Some days

"Can we go outside without our coats? PLEEEEAAAAASSSSSE!"

The day topped off at nearly 60 degrees - who could blame them? The students were busy running around during recess, and they made sure to take in all the sunshine.

Some days don't fit the mold.
Some days break the monotony.
Some days are meant to be spent outdoors.
Some days are a great reminder of God's presence in our lives.
Some days come once in awhile.
Some day was today.

February...29?

Tomorrow is February 29 - it's not often we get to write that date.

In fact, the last time we saw the 29th of February was four years ago (obviously), when I was still in college.

It's amazing how things have changed and happened since then...

- I had not yet been accepted to ACE (nor had I graduated from college), which has been a HUGE part of who I am today, especially in terms of my career as a teacher and my personal growth.


- I had no dreams of living in a big city (truthfully, I was very much against it), and yet I find myself in one today.


- Shoveling snow and scraping ice off my car was not my idea of fun - and I had never had any experience with such activities - but so far (in a mild winter, I know) I've done a-okay. *Keep those fingers crossed.*


- There was no desire on my part to live in, or let alone visit, the Southwest, and yet I survived and enjoyed its desert beauty for three years.


- Patience was something I never knew I needed so much more practice in, but as a teacher, I get loads of practice each day.


- My faith life was strong, but I didn't work as actively to cultivate my relationship with God (even though I did pray a lot and assisted planning many Catholic Student Union activities in college). Now, I read books, blogs, websites, and more - and I've even been on a few young adult retreats.


- Coffee was not even on my radar, but I find it hard to go a (school day) without a cup o' joe - it starts my mornings off on the right foot.


- One marathon was under my belt, but who would have thought I would add 4 more (and all in different states)?

I could go on, but I think that's enough for now. But, isn't it kind of crazy to think about the changes when you take a look back?

And doesn't it make you excited for the possibilities ahead? A lot can happen in four years...clearly. Maybe there is uncertainty, but in God's hands we know we'll be all right.

Think about it: Where will you be on the next Leap Day (2016 - whoa!)?

Tomorrow starts our benchmark for the next four years. Enjoy the ride...

New State of Mind

If I take one thing away with me from this weekend, it's this: Look for God - He's there. It's all about our perspective and perception.

But, I'm not going to lie - there is so much more that I will also take away with me from this weekend retreat. The people I met were genuine, like-minded young adults whose hearts are on fire with love for God. I felt so welcomed (even though I went into the retreat Friday night knowing absolutely no one!), and everyone made themselves completely vulnerable and open. I connected at so many levels with so many people, from having someone in my small group who graduated from USF to having another girl in my group who is a twin to talking with another girl after social hour about sign language and our love for it - I was blown away. I enjoyed talking with newfound friends throughout the weekend, from our car drive up to meals to free time to yoga (yeah, I did that - kinda sore, it's true) to the drive home - so many encounters with Christ. These encounters served as reminders that we aren't meant to walk our lives alone.

And I learned things about myself too - I realized that I am familiar with many ways to pray, but I definitely have my favorites, including the Examen and the Rosary. I learned that I take the fact that I stay up to date with a lot of Catholic blog posts and articles for granted, but it's a gift of new-found knowledge I can gladly share with others. I learned that there is nothing like a good laugh - and repeated laughter is even better. I may not have ever laughed that hard in my entire life - and those of you who know me know I love to laugh. (If you've never played the game "Telestrations", then you should check it out.)

Coming out of a retreat weekend is always bittersweet - the retreat high is still with me, but I know that I need to continue to energize my life with regular prayer so I do not lose my intensity and newfound joy and perspective. It's not going to be easy, but I have some plans ready to go, including attending Mass with the young adult group on Sunday nights. (Finally!)

It may seem that I'm donning a new pair of rose-colored glasses, but, honestly, it is more than that. It's about recognizing each moment as a gift from God and then thanking Him for all those little moments. It's a new "state of mind" (see Matt Maher lyrics and clip below) - and it's not about being optimistic. It's about having hope. It's about having a deeply rooted joy and finding rest in God.

"Hold my heart up to the light

Next to you, I'm more than alright

I've got nothing left to hide

I'm walking around in a new state of mind..."

Friday marks...

Tomorrow marks the first Friday of Lent...

It marks the last Friday of February...

