The Ultimate Gift

Because it is the Christmas season, I thought I would reflect briefly on the gifts God has given me. This list of gifts comes from the movie The Ultimate Gift, a wonderful movie about a young man who is forced to take a second look at his life and its meaning.  I thought it would be neat to use the gifts from this movie as the basis for my post.    

The 12 Gifts

▪ The Gift of Work: This may sound crazy, but I like work.  I don't like busy work like office jobs, school work, etc.  But there is something about hard, physical work that is uplifting.  "Hard work ennobles the soul", as a favorite book character of mine would say.  I'm especially grateful for the work I was blessed to do this past summer, where I worked at a barn and spent long, hot hours tacking and untacking horses, giving trail rides, and everything else involved in the care of horses. :)  I'm also grateful for the ministry work that I was able to help with.

▪ The Gift of Money: I'm going to take a different approach with this one.  I am grateful for money as long as it is used in the right way.  But I hate money, to be truthful.  So I'm also grateful for detachment from it. 

▪ The Gift of Friends: They are my friends at school, childhood friends, friends from Catholic Familyland, etc.  They help to keep me sane and smiling.  Even though I'm not very close to some of them, I know they will be there if I need a hand or a prayer.  And I'm very grateful for that.

▪ The Gift of Learning: Sometimes it is hard to appreciate this gift, as it usually entails schooling and college.  I am grateful for the opportunity to go to college and expand my knowledge.  I don't love tests and homework, but I do love learning new things.  Learning can also mean learning a skill or a task, which can also be very neat.  This past summer, I learned many new things about horses, which I thought was the coolest thing in the world. :)    

▪ The Gift of Problems: Problems and suffering.  As Jesus said we cannot be His disciples unless we take up our crosses and follow after Him.  Whenever I look back on a problem, I realize that now I'm stronger and more dependent on God, which is a good thing!  Suffering draws us to Jesus and can have inestimable merits when we unite our suffering to His suffering on the cross.  

▪ The Gift of Family: Oh my goodness, where do I even start?  God has blessed me with a wonderful family.  They have taught me faith, tolerance, understanding, patience, and unconditional love.  We don't always get along, but we are there for each other, and the times of laughter and love and being together always trump the trials.  In the midst of a world where families are being torn apart, mine is still together and close-knit, and for that I am so thankful.  

I also am incredibly grateful for the family that God has blessed me with through my years of service at Catholic Familyland: first my Service Corps family, then my Alumni Corps 2010 family, and finally my Alumni Corps 2011 family.  These amazing brothers and sisters have changed my life, strengthened my faith, and brought me closer to God.  They are always there for me and love me for who I am, while challenging me to be the best person that I can be.    

▪ The Gift of Laughter: Laughter is a wonderful thing.  Can you imagine a world without laughter?  It would be a tragic place indeed.  I have many fond memories associated with laughing until my sides hurt.  Have you laughed today? :)    

▪ The Gift of Dreams: I am thankful for the dreams and goals that God has placed in my heart. They are scary sometimes, but they are motivating and exciting.  Some take a long time to figure out, while others have always been present.  I have started a list of dreams/goals that I want to accomplish before I die. :) 

▪ The Gift of Giving: Giving lifts my heart and spirit.  Whether I'm giving myself in service to others or making a Christmas gift for someone, it makes me feel good inside.  

▪ The Gift of Gratitude: Being grateful is itself a gift!  Have you ever received a gift or a letter or had a conversation or shared a memory and afterward you were just overwhelmed with gratitude at that little touch from the hand of God?  It is truly a wonderful feeling.  

▪ The Gift of a Day: Each new day that dawns is a gift, an opportunity, an adventure.  Everyone has bad days, good days, and days they will never forget.  I remember one day this past summer when I was working at Catholic Familyland--it was a beautiful sunny day, filled with laughter, hiking, horseback riding, work, conversation, and good friends.  It was one of my favorite days out of the whole summer and looking back on it, it reminds me of how I should be grateful for each day that I have.

▪ The Gift of Love: God is Love.  I'm thankful for the love He shows me each day, through others, through His creatures, through His creation, etc.  He is constantly giving His love to me.

▪ The Ultimate Gift: Jesus.  God sent His only Son to redeem us.  He was born in a humble stable surrounded by animals and shepherds.  He lived a hidden life for 30 years, in a small town with His human parents.  He taught and healed for 3 years, only to be rejected by many.  He was crucified like a criminal and He died to open the gates of heaven for us, to let loose an ocean of mercy and grace that will transform the world.  He is present in all the Tabernacles of the world, constantly presenting Himself to us that we might be transformed.  And He enters into us through the Eucharist, so much does He love us and long for us.  He is truly the Ultimate Gift.

