Tending the Garden of our Hearts

Is Doubting Thomas a good name for this Holy Apostle? Join Elissa and Kristina as they tell some of St. Thomas's life story and decide for yourself.

Do you know the story of how the Holy Theotokos protected Constantinople from invaders? Download a printable page about the Protection of the Holy Theotokos.

Many years ago a lonely shepherd found an icon of the Holy Theotokos in a myrtle tree, which began a long string of miracles! Join Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger as they tell some wonderful stories about this beautiful, miracle-working icon.

Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore a prayer that we say often, but which we might not understand. It's an unusual prayer, because it wasn't written by any person on earth! So... where did we get it?

In this episode, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger help us prepare our hearts for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross by learning about the finding of the Holy Cross.

Just in time for their feast day, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the story of this righteous couple and the birth of their son, St. John the Forerunner.

As the Church prepares to begin a new liturgical year, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger lead families in consideration of what that means for their own faith lives, and how we might address the good and bad habits in our lives.

Just in time for his feast day, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the life of the Prophet Samuel, whose prayerfulness and obedience are a great example for all of us!

In the final part of their Dormition series on the Life of the Theotokos, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the details of her passing from earthly life. Check the Tending the Garden website at tending-the-garden.com for a printable on the life of the Holy Theotokos and other useful resources!

In part two of their Dormition Fast series on the life of the Theotokos, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the role of the Theotokos during the years of her Son's public ministry, and look at what she did and where she went after He ascended to heaven.

As we begin the Dormition fast, we will spend some time learning about the Theotokos along with Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger. In this episode, we learn about the miracle of her birth, how she spent her childhood, and what prepared her to answer with the "yes" that changed the world.

Why are we tending the garden of our hearts? What do the Saints tell us, and how can this idea help us in our own spiritual lives?

This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger take a look at the lives of two saints who share the same name, and the different ways in which God spoke to them.

This week's meditation helps us think about one of the fruits of the Spirit, peace. Elissa and Kristina share some quotes about peace from saints and from the Scriptures, and talk together about how we can help this fruit to grow in our life.

This week’s family meditation is part of a series focusing on the lives of the Holy Apostles. In this episode, we’ll get to know Saint Paul. Create an apostles notebook or apostles trading cards with these printables: https://tending-the-garden.com/holy-apostles-printable-pages/

This week’s family meditation is part of a series focusing on the lives of the Holy Apostles. In this episode, we’ll get to know Saints Andrew and Peter. Create an apostles notebook or apostles trading cards with these printables: https://tending-the-garden.com/holy-apostles-printable-pages/

This week’s family meditation is part of a series focusing on the lives of the Holy Apostles. In this episode, we’ll get to know Saints Philip and Bartholomew (Nathanael). Create an apostles notebook or apostles trading cards with these printables: https://tending-the-garden.com/holy-apostles-printable-pages/

This week’s family meditation is part of a series focusing on the lives of the Holy Apostles. In this episode, we’ll get to know Saints James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Create an apostles notebook or apostles trading cards with these printables: https://tending-the-garden.com/holy-apostles-printable-pages/

Elissa and Kristina discuss the upcoming feast of Pentecost.