I am once again in the waiting area of my Honda dealer, getting an oil change. I really do love that I am able to take care of so many different things while they work on my car.
I've been thinking about something I read recently. The statement was "Life is Fair." Would you agree or disagree with this?
Personally, I would agree. I do believe that life is fair. Some of us succeed in areas that others may not, and vice versa. Some of us are able to obtain or achieve certain things,and others will obtain different things that we will never attain. One thing that I have said pretty often, which can be grouped in with the Life is Fair concept is, "There are all different kinds of lives." Another one of my favorite things to say to people is, "I have never wanted anyone else's life because the only thing I know for sure is what I have. I have no idea what other people are actually dealing with behind their own closed doors." And that's despite what show they may be putting on for the world.
Now, I know that some people would immediately go to examples of homeless people or the chronically ill and challenge me. They might feel that life is, in fact, not fair.
Your thoughts? My opinion is only one of many, I am certain.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Random Odds and Ends, part 9
I am in the mood for some out of town guests. I know that may sound weird, but when I was celebrating Mother’s Day with my mom yesterday she was telling me that her neighbors across the street were entertaining a couple who was visiting from out of town. Also, my friend Cathi is visiting some friends of hers right now for a few days in New York.
The thought of it just appeals to me right now. I guess I feel like I have been the out of town guest enough times and I would like to have out of town guests come see me for a few days. LC and Darryl coming down for one night from Connecticut do not count. I’m talking about me taking a couple of days off from work and showing someone the sights of Philadelphia and New Jersey. I have no idea who these out of town guests will be, but we’ll see who comes my way.
E told me that on Mother’s Day his father does not go out with them to celebrate--that the day is a day for him and his brother to focus on their mom. Then the same thing happens on Father’s Day—no mom allowed. In my family, the three of us go out on both days to celebrate. I guess it’s just a matter of what you’re used to, but heck, if it wasn’t for my dad my mom wouldn’t be a mother! He deserves to be there too!
Oh, I have all of the sudden started doing Tae Bo. How far behind the times am I, like, 10 years? Frankly, I don’t care how outdated it may be, it kicks my butt and that is exactly what I need right now.
As much as I hate the heat, I do like this time of year in a way—everybody starts to get a little color, everyone starts to wear cute shoes, and it’s good to see people out and about.
Jarred called on Saturday—his first week at work went well, he is excited for the challenge. Things are really no different for us with him moving an hour and fifteen minutes away, that’s for sure—he called me from a Target up where he is now wanting me to weigh in on what kind of hand lotion, tissues, water filters, etc, he should buy!
I made plans to meet up with a girlfriend of mine from college in June—I haven’t seen Judy in MANY years, so we are meeting in New Brunswick (the very scene of the crime, so to speak) for lunch.
I was invited to the ordination of a man I know (he went to Rutgers too, although I didn’t know him until after graduation, but do remember him from Rutgers) who is becoming a transitional deacon (one of the steps on the way to becoming a priest). The ordination is no more than 10 minutes from my house, so it would be a real shame not to go—I consider it a blessing to be able to be there to support him on such a day! (Remember—greater care of one another!) Please keep Pat in your prayers.
Hope you are all well. I am, glory to God.
The thought of it just appeals to me right now. I guess I feel like I have been the out of town guest enough times and I would like to have out of town guests come see me for a few days. LC and Darryl coming down for one night from Connecticut do not count. I’m talking about me taking a couple of days off from work and showing someone the sights of Philadelphia and New Jersey. I have no idea who these out of town guests will be, but we’ll see who comes my way.
E told me that on Mother’s Day his father does not go out with them to celebrate--that the day is a day for him and his brother to focus on their mom. Then the same thing happens on Father’s Day—no mom allowed. In my family, the three of us go out on both days to celebrate. I guess it’s just a matter of what you’re used to, but heck, if it wasn’t for my dad my mom wouldn’t be a mother! He deserves to be there too!
Oh, I have all of the sudden started doing Tae Bo. How far behind the times am I, like, 10 years? Frankly, I don’t care how outdated it may be, it kicks my butt and that is exactly what I need right now.
As much as I hate the heat, I do like this time of year in a way—everybody starts to get a little color, everyone starts to wear cute shoes, and it’s good to see people out and about.