Merry Christmas!!!!! And God bless us, everyone! 

Balloons

“Nobody can be un-cheered with a balloon.” ~Winnie the Pooh

Today, I picked up a book called Pooh's Little Instruction Book and among various other whimsical and enjoyable tidbits of advice for life, I found this quote.  And it made me smile, because I know how true it is.  I now have half a notion to fill my room with balloons, as I'm sure they would cheer up this rather gloomy day.  Perhaps I will...

If you can...

“If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food each day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when something goes wrong through no fault of your own and those who love you take it out on you,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion, or politics,
Then, my friends, you are almost as good as your dog.”




God certainly knew what He was doing when He gave us dogs. :)

Study break... :)

I found these on a blog somewhere and enjoyed answering them, so I thought I would share. :)

questions for a bookworm

1. imagine you sit in front of a fireplace. you read and beside you there is a cup with something hot in it. what would that be in your case: tea, coffee or hot chocolate?   It could be any of the three, but I'll go with hot chocolate. :)
2. if an author gave you the chance to rewrite or to change the fate of a book character, who would you chose? Hmm...Dustfinger from Inkheart comes to mind, but I can't remember how the story ends, so I think it might have ended happily for him.  I don't remember.  
3. did your parents read stories to you when you were little? if yes are there any special ones you remember the most? I remember my dad reading stories to my sisters and I when we were little.  Our family liked to work on puzzles, so dad would read to us while we did that. The Chronicles of Narnia inspire the most fond memories, just because they are such wonderful stories.  But we also read Ben Hur, Moby Dick, and others. 
4. what do you like more the smell of old antiquarian books or the smell of new fresh ones you just bought?  The smell of old antiquarian books, for sure.  :)  
5. you get the opportunity to chose between to secret talents: either to be able to make things come to life through reading them or the gift to read yourself into a book. which one would you like to have?  I would love to be able to read myself into a book.  That would be so cool/wonderful!!!!!
6. do you have a favorite children’s book or a favorite fairy tale? Hmm...my favorite fairy tale would probably be either Rapunzel or Beauty & the Beast.  Or Snow White & Rose Red.  Okay, maybe I don't have a favorite; I like a lot of them! 
7. someone would talk to your friends and ask them to compare you to a book character. with who do you think would they compare you?  I don't know...maybe Blanche from the Fairy Tale Novels.  Or some character who loves animals.  
8. tell me the name of a writer who you would like to have as a friend. G.K. CHESTERTON!  
9. you can hide in a written down world for only one night into which world do you escape?  Hobbiton, the Shire.  Or Rivendell.  :) 
10. something terrible happens: you have to flee to an unknown place and all you can take with you are three books of all the ones you own. which three ones do you put into your bag?  The Bible, The Ballad of the White Horse, and The Chronicles of Narnia.  

Gratitude

“Everything is a grace, everything is the direct effect of our Father’s love — difficulties, contradictions, humiliations, all the soul’s miseries, her burdens, her needs — everything, because through them, she learns humility, realizes her weakness — Everything is a grace because everything is God’s gift. Whatever be the character of life or its unexpected events — to the heart that loves, all is well.” ~St. Therese of the Child Jesus

This is a beautiful quote from a beautiful saint that really stuck out when I read it today.  "Everything is a grace."  I found this to be a very profound statement; maybe it is because today's burdens seemed to outnumber its joys.  But whether they are burdens or joys, they are all blessings.  They teach me humility and gratitude and patience and love.  They help me realize my own weakness.  And where humility and weakness are found, there is beauty and there is God.  And thank goodness!  Without Him, my life would be a mess.  He picks me up when I fall, He mends what I break, He smiles when I can't, and He loves when I don't.  Tonight, I just wanted to say thank you, Jesus.  Teach me to love. <3  

"To the heart that loves, all is well." 

In God's arms now

This afternoon, I came home from school to find out that Mary Jane, an employee of the Apostolate for Family Consecration, where I worked for three summers, had been killed in a car crash early this morning. My heart sank when I read this news, posted all over the home page of my Facebook.  The great majority of my Facebook friends are co-workers and friends from Catholic Familyland (run by the AFC) and it was clear that Mary Jane had touched all of our hearts in some way during our time working there.  In each of the summers that I spent at Familyland, I ended up working in the kitchen several times and so I got to know Mary Jane.  She was always there to answer my questions or walk me through something, and she was always cheerful and patient.  We would end up talking for a while as we washed dishes or cut up food.  Even just in passing through the kitchen, she would always smile and say hi, and I always went on my way feeling a little happier.  She was one of the sweetest, most generous people I have known.  Please pray for her and for her family.

