"Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God... Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us... or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching... he who gives, let him do it with zeal... Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another; not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality." (Rom 12:2,6 - 13)
I spent a good chunk of time this week in prayer, which is always a good thing. But this week, I was very specific in my thoughts and intentions to the Lord. I wanted to know if the Father was sending me to China for a month this summer to teach. I asked Him for a word when I was at Eucharistic Adoration, and the above passage is what I received.
The short version? I'm going!!! The above passage seemed very directed towards the desires of my heart and where the Lord is calling me. I am beyond excited! I also found out yesterday that the final cost to us volunteers is going to be a grand total of $500 for about a month. This includes our transportation (flight and travel within China), accommodations, tour fees, and our meals. More details to come soon. I can NOT believe that I'm going to teach English in China for a month. The program we're working with is connected to Concordia Language Villages, so it's a pretty prestigious / well-established deal. That brings my travel tally to an all time high = FIVE other countries over the summer (plus, I was just in Mexico). The Lord is ever loving!
April 28, 2007
April 24, 2007
To China or not to China, that is the question...
Greetings from Morris! I'm back at it, full throttle for the next 2.5 weeks. Yesterday was the job fair. It went well, I got better at selling myself in 30 seconds, and I even had a couple of impromptu interviews. Come Lord! We drove back to Mo-town yesterday afternoon and stayed up until 3:30 am last night catching up with friends. The perfect way to spend an evening before our 8:00 am class this morning. :) Gotta' love it! Job hunt is still going strong, but there is something very pressing I would like some opinions on.
It's another discernment issue. My really good friend Sara (from UMM) just finished her student teaching at Burnsville High. Short version: one of the teachers she collaborated with has been working with schools in China to put on an English summer camp. It takes place in the month of July and they're in the process of selecting their summer staff. She's going. Bottom line? They've pretty much asked me if I would like to go to China for a month and teach English to students over there. In fact, it's a highly desired position (there are only 10 spots), and they've reserved a spot for me to go. The cost of the trip would be somewhere between $500 - $1000, including room, board, airfare, and some other expenses. We have to cover our visa, spending money, and very little else. A month... in China... for just that?!?!? It's a pretty sweet offer.
But, I'm already going abroad in May. Could I really go to China as well? Money is an issue: I would probably end up writing letters looking for people to sponsor me to teach. Time is also an issue: can I afford to be out of the country for another month of my job hunting time? Pretty much all of it is online, really. It's more a matter of interviewing in July. There's probably other factors as well, but my brain only got that far.
I need some advice. What do you think I should do? The Lord brought this to me... it is quite literally the opportunity of a lifetime. But, just because it's an option doesn't mean that I am supposed to do it. My heart is in it. I really think that I can raise the money and stay on top of the job hunt from abroad. I think that it would be extremely beneficial to travel to a non-Western European country and bring what I learn into my classroom. Plus, it's teaching... in my specialty area! So, please help me out and leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail. God bless and I'm very anxious to see what y'all think. I would like to make a decision by the end of the week. Come, Lord, make Your Will clearly known to me.
It's another discernment issue. My really good friend Sara (from UMM) just finished her student teaching at Burnsville High. Short version: one of the teachers she collaborated with has been working with schools in China to put on an English summer camp. It takes place in the month of July and they're in the process of selecting their summer staff. She's going. Bottom line? They've pretty much asked me if I would like to go to China for a month and teach English to students over there. In fact, it's a highly desired position (there are only 10 spots), and they've reserved a spot for me to go. The cost of the trip would be somewhere between $500 - $1000, including room, board, airfare, and some other expenses. We have to cover our visa, spending money, and very little else. A month... in China... for just that?!?!? It's a pretty sweet offer.
But, I'm already going abroad in May. Could I really go to China as well? Money is an issue: I would probably end up writing letters looking for people to sponsor me to teach. Time is also an issue: can I afford to be out of the country for another month of my job hunting time? Pretty much all of it is online, really. It's more a matter of interviewing in July. There's probably other factors as well, but my brain only got that far.
I need some advice. What do you think I should do? The Lord brought this to me... it is quite literally the opportunity of a lifetime. But, just because it's an option doesn't mean that I am supposed to do it. My heart is in it. I really think that I can raise the money and stay on top of the job hunt from abroad. I think that it would be extremely beneficial to travel to a non-Western European country and bring what I learn into my classroom. Plus, it's teaching... in my specialty area! So, please help me out and leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail. God bless and I'm very anxious to see what y'all think. I would like to make a decision by the end of the week. Come, Lord, make Your Will clearly known to me.
