Spiritual Companionship
“Almost from the beginning, I saw that, out of his own experience, he understood me. And that was all I needed . . . I needed someone who had gone through it all himself, for such a person alone could understand me and interpret my experiences.”
– St. Teresa of Avila
Ever find yourself longing to sit down with someone one-on-one in a confidential environment to talk about the story of your soul? JRM’s “spiritual companions” are here to help! Our spiritual companions are available to sit down with you when you find yourself needing a listening ear and a loving, understanding presence. Appointments can be scheduled below in the online calendar. Want to learn more before scheduling? Feel free to reach out to us at jrm@journeysrevealed.com with any questions. (Note: Meetings usually last about one hour and are typically held in the JRM office in downtown Botkins. There is no fee for this service.)
Julia Monnin, OCDS
Get to know Julia a little better:
Q. What are a few words (a “motto,” of sorts) that sum up who you are and/or who you are striving to be?
A. Christ’s Dwelling Place and His Living Voice
Q. How do you communicate the truths of the spiritual life (which can be so difficult to describe) in concrete and practical ways?
A. I suppose you could say that I tend to speak about the spiritual life using “romance” language. “It’s all about Love with you,” someone told me recently. And you know what? That someone was totally right!
Q. What’s your favorite book in the Bible?
A. Speaking of Love, this answer is pretty easy for me. My favorite book in the Bible is the Song of Songs. (A close second to this would be The Gospel of John.)
Q. What’s your favorite verse (or some of your favorite verses) from Scripture?
“My beloved is mine and I am his;
he pastures his flock among the lilies.” – Song of Songs 2:16
“One thing I ask of the Lord;
this I seek:
To dwell in the Lord’s house
all the days of my life,
To gaze on the Lord’s beauty,
to visit his temple.” – Psalm 27:4
Q. Who are some of your favorite saints? (And why?!)
A. I don’t know if we have time to get into the “why” behind all of these, so I’ll keep this brief.
St. John of the Cross is a MASTER of the spiritual life. I find his writings to be so incredibly refreshing and enlightening because of the no-nonsense truth in them, not to mention their unmatched beauty and depth. I’ve learned so much from him over the years and have often said that if I could only read one book for the rest of my life (other than the Bible) that his collected works would be my go-to.
St. Teresa of Jesus, St. Thérèse, and St. Elizabth of the Trinity are “my girls.” They just are! Kindred-souls, indeed!
Oh, and St. Mary Magdalene. Ah, yes, St. Mary Magdalene. She’s a converted soul on such fire with the Lord’s love that she followed Him all the way to the cross. Yep. Yep. Yep. I know this story well. It’s strikingly similar to my own.
Q. How do you like your coffee? (Does this say anything “special” about who you are “underneath”?)
A. Strong. No cream. No sugar. … Did I say strong? … Yes! Strong! (If I can see through the coffee to the bottom of the cup, then it’s a little weaker than I prefer.) Now, this is true unless I’m meeting someone for coffee in a fancy coffee shop, then I sometimes splurge and go with a plain, hot Breve or Latte. And, yes! This absolutely says something about my spiritual life! I used to only drink weak coffee loaded with sugar and cream. A few years ago, my tastes totally changed (and not just for coffee), and I just don’t like all the sugary-sweetness like I used to. (Take that for what you will!)
Q. What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t already know?
A. HA! There’s not much “unknown” about me at this point. It’s all in my books and podcasts! Hmmmmm . . . Seriously, let me think about this one and get back with you. Nothing “unknown” comes to mind.
Q. Anything else?
A. I’ve been sitting down one on one with others in this type of a role since 2016. One of my favorite “reviews” of sorts came recently via a text which read:
“You have an uncanny ability of drawing all the worst gunk out of my soul, helping me to talk through it in a spiritually productive way, and sending me on my merry way in a much better place interiorly. Thanks!”
And to that end I say, “Praised be Jesus Christ!” I obviously don’t know what I’m doing and am figuring things out as I go. But if our meetings are helpful to you and help you grow closer to Christ as you grow in your life of prayer, then WONDERFUL! Obviously, this is the work of Holy Spirit and not my own doing. So, all glory to God! May our good and gracious Lord continue to draw you, in ever-increasing ways, into the depths of His love.
Theresa Jenkins
Upon completing college in North Carolina and receiving a degree in special education, Theresa met her future husband, moved back to Ohio, and the rest, as they say, is history! She enjoys daily Mass, milking the family milk cow, and being in the kitchen. She has always loved the Blessed Mother and strives to live by the motto “Fiat Voluntas Tua,” which is translated “Thy Will be Done.” While Theresa will admit that she is, and will continue to be, a work in progress, her yearning to seek the Lord and draw closer to Him is the desire and longing of her heart. Theresa is originally from New Bremen and currently resides in Anna with her husband and three children where she has been a stay-at-home mom for the last seventeen years. Theresa is currently in formation as a secular member of the Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) and, God willing, will make her Definitive Promises in the Order in December of 2023.
Get to know Theresa a little better:
Q. What are a few words (a “motto,” of sorts) that sum up who you are and/or who you are striving to be?
A. Silent Surrender, Bold Truth
Q. How do you communicate the truths of the spiritual life (which can be so difficult to describe) in concrete and practical ways?
A. Nature is definitely the way I understand and attempt to explain parts of the spiritual life. Whether it’s waiting on a calf to be born, watching baby goats be weaned, or just listening to the sounds of “outside,” God somehow breaks things down enough to give me a smidge of something that makes sense.
Q. What’s your favorite book in the Bible?
A. I’m not sure if I’d say they’re my favorite, but give me the “T’s” Alex…Titus, Timothy, and Tobit
Q. What’s your favorite verse (or some of your favorite verses) from Scripture?
A. “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective.” – 1 Corinthians 15:10
Q. Who are some of your favorite saints? (And why?!)
A. How much time do we have? I’ve found in my life that certain Saints have popped up at different times for various reasons. If I had to pick a few favorites, oh boy:
St. John of the Cross taught me holiness in the depths of nothingness.
St. Teresa of Avila taught me humility, the benefits of self-knowledge, and how to hope in God’s mercy.
St. Thérèse taught me all about the little things and I relate to her love of flowers.
St. Ignatius of Loyola taught me that just because it looks and/or feels good and holy doesn’t mean it’s God.
St. Joseph taught me silence, patience, and obedience.
St. Augustine taught me that sainthood is possible for everyone and the importance of confession on the path to said sainthood.
*PS – I’m still attempting to be successful at actually living out these teachings.
Q. How do you like your coffee? (Does this say anything “special” about who you are “underneath”?)
A. Black. Plain and Simple. If there happens to be some dark chocolate on the side that I can eat in between sips, BONUS! I don’t know if it says something about who I am underneath; maybe, easy to please, yet sometimes more bitter (blunt) than sweet.
Q. What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t already know?
A. I had an abundance of nicknames as a kid: Clod-hopper, Troll, China Choglet, Mud dobber, Treeta Leeta, Leet, Mother T, Quadrilateral
Q. Anything else?
A.
If only I knew all the answers,
What a miserable life that would be.
No seeking for truth or faith or trust
No room for God
Just me
Book your appointment with Julia* or Theresa
*If the above appointment times do not work for you, you may book an appointment with Julia by special request. Email your request here.