May God hold you in His arms, Mary Jane.       

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” ~Mother Teresa

"And then go on your way. And don't worry..."

 “Jesus is waiting for you in the chapel. Go and find him when your strength and patience are giving out, when you feel lonely and helpless. Say to him: "You know well what is happening, my dear Jesus. I have only you. Come to my aid..." And then go your way. And don’t worry about knowing how you are going to manage. It is enough to have told our good Lord. He has an excellent memory!” ~Bl. Jeanne Jugan

I recently found this quote and loved it.  I find it to be so true.  Take today, for example.  Last night, I got home and was freaking out about all the stuff I had to do the next day and wondering how the heck I was ever going to get everything done.  So I was talking to Jesus about it before I went to bed last night.  I woke up this morning, got started on everything, and miraculously, got to work on everything that I needed to work on.  Thank you, Jesus. <3  Help me to trust You more each day. 

"And then go on your way.  And don't worry about knowing how you are going to manage.  It is enough to have told our good Lord." 

"Come, follow Me..."

I'm trying to get back into the habit of writing, even in the midst of homework, because I think it is good for my mental health. ;-) This is just a short meditation on following our Good Shepherd.

"Sometimes, you just have to follow.  Follow what, you might ask?  

The whistling of the wind as it sweeps through the fingers of the trees, on a day when each tree is unique and each path is new and you could walk for miles.  

The pounding of the briny surf upon the shore, on an evening when each shard of washed glass is a story and each wave a fresh battle of defiance and each footprint a new adventure.  

The eyeing of a new fawn just before it leaps into the thicket, on a morning when each blade of grass is vibrant and each bead of dew a crystal and every hair on the creature’s frame is a shaft of gold.  

The challenge of a mountain, on a day when each rock is a test and each breath an experience and each breeze a liberation.  

The drumming of the rain, on an afternoon when each raindrop is laughter and each cloud is a frigate and each puddle an ocean.  

The hand of a Shepherd, on a night when each patch of sky is an inescapable hole and each star has hidden its face and each branch is the hand of a demon reaching to seize you and never release.  

The hand of a Shepherd, on a morning when each ray of sunlight is a promise and each fragment of cerulean sky a reminder and each butterfly a love letter.  

The hand of a Shepherd.  

The hand of a Shepherd..."

Loving

For those of you who don't know, I'm volunteering at a Catholic camp for the summer, ministering to youth and families, working with horses, doing other random jobs, and having a blast. :-)  It's amazing how beautiful life can be when you decide to let God have control.  I've made some amazing new friends on staff, reconnected with old ones, and grown closer to God already.  It reminds me of this quote from our Pope:

"The core of faith rests upon accepting being loved by God, and therefore to believe is to say Yes, not only to him, but to creation, to creatures, above all, to men, to try to see the image of God in each person and thereby to become a lover." ~Pope Benedict XVI

You really begin to understand this quote when you give yourself in service to God and others.  You have to decide to love if you're going to stay up till 2 a.m. in the morning cleaning so things are ready for the next day and then get up at 7 a.m.  You have to decide to love when you have a million skits to plan and perform to entertain families and your creative juices have run out.  And you have to decide to love when you're ready to drop dead from exhaustion and you have another event to run to.  You may not feel it, but you decide to do it anyway.  That is when you realize what it means to love others.    

I'm still here...

You may think I dropped off the face of the planet or something, since I haven't posted in a while.  But this past week has been quite busy.  I'm taking a summer course at a zoo and learning all sorts of fascinating things, but it does take up quite a chunk of my days.  I'm learning so much though and it just reaffirms everything that I've been thinking about career-wise, which is a pretty cool feeling.  It's amazing what happens when you really find your niche.

But anyway...I'm not sure what the point of this post is, other than to let you know that I am still alive, even in the midst of this rainy season.  Perhaps I will dig up something to make this post meaningful...

...Well, I've been seeing and hearing and thinking a lot about bears this week because of my class, so maybe that will spark something.  The more I learn about them and read about them, the more I want to make them the major focus of my studies in zoology.  They are such magnificent creatures, full of power and mystery.  I've been reading a book about this guy who goes out into the woods and studies grizzlies and he talks about how humbling it is.  I feel like you would be closer to heaven out there.  It's definitely something I want to do someday.

“Only the human person, created in the image and likeness of God, is capable of raising a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to the Creator.  The earth, with all its creatures, and the entire universe call on man to be their voice.” ~Blessed Pope John Paul II 

Brothers and Flowers...