April 21, 2007
My Week
In my discernment process for what the Lord is calling me to next year, I have been considering many options. I feel that the Lord wants me to be teaching in a branch while living in household. One of the forerunners among those living situations is Dinkytown. So I have been checking out life there this past week. (Well, I'm still here.) :) It has been a great week! The head of the women's house that I am staying at has made me a schedule for each day... it's awesome.
Each member of the household spends an hour of their time each week doing missionary work (affectionately called "mishing") This involves walking up to people (strangers or not) and talking to them about the Lord, getting together with previous contacts, and other activities of this nature. So, I went with Jen and Cara to experience this first-hand for the first time on Thursday. Jen led the first charge and Cara the second. Unfortunately, neither one produced much of a connection. Then Jen turns to me and says, "Do you want to lead the next one?" (pause) "Umm... sure!" Our opening line which I really like was "Hi, (introductions). We are looking for women who are interested in building Christian community..." We ended up talking to two friends, Kristen and Veronica, who are both strong Christians. A few minutes into our conversation they said "Well, we're both graduating this spring." "Really? So am I! And you know the best thing about living our life in Christian community? We form friendships that last a lifetime. We've come from all over the country and committed to live our lives this way, together." Their comment could have been a conversation ender, but the Lord opened a door there. Jen was really direct and asked if they wanted to come over for dinner that night. They were busy, but then we invited them to Lord's Day... this is the best part. (Kristen:) "I think I could probably do that." (Veronica:) "Well, I think we should at least try it out." Praise God!!! We kept praying for them the rest of the week, and they both came to Lord's Day. Glory!!! We had some great conversations and I know they enjoyed themselves. The Lord really blessed all of us in that and it was a great first "mishing" experience. Hopefully they can come to a dinner here next week or something.
Our King's blessings are never ending. He gives us desires in our heart that we may not even be aware of! He showed me that twice this week... but those are stories for another time. You'll just have to ask me about it. :) After our Lord's Day meal tonight, we had a cd release party for J-T Kelly. It was great! The house was full of Division members, guests, and Action team members. I bet that there were at least 70 people there. What a joyous occasion! I've been thinking about Allendale a LOT this week and really miss it. The Lord has united my heart with that place and those people. Rejoicing in J-T's efforts was a great way to end the week... especially since he was my boss in Allendale. Ah, good times!
Other random highlights of the week: playing soccer on the mall, free Ben & Jerry's ice cream, running into a number of friends from UMM and Trinity, roof of the Physics building, having lots of time in prayer and reflection, doing chores, hearing talks from the PTI, reconnecting with friends from grade school, Morning Prayer at 6:30 am, beautiful weather, many long walks, job hunting, getting asked to schedule my first interview, the "happy meter log"... But by far the best part of this week was being able to spend real, quality time with these sisters and brothers. There were so many great talks about life. I was inclined to distinguish between "life in general" and "life in the People of Praise" but then I realized that for me, they are one and the same. That has become clear. Come, Father, move in power!
Each member of the household spends an hour of their time each week doing missionary work (affectionately called "mishing") This involves walking up to people (strangers or not) and talking to them about the Lord, getting together with previous contacts, and other activities of this nature. So, I went with Jen and Cara to experience this first-hand for the first time on Thursday. Jen led the first charge and Cara the second. Unfortunately, neither one produced much of a connection. Then Jen turns to me and says, "Do you want to lead the next one?" (pause) "Umm... sure!" Our opening line which I really like was "Hi, (introductions). We are looking for women who are interested in building Christian community..." We ended up talking to two friends, Kristen and Veronica, who are both strong Christians. A few minutes into our conversation they said "Well, we're both graduating this spring." "Really? So am I! And you know the best thing about living our life in Christian community? We form friendships that last a lifetime. We've come from all over the country and committed to live our lives this way, together." Their comment could have been a conversation ender, but the Lord opened a door there. Jen was really direct and asked if they wanted to come over for dinner that night. They were busy, but then we invited them to Lord's Day... this is the best part. (Kristen:) "I think I could probably do that." (Veronica:) "Well, I think we should at least try it out." Praise God!!! We kept praying for them the rest of the week, and they both came to Lord's Day. Glory!!! We had some great conversations and I know they enjoyed themselves. The Lord really blessed all of us in that and it was a great first "mishing" experience. Hopefully they can come to a dinner here next week or something.
