Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Somebody prayed for me

Have you ever had an experience where you know, without any proof, but beyond a reasonable doubt, that someone just said a prayer for you? You're having a bad day, or even an ok day, but something is up, not everything is right. Then, suddenly, it feels like whatever was holding you back or down just lifts, and even if it is not toally gone, you feel hopeful, like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. To me, that is the sign of a prayer said for you.

This happened to me walking to class today. I have been stressed out today, just not having a great day, and then suddenly everything just seemed more hopeful. That was a prayer.

It was't the first time this has happened either. One instance I distincly remember was at the Day of the Son retreat last year. It was Saturday, and I was just not with it. I knew I should be excited, and engaged, because, after all, I was on a retreat, with some of my best friends. But I just wasn't feeling it. Then, in the middle of a talk, something just clicked. It was totally apart from what the speaker was saying, and I was engaged. I just knew, at that moment, someone had said a prayer for me.

Another, more recent example happened to those around me. Our rec indoor soccer team, the Newmanators, was in the first round of their playoffs. With 90 seconds to go, they were down by one goal. In those 90 seconds, they scored twice, to win. This is the Hail Mary of indoor soccer. We are all convinced that everyone they asked to pray for them, remembered at that exact moment. It worked.

So, if you get the strange urge to pray for someone, please don't ignore it. You never know what is happening on the other end because of your little faithfulness. Trust me, it makes a big difference.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

7 Quick Takes

for Week 8, Term 1, Year 1
it's most definitely not Friday at this point, so why put in the day, it's for the whole week anyway
1) I have learned how to crochet. It was caused Crochet for a Cause. I got a lesson in how to crochet a hat, and in exchange, when I finish this hat, I donate it back to give to be donated to a cancer treatment facility or a homeles shelter.
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2) Lovely Ladies go to Voodoo Doughnuts. At least, four of us lovely ladies from the Inside-Out CHIP went to Voodoo after class on Tuesday, because Maggie was a Voodoo virgin. It was a blast, and just what I needed. I had been having a terrible day, and that absolutely made my day.
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3) My friend Constanza always texts me about the weather, and that also makes my day.
4) This week has re-opened my eyes to the plethora of opportunities in college to practice the works of mercy. Feeding the hungry, in the homeless, in the friend without food, those without money to provide food for Thanksgiving, giving drink to the thirsty, during a loooong class, or to a friend who's feeling sick, clothing the friend who is locked out of their room straight out of the shower, and driving friends home so they don't have to walk in the rain or at night. I don't think that last one is a technical work of mercy, but I say it counts. Ü
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5) I love watching the acapella groups preform! Every friday there is a group of us Newman girls who get together to see Mind the Gap, On the Rocks, and Divisi in the EMU ampitheater or fishbowl. I was especially excited this week, because Mind the Gap and On the Rocks preformed my favorite of their songs, Zombie and Insomniac. It was wonderful!
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6) For most of this week I sounded like a dead or dying frog. I croaked and hacked, and consumed a massive amount of cough drops. I was felt terrible. On Monday I had the bulk of the day off, and I took a two hour nap. When I finally went to the Health Center, they told me it was only a cold, and, surprise surprise, I've gotten much better since then.
*
7) 7 for 7!!! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (aka Book 7) Part 1 came out at 12 am on Friday. Thanks to friend of the year Maggie, who waited in line for four hours by herself, both of us had amazing seats in, get this, theater 7!! I was excited, because I had been to the midnight showing of movie 1, so to go again for movie 7 was so cool. My favorite part: they kept the holy/holey scene!! Weasly twins ftw!

Friday, November 12, 2010

My (A Soft Spot) Heart

I love life, all of it. However, there are some things that just have a special spot in my heart. I want to share a couple that have come recently.


Easter Vigil- For those of you who know, it is the longest Mass there it. We're talking at least 3 hours, plus. If you're participating, in the choir or as an altar server as I have, it is intense. There is a lot more prep work, plus so much to remember and do during the whole service. It only comes once a year, and it is a big deal. It always starts in the evening, and goes late into the night. There are more readings, and lots of special traditions, to celebrate Easter as it first comes into being. One of the coolest parts is watching the catechumens, the people who have been praying, discerning and studying to become Catholic get baptized, recieve Sacraments and join our Church family. Anyway, for all the work, for all the stress, for all the time, I just love Easter Vigil. It occupies a special place in my heart, and it all will. Sometimes I wish it came more than once a year, but I think the very exclusivity makes it even more special.


And...