I love having brothers.  I seriously don't know what I would do without my two brothers.  Yesterday was a rainy day, much like the 50 million previous rainy days (just kidding, but it seems like it).  Most of the day was spent inside, attempting to read books or write but not meeting with much success.  Then my youngest brother went outside to look for any reptiles and amphibians he could find for his 4-H project and I decided to go out and join him.  My other brother was outside already and the three of us ended up walking around the yard for like an hour.  We searched for frogs, laughed, and just had an enjoyable stroll through the wet weather.  My youngest brother even picked a flower and gave it to me.  :)  This, along with the rose my other brother gave me a few weeks ago and the fact that he now holds the door for his sisters, reminded me how sweet brothers can be.  Chivalry is not dead. :)

Just a few quotes in honor of brothers:

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero."  ~Marc Brown

"When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life."  ~Antisthenes

"After a girl is grown, her little brothers - now her protectors - seem like big brothers." 

YOU'RE AMAZIN'

Three years ago, I was on Service Corps at Catholic Familyland for the summer.  It was a regular busy fest day and I was walking to the next scheduled event or job when a man called me over to help him unload some things from his vehicle.  I helped him take t-shirts and books inside and set them up on a table.  Before I left, he asked me my name and told me, "You're beautiful."

That man was Justin Fatica, who founded Hard As Nails Ministry and travels the country convincing people that they are beautiful, amazing, and loved by God.  Tonight, he was in our area and so a few of my siblings and I went to hear him speak.  It was amazing!  Justin is so on fire for God and so convinced that each and every person he meets is valuable and amazing.  I've never met someone more real or more passionate.  In a crowd of people, he looks you straight in the eye and you know he believes with all his heart what he is telling you.  He believes in you and he wants you to realize that God does too, and that God loves you, no matter what.  The power of this message is incredible and life-changing.  

So tonight, remember something: YOU'RE AMAZIN'!  God made you, God is with you, and GOD LOVES YOU!

Justin's website:
http://www.hanm.org/

Mother's Day

I am blessed.  I have a mom who gets up before me everyday, even on the days when I have to wake up at 5:30a.m. to get to school, and makes me breakfast and packs me a lunch for the day.  I have a mom who waves to me as I pull out of the driveway and says an extra prayer for me when I have an exam or quiz.  She will call to check up on me afterwards.  She is supportive and always makes sure I'm doing okay.  She does so much for our family and for me, often with little reward, day after day.  The simple things, like making meals, and the bigger things, like sending kids off to college with tears in her eyes, are all signs of her love.  I could not ask for a better mom.  Today, I just wanted to say thanks, mom.  <3 I don't know what I'd do without you.

Also, on this Mother's Day, I just wanted to ask for prayers for a family from our parish.  Their dad died tragically a few years ago.  Then yesterday, their mom passed away after suffering a stroke.  There are three children, high school and middle school aged.  Please keep them in your prayers.  May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.        

Concerning Hobbits

A few years ago, a very dear friend visited our house.  Being somewhat taller than everyone in my family, she lovingly bestowed upon us all the title of "hobbits".  And as hobbits, our home and land was dubbed "the Shire."  Yesterday, we did a lot of garden work and "farm work" until like 10 o'clock last night.  It reminded me how much I enjoy a life lived simply.  It reminded me why we are hobbits. =)   


“But where our hearts truly lie is in peace and quiet and good tilled earth. For all Hobbits share a love of all things that grow. And yes, no doubt to others, our ways seem quaint. But today of all days, it is brought home to me it is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.” ~Bilbo, The Lord of the Rings

A list of things to do every day...

1. Read a poem.
2. Listen to a piece of music or look at a piece of art.
3. Eat good food.
4. Create something.
5. Express gratitude for something.
6. Have DIRECT experience of life.
7. Drink tea.
8. Touch the earth.
9. "Stop getting to work on time" (let go)
10. Love with an open heart. (nurture/grow something)

My sister shared this with me one day.  I'm not sure where she got it, probably on the internet somewhere.  But I thought it was worth sharing. =) I'm adding a number 11 though.

11. Talk to God.

A Hero Beatified

Pope John Paul II was beatified today!!!!!  I thought I would share some quotes from him.  He was truly a hero. 

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"Believers do not surrender. They can continue on their way to the truth because they are certain
that God has created them "explorers", whose mission is to leave no stone unturned, though the temptation to doubt is always there. Leaning on God, they continue to reach out, always and everywhere, for all that is beautiful, good, and true." ~Blessed Pope John Paul II

“Only the human person, created in the image and likeness of God, is capable of raising a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to the Creator.  The earth, with all its creatures, and the entire universe call on man to be their voice.”