Our King's blessings are never ending. He gives us desires in our heart that we may not even be aware of! He showed me that twice this week... but those are stories for another time. You'll just have to ask me about it. :) After our Lord's Day meal tonight, we had a cd release party for J-T Kelly. It was great! The house was full of Division members, guests, and Action team members. I bet that there were at least 70 people there. What a joyous occasion! I've been thinking about Allendale a LOT this week and really miss it. The Lord has united my heart with that place and those people. Rejoicing in J-T's efforts was a great way to end the week... especially since he was my boss in Allendale. Ah, good times!
Other random highlights of the week: playing soccer on the mall, free Ben & Jerry's ice cream, running into a number of friends from UMM and Trinity, roof of the Physics building, having lots of time in prayer and reflection, doing chores, hearing talks from the PTI, reconnecting with friends from grade school, Morning Prayer at 6:30 am, beautiful weather, many long walks, job hunting, getting asked to schedule my first interview, the "happy meter log"... But by far the best part of this week was being able to spend real, quality time with these sisters and brothers. There were so many great talks about life. I was inclined to distinguish between "life in general" and "life in the People of Praise" but then I realized that for me, they are one and the same. That has become clear. Come, Father, move in power!
April 19, 2007
Midway Point
For the past four years I have had bits and pieces of my life in a few different worlds. This is not to say that I have lived completely separate lives, but the distinctions are clear. Care to take a gander into the trichotomy?
Obviously one of these worlds is that in which I go to school and live in Morris. Morris is a small, rural town in Western Minnesota amidst fields of corn and soybeans. The major features of the skyline poking out of the prairie are the Morris water tower, the ethanol plant (don't you just love the smell of ethanol in the morning?), and our really cool wind turbine. This 230 foot tall "windmill" provides about 60% of the entire campus' power. Since that is all renewable energy, it also makes UMM one of the greenest campuses in the country. I love my Morris life, but it's very different. I keep more than busy by studying Elementary Education, singing in Concert Choir, being involved in the local Newman Center, and forming many excellent friendships. Living in such a liberal learning community, I have been pushed way out of my comfort zone and learned a lot about tolerance and communication while still remaining true to my own beliefs. I am not afraid to be direct with people and provide a place where truth can be discussed. It was an adjustment to living the small town lifestyle, but it's been fun. I will miss these people a lot. I has been wonderful, but that phase is very quickly coming to a close.
Another huge part of my life is that in the People of Praise. I have my Women's group which consists of seven college women on four different campuses. Cathy Nordman (a wonderful woman in People of Praise) makes this unity possible. Evidence of this is seen by looking at her odometer. All of us are a part of the Campus Area, a vibrant illustration of area life in the Servant Branch. We do shared life really well: Lord's Days, social nights, works of service for one another, celebrations, etc... In our area, some things are very evident: we love good food, good drinks, and good conversation with good company. There is a vibrancy to our life in Campus Area.
However, I have also had a window into the world of Campus Division in the People of Praise. I love this way of life as well. This week, I'm actually seeing what day to day looks like here in Dinkytown / U of M (Twin Cities) Division life. It's been great having Jen make me a schedule every day... I don't have to plan anything! The life here is really full and rich. Ever since living in Allendale (Summer 2005) I have had a very strong desire to put life in common. That is how they live here: space, food, rent, cars, money, state in life, etc... It's a great way to live life too.
So, now I have some decisions and sacrifices to make. I know where my heart and determination lie, but it has been recommended to me that I go through this discernment slowly and methodically. So, that is what I intend to do.
Obviously one of these worlds is that in which I go to school and live in Morris. Morris is a small, rural town in Western Minnesota amidst fields of corn and soybeans. The major features of the skyline poking out of the prairie are the Morris water tower, the ethanol plant (don't you just love the smell of ethanol in the morning?), and our really cool wind turbine. This 230 foot tall "windmill" provides about 60% of the entire campus' power. Since that is all renewable energy, it also makes UMM one of the greenest campuses in the country. I love my Morris life, but it's very different. I keep more than busy by studying Elementary Education, singing in Concert Choir, being involved in the local Newman Center, and forming many excellent friendships. Living in such a liberal learning community, I have been pushed way out of my comfort zone and learned a lot about tolerance and communication while still remaining true to my own beliefs. I am not afraid to be direct with people and provide a place where truth can be discussed. It was an adjustment to living the small town lifestyle, but it's been fun. I will miss these people a lot. I has been wonderful, but that phase is very quickly coming to a close.
