Easter Joy!

He is Risen! Alleluia!

Happy Easter to all of you beautiful ladies! I hope that each and every one of you are experiencing the joy of the Risen Christ! My Easter weekend was very lovely, but there was 1 particular highlight I wanted to share with you all. This weekend we had company come down and visit, an old family friend of my mom's and her 10 year old daughter. This year, unlike in years past when they've come down for Easter, they asked to go to morning mass with us. So, on Easter, having been away from the church for 12 years, my mom's friend stepped into a Catholic Church. She was sitting next to me, and at one point during the mass, I saw her tear up and begin to cry. Her daughter asked her what was wrong and she simply replied, "I'm ok honey, just overwhelmed by the Spirit." It was beautiful to see. When we left church, she told us that she and God were going to "do some serious talking," and that she is going to look up the local Catholic Church upon her return home. I just smiled. God is so powerful, so wonderful, and so welcoming. I hope that each and every one of you can soak up God's love and feel His warm embrace! He is risen! Alleluia! :)

Finally, I just wanted to share a song that has been on my heart since Sunday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2KNvuscKRA

Christ is risen from the dead,

Trampling over death by death,

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave!

Who are you?

After writing the post from JP2 yesterday I have been thinking a lot about who I am.  In order to live fully as God intended me to live, I need to know fully who I am.  This may sound weird, but discovering my inner self is one of my favorite things to do.  Last semester I took a poetry class on a whim as an elective.  Who knew that it would be one of the most influential classes of my college career.  I learned about a gift that I never knew I had, and from that class I have been able to speak at a poetry symposium and get published in the JMU literary magazine.  Sometimes when I sit down and think about it I think it is crazy weird that my Senior year of college I learned this about myself.  My professor was great and she really helped us to probe into our lives and find out who we are, what moves us, what drives us.  Most of you know that I am a person who is very in touch with my emotions.  For a long time, this was something I was embarrassed about.  But in the past few years, I have been able to understand that it is a part of who I am, and if I reject it, I am rejecting a gift from God.  All of these things are part of my self discovery.  In order to serve and love the God who made me, I need to be in touch with who He really made me to be, even if it's an unexpected gift or circumstance.  Because I am made in His image, the deeper I know my own heart, the deeper I know my God.   I was listening to an Anberlin song while I was driving yesterday and some lyrics go, "If you can't find yourself, then how can I expect to find you."  In terms of romantic relationship, if we don't know ourselves then we cannot fully give ourselves to another.  If we don't know and love who we are then how can someone truly know and love us?  

From JP2

This is a section from a letter that Pope John Paul II wrote specifically to women.  I reread it this week and thought it appropriate to share this part with you all:

"This word of thanks to the Lord for his mysterious plan regarding the vocation and mission of women in the world is at the same time a concrete and direct word of thanks to women, to every woman, for all that they represent in the life of humanity.

Thank you, women who are mothers!  You have sheltered human beings within yourselves in a unique experience of joy and travail.  This experience makes you become God's own smile upon the newborn child, the one who guides your child's first steps, who helps it to grow, and who is the anchor as the child makes its way along the journey of life.

Thank you, women who are wives!  You irrevocably join your future to that of your husband's, in a relationship of mutual giving, at the service of love and life.  

Thank you, women who are daughters and women who are sisters!  Into the heart of the family, and then all of society, you bring the richness of your sensitivity, your intuitiveness, your generosity and fidelity.

Thank you, women who work!  You are present and active in every area of life - social, economic, cultural, artistic, and political.  In this way you make an indispensable contribution to the growth of a culture which unites reason and feeling, to a model of life ever open to the sense of "mystery," to the establishment of economic and political structures ever more worthy of humanity.

Thank you, consecrated women!  Following the example of the greatest of women, the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, you open yourselves with obedience and fidelity to the gift of God's love.  You help the Church and all mankind to experience a "spousal" relationship to God, one which magnificently expresses the fellowship which God wishes to establish with his creatures.

Thank you, every woman, for the simple fact of being a woman!  Through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world's understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic."

If this inspiration from Pope John Paul II doesn't make you want to live more fully as the woman God created you to be then I don't know what will.

Priorities

Here I am, on a Tuesday night, trying to study for a test while also trying to memorize an Italian dialogue for a skit tomorrow. Then, tomorrow, after completing both, I have to immediately start studying for an test Thursday, and then start preparing for finals that start Monday morning at 8am. Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe how I have been feeling today.