“Prayer can truly change your life.  For it turns your attention away from yourself and directs your mind and your heart toward the Lord.  If we look only at ourselves, with our limitations and sins, we quickly give way to sadness and discouragement.  But if we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, then our hearts are filled with hope, our minds are washed in the light of truth, and we come to know the fullness of the Gospel with all its promise and life.” 

“When we realize that God’s love for us does not cease in the face of our sin or recoil before our offenses, but becomes even more attentive and generous; when we realize that this love went so far as to cause the passion and death of the word made flesh who consented to redeem us at the price of His own blood, then we exclaim in gratitude: “Yes the Lord is rich in mercy,” and even: “The Lord is mercy.”

“It must be emphasized that the most precious result of the forgiveness obtained in the sacrament of Penance consists in reconciliation with God, which takes place in the inmost heart of the son who was lost and found again, which every penitent is..  But it has to be added that this reconciliation with God leads, as it were, to other reconciliations which repair the breaches caused by sin.  The forgiven penitent is reconciled with himself in his inmost being, where he regains his own true identity.  He is reconciled with his brethren whom he has in some way attacked and wounded.  He is reconciled with the Church.  He is reconciled with all creation.” 

“God’s merciful love regenerates every human being; it is by accepting the gift of mercy from the risen Lord that we can build a reconciled world, truly open to the horizons of life, of full and deep joy in the Triune God.  After Easter, man is no longer a being for death, but a being for life.  The abyss of death has been destroyed by the risen Christ’s explosion of life.” 

“Reconciliation is not weakness or cowardice.  On the contrary, it demands courage and sometimes even heroism; it is victory over self rather than over others.  It should never be seen as dishonor.  For in reality it is the patient, wise art of peace.” 

“The Church entrusts to young people the task of proclaiming to the world the joy which springs from having met Christ.  Dear friends, allow yourselves to be drawn to Christ; accept His invitation and follow Him.  Go and preach the good news that redeems; do it with happiness in your hearts and become communicators of hope in a world which is often tempted to despair.” 

“Authentic love is not a vague sentiment or a blind passion.  It is an inner attitude that involves the whole human being.  It is looking at others, not to use them but to serve them.  It is the ability to rejoice with those who are rejoicing and to suffer with those who are suffering.  It is sharing what one possesses so that no one may continue to be deprived of what he needs.  Love, in a word, is the gift of self.” 

“When one reasons calmly and keeps the ideal in mind, it is not difficult to agree that the permanence  of the marriage bond springs from the very essence of love and the family.  We love on another truly and absolutely only when we love forever, in joy and in sorrow, in good times and bad.” 

“Above all, love is greater than sin, than weakness, than the “futility of creation,” it is stronger than death; it is a love always ready to raise up and forgive, always ready to go to meet the prodigal son...In man’s history this revelation of love and mercy has taken a form and a man: that of Jesus Christ.” 

“Uniting ourselves with Mary, a pilgrim in the faith, we are strengthened in the conviction that every second of life is a precious moment of grace that teaches us to welcome Christ as our sure hope.” 

“From Mary, we learn to surrender to God’s will in all things.  From Mary, we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone.  From Mary, we learn to love Christ, her Son and the Son of God.”  

“God calls everyone to holiness, but without forcing anyone’s hand.  God asks and waits for man’s free acceptance.  In the context of this universal call to holiness, Christ then chooses a specific task for each person and if He finds a response, He Himself provides for bringing the work He has begun to completion, ensuring that the fruit remains.” 

“Prayer joined to sacrifice constitutes the most powerful force in human history.” 

To the servant of God...every place is the right place, and every time is the right time. ~St. Catherine of Siena

Today, I finished my sophomore year of college.  These past two years have been a whirlwind and I think these words from St. Catherine sum it up perfectly.  Although it was hard to realize it at the time, I look back on it now and can see a little more of the big picture that God had in mind.  And I can see that I needed what He sent my way, from the struggles of my second semester as a freshman to the "fit" that I have found with my school now.  I love my major and can't imagine studying anything else anywhere else.  It all just helps me remember Who is in control. =)

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

"Meanwhile, Mary stood weeping beside the tomb.  Even as she wept, she stooped to peer inside, and there she saw two angels in dazzling robes.  One was seated at the head and the other at the foot of the place where Jesus' body had lain.  "Woman," they asked her, "why are you weeping?"  She answered them, "Because the Lord has been taken away, and I do not know where they have put Him."  She had no sooner said this than she turned around and caught sight of Jesus standing there.  But she did not know Him.  "Woman," He asked, "why are you weeping?  Who is it you are looking for?"  She supposed he was the gardener, so she said, "Sir, if you are the one who carried him off, tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away."  Jesus said to her, "Mary!"  She turned to Him and said, "Rabbouni!" (meaning "Teacher").  Jesus then said, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.  Rather, go to My brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to My God and your God!'"  Mary Magdalene went to the disciples.  "I have seen the Lord!" she announced."  ~John 20:11-18.