Another huge part of my life is that in the People of Praise. I have my Women's group which consists of seven college women on four different campuses. Cathy Nordman (a wonderful woman in People of Praise) makes this unity possible. Evidence of this is seen by looking at her odometer. All of us are a part of the Campus Area, a vibrant illustration of area life in the Servant Branch. We do shared life really well: Lord's Days, social nights, works of service for one another, celebrations, etc... In our area, some things are very evident: we love good food, good drinks, and good conversation with good company. There is a vibrancy to our life in Campus Area.
However, I have also had a window into the world of Campus Division in the People of Praise. I love this way of life as well. This week, I'm actually seeing what day to day looks like here in Dinkytown / U of M (Twin Cities) Division life. It's been great having Jen make me a schedule every day... I don't have to plan anything! The life here is really full and rich. Ever since living in Allendale (Summer 2005) I have had a very strong desire to put life in common. That is how they live here: space, food, rent, cars, money, state in life, etc... It's a great way to live life too.
So, now I have some decisions and sacrifices to make. I know where my heart and determination lie, but it has been recommended to me that I go through this discernment slowly and methodically. So, that is what I intend to do.
April 17, 2007
Update on My Father's Job
So, my Dad finally hear about the Dean's position at MCTC today. Read on (to hear it from him) and then see a note from me at the bottom...
Dear family and friends,
Today I got a call from the Sr. VP of MCTC, I was informed that they selected one of the other finalists for the Dean of Workforce Development and she accepted the position. I sincerely appreciate everyone's prayers, support, and encouragement. I can truly say that I gave it my very best effort. The other finalists had current direct experience in continuing education and customized training. They said they would keep me in mind for other opportunities. I am glad that I was able to stay under the radar here in Nevada and still have my job ... we are making great progress (on most days) providing employment services to people with disabilities. Again thanks for your prayers and support ... God has a plan ... it is a long and winding road. I'm reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6 a favorite verse of mine at times like these:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."
God bless you all!
Mick
So, I would like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your support during this process. No, it's not easy to hear this news, but after not hearing anything last week, I was preparing myself for this. Keep him and my family in your prayers and may His Will be done! I don't have anything to add to what my Dad said. God bless!
Dear family and friends,
Today I got a call from the Sr. VP of MCTC, I was informed that they selected one of the other finalists for the Dean of Workforce Development and she accepted the position. I sincerely appreciate everyone's prayers, support, and encouragement. I can truly say that I gave it my very best effort. The other finalists had current direct experience in continuing education and customized training. They said they would keep me in mind for other opportunities. I am glad that I was able to stay under the radar here in Nevada and still have my job ... we are making great progress (on most days) providing employment services to people with disabilities. Again thanks for your prayers and support ... God has a plan ... it is a long and winding road. I'm reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6 a favorite verse of mine at times like these:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."
God bless you all!
Mick
So, I would like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your support during this process. No, it's not easy to hear this news, but after not hearing anything last week, I was preparing myself for this. Keep him and my family in your prayers and may His Will be done! I don't have anything to add to what my Dad said. God bless!
April 12, 2007
A Great Gift
Tonight I was incredibly blessed by the opportunity to get together with a former classmate. We have literally known each other our entire lives, but have not seen each other in nearly two and a half years. I hate it when I lose contact with people, but I'm having to accept that it's just a part of life sometimes. I have kind of realized that there seem to be two main natures that friendships can take in this context. One, is that once contact is lessened or lost, it is extremely difficult to regain. The other path is where you can pick up again, right where you are in life without missing a beat. This friendship renewed tonight is certainly the latter.
I was able to go over to her new apartment and we spent nearly five hours together, just talking (plus exploring a favorite old bookstore and some delicious ice cream). We covered a gamut of topics and opened doors to many more conversations to come. I am hoping that with my upcoming proximity to her, that this renewal is able to be strengthened even further. We have both gone through a lot in our lives and have many exciting experiences and learned life lessons to share with one another.
But the biggest blessing? It was very clearly when I came to the realization that God has her in the palm of His Hand, whether or not she knows it. In the past, this dear friend of mine battled with a depression worse than many cases I have ever seen and she also struggled with eating disorders. Now she is healthy and stated to me enthusiastically, "Karen, I have never been so happy in my entire life! I am just bursting with joy and loving life." Her joy is my joy... I was elated. Lord, I would ask that You continue to draw her close and protect her as she continues on the path that You have set for her. Show her that You are still her God and her best friend. Whether or not she realizes it, I know the deep-seated love that she has for You. Show me the way to go and the words to speak. Let me radiate Your Love. Amen.
