I get by with a little help from my friends...

Back home (in my apartment with no air conditioning), I can finally breathe and let the past 25 months (or 3 years, same difference, right?) sink in. I won't shy away from the fact that it was challenging, but I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.

And, in addition to God, my classmates, professors, and family are the ones to thank for that...


PLC 1: Always remember to PLC like a champion today...and never follow Phil.

We just weren't complete the first week...

My prayer partner:

My roommate (3 summers running...):

My ACE housemate (now in the program one year behind me):

Our amazing Holy Cross priests:

annual t-shirt unveiling

My 29 classmates:

Room 210 for presentation day - love these guys!

ACE 15, now RLP 15 :) :)

all graduated!! :D

My family:

Now it is time to look forward to what the future holds...may God bless all of us as we continue our endeavors as Catholic school educators and leaders!

Always Bringing A Smile

My students...oh dear, what funny things they do sometimes, especially my 7th graders...

Exhibit A: A piece of foil with my name (and picture - the spitting image!) on it. It is now hanging on my bulletin board behind my desk - my students made sure I put it there.

Exhibit B: A literal take on a Stations of the Cross title - I actually had a good laugh at this one because he did give some thought to the rest of the activity and packet, so I could let this one slide. (Does he know my irrational fear of bears, though?...Hmm...)

And sometimes, the students just get it. Take this answer by one of my 7th graders about how love can and should be everyone's vocation:

These students of mine really do bring me so much joy. I love them all so much, even when they get a little crazy or have a hard time getting started on their work or unintentionally let a joke slip out in class that causes just about everyone to erupt into laughter. :)


I did also want to note before I close that I had two ice cream incidents this past week too - one where I actually had ice cream (first photo) with my sister because it got a little warmer outside, and one (second photo below) where my PLC reminisced about the time Phil almost made us late to our deep practice during our first summer of grad school because he had stopped to get ice cream before meeting us in the car. Good times...

Let the good times roll...

I Saw God Today

From my own retreat with my Remick classmates in (mostly) sunny Florida this weekend to my students' Confirmation retreat back home today, I feel incredibly blessed to have spent so much time being purposefully and constantly reminded of God's presence and love for each of us.

I saw God in nature - in the sunshine, the wildlife, the sunrises and sunsets...

I saw God in people...
especially my amazing PLC:

And, well, everyone (including my parents who are not pictured here but whom I saw in FL)...

Friday night fun

more Friday night fun

ACE Phoenix forever!

RLP 15 - minus myself and a few others who couldn't come/stay till Sunday

I saw God in the students and faculty of the school we visited and in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation that I was able to receive...

the good old ACE pocket schedule

And, when I got back home, I even saw God in the dreary Midwest weather. I saw Him in the Confirmation students and in those who helped prepare and execute the retreat.

I can see Him because He constantly is seeking us and surprising us...and because I'm on the lookout too.

Now, I'm not going to pretend that this semester is not giving me less than a great deal of anxiety right now - the workload and the fact that I can't quite wrap my head around all of the assignments yet is scary. I know I (and my classmates) can handle it, but I do ask that you keep us in prayer as we embark on this final semester. (I also would appreciate anyone who is willing to check from time to time to make sure I am still coming up for "air"/breaks. Thanks.)

Let's get ready to gear up for Catholic Schools Week!