At all costs...

If I am still sane by next week, it will be a miracle.  I'm not even sure what I'm posting about here, but I haven't posted in....a while, so I thought I should post something.  Don't be surprised if I start rambling about the anatomy of a four-chambered heart or comparing the respiratory systems of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. ;-)
It is Holy Week, the most beautiful week of the year.  Our redemption, our sinfulness, our hope, our mortality, our immortality...it all culminates in a few short days.  It begins on Holy Thursday, when the Lord institutes the Holy Eucharist, through which He is present with us until the end of time.  Somber Good Friday witnesses the unconditional, unfathomable love of the Savior.  Holy Saturday is a day of silence and anticipation.  And then there is Easter, the joyous day that represents our hope.  "We are the Easter people," Pope John Paul II said.  It is a week full of meaning for us.
At the center of this week is obviously Christ, the gentle Savior.  On Holy Thursday, He washes the feet of His disciples, showing us the humble service that we must imitate.  On Friday, He is the Savior, demonstrating His amazing love for us, a love that desires to "save us at all costs".  On Holy Saturday, He tests our confidence and our hope.  Did the apostles believe His words, that He would triumph over death and rise?  Do we trust Him in the times when we don't feel anything?  Do we trust Him even when we feel alone?  On Easter, He reassures us that we do not hope in vain, we do not struggle in vain.  He is always with us.
I wish you a very blessed Holy Week.
"How clearly we see in all this the will of Jesus to save us at all costs.  That will made Him shed all His Blood to the last drop, when a gesture, an absolution, would have sufficed.  Jesus means "Savior."  It is His name.  And this Savior is always with us, always ready to save us." ~I Believe in Love

The Golden City

When I was younger, I remember reading the story "King of the Golden City" about a young girl named Dilecta and her relationship with Jesus.  I haven't read the book in several years, but one night as I was watching the sunset, I recalled it.  The sun was a vivid orange, the horizon a rich gold.  The sky was painted in crisp, contrasting pastels of blue, purple, and pink.  Any wisps of white cloud stood cleanly against this backdrop.  As the sun sank behind the trees in the distance, it outlined their silhouettes and its rays pierced between them, like through the bars of a gate.  It made me think of the Golden City and ever since then, every sunset or sunrise I see strikes me as a promise of the Golden City.  The King has promised a place for me and sends the golden colors of evening and morning to remind me of the beauty of His Kingdom.

Today was a rather ordinary day, but full of little blessings here and there. =)   

1. No classes.  I don't have any classes on Thursdays anyway, so it is a welcome break from the routine of going to bed early, getting up early, driving, etc.

2. Mass.  I was able to get to Mass this morning, which is the perfect way to begin the day.  Thank you, Jesus!

3. Almost no homework.  Okay, there are things I technically could work on, but nothing that immediately needed done, so the day was relaxing in that respect.  

4. Books.  I went to the library and got some new books, like five new books.  I don't know why, because with finals week approaching, I don't know if I will have time to read them!  But it's a comfort to have books to read if I do have time.  

5. Outing in the park.  I went to my little sister's soccer practice and walked the dog with my mom.  There was a little boy there who came over to see my dog and he ended up staying by us for the rest of the practice and just talking away.  He seemed like quite a little animal-lover.  Anyway, it made me smile as he proceeded to tell me about polar bears, dolphins, sharks, groundhogs, and his own pets.  Maybe someday he'll be a zoologist.  It was really cute. =) 

It's amazing how wonderful a day feels when everything seems to come out right.  Praise the Lord! 

  

“Blessed is the man that loves Thee, O God, and his friend in Thee, and his enemy for Thee.  For he alone loses no one that is dear to him, if all are dear to God, Who is never lost.” ~St. Augustine, Confessions

This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to a wedding uniting two very special people through the Sacrament of Matrimony.  It was such a joy-filled day!  Everyone who knew the couple had been waiting for this day for a while. =)  People traveled from far and wide.  The ceremony and reception were beautiful, and it was just an amazing weekend overall.  