It marks the start of a much-needed retreat...Well, amen to that!

Yes, you might say I am a bit more than just a little excited for a young adult retreat (centered on the Holy Trinity) this weekend. It's a chance for me to start Lent off on the right foot, and it's a chance to just get away from the hectic-ness of school and the city. And, hey, maybe I'll meet some neat, like-minded people while I'm at it.

Sometimes a retreat (or even just some reflection time) is what we need.

So that's just what I'm going to do.

Having Our Fill

Here's a little scenario for you:

You have two glasses - one is a tall thin one and the other is a bit smaller and more like your typical shot glass. Which one is more full?

       

(No, I did not ask you which one you would rather have...)


The correct answer (drum roll please) is that they are both equally full.

But they are of different sizes - How is this possible?

Well, in her autobiography Story of a Soul, St. Therese of Lisieux explains this phenomenon rather simply as it was once explained to her. (Well, actually, her example was with a tumbler and a thimble, but I decided to take a more modern twist - forgive me.) Both glasses, or containers, are filled to the brim, leaving no room to add any more water. Therefore, even though one glass (meant to represent a person) has more than the other (meant to represent another person), the one with less should not be jealous of the one who has more because he is already full as God has seen fit.

Ok, so St. Therese is obviously better at explaining this than I am. But, hey, I tried.

Others have tried and succeeded better than I as well - one such example of stressing how we should not strive to make our lives a competition can be found in the Notre Dame Daily Inspiration Prayer Archives. (This reflection is short and well worth the read.)

Remember, God has filled each of us as He has seen fit. It's not about who has more or who is on top. God knows our needs and has entrusted us with such.

Let us strive to remember this as we prepare our hearts to enter into this holy Lenten season.

---

On a related note, here's a small selection of Lenten resources on the web that may be of use -->

*Pope Benedict XVI's Message for Lent
*Lenten Calendar (free printable)
*Living Lent Daily (Loyola Press)
*Other 6 - Daily topics and prompts to help in the Lenten Journey
*Huffington Post - A Lenten Journey
*Praying Lent - An online Creighton University Resource

Kindred Souls

When I first read on a favorite blog that the book Kindred Souls by Patricia MacLachlan was coming out, I knew I had to read it. So, I ordered it right away.

It came in the mail a few weeks later, but it sat on my shelf for a few weeks after that too...Until today. With the extra day off from school (Amen!), I decided I had time to sit down and read it. And I am so glad I did.

It's a book about a boy and his grandfather who, at 88 years old, is still as sharp and lively as ever. It takes place during the summertime, when school is out, and Jake (the main character) spends much of his time with his grandfather (who everyone calls Billy) around their farm. As the story unfolds, a small dog named Lucy (whom Billy nicknames his "Angel Dog") becomes Billy's pet, and Jake (with the help of the rest of his family) builds his grandfather the sod house (from his childhood memories) that he has been missing for so long.

There really isn't that much of a plot - it's mainly a story about relationships, especially those rooted deep within the human soul. It is simple and beautiful. And, I would be lying if I didn't admit that it made me both laugh and shed some tears. 

Truthfully, this book really got me thinking about my grandpa again. And I think that's exactly what the author was trying to do. Patricia MacLachlan is quite the talented writer. She knows how to speak straight to the reader's heart...

And my heart was ready to listen.

Opening a box of...memories

Oh, it happened. The Girl Scout cookie box has been opened.

And they taste so good.

I actually think these incredible cookies maintain their appeal because they taste like memories. How can you not buy Girl Scout cookies if you once sold them yourself? (Do you remember those cookie booths? - fun, yet torture, at the same time)

Take the classic shortbread Trefoil, for example: It's never been a top-selling flavor, but one year, man did we sell that kind like hot cakes once one of our leaders shared a marketing secret - you can use them to make mini strawberry shortcakes! -->

And what about the Thin Mint? (pictured directly below) That one's been around since Girl Scouts started selling cookies - and they still top the charts year after year. Minty chocolate-y goodness - yum!

 

In truth, Girl Scout cookies remind me of those Pillsbury ads they are running now about getting family members either out of bed or away from fighting with each other to gather around the table for a special treat. That's what these cookies do too.

And, if I do say so myself, they support a great cause. 

Carry on, Girl Scouts - 100 years strong!