Jarred called on Saturday—his first week at work went well, he is excited for the challenge. Things are really no different for us with him moving an hour and fifteen minutes away, that’s for sure—he called me from a Target up where he is now wanting me to weigh in on what kind of hand lotion, tissues, water filters, etc, he should buy!
I made plans to meet up with a girlfriend of mine from college in June—I haven’t seen Judy in MANY years, so we are meeting in New Brunswick (the very scene of the crime, so to speak) for lunch.
I was invited to the ordination of a man I know (he went to Rutgers too, although I didn’t know him until after graduation, but do remember him from Rutgers) who is becoming a transitional deacon (one of the steps on the way to becoming a priest). The ordination is no more than 10 minutes from my house, so it would be a real shame not to go—I consider it a blessing to be able to be there to support him on such a day! (Remember—greater care of one another!) Please keep Pat in your prayers.
Hope you are all well. I am, glory to God.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Where God wants us (or doesn't!)
I feel very strongly that sometimes God does not want us somewhere and He will do whatever it takes to keep us from getting from Point A to Point B.
Now, I also know that He gives us free will to make decisions and He will allow us to sometimes make the wrong decisions to somehow bring about a greater good at a later time. Any of us can look at our own lives and see examples of situations where we have made decisions, taken actions, or said things that were wrong for us or bad, but as smoke clears and time passes we see how we may have been able to grow or change from the “wrong” decision.
But other times, God will do whatever He needs to do to keep you from a situation He doesn’t want you in. A case in point for me was last night, I think. A friend of mine had invited me to an event up in the Howell/Lakewood area. It’s about 45-50 minutes from where I live on a good day. I wanted to show support for this event and I hadn’t seen this friend or many of the others who may have been there in a long time.
It’s important to note I have been to Howell/Lakewood dozens if not hundreds of times in my life for various events. I have driven past the location where this event was going to be held and thought I knew the stretch of Route 9 where the place was located.
Can I tell you I drove up and down a many-mile-long stretch of Route 9 three times looking for the place and never found it? I text-messaged the event organizer to try to get a landmark, but the event already started, so heard nothing in reply.
Then I thought that maybe I simply wasn’t supposed to be there that day. It was now dark, the event had been going on for 45 minutes, and would it even have been worth it to find the place at that point? I just felt like I was being led away from the place and back toward home. Then I saw a sign for Route 70, which I can take right back to near my neck of the woods. That’s exactly what I did. Driving home I thought about it. Maybe there would have been someone there I didn’t want to see. Maybe I would have felt out of place or uncomfortable.
Who knows? God knows. I wasn’t mad driving home. I wasn’t annoyed that I “wasted” gas and had spent over 2.5 hours in my car for “nothing.” I just trusted God enough to lead me home.
Now, I also know that He gives us free will to make decisions and He will allow us to sometimes make the wrong decisions to somehow bring about a greater good at a later time. Any of us can look at our own lives and see examples of situations where we have made decisions, taken actions, or said things that were wrong for us or bad, but as smoke clears and time passes we see how we may have been able to grow or change from the “wrong” decision.
But other times, God will do whatever He needs to do to keep you from a situation He doesn’t want you in. A case in point for me was last night, I think. A friend of mine had invited me to an event up in the Howell/Lakewood area. It’s about 45-50 minutes from where I live on a good day. I wanted to show support for this event and I hadn’t seen this friend or many of the others who may have been there in a long time.
It’s important to note I have been to Howell/Lakewood dozens if not hundreds of times in my life for various events. I have driven past the location where this event was going to be held and thought I knew the stretch of Route 9 where the place was located.
Can I tell you I drove up and down a many-mile-long stretch of Route 9 three times looking for the place and never found it? I text-messaged the event organizer to try to get a landmark, but the event already started, so heard nothing in reply.
Then I thought that maybe I simply wasn’t supposed to be there that day. It was now dark, the event had been going on for 45 minutes, and would it even have been worth it to find the place at that point? I just felt like I was being led away from the place and back toward home. Then I saw a sign for Route 70, which I can take right back to near my neck of the woods. That’s exactly what I did. Driving home I thought about it. Maybe there would have been someone there I didn’t want to see. Maybe I would have felt out of place or uncomfortable.