"We live, we love. We forgive and never give up 'cause the days we are given are gifts from above, and today we remember to live and to love." (Superchic[k])
I was able to go over to her new apartment and we spent nearly five hours together, just talking (plus exploring a favorite old bookstore and some delicious ice cream). We covered a gamut of topics and opened doors to many more conversations to come. I am hoping that with my upcoming proximity to her, that this renewal is able to be strengthened even further. We have both gone through a lot in our lives and have many exciting experiences and learned life lessons to share with one another.
But the biggest blessing? It was very clearly when I came to the realization that God has her in the palm of His Hand, whether or not she knows it. In the past, this dear friend of mine battled with a depression worse than many cases I have ever seen and she also struggled with eating disorders. Now she is healthy and stated to me enthusiastically, "Karen, I have never been so happy in my entire life! I am just bursting with joy and loving life." Her joy is my joy... I was elated. Lord, I would ask that You continue to draw her close and protect her as she continues on the path that You have set for her. Show her that You are still her God and her best friend. Whether or not she realizes it, I know the deep-seated love that she has for You. Show me the way to go and the words to speak. Let me radiate Your Love. Amen.
"We live, we love. We forgive and never give up 'cause the days we are given are gifts from above, and today we remember to live and to love." (Superchic[k])
April 9, 2007
Article on Steve Froiland
Here's an article that Katherine Kersten wrote about Steve Froiland. It is a beautiful reflection on life and the way that Steve lived it.
Realization
Dear Lord, help me to spread thy fragrance everywhere I go.
Flood my soul with Thy Spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine.
Shine through me, and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see no longer me but only Thee, O Lord!
Stay with me, and then I shall begin to shine as Thou shinest, so to shine as to be a light to others.
The light, O Lord, will be all from Thee, none of it will be mine;
It will be Thou, shining on others through me.
Let me praise Thee in the way Thou dost love best, by shining on those around me.
Let me preach Thee without preaching, not by words but by my example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to thee.
Flood my soul with Thy Spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine.
Shine through me, and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see no longer me but only Thee, O Lord!
Stay with me, and then I shall begin to shine as Thou shinest, so to shine as to be a light to others.
The light, O Lord, will be all from Thee, none of it will be mine;
It will be Thou, shining on others through me.
Let me praise Thee in the way Thou dost love best, by shining on those around me.
Let me preach Thee without preaching, not by words but by my example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to thee.
~ Cardinal John Henry Newman
In addition to my job hunt which is well underway, I am also trying to use this month at home to start going through my room at my parents. I don't know for SURE what I am doing next year, but I do know that I most likely will not be living at my parents any more. I had this tacked up on my bulletin board with a couple of other prayers, and I had forgotten how much I loved this! It kind of echoes what I feel is the mindset I highlighted in my "Revolution of Love" post. I want to be open to whatever the Lord has in store for me and my future. He is my life-blood, my all. My existence means nothing without His, and I want to be the little tool, the little pencil that we uses in the world. I don't know whether or not He will use me for "big things" or "small things", but that's not the point. I want Him to use me for "His things", whatever that may be: His work in this world to further the existence of His Kingdom.
I am really excited for next year, and things are just starting to give me a glimpse of what life may be shaping up to be. This has been my time to really start in on my job hunt. I have 2 weeks left to really maximize on my free time before life speeds way up again. Next week I am going to Dinkytown to check out household life there, so I'm trying to make this week count for all that it's worth. I think I've got a list of about 32 openings for full-time teachers next year. I want to have my applications for all of them sent out by the end of the week, so I've got my work cut out for me! Plus, it's early for schools to be posting, so hopefully there's a lot more on the way. Keep me in your prayers!
Speaking of prayers for job hunts, here's a quick update on my Dad's situation. His round two, finalist interview was on Holy Thursday and it sounds like it went very well. We're hoping to hear within the next week or so. I appreciate all of the prayers more than you know, and I'll definitely keep y'all in the loop.
I am really excited for next year, and things are just starting to give me a glimpse of what life may be shaping up to be. This has been my time to really start in on my job hunt. I have 2 weeks left to really maximize on my free time before life speeds way up again. Next week I am going to Dinkytown to check out household life there, so I'm trying to make this week count for all that it's worth. I think I've got a list of about 32 openings for full-time teachers next year. I want to have my applications for all of them sent out by the end of the week, so I've got my work cut out for me! Plus, it's early for schools to be posting, so hopefully there's a lot more on the way. Keep me in your prayers!
