-reflection through writing for me is the constant evaluation of myself. A few months ago, I began to feel like my… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published January 2, 2014

Kūčios – A Christmas Eve in Lithuania

Published December 19, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

       This month at Austin Catholic New Media, the contributors are taking turns sharing some of their family Christmas traditions.  While I have some very special ones from my own family of origin, today I’d like to share just a few of the beautiful customs I have experienced in the lovely Lithuanian family… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published December 19, 2013

Hand Made with a Story – the Work of Human Hands Sale

Published December 5, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: World and News

One of my very favorite times of the year is when one of our local parishes hosts the Work of Human Hands sale before Christmas. This is a sale organized by local church volunteers and sponsored by Catholic Relief Services and SERRV International, who work directly with artisans from around the world to market their crafts and… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published December 5, 2013

Giving Thanks in All Things

Published November 21, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

     My husband and I built a Good Cents certified home last year, and we have been over the moon with the new space for our family and friends who come to visit.  The house seemed so spacious when we first moved in. In fact, after the frame was up, I looked to my husband… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published November 21, 2013

My One on One with a Vincentian: Seeing the Face of Christ in the Poor

Published November 1, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded by a college student, Frederic Ozanam, and six of his companions, who were challenged in a university setting which was openly hostile to Christianity and Catholics.  “What has Christianity to offer? Where are its works now? Show us your works!”  This was the attitude common in… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published November 1, 2013

Oktoberfest dinner to benefit Catholic RED-C radio station

Published October 10, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

photo credit: RED-C Apostolate The RED-C radio station of the Brazos Valley is holding its 2nd annual benefit dinner on October 24, 2013 to help fund Catholic radio. The theme will be Oktoberfest, celebrating delicious and hearty German fare and beer.  The event takes place from 6:30-9pm at the Monsignor Malinowski Center at St. Anthony… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published October 10, 2013

What Pope Francis is Asking from Us

Published September 20, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

photo credit: the guardian Today I read several different excerpts from various publications of the August 2013 interview with Pope Francis from the America Magazine and tried to process the angles which were presented.  I admit, several of the Holy Father’s points I found refreshingly honest and true, yet they simultaneously left me with a… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published September 20, 2013

Creating Peace in the Home for the After School Frenzy

Published September 5, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

    “All works of love are works of peace.”  Mother Teresa   Two weeks into the school year, our adjustment has been pretty smooth, save for a few afternoon meltdowns and the obligatory back to school germs. Nevertheless, there’s a natural groove, the kids have been quite happy and we’re feeling abundantly blessed! But… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published September 5, 2013

Be Not Afraid: The Story of a Catechist Who Almost Quit

Published August 15, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Faith, Family

My first time teaching religious education was as a 22 year old, living at home with my parents after college, working in my first (miserable) full-time job and trying to plan a wedding remotely with no friends within a 45 mile radius. I was looking forward to a bright spot in my week of sharing… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published August 15, 2013

One on One with an NFP Practitioner about the Fertility Care Center of St. Mary’s

Published July 22, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Marriage and Love

In honor of NFP Awareness week, I was blessed to interview a dear friend and NFP Practitioner Melissa Buchan, about the Fertility Care Center of St. Mary’s in College Station.       Contact us! Aggiecatholic.org/fccsm fcctexas@gmail.com 979-846-5717 ext #143 https://www.facebook.com/aggiefcc The Fertility Care Center was developed by Dr. Thomas Hilgers in response to Humane… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published July 22, 2013

Love Conquers All – one family’s experience of the Focolare movement

Published July 18, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

It was a series of strange and wonderful moments which led my husband and me to sign up for our first family retreat.  Our inspiration was our upcoming tenth anniversary and the hope that the perfect retreat for us might fall out of the heavens and fit perfectly with our summer family schedule. Asking for… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published July 18, 2013

Attention! (please?)

