Sunday, September 30, 2007

Praise God for Friendships

My title pretty much sums it up. This weekend has been great. It's quite amazing how God can bring some people together because they can certainly relate to one another in certain ways and share their life experiences (and vocation stories) with each other. I had some good conversations last night, and one is yet to be continued. We'll finish it eventually.

Tonight was wonderful as well. We went out to a restaurant in town to celebrate a friend's birthday, and there were so many of us! We had two tables... but mostly because there were 5 family members with two of the guys (it being family weekend and all). It was a really nice time to hang out with my friends and enjoy a Blue Moon, mmm. And tonight I was reaffirmed, again, by another friend in my vocation to youth ministry. I'm so thankful of friends who affirm my discernment process. I'm sure he could see my excitement about the Echo program I'll be applying to soon. The Basilica at Notre Dame is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, how was this program not meant for me!?! My grandma is pretty cute...for my birthday she sent me a card and a little cash, and then when I saw her today she gave me some Snickers and a devotional candle... of the Sacred Heart! She doesn't even know of my devotion! God works in mysterious ways. Anyway, I think I need to get ready for bed and then read some more from St. Therese!

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on Us!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Adoration

Oh Adoration, how my heart loves the Blessed Sacrament! Somewhere in the writings of St. Teresa of Avila she describes the feeling of her heart as if it is ready to explode; it is filled so much with God's love and His grace. Sometimes my heart feels like that too! I love being able to relate to the Saints. And oh how I have fallen in love with St. Therese as of late. My roommates and I do a monthly novena to her and right now I'm doing one for her feast day (October 1). I also decided to re-read "The Story of a Soul." Her little way is so inspiring.

So the past three days I have had the privilege and opportunity to adore Jesus in adoration three days in a row. On Monday night we had adoration during Power Hour, and a storm. The power went out twice during our hour and it was so awesome! Being able to see the monstrance solely lit by candles was one of the most beautiful things I've experienced. One of my friends joked that Jesus was drawing all the attention to him, "hey everyone, look at me"! When it went off a second time we kept on singing and playing songs, and my heart was filled with joy. The lights came back on and during Shout to the Lord I couldn't help but smile while I sang.

Lately I've really been trying to pray through all I do and offer it up to Jesus. St. Therese said we should do everything for Jesus, as another friend emphasized for me this week, and it's so true! Before I start my homework I make myself conscious of what I'm doing and that it really is for God. And during one of my classes today we were watching this PBS film on the Civil War and it was quite boring and I was falling asleep, but then I caught myself and knew I could do better than that, because people deserve our best, as one of my profs once said.

I should get reading a book that I'm using for a paper due Saturday. Man... one qualm I have against blogspot is that while I'm typing the letters come up way after I actually type them out. Yes, I'm a fast typer, but it's just annoying to have to wait for the letters to slowly appear on the screen. Oh well, offer it up, right?




“… I understand more than ever that only one thing is necessary, and that is to work solely for Him and to do nothing for ourselves or for creatures. Jesus wants to possess your heart completely. He wants you to be a great saint. For that you will have to suffer very much, but then what joy will flood your soul when you reach the happy moment of your entrance into Eternal Life!” -St. Therese of Lisieux

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The Switch

Alright, I have officially made the switch from Xanga to blogger. A few of my friends have this, and anyone can post comments, so I figured, why not.

My old site was: http://www.xanga.com/AllSmiles4Him

I'll post more later, especially about the amazingness of Adoration last night. For now, I need to get back to homework! The joys of being a student.

My all for the greater glory of God

PS: I picked the name 12Romans because Romans12 was already taken and I wanted to base it on one of my favorite bible verses (Romans 12:9-12)