The whole weekend made me think about friendship.  The friendship between the bride and the groom is so wonderful and is just the beginning to the beautiful lifelong commitment they made to each other.  Not only was friendship witnessed to by the bride and groom, it was also evident in the people who came to the wedding.  Many of us who were in attendance have worked at CFL in the past.  Many of our friendships started there.  Throughout the weekend, I was reminded again of how blessed I am to have such wonderful and amazing friendships with good, Catholic people.  To be able to come together again and laugh and talk and enjoy each other's company, it was like we'd never been apart.  To me, that is a test of true friendship, and that true friendship is because of God, because it was built on God.  It amazes me, how wonderful God makes my life by working through my brothers and sisters in Christ.      

All Creatures Great and Small

Animals are such a blessing.  We sat down to say our family Rosary tonight and just as we started the first decade, my/our dog came plodding slowly and quietly up the stairs.  She crept through the kitchen and came into the living room where we were all gathered around.  Looking at me, as if for permission to enter the room, she came over for me to pet her and then went around to each person for some show of affection before she laid down on the floor and stayed there till we finished praying.  She does this routinely, almost every time we pray our daily Rosary.  It brings joy to our family (especially when she decides to try to kill an ant in the middle of the 4th decade).  But I don't think Jesus or Mama Mary minded the brief interruption; in fact, I think they were smiling too.  It made every one of us laugh--real, genuine laughter--and the joy emanated throughout the rest of the evening.  It made me realize once again how God's creatures bring Him such simple yet profound glory.

"No creature is so little or so mean as not to show forth and represent the goodness of God.”~Thomas A’Kempis

“But now ask the beasts to teach you, and the birds of the air to tell you; Or the reptiles on earth to instruct you, and the fish of the sea to inform you.  Which of all these does not know that the hand of God has done this?  In His hand is the soul of every living thing, and the life breath of all mankind.” ~Job 12:7-10

I believe in...

This started as an in-class English project last semester, which at that time seemed trivial.  But once I began writing things down, I realized how simple and pleasurable it was.  The idea is based off an original poem whose author I can't remember at the moment, but I think the poem was titled "I Believe In...".  Mine isn't really a poem.  Anyway, these are just a few of the growing list of things that inspire me--some are silly, some majestic, some simple.  It's not finished yet. =)

I believe in beaches, broken glass washed smooth,
mountains, clouds, empty streets,

lights reflected in raindrops, stars,

the never-ending railroad tracks, the last

leaf hanging on, the eyes of an animal

as wild as a storm or gentle as the mist,

blank sheets of paper, candles, the smell

of incense, the thundering hooves of a stallion,

waves, smiles, radios, fallen logs, dew clinging 

to blades of grass, each tiny snowflake, ripples 

on a pond, games of hide-and-seek, foggy mornings,

blowing bubbles, castles, the White Horse, 

footprints, snow-angels, winding paths through 

woodlands, photographs, windows, old books,

campfires, nights spent in a tent, pocket knives,

laughter, babies, dragons, glowing embers, icicles,

teapots and tea cups, old barns, handwritten letters

and random notes, quill pens, sheets of music...  

   

Life

This is one of my favorite poems.  It truly depicts not only the sense of wonder we should feel at everything around us, but the wonder we should see in each new life that is welcomed into the world.

                       "By the Babe Unborn"

                        by G.K. Chesterton

                If trees were tall and grasses short,

                  As in some crazy tale,

                If here and there a sea were blue

                  Beyond the breaking pale,

                

                If a fixed fire hung in the air

                  To warm me one day through,

                If deep green hair grew on great hills,

                  I know what I should do.

                

                In dark I lie; dreaming that there

                  Are great eyes cold or kind,

                And twisted streets and silent doors,

                  And living men behind.

                

                Let storm clouds come: better an hour,

                  And leave to weep and fight,

                Than all the ages I have ruled

                  The empires of the night.

                

                I think that if they gave me leave

                  Within the world to stand,

                I would be good through all the day

                  I spent in fairyland.

                

                They should not hear a word from me

                  Of selfishness or scorn,

                If only I could find the door,

                  If only I were born.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I've always loved the Prayer of St. Patrick, called the "Breastplate of St. Patrick".  May this great saint help us to use the situations we're placed in to shine the light of Christ.  St. Patrick, pray for us! 

"Christ be with me, 

Christ within me,
Christ behind me, 

Christ before me,
Christ beside me, 

Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, 

Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, 

Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

Power

Nature has always been one source of wonder for me.  I'm sure you've all been hearing and seeing the news on the massive earthquake that hit Japan a few days ago.  The deaths and devastation are tragic and my prayers are with all of the people who are affected by it.  I cannot help but find such events of nature fascinating, however.  Even my plans for life revolve around living at the mercy of nature (God is probably laughing right now and thinking I'm silly for trying to plan my life).  I've always wanted to live up north in like Alaska at the mercy of blizzards and extreme temperatures and such--and not worry about it.  Not worry because you have what you need to get around (dog sleds and snow mobiles, not cars) and survive.  You adapt to what nature throws at you.  You live in the middle of it and you live with it.  To me, that would be a life constantly reminding you that God is in control.  It would constantly remind you of how small you are and how great and powerful God is.  It would inspire awe at His power and beauty, which we see reflected in nature.  It would inspire wonder.    