Who knows? God knows. I wasn’t mad driving home. I wasn’t annoyed that I “wasted” gas and had spent over 2.5 hours in my car for “nothing.” I just trusted God enough to lead me home.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
What if YOU moved and nobody cared?
So, as you all know from the previous post, Jarred is moving away, possibly forever, in a few short days. I am surprised by the way some of the people we mutually know are handling his relocation, namely, they aren’t acknowledging the fact that he’s leaving.
Now, I’m a reasonable person and I can understand this to a degree, Jarred hasn’t been “around” much in the past few years, and some people may feel slighted that he sent out a mass e-mail to a large group of people announcing the relocation because he didn’t get the chance to call everyone personally in such a short period of time, but is that a reason to not make sure you send someone off with the appropriate well wishes? (Remember, although I found out about this a couple weeks ago, I was told via a text message, not exactly the most personal method of communication, but I indeed survived.)
The whole thing makes me think.
What if we all walked around and treated people only the way they treated us? What a sad world we would live in if no one was willing to ever be the bigger person or rise above or make an extra effort. What if all anyone did was punish each other—I won’t call you because you didn’t call me—I won’t help you because you didn’t help me, and so on.
Or wait, do we not need to think about this too much because this is already exactly the very world we live in?
Come on, be the bigger person. Pick up the phone.
Now, I’m a reasonable person and I can understand this to a degree, Jarred hasn’t been “around” much in the past few years, and some people may feel slighted that he sent out a mass e-mail to a large group of people announcing the relocation because he didn’t get the chance to call everyone personally in such a short period of time, but is that a reason to not make sure you send someone off with the appropriate well wishes? (Remember, although I found out about this a couple weeks ago, I was told via a text message, not exactly the most personal method of communication, but I indeed survived.)
The whole thing makes me think.
What if we all walked around and treated people only the way they treated us? What a sad world we would live in if no one was willing to ever be the bigger person or rise above or make an extra effort. What if all anyone did was punish each other—I won’t call you because you didn’t call me—I won’t help you because you didn’t help me, and so on.
Or wait, do we not need to think about this too much because this is already exactly the very world we live in?
Come on, be the bigger person. Pick up the phone.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Moving on up...
I have a friend named Jarred who I have known since we met at the bus stop on the first day of kindergarten. We grew up on the same long street in our town and his mom used to send him to walk up the street and knock on my door and pick me up and then walk me back to the bus stop (the bus stop was in between our 2 houses).
I was always a sucker for a gentleman, even at age 5. We’ve remained friends to this very day, experiencing varying levels of closeness over the years, but I think that whenever it’s possible to do so, we always come back to the people who really count and those who are comfortable and close.
Jarred has experienced a lot of restlessness over the years. I can’t say that I’ve ever really understood it because I am much more of a “bloom where planted” type and he is much more of a “looking for the next big thing” type. Jarred has had many jobs over the years, none of them ever in corporate America—until now.
He announced to me last week, via a text message no less, that he has accepted an advertising job in South Orange, NJ. It gave him 3 weeks to find an apartment for himself and his 2 dogs, relocate his entire life, and put his townhouse on the market (for those of you keeping track, this is indeed the very same townhouse that was featured on the short-lived television series “Design Invasion,” where Jarred’s dad and I were the accomplices in “surprising” Jarred and redecorating his home in one day. I have the tape of the episode in our “life archives” if anyone still never saw the show the 20 times it aired on Fox).
We spoke at length this weekend and he has found an apartment in Montclair. He had a garage sale on Saturday! He starts moving this coming weekend. His house is on the market as of a few days ago. Everything is happening and happening fast. He is excited but also nervous, of course. He asked me to come visit. Of course I will—I have a feeling I might actually see him more often now that he is moving farther away.
I give him a lot of credit for making such a significant change in his life—new job and moving, that’s two huge life stressors at once! It’s funny for me, because of all my friends I thought I would be the one to move away—I never thought that I would wind up living in South Jersey on a permanent basis after college. Please, and not only do I still live in South Jersey, I live in the same town that I grew up. Out of everyone, I wound up being the townie! Well, for now at least. Who knows where life may take me, right?
Jarred always was a risk taker to some degree. In some areas he succeeded and in some he didn’t, but he always steps up and tries, and I admire that in him. I need to take a cue from him. Everyone please keep Jarred in your prayers as he prepares for this big life change—that God guide him in his endeavors and keep him safe.
