I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis.
I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God.
I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree.
Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons.
I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA.
While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon..
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987).
From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018.
Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi
Your money is getting tight and prices are going up, which can make figuring out what to cut back on feel completely overwhelming. I promise you’re not necessarily “bad” with money; you likely already eat at home, cancel unused subscriptions, and hunt for deals, yet your cash still seems to disappear.
The truth is that even smart people often miss the sneaky, “dumb” money moves that drain their accounts every single day. If you feel like you’re doing everything right but still hitting a wall, it’s time to learn the fix so you can finally keep more cash in your hands.
Read our list of money-saving strategies below to find out how to keep hundreds more in your pocket each month. Start with just one or two today—even doing just one can help you breathe a little easier.
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There’s still time to take advantage of our Group Travel Event: Save 10% on any voyage when you book a group of six or more by May 6. Whether you’re planning a multi-generational family adventure, gathering for a long-awaited reunion or celebrating a meaningful milestone, this is the perfect opportunity to share in the thrill of expedition cruising with your favorite travel companions. Hike to thundering waterfalls in Iceland, kayak in the Greek Isles or step into ancient temples and tea houses in Japan. Each voyage brings you closer to places few ever see—and the shared discoveries that make them unforgettable.
*Terms and Conditions: Book from March 18 to May 6, 2026: Receive savings of 10% deducted from cabin fare when you book a party of 6 or more on voyages departing on or after April 1, 2026, through 2028. To qualify for the offer, parties must be 6 or more across a minimum of 3 cabins. Applicable savings will be deducted from cabin fare after any additional savings with the purchase of cabin fare. Discount is subject to be removed upon cancellation of party members if group drops below 6. Additional restrictions may apply. Savings offer valid on new bookings only, subject to availability, and offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice, not applicable on airfare or extensions, and may not be combined with other promotions. Call to book or for additional details.
There’s still time to take advantage of our Group Travel Event: Save 10% on any voyage when you book a group of six or more by May 6. Whether you’re planning a multi-generational family adventure, gathering for a long-awaited reunion or celebrating a meaningful milestone, this is the perfect opportunity to share in the thrill of expedition cruising with your favorite travel companions. Hike to thundering waterfalls in Iceland, kayak in the Greek Isles or step into ancient temples and tea houses in Japan. Each voyage brings you closer to places few ever see—and the shared discoveries that make them unforgettable.
*Terms and Conditions: Book from March 18 to May 6, 2026: Receive savings of 10% deducted from cabin fare when you book a party of 6 or more on voyages departing on or after April 1, 2026, through 2028. To qualify for the offer, parties must be 6 or more across a minimum of 3 cabins. Applicable savings will be deducted from cabin fare after any additional savings with the purchase of cabin fare. Discount is subject to be removed upon cancellation of party members if group drops below 6. Additional restrictions may apply. Savings offer valid on new bookings only, subject to availability, and offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice, not applicable on airfare or extensions, and may not be combined with other promotions. Call to book or for additional details.
Today’s Night Prayer is brought to you by Rosary.com
A Night Prayer
Jesus Christ, my God, I adore You and thank You for all the graces You have given me this day. I offer You my sleep and all the moments of this night. I place myself and all my loved ones, wherever they may be, in Your sacred side and under the mantle of Our Blessed Mother. Let Your holy angels stand watch and keep us in peace. Amen.