"In contact with nature, a person rediscovers his correct dimension, rediscovers himself as a creature, small but at the same time unique, with a "capacity for God" because interiorly he is open to the Infinite." ~Pope Benedict XVI 

"Tell Me: where will you run?"

I am in the process of renewing my Consecration to Jesus through Mary in union with St. Joseph and this passage was in one of the readings for today.  It is from Pope John Paul II's encyclical Veritatis Splendor.  

"Nor does she (the Blessed Mother) permit sinful man to be deceived by those who claim to love him by justifying his sin, for she knows that the sacrifice of Christ her Son would thus be emptied of its power.  No absolution offered by beguiling doctrines, even in the areas of philosophy and theology, can make man truly happy: only the Cross and the glory of the Risen Christ can grant peace to his conscience and salvation to his life."  

So often we run from suffering, from the crosses that Christ gives or allows.  We avoid the extra mile, the gift of the cloak along with the shirt, and the hand poised to strike the other cheek.  Instead of taking up our crosses, we leave them lying on the road to Calvary.  We forget that these are the things that will save us.  Christ redeemed us by His Passion and Death, by His Cross and Resurrection, and He calls us to follow in His footsteps.  We even know in our hearts that the Cross will bring us happiness and life.  Why are we still running?

How Beautiful

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  I wanted to share the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, How Beautiful.  It is such a beautiful song and it always reminds me of the tender love of Jesus, Who showed us how we must serve and love.  I hope Lent is a time of blessed renewal for you.  Never forget how much He loves you.

How Beautiful

How Beautiful the hands that served

The Wine and the Bread and the sons of the earth

How beautiful the feet that walked

The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross

How Beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ

How Beautiful the heart that bled

That took all my sin and bore it instead

How beautiful the tender eyes

That choose to forgive and never despise

How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ

And as He lay down His life

We offer this sacrifice

That we will live just as He died

Willing to pay the price

Willing to pay the price

How Beautiful the radiant bride

Who waits for her Groom with His light in her eyes

How Beautiful when humble hearts give

The fruit of pure lives so that others may live

How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ

How beautiful the feet that bring

The sound of good news and the love of the King

How Beautiful the hands that serve

The wine and the bread and the sons of the Earth

How Beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ

Fish :)

For those of you who may not know (I'm sure you would be able to guess by the time you've read this post), I'm a Zoo and Wildlife Biology major.  Put simply, I love animals.  Anyway, I'm taking a class called Vertebrate Zoology this semester and we just finished a midterm that covered the diversity, anatomy, function, and everything else that you would ever want to know about fish.  While it was a ton of information--and here comes the bio major in me--it was actually quite fascinating.  I never knew how complex and unique the systems in a fish are.  I decided at the end of class one day that if I ever wanted to be an animal for a day, I would want to be a shark. Weird, huh? ;-) But seriously, they have such acute senses, etc. that I think it would be fascinating to see the world through their eyes.

Okay, I'll stop before I totally bore you to death.  ;-)  This is just another way that I see God's hand in creation.  It reminds me of the Bible verse:

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." —Matthew 10: 29-31

Real first post ;-)

So, the last post was a short one that I scrambled to write before dinner.  This is the real first one. :)

Like I said, I want to record the wonders of the world, because I believe that wonder can lead to God.  But don't be surprised or worried if one day you venture here expecting an inspiring post and find, say, something else.  I may decide to be an author one day, or an artist, or a scientist, or who knows what else.  But whatever I post, I want it to point to God, for He is the Creator Who fashioned this incredible world and His love and power keep it in motion.  Not only that, He crafts each detail of our everyday lives.  When we stop to realize and admire the wonders around us, I think we will grow closer to our Heavenly Father and discover how precious our lives truly are.

Wondering

Faced with the sacredness of life and of the human person, and before the marvels of the universe, wonder is the only appropriate attitude. ~Pope John Paul II

I've been wanting to start a blog for a while now and today I finally did it. :-)  Here I intend to record the wonders of the world that I stumble upon in everyday life.  Little things like snowflakes and raindrops, bigger things like mountains and thunderstorms, remarkable creatures and beings; the world is full of these wonders.  I want to notice them and I hope to share them with you. :-)