Speaking of prayers for job hunts, here's a quick update on my Dad's situation. His round two, finalist interview was on Holy Thursday and it sounds like it went very well. We're hoping to hear within the next week or so. I appreciate all of the prayers more than you know, and I'll definitely keep y'all in the loop.
April 8, 2007
Feliz Pascua!!!
Happy Easter, everyone! I have always loved Holy Week and the Triduum, especially after experiencing it abroad two years ago. While studying abroad, I spent part of Holy Week (or Semana Santa) in Spain, and then went to Italy. That was probably one of the most ambitious adventures of my life thus far: I went to Italy for 10 days on my own and it was great! During my time there I was able to visit Lisa Rumpza and Katie Loesch. I always think about that time there at this point of the Liturgical Year. So, here's what I was reminiscing about this past week:
I spent 3 days in Roma, venturing around one of my favorite cities in the world. I met a couple of great friends from Austria from my hostal: Michael (Michi) Zwantschko and Christian Granig. It was awesome because the Lord provided two "body guards" for me as we rode the Metro, bus system, and explored this amazing community... one on either side of me! :) We explored Classical Rome the first day, and finished with a walk so that I could see the Vatican for the first time. We got there at about 10:20 pm, with the gates closing at 11:00. Because of this, there was only one other person there. No tourist traps, people hawking rosaries, or horse-drawn carriages. It was just the Vatican as is: lit up, beautiful, in it's simple glory, with the lighted window of Pope John Paul II above in his final days as pope. It was perfect, and as I walked on my own, circling in prayer, I couldn't help but shed a few tears of joy and amazement at the Lord's goodness. (See Feb 18 post for picture. This one is of me and my Austrian buds with our respective flags.)
The next day (Holy Thursday) was dedicated to the more religious sites: The Vatican, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's, and Holy Thursday mass with Lisa and other UST students. That mass was one of the most beautiful I have ever experienced: two hours, in Latin, with a freaking amazing choir! As is common for many Catholic parishes, there is often Eucharistic Adoration (when the Holy Eucharist is displayed for people to spend time praying in front of the presence of Jesus). Romans have a somewhat unique tradition where they go from church to church to church, visiting the Sacrament in all of these different places. So, we participated in this tradition and it was a great way to see a bunch of different churches! (This is the famous spiral staircase outside of the Sistine Chapel.)
I took the train up to Florence (Firenze) on Good Friday and was able to spend the Triduum with Katie and her Pepperdine friends. I also did a day trip up to Cinque Terre on Saturday for some hiking in the mountains along the Mediterranean (with a stop in Pisa en route). It doesn't get much better than that! To top it all off, we were able to go to Easter Sunday mass at the Duomo: the huge, gorgeous, very famous cathedral in Florence. The Florentines celebrate Easter like no other. .. ask me about that one! (Easter Morning in Duomo Piazza.)
I then continued this adventure / pilgrimage and headed to Siena, the hometown of one of my patron saints: St. Catherine of Siena. It was such a beautiful city with its central piazza of the "Il Campo". It is one of the best spots I have ever known for people watching, one of my favorite past-times. I spent a couple of hours there in the afternoon and then went back at night to enjoy a glass of wine while seated in a balcony overlooking the piazza. I met a middle-aged British photographer who was quite fun to talk to. Lovely!
Then onto Assisi, the city of peace. This is also the hometown of two of my other favorite saints: St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare. I was able to visit a bunch of churches and just walk around. While abroad I developed a great love for olive trees... I know, it's weird, but they're stunningly beautiful! I was blessed by having my hostal located in the middle of an olive grove below the main city. I think one of my favorite moments was walking through the tradition-ridden streets and suddenly hearing music. I followed the sound into an unmarked church and proceeded to kneel and listen for a while. I then discovered that it was the local priest practicing his organ skills. Gotta' love it! I love Assisi... it served as the perfect retreat. I ate dinner at the hostal with a family from Turino and a seminarian from L.A. We ended up meeting a local priest that night who gave us a more in-depth tour of parts of the Cathedral of St. Francis.