Published June 6, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

 Photo credit   Recently I watched a mash-up of family videos in piece meal fashion from my childhood. This is normal in our family since Dad was famous for taping over one event to catch the next one, not deliberately, but because we were always running out of film. We flew through memories strung together… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published June 6, 2013

5 Secrets of a Happy Summer at Home

Published May 23, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1   Central Texas is amazing place to live. I’ve been here for 10 years and never desire to live elsewhere… unless of course it’s summertime…..when (as a visiting friend once described to me) we feel as though we… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published May 23, 2013

Little Did I Know

Published April 25, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Family

A friend of mine said the other day “wouldn’t it be helpful if we could put our kids in shirts that said ‘student human’ so that their misbehaviors could be seen as part of their learning process, and not the failure of their parent teachers?” If I could time travel, my first stop would be… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published April 25, 2013

What to say (and not say) to someone who is depressed

Published April 11, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Faith, Family

Part One of a series about reaching out to and understanding those who cope with depression. Recently my book club read “Never Give Up: My Life and God’s Mercy” by John Janaro. Among some amazing insights, we had some very fruitful discussion about depression and its elusive, sneaky nature. We heard from a number of people… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published April 11, 2013

The Promise

Published March 28, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

photo credit: St. Thomas Aquinas parish, College Station, Tx I tuck my arm into my husband’s as we kneel during the consecration at Mass. I watch the communion line through eyes blurred by tears and listen to his steady voice blending with the  rich harmonies of Ave Verum Corpus, while beside him I shake like… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published March 28, 2013

Quiet Thunder

Published March 14, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

Photo: AFP   Quiet Thunder From a canopy of umbrellas open, eyes and hearts are lifted heavenward. Flags are waved, and prayers are uttered through misty rain. Hope rushes smoky white from an ancient chimney for what seems an eternity. A stirring on the balcony and silence falls. Quiet thunder is coming. Millions gather to… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published March 14, 2013

Where do Popes come from? A parent’s guide to adorable and bizarre questions.

Published February 28, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

Today is our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s last day in office. Like so many of us, my little family has been praying over the future of our Church. We have even “adopted” a cardinal for whom we are praying. We’ve been digging up old pictures of our trip to Rome, explaining the hierarchy of our Church… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published February 28, 2013

Prayer and Temperament

Published February 14, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Faith

This week has reminded me of Ecclesiastes 3:8. There has been a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Many of us are still processing the resignation of our Holy Father Pope Benedict the XVI… and with Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s day and the… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published February 14, 2013

14 Ways to Bless your Marriage in February

Published January 31, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Marriage and Love

February is always a rosy month of winter in my life, since it is filled with festivity in our home. My husband and I both have birthdays, and we have a number of friends who also share the birth month with us. There is always the hope of a light snow in Central Texas in… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published January 31, 2013

Godparenthood

Published January 17, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

I have been contemplating the unique role of godparents this month, since my husband and I began the new year by celebrating the baptismal date of our sweet goddaughter with a family dinner. We lit her baptismal candle for a song and prayer with her family, and she opened a gift from us with dessert. The… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published January 17, 2013

25 Ways to Pray as a Family in the New Year

Published January 3, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

        Despite what some feared might be our last few days on earth on the twenty-first of December, our Lord has given us the gift of a fresh, new year of life, and all around us people are forming resolutions for self improvement. I myself have a modest list of resolutions this year,… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published January 3, 2013

The Little Things Can Become the Big Things

Published December 20, 2012 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Faith, Family

                        We can all probably recall a time when we first noticed an ant trail marching back to its colony. And perhaps how we fought the temptation to stomp on a few, just to see what would happen.  It is human nature to ponder… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published December 20, 2012

How to think outside of the “gift box” at Christmas.

Published December 6, 2012 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

The other day, I was kindly asked what my children would like for Christmas. So, I surveyed their bedrooms, looked through their toy bins and took stock of their clothes and shoes. But I came up totally empty. My husband is an unabashed geek and being technologically savvy is the bread and butter of our… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published December 6, 2012

Perfectly Imperfect

Published November 22, 2012 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

Pinterest is a dream come true for the aspiring perfectionist. If you have not encountered pinterest yet, it is a virtual and endless pin board where people can post and save photos of projects and ideas. (Be prepared to stay up until 4 am creating your pin boards, by the way). I was browsing the… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published November 22, 2012

The Guardians of Time

Published October 25, 2012 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

It is possible that I am delusional enough that I see myself as a superhero, who is shielding her family from a gigantic unstoppable time-eating Monster on a daily basis. If you’re picturing it, I’m wearing red, since red is my power color. Also, you can imagine some jewel encrusted arm cuffs and boots. Fierce… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published October 25, 2012

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