Makes it worth it

As you probably know if you follow my blog, I will be walking on Crossroads this summer.  It's a 12 week, 4900 mile walk across the country to spread the pro-life message.  I am really excited to begin (3 weeks from today!), but as the day draws nearer and nearer, I'm realizing how big a sacrifice it will be to take this journey.  But it's not even what I will experience, it's what I won't experience that will make it oh-so-very-hard.

I am a college student; I only go home for 1 week at a time, except for Christmas.  This summer won't be an exception.  I will have exactly 7 days at home between the end of finals and the day I leave again.  1 week to see my parents, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, my friends who go to school in other states.  1 week to pack.  1 week to eat home-cooked meals.  1 week to prepare for what will most likely be the most life-changing time of my life.

I'm going to be gone for birthdays galore: my dad's, niece's, my own, my brother's, brother-in-law's, aunt's, sister-in-law's and 3 close friend's.  4th of July won't be spent at a cookout with family and fireworks at the military base with 6 other families.  I'll miss our kinda-annual Red Sox vs. Nationals game.  I'll miss my nephews' baseball and football games, my nieces' soccer games, and my other niece's dance shows.  I'll be gone for the Church picnic.  I won't get to spend random days with my nieces and nephews, or have coffee dates with my sister, or scrapbook nights with my sister-in-law.  My reading will consist of the Bible, liturgy of the hours, 3 books, and some pro-life pamphlets.  My bedroom will be shared with 5 other girls, and my bed will be a sleeping bag.  I'll accept donations for my meals.

By this time, I know precisely what you're thinking: "Why the heck is she doing this if she's gonna miss out on so many things that mean so much to her?"  Let me tell you.

I'm doing this because of the friendships I'll make.
I'm doing this because I'll see so much of the country.
I'm doing this to go outside my comfort zone.
I'm doing this to grow in my faith and trust.

But most importantly, I'm walking this summer for those who will never have the chance to walk.  I'll breathe the air of 14 states for those who won't breathe outside the womb.  I'll pray for those who have no one else to pray for them.


I am standing for those who are helpless.


And that makes everything else worth it.

xoxo,

A New Beginning

It's so wonderful to be here at last!!  Here's a short little synopsis of my first weekend here--

Thursday was a jam-packed day.  My parents and I woke up at 5 and hit the road by 6:45.  5 hours and a Starbucks stop later, we arrived in Steubenville!!  The following hours were spent moving in and trying to get my room into some semblance of order.  Friday there were a couple general meetings for everyone who was here, and then more unpacking.... unpacking and organization pretty much took up every spare moment that I had. :)  I also took my French placement exam on Friday morning, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I tested out of both French 101 and 102!!  So, now I'm able to go directly into 201 and replace my elementary French classes with Communications classes, which can count toward my minor, possibly giving me a triple major.  Confused yet?  Yeah, me too.  ;)  Friday I also dropped my 6th class, Geology, so that I now have a more manageable 15 credits.  I was waiting until I placed into French to decide about Geology.  There were more meetings on Saturday, and that evening was the semi-formal dance, which was (surprisingly) a LOT of fun!!  I met some new people and it was a really good time.

Sunday I went to Mass and brunch with Mom and Dad, and then they headed back home... I went to a presentation "The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged", which was quite funny, then an ice cream social, and then... wait for it ..... swing dancing!!  That was a lot of fun. :D  I'm so excited to learn some new swing dance moves

And then we come to today.  I was able to sleep in a little bit, which was quite nice after a late night last night.  After breakfast I had two academic orientation sessions- one in Theology and Catechetics.  Those were amazing..... I got to see Scott Hahn, Bob Rice, and Marcus Grodi all in one day!  (And yesterday, I saw Righteous B!)  I thought that was pretty exciting.  Fr. Terry celebrated the Convocation and Opening of the School Year Mass this afternoon, so now we've officially started school!!  The ministry fair was also this evening, and I signed up to receive information about a mission trip to North Dakota, the pro-life group, a group that goes to soup kitchens, the sacristans, and SENT- a group that puts together and presents retreats for 8th-12th graders.  Obviously, I won't be doing all of those, but this way I can find out a little more about each of them.  Funny, I opened my book The Way by St. Josemaria Escriva, and the first thing I read was concerning not doing too much, and being good at those few things that you are involved in.  God really has a funny sense of humor. :)

I honestly can't believe that college classes begin tomorrow.  I'm really looking forward to them!
xoxo,