Saturday, March 31, 2012

Saturday's Silly Saying

Do you ever feel like people just say the most hilarious things, and then you don't remember it later?  Yeah, me too.

Lately, i think my posts have been pretty serious.  So I've decided to break things up and begin a new weekly theme- once a week, I'll post a funny quote that I've heard or that makes my friends and I laugh.  It may be from a book, a movie, a friend, or a teacher, and sometimes it will require a bit of explanation.  I'll continue this as best as I can over the summer, but I make no promises!!
So, without further ado, today's Silly Saying!

"Your hands are cold."
Anyone who's seen the new Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightly most likely knows this quote.  It comes at the end of the movie, when Lizzie and Darcy meet in the field.  It's early morning, and the birds are singing..... and Darcy says, "Your hands are cold".  It's really funny timing, and doesn't really seem to be relevant.
xoxo,

Friday, March 30, 2012

Sacrifice: The Hard Truth

Often, any kind of suffering, whether it be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual, serious or superficial, is looked at as a horrible burden.  Why is it that so few people see the value of "offering it up" or "suffering in silence"?  So much good can come out of suffering and sacrifice.

I think that as Catholics and Christians, we sometimes get tired of hearing about sacrifices.  But there are toms of unconventional ways to sacrifice, little and big.  Say you wanted to go to a concert, but you found out that the tickets were sold out.  Sacrifice!!  Tell yourself "Shoot" and "I offer this disappointment for the souls in purgatory", and move on with your day.  You don't get a raise.  You fail a test.  You lose your favorite earrings.  Instead of making a huge deal about it, stomping around for hours (or days!), complaining to every person you see, say a little prayer and just move on!

But what if something doesn't go wrong?  What if everything is just peachy and you're like "I have nothing to sacrifice!"  Heck yes you do!  Don't eat that cookie.  Sleep without your pillow.  Take a cold (or cool) shower.  Drink water instead of soda.  See, it's simple.  And then there are big things.  Go on a missionary trip to Africa.  Donate more than your normal tithe to a charitable organization.  Go out of your way to go to Mass everyday (even if it means getting up early!)

Now, I'm by no means suggesting that everyone is called to do all this.  Some people are called to do more than others.  What do you think you think you can do?  Is there one more sacrifice you can offer during these last couple weeks of Lent?

Sunday, March 18, 2012

back to the grindstone

People, this is bad.  It's been 17 days since I last posted.  I apologize profusely!!


This past week, I was on Spring Break, and I was blessed to have a good friend from school come home with me.  We had a lovely time and did a lot!  We went to a thrift store, ran around DC for 6 hours, drove out to see her friend's play, went to my parish's St. Patrick's Day dinner, watched Once Upon a Time... and a whole lot more!
The entire week we were home, the weather was simply lovely.  I love springtime!  Coming back to school, I was worried that I'd have to return to dreary, chilly, drizzly days, but fortunately (Thank You Jesus!) we're going to have bee-YOU-ti-ful weather this week, and I think it's gonna continue!

You also most likely noticed that the snowflakes are "gonzo" (as my grandpa would say) from my blog.  I'm re-doing the design once again, and this time, it'll stay until the end of the summer.  That way, I can concentrate on school work until May 10, then concentrate on family and packing until May 16, and concentrate on my aching feet *ahem* my journey across the USA until August 11.  It'll probably take me a week or two to get everything situated, but I promise I'll keep posting, even if life gets crazy.  Or, I guess I should say, when life gets crazy, because I know it will!

xoxo,

Thursday, March 1, 2012

If you stand for nothing....

....you'll fall for anything, or so the saying goes.

So, I'm going to concretely stand for something this summer.  Actually, to be more specific, I'm going to walk for something.

This summer, I am going to walk on Crossroads.

Some of you are probably wondering what this is, or what exactly it entails.  Well, let me tell you!
walking from Seattle --> DC
Daily mass
Weekly talks at parishes
Weekend prayers at local abortion clinics
12 weeks
3200 miles per group
1000 miles per person
1 RV
8-15 team members
2 tired feet
Thousands of lives touched

That's my summer!  It'll be quite the hiking trip.  :P  I'm taking part in the Northern route, but there also 3 other walks throughout the country.  It is such a blessing to be able to take part in this!
~~~~~~~~~~
I've been thinking a lot lately about journeys.  You know, we always say that life is a journey, but our relationship with God is a journey as well.  And part of the journey of life is living in the present moment.  As I was telling someone just today, if you were on a car trip, you'd want to look out the window at the passing scenery, and not just close your eyes and think about the destination.  Part of your trip is the traveling experience.  I think that's the way our spiritual journey is, as well.  In light of the physical and spiritual journeys that I will be taking this summer, and looking forward to other journeys that I may take in the future, I am going to be changing the name of my blog.  (The web address, however, will stay the same.)  But I don't know what it will be changing to, as yet. :)  I have to think it out, bounce ideas off people.... actually, if any of you have ideas, please comment below!  I'd love some thoughts!

Well, anyways, that's my exciting news.  Please pray for me as I begin my preparations (physical conditioning included!).  And if anyone has questions about Crossroads, or anything else, let me know- I'll answer them to the best of my ability.

xoxo,


ps- If you're interested, here is the Crossroads website: http://www.crossroadswalk.org/