Finally back to Roma for one more day of sight-seeing with Lisa and staying up most of the night before catching a 4:00am cab to the airport. Thus began my 17 hour day of travel back to Toledo that will live in infamy: a taxi to Ciampino airport in Rome's outskirts, fly to London (Stansted airport), go through customs, fly to Zaragoza (Spain), customs again, shuttle from airport to bus station, bus to Madrid, Metro to different bus station, bus to Toledo, walk to apartment with luggage, climb steps to 4th floor apartment, and collapse. Whew! For the record, JP2 died two days after my last day in Rome. I wasn't able to see him because of his frailty, but I was still there. What an amazing transition period to be in Europe! I'll never forget these ten days and the amazing ways the Lord showed his love and protection for me. Praise God!
One of my favorite parts about traveling, especially on my own, is being able to meet other travelers. This was a perfect example of that. Maybe I'll even see some of these international friends again... who knows. I think that this can be a real advantage to being in many situations where you put yourself out there to talk to new people with maybe only one other person that you know. Maybe I should try to keep this mindset in the forefront when talking to people about the Lord in our mission work. :)
(This semester is the only thing I have ever scrapbooked and that book is a sight to behold if I do say so myself. I always love sharing stories and pictures from my adventures.)
I spent 3 days in Roma, venturing around one of my favorite cities in the world. I met a couple of great friends from Austria from my hostal: Michael (Michi) Zwantschko and Christian Granig. It was awesome because the Lord provided two "body guards" for me as we rode the Metro, bus system, and explored this amazing community... one on either side of me! :) We explored Classical Rome the first day, and finished with a walk so that I could see the Vatican for the first time. We got there at about 10:20 pm, with the gates closing at 11:00. Because of this, there was only one other person there. No tourist traps, people hawking rosaries, or horse-drawn carriages. It was just the Vatican as is: lit up, beautiful, in it's simple glory, with the lighted window of Pope John Paul II above in his final days as pope. It was perfect, and as I walked on my own, circling in prayer, I couldn't help but shed a few tears of joy and amazement at the Lord's goodness. (See Feb 18 post for picture. This one is of me and my Austrian buds with our respective flags.)
The next day (Holy Thursday) was dedicated to the more religious sites: The Vatican, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's, and Holy Thursday mass with Lisa and other UST students. That mass was one of the most beautiful I have ever experienced: two hours, in Latin, with a freaking amazing choir! As is common for many Catholic parishes, there is often Eucharistic Adoration (when the Holy Eucharist is displayed for people to spend time praying in front of the presence of Jesus). Romans have a somewhat unique tradition where they go from church to church to church, visiting the Sacrament in all of these different places. So, we participated in this tradition and it was a great way to see a bunch of different churches! (This is the famous spiral staircase outside of the Sistine Chapel.)
I took the train up to Florence (Firenze) on Good Friday and was able to spend the Triduum with Katie and her Pepperdine friends. I also did a day trip up to Cinque Terre on Saturday for some hiking in the mountains along the Mediterranean (with a stop in Pisa en route). It doesn't get much better than that! To top it all off, we were able to go to Easter Sunday mass at the Duomo: the huge, gorgeous, very famous cathedral in Florence. The Florentines celebrate Easter like no other. .. ask me about that one! (Easter Morning in Duomo Piazza.)
I then continued this adventure / pilgrimage and headed to Siena, the hometown of one of my patron saints: St. Catherine of Siena. It was such a beautiful city with its central piazza of the "Il Campo". It is one of the best spots I have ever known for people watching, one of my favorite past-times. I spent a couple of hours there in the afternoon and then went back at night to enjoy a glass of wine while seated in a balcony overlooking the piazza. I met a middle-aged British photographer who was quite fun to talk to. Lovely!
Then onto Assisi, the city of peace. This is also the hometown of two of my other favorite saints: St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare. I was able to visit a bunch of churches and just walk around. While abroad I developed a great love for olive trees... I know, it's weird, but they're stunningly beautiful! I was blessed by having my hostal located in the middle of an olive grove below the main city. I think one of my favorite moments was walking through the tradition-ridden streets and suddenly hearing music. I followed the sound into an unmarked church and proceeded to kneel and listen for a while. I then discovered that it was the local priest practicing his organ skills. Gotta' love it! I love Assisi... it served as the perfect retreat. I ate dinner at the hostal with a family from Turino and a seminarian from L.A. We ended up meeting a local priest that night who gave us a more in-depth tour of parts of the Cathedral of St. Francis.