Quote of the Day
“Since God wanted to obey you [St. Joseph], allow me to be in your service, to honor you and love you as my Lord and Master.” -St. Alphonsus Liguori
Today’s Meditation
Here is what enables a soul to remain faithful and tranquil in its various states of suffering and privation. It believes in the presence of God whom it does not see; it hopes in Him against all hope; it abandons itself to Him, even when it seems to be abandonded by Him; it continues to love Him in the midst of disgust, sorrow, and bitterness; it keeps itself in conformity with His severe and crucifying decrees; it suffers a martyrdom of love; it humbles itself in the knowledge of its miseries; it remains content in its poverty, and blesses God like Job upon his dunghill… Oh, if a soul did but know the honour it gives to God by this prayer of patience! If it but knew the treasures of merit that it gathers in at every moment, it would never wish to change its state.. —Rev. Dom Vitalis Lehodey
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The daily examination of conscience is an ancient Catholic practice. It’s very simple, and it’s designed to help us identify our sins and weaknesses so that we can improve and grow stronger in the spiritual life, while providing an excellent ongoing preparation for regular Confession. It consists of taking a few minutes at the end of the day to prayerfully review our actions in the light of God’s commandments, followed by the Act of Contrition.
Reflect on the victories and losses
Actively reflecting on the high and low points of the day can help you live more intentionally and bring a renewed sense of resolve into the following day.
Review your actions, words, and thoughts today. Did you actively guard yourself against temptation? Where did sin creep in?
In what moments did you practice virtue and moral courage?
Were you attuned to the Holy Spirit’s promptings today? Where did you feel His inspiration?
Ask Him for the graces necessary to follow His Will more purposefully tomorrow.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
Practice gratitude
It is God’s love that has brought you into existence and to this exact moment. Practice looking for His hand in your day.
Where did you feel His loving gaze upon you today?
What people or moments helped you see God in your life?
Thank God for all these moments!
Ask Him to help you recognize His blessings and providence tomorrow.
Renew your commitment to Christ
Remember: our Faith is founded upon a Person—Christ! Renew your personal love and devotion to Him.
Thank God for the gift of His Son Jesus and our call to be His disciples.
Tell the Lord of your desire to know Christ more personally.
If possible, set an intention for your day tomorrow. Ask Our Lord to guide you in this act.
Pray a Hail Mary, Our Father, or another beloved prayer.
Rest with God
[He] made the Bear and Orion, the Plei′ades and the chambers of the south; Who does great things beyond understanding, and marvelous things without number. — Job 9:9-10
(9) God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. King James VersionChange email Bible version
This particular verse is written in such a way as to be translated either “with” or “in”: Our fellowship is with Christ, or our fellowship is in Christ. It can go either way. The case is both subjective and objective in I Corinthians 1:9.
Fellowship means “sharing,” “communion with,” “companionship with,” or “association with.” We have been called into an association—a companionship, a fellowship, a communion—with Christ. All these words are synonyms. The only difference might be the degree of the intimacy that is expressed. In addition, fellowship indicates people having things in common—they do things together because they share common interests. What we have in common is our love for Christ.
We are drawn to the brethren because of the common tie—the common love for the same Person. Even when we meet people in the church for the very first time, we do not feel as though they are perfect strangers to us because of that commonality. We recognize the spirit or attitude that emanates from them. It is almost something that we can feel or see because our senses seem to be attuned to it. This is why world travelers with the church say that they can go into another congregation and know that it is of the same Spirit as the one that they traveled from.
There is a bond or union between us because we love the same Person. To the Christian, then, Christ’s friend is our friend. We are members of the same body. We are children in the same Family. We are soldiers in the same army. We are pilgrims on the same road. These same analogies are used many places in the Bible.
You may have noticed the rookies made a whole lot of noise over Opening Weekend. (We see you, Chase DeLauter & Munetaka Murakami.) That’s because they were rewriting record books in the process.
It’s always intriguing when MLB stars wearing new uniforms face their former clubs for the first time, so we’ve compiled the juiciest reunions to look forward to this season.
Tatiana Tate’s first performance at Dodger Stadium was a secret, so much so that she could not tell her friends and family about the gig. She brought her dad the next night — and might be back for more.
NL East rivals battle in Philly as James Wood and the Nationals take on Bryce Harper and the Phillies — with Andrew Painter scheduled to make his MLB debut — at 6:30 p.m. ET. (Subject to local blackout.)
RJ Hamster 