But, a few things today have helped me to take a step back and re-prioritize my life. Today, as every other Tuesday, I went to the special needs preschool right down the street and volunteered. I could have skipped since I had so much to do, but I just couldn't. Those kids put SO MUCH JOY into my life. Why? It's simple really. They are disabled: physically, mentally, and socially, and yet they permeate joy each and every time I see them. One smile from just one child brightens my entire day, and helps remind me why I am in school. So that one day, I can have a classroom of precious 2-4 year olds of my own :) And I cannot wait until that day.

On Sunday, our priest suggested that we read over Psalm 22 during Holy Week. So, in my efforts to procrastinate, I looked it up. It is such a beautiful testament to God's unfailing love for us. My favorite line reads,

"But You, Lord, do not stay far off; my strength, come quickly to help me."

God is ALWAYS there. In the long run, He won;t care whether I get all A's this semester or not. He wants me to try my best, sure, but it's not as if He will stop loving me if I stumble a bit this semester. And so, it's time I take a good hard look at my priorities. Yes, I need to do well in my classes, and I need to try and push through and finish strong. But, my grades do NOT define me. My relationship with God defines me, and that is what I need to focus on most. Because God never strays. And, much like those beautiful special needs preschoolers, God is always encouraging.

Pay It Forward

I sat in TDU today trying to get some work done, when the girl next to me asked me if I wanted to participate in a "Pay It Forward" movement. For those who do not know, 'Pay it Forward' starts with one person performing an act of kindness for three others. Then, those three have to pay it forward to three others. It creates a chain reaction where kindness can reach hundreds and eventually thousands. An AWESOME concept! There is also a movie called 'Pay it Forward.' If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. A wonderful story and a wonderful message. I immediately said yes because I am a huge advocate for this: small acts of kindness=great gestures of love. Whether it be to a close friend or a perfect stranger, small acts of kindness make the world a better place.

So, my assignment for this project: write an encouraging note to a close friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger. Give it to them before the end of the day. So simple right? But, the question is, why don't we do this more often? I am so excited to be a part of this movement, that it is present on JMU's campus. I encourage each and every one of you to participate as well. You don't necessarily need to write a note....any act of kindness will do.

Small acts of kindness=great gestures of love: God's perfect love <3

How will you pay it forward?

LOVE can WAIT to give

2 weeks ago I had the privilege to hear Jason Evert speak at St. Mary's in Richmond. For those that don't know, he is a writer and speaker on chastity. I've heard a lot about him, what's in his books etc., but I've never read any of them. Let me tell you, after his talk I can't wait to read them.

Jason's talk inspired me to set my standards high. Love, in its true form, exemplifies Jesus. The St. Anthony prayer says "I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me." How wonderful is the thought of a relationship that is a "picture" of my relationship with Jesus, a relationship that is selfless and makes each person in it stronger and closer to God. Because God loves me unconditionally, I should expect to give and receive the same unconditional love in my relationship. Jason talked about how we, as women have the power to turn heads, but we also have the power to turn hearts. Sometimes we give guys what they want because we want to keep them happy and we justify it because they say "I love you." I know I get frustrated and think that guys just want one thing, but I've come to realize that maybe that has become true because we give it to them."Love can wait to give, lust can't wait to get." I know I have personally given in to the desires of a boyfriend because I was scared of what would happen if I didn't, but this is not the kind of relationship that brings me closer to God. If women start respecting themselves then men will learn they have to respect us too. We are beautifully created children of God and we should expect to be treated as such!

God has made each of us a masterpiece. Ephesians 5 is the verse that many people cringe at. "Wives submit to your husbands." But keep reading! "For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word." Jesus was crucified for us, and God expects men to lay down their lives for their wives. This is a high expectation, but why should we expect any less?

It's so easy to give into temptations, and something I have learned from my bible study leader at home is that if we know we will sin, why even put ourselves in the position to do so. This is a little excerpt from the latest issue of Radiant magazine that I think has a good point. Fr. Jim has also mentioned this before. True love doesn't balance on whether or not someone has little habits you can't know unless you live with them. There is no adequate "trial run" for marriage. Like the article and Jason say (and I looked up some statistics), a high percentage of people that cohabitate get divorced.

If you are willing to marry someone, you are willing to except them not only for the qualities you admire but also for their imperfections. We're taught to give ourselves completely to our spouse. Living with them and having sex with them is a physical representation of that, but what about the spiritual aspect. There is nothing binding in having sex with or living with a boyfriend. Just knowing you are going to marry someone is not enough. It's not permanent and yet we think it is. Until united with a spouse in the eyes of God, acts of lust are not honoring God. I want to save that part of my life for one person and one person only and I will only know that will happen if I'm married to them.

Here is a prayer that Jennessa gave us at the Women's Retreat for our future spouses...