Puns- Most people groan, but I absolutely love a bad pun. They make me giggle, and I love to use them. There is seriously a soft spot in my heart for this verbal trickery. It's wonderful.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

7 Quick Takes Friday 2


Year 1, Quarter 1, End of Week 6


1. A schedule of a different sort

You might notice that is not technically still Friday at this point. Well, college students run on a different schedule than most of the world, so this is still a totally typical hour to be awake, and, in my head, if I haven't slept yet than the day hasn't changed, so it is still friday. Ü

2. Community

This week I have realized (again) why God didn't make us solitary creatures, but rather gave us the gift of each other. For some reason, this week especially I have seen how we fit together, to encourage each other, and to be able to offer encouragement and love.

3. Family
Tonight I drove out to Albany for a family dinner. I got lost, and so arrived late, but it was so great to just be with everyone, to eat and talk, and just be. Little Kohlie made my night. She was walking by the counter and reached up above her head, and stuck her finger in the pumpkin pie to taste some. It was totally nonchelant, so our pumpkin pie had a finger-hole in it.
4. With Jesus
I want to take a moment, and honor the passing of Jeff Meyer. He was the brother/son of three of my friends. He was a fellow rosary-maker. He is now with Jesus. Still praying for him, and his family.
5. Being the Change
So, this Monday I got to help with Challenge Day at my old high school. It was interesting. Last year, I had been on the Core Team of student leaders, and this year I was an adult. There was definitely a difference, and perhaps most of it was in my head, but I didn't know as many people, and the day seemed to go by a lot faster. It went well though, and I was glad that I drove all the way back to be there. For my part, it got me thinking. How can I be the change I wish to see at U of O? What can I do when I'm so out of my environment? What kind of a difference can I make?
My answer was exactly that, to be the change. I've noticed that not a lot of hugs are given here, for one reason or another, mainly because you don't hug strangers. This has led to me becoming hug-deprived, with a serious shortage of my 12 a day. So, I've decided to intentionally give more hugs. To everyone. We all need them, and I have a sneaky suspision that the vast majority of us are not getting enough.
6. "It is in giving that we recieve"
One quick shout out to an act of change that happened because of this. Late on Tuesday night I was in the next building over studying, when I saw someone from one of my classes. She has a physical disability that is very noticable, in a limp and the way she talks. Something inside of me was telling me to reach out. I almost didn't listen, but I'm so glad I did. I think it was the first hug she'd had in a while, and it was so satifying to get to bring that kind of joy into someone elses life.
7. A Thursday to remember
This Thursday was intense. Let me give you the highlights of my day:
-rosary
-midterm #1
-international skype with my college friends in Idaho and Dubai
-lit class where I was totally ill-prepared and thought about hell
-midterm #2
-discussion group
-go to see a play/try to get a football ticket
-think I actually do have a ticket, but shut my laptop because I'm still in the play and I'm annoying the guy next to me
-walk over to self-defense workshop
-realize that I didn't complete the checkout process, therefore I do not actually have a ticket
-realize I am in wrong room for self-defense class
-attend self-defense workshop where I get a self-esteem boost from yelling "NO!" as I kick a pad
-finish watching several more episodes of Glee
Yes, this is my life, or 7 brief glimpses into it. If you like this style of blogging, check out more at my inspiration: Conversion Diary

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

All Souls Day

Today is All Souls Day in the Catholic Church, and as it is something I celebrate, I just wanted to take a moment to remember those loved ones in my life who have passed from it:

Nonnie
Gramma Mary
Cody
Georgie
Aubrie
Mrs. Hedricks
Bill
Abuelito
Abuelita
Olivia Mia
Myra Lee
Jeff Meyer
Katie Church
Jonathan

All of you are loved, and I know you're in a better place. Today though, I remember your lives, and the difference you made in mine, and I say a prayer for you, and your family.

Twinkle Twinkle

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star/How I wonder what you are/Up above the world so high/Like a diamond in the sky/Twinkle, twinkle, little star/How I wonder what you are”
I am not a child anymore, but I still love this song. Mainly because I love stars. I have been known to get incredibly distracted, stop walking in front of people, and suddenly look up at the sky. For some reason, stars continue to fascinate me. To me, they are a reminder of how much, and how unconditionally God loves me. So, last night you could find my car, pulled over on the highway, in the high desert area outside of Bend, with me standing outside, staring up. The night sky was so incredible. I have never seen anything like that before. The Milky Way was clear, and there were so many stars. For the first time, I noticed that the song is true. Stars do twinkle. Then, as if just to make me giggle, because He knew I was watching, I saw a shooting star.
The whole scene was so amazing; this duckling’s heart was filled with joy.