Finally back to Roma for one more day of sight-seeing with Lisa and staying up most of the night before catching a 4:00am cab to the airport. Thus began my 17 hour day of travel back to Toledo that will live in infamy: a taxi to Ciampino airport in Rome's outskirts, fly to London (Stansted airport), go through customs, fly to Zaragoza (Spain), customs again, shuttle from airport to bus station, bus to Madrid, Metro to different bus station, bus to Toledo, walk to apartment with luggage, climb steps to 4th floor apartment, and collapse. Whew! For the record, JP2 died two days after my last day in Rome. I wasn't able to see him because of his frailty, but I was still there. What an amazing transition period to be in Europe! I'll never forget these ten days and the amazing ways the Lord showed his love and protection for me. Praise God!
One of my favorite parts about traveling, especially on my own, is being able to meet other travelers. This was a perfect example of that. Maybe I'll even see some of these international friends again... who knows. I think that this can be a real advantage to being in many situations where you put yourself out there to talk to new people with maybe only one other person that you know. Maybe I should try to keep this mindset in the forefront when talking to people about the Lord in our mission work. :)
(This semester is the only thing I have ever scrapbooked and that book is a sight to behold if I do say so myself. I always love sharing stories and pictures from my adventures.)
April 7, 2007
A Revolution of Love
Not surprisingly, I have been thinking a lot about missionary work over the past few months. I decided a couple of weeks ago to go to the library and check out a bunch of books on my "to read or buy list". Sadly, they did not have Chasing the Dragon which probably tops that list. Oh well. I realized that I am guilty of severely underusing our public library system usually when I am at my parents'. Anyways, I ended up checking out a bunch of book on Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa.
I took the time yesterday to read A Revolution of Love: The Meaning of Mother Teresa in its entirety. And, as it was Good Friday, it was a great way to use my time. It was an easy, quick read and it gave me some new perspective on things. I think that one thing I easily overlook in my daily life is how each of us are called to minister to the poor. Obviously this includes those with a lower socio-economic status, but being poor can mean a lot of different things: the depressed, the lonely, the hungry, the social outcast, the alcoholic, the drug addict, the victimized, the abused, the person lacking support, and many other people. It doesn't have to be something big or elaborate. It doesn't have to be something organized through a committee. We are called to be missionaries to the poor every day. It can be as simple as giving someone a smile. "Smile five times a day at someone you don’t really want to smile at... We can never know how much good a simple smile can do."
We are called to "do something beautiful for God" in every moment... every moment lived in and through love. Without love, life proves to be useless. We are lucky enough to experience this love constantly throughout our lives. It is our duty to share this love with every soul that we meet. I have always known this, but sometimes it doesn't always sit in the forefront of my mind. Especially in relation to the poor. We need to remember this... it's our mission! Live life through the little things, in humility, with respect for all. I love what Mother Teresa says about this: "No one thinks of the pen while reading a letter, they only want to know the mind of the person who wrote the letter. That’s exactly what I am in God’s hand – a little pencil." Addonai, use me as your tool, your instrument in this world. Put me where you want me, doing what you have called me to, working with those I am destined to share my life with.
I took the time yesterday to read A Revolution of Love: The Meaning of Mother Teresa in its entirety. And, as it was Good Friday, it was a great way to use my time. It was an easy, quick read and it gave me some new perspective on things. I think that one thing I easily overlook in my daily life is how each of us are called to minister to the poor. Obviously this includes those with a lower socio-economic status, but being poor can mean a lot of different things: the depressed, the lonely, the hungry, the social outcast, the alcoholic, the drug addict, the victimized, the abused, the person lacking support, and many other people. It doesn't have to be something big or elaborate. It doesn't have to be something organized through a committee. We are called to be missionaries to the poor every day. It can be as simple as giving someone a smile. "Smile five times a day at someone you don’t really want to smile at... We can never know how much good a simple smile can do."
We are called to "do something beautiful for God" in every moment... every moment lived in and through love. Without love, life proves to be useless. We are lucky enough to experience this love constantly throughout our lives. It is our duty to share this love with every soul that we meet. I have always known this, but sometimes it doesn't always sit in the forefront of my mind. Especially in relation to the poor. We need to remember this... it's our mission! Live life through the little things, in humility, with respect for all. I love what Mother Teresa says about this: "No one thinks of the pen while reading a letter, they only want to know the mind of the person who wrote the letter. That’s exactly what I am in God’s hand – a little pencil." Addonai, use me as your tool, your instrument in this world. Put me where you want me, doing what you have called me to, working with those I am destined to share my life with.
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