Glorious Saint Raphael, Patron and lover of the young, I feel the need of call­ing to you and of pleading for your help. In all confidence I open my heart to you to beg your guidance and assistance in the important task of planning my future. Obtain for me through your intercession the light of God's grace so that I may de­cide wisely concerning the person who is to be my partner through life. Angel of Happy Meetings, lead us by the hand to find each other. May all our movements be guided by your light and transfigured by your joy. As you led the young Tobias to Sara and opened up a new life of happi­ness with her to holy marriage, lead me to such a one whom in your angelic wisdom you judge best suited to be united with me in marriage.

St. Raphael, loving patron of those seeking a marriage partner, help me in this supreme decision of my life. Find for me as a helpmate in life the person whose character may reflect some of the traits of Jesus and Mary. May he (she) be upright, loyal, pure, sincere and noble, so that with united efforts and with chaste and unselfish love we both may strive to perfect ourselves in soul and body, as well as the children it may please God to entrust to our care.

St. Raphael, angel of chaste courtship, bless our friendship and our love that sin may have no part in it. May our mutual love bind us so closely that our future home may ever be most like the home of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Offer your prayers to God for the both of us and obtain the blessing of God upon our marriage, as you were the herald of blessing for the marriage of Tobiah and Sarah.

St. Raphael, friend of the young, be my friend, for I shall always be yours. I desire ever to invoke you in my needs.

To your special care I entrust the decision I am to make as to my future husband/wife. Direct me to the person with whom I can best cooperate in doing God's Holy Will, with whom I can live in peace, love and harmony in this life, and attain to eternal joy in the next. Amen.

In honor of St. Raphael: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be .

birthday love

Throughout this past week, I have experienced great acts of love and kindness. This past Saturday, my brother was confirmed. I was so incredibly proud of him as we walked toward to bishop and cannot believe how much he has grown throughout the years. We had a ton of family come in to celebrate and it was so great being able to spend time with everyone. On Sunday, we celebrated my aunt’s and my birthday. In our family, we have a lot of April birthdays. My aunt is the 13^th, I am the 14^th, and my cousins are the 15^th and 18^th. When we were younger, we used to go up to NY around Easter and we would celebrate the April birthdays altogether. As we got older and started heading off to college, we haven’t been able to carry on the tradition as much. But this weekend, we brought back the old tradition. My aunt and I walked into a beautifully decorated house and shared a big birthday cake together. We took turns opening presents and loved every minute of it. It was so great being able to celebrate and spend time with the family.

On Tuesday, our small group met at our small group leader’s house. They fed us a delicious dinner: hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, baked beans, French fries, and fruit. It was so awesome sharing in fellowship with some truly amazing people. As we finished dinner, the lights turned off and I saw my small group leader walk in with a funfetti cake decked out with lit candles. As everyone sang to me, she placed the cake in front of me, kissed my head, and whispered, “Happy Birthday!” to me. Truth be told, I was actually trying not to cry. It was such a beautiful moment and a great gesture of love. I am so grateful for everything my entire small group has done for me, not only that night, but throughout the entire semester.

Last night, after evening prayer, a group of CCMers went to ihop for a late night breakfast. After we ate our dinners, I heard clapping. The waiters and waitresses all surrounded me with a huge ice cream sundae and serenaded me. While most people get embarrassed, I think it is such an awesome gesture. And it really made my birthday that much more special.

Starting at midnight, I received texts and facebook messages. While this doesn’t seem like a big deal, to me it speaks volumes. These small acts of kindness spoke great volumes of love. I get so excited opening my inbox and seeing that I have 46 new messages waiting for me. Who doesn’t love getting mail? So thank you, thank you!

This morning, when I came into work, I began my usual routine of looking in the assistant’s tray to see if there were any assignments. Among a few papers, there was a card from one of the other girls I work with. It was such a cool and unexpected moment. And I felt loved. She took a few moments out of her day to make me feel loved. And that speaks volumes.

During our education classes, I volunteered to help with a SMARTboard presentation. As I walked up, Elizabeth shouted, “It’s her birthday!” and the whole class started singing to me. Another small act of kindness, another great expression of love. Elizabeth then gave me a beautiful, heartfelt card that made me feel so special. Thank you, Elizabeth. You truly are a wonderful friend.

If you know me, you also know that I have not had the best roommate situation lately. We just haven’t gotten along and what started out as a “best friendship” has turned into a “let’s try and be cordial” relationship. But, tonight, they are making me a cake and want to celebrate with me. They decorated the kitchen and are making an effort. I am hoping that this act of kindness can be a step in the right direction for us. And so, I want to extend a sincere thank you to the roommates.

Small acts of kindness speak great volumes of love. And to everyone, I am so thankful. Thank you for helping to make my birthday special. Thank you for loving me. I love you all so much.