One random thought as I close: Trish shared this tidbit of info with me today via e-mail. At three minutes and four seconds after 2 AM on the 6th of May this year, the time and date will be 02:03:04 05/06/07. This will never happen again..
I was always a sucker for a gentleman, even at age 5. We’ve remained friends to this very day, experiencing varying levels of closeness over the years, but I think that whenever it’s possible to do so, we always come back to the people who really count and those who are comfortable and close.
Jarred has experienced a lot of restlessness over the years. I can’t say that I’ve ever really understood it because I am much more of a “bloom where planted” type and he is much more of a “looking for the next big thing” type. Jarred has had many jobs over the years, none of them ever in corporate America—until now.
He announced to me last week, via a text message no less, that he has accepted an advertising job in South Orange, NJ. It gave him 3 weeks to find an apartment for himself and his 2 dogs, relocate his entire life, and put his townhouse on the market (for those of you keeping track, this is indeed the very same townhouse that was featured on the short-lived television series “Design Invasion,” where Jarred’s dad and I were the accomplices in “surprising” Jarred and redecorating his home in one day. I have the tape of the episode in our “life archives” if anyone still never saw the show the 20 times it aired on Fox).
We spoke at length this weekend and he has found an apartment in Montclair. He had a garage sale on Saturday! He starts moving this coming weekend. His house is on the market as of a few days ago. Everything is happening and happening fast. He is excited but also nervous, of course. He asked me to come visit. Of course I will—I have a feeling I might actually see him more often now that he is moving farther away.
I give him a lot of credit for making such a significant change in his life—new job and moving, that’s two huge life stressors at once! It’s funny for me, because of all my friends I thought I would be the one to move away—I never thought that I would wind up living in South Jersey on a permanent basis after college. Please, and not only do I still live in South Jersey, I live in the same town that I grew up. Out of everyone, I wound up being the townie! Well, for now at least. Who knows where life may take me, right?
Jarred always was a risk taker to some degree. In some areas he succeeded and in some he didn’t, but he always steps up and tries, and I admire that in him. I need to take a cue from him. Everyone please keep Jarred in your prayers as he prepares for this big life change—that God guide him in his endeavors and keep him safe.
One random thought as I close: Trish shared this tidbit of info with me today via e-mail. At three minutes and four seconds after 2 AM on the 6th of May this year, the time and date will be 02:03:04 05/06/07. This will never happen again..
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Tragedy in Virginia...
It just doesn’t get much sadder to me than the times when we are able to visibly see how much pain people are in in this world.
How much must a person be screaming inside to resort to killing other people--many, if not all of them, randomly. Think about this. Think about what point your life would have to reach for you to resort to such actions. Could you never see yourself resorting to such actions? If not, then think about what makes you different than this young man in Virginia.
I’ll tell you one thing. Our world is hurting and our world is wounded because a lot of people are broken—mentally broken, physically broken, emotionally broken, and so on. People are literally crying out to be noticed, helped, healed, and a lot of people just don’t want to be bothered to minister to one another because everyone is so busy with their own “stuff.”
Our society has devolved so significantly in the past 50 years or so that no one has support systems anymore. No one stands up for the things that matter like moral values, family focus, a “village” mentality (where all of the adults in a neighborhood act as “parents” to all of the children, and all the children listen to and respect all adults), none of it. Everyone is so busy minding their own business and allowing everyone their freedom of this and that that no one is willing to stand up for anything anymore and people like this obviously hurting, obviously broken, and obviously sick man in Virginia are left to fight a losing battle with their demons.
Why do we no longer demand better for ourselves and one another?
Only a merciful God can help this college and town heal after such a terrible event. Only a merciful God can help deliver us from evil, especially the evil we as a society create and watch and allow to perpetuate. God help us.
How much must a person be screaming inside to resort to killing other people--many, if not all of them, randomly. Think about this. Think about what point your life would have to reach for you to resort to such actions. Could you never see yourself resorting to such actions? If not, then think about what makes you different than this young man in Virginia.
I’ll tell you one thing. Our world is hurting and our world is wounded because a lot of people are broken—mentally broken, physically broken, emotionally broken, and so on. People are literally crying out to be noticed, helped, healed, and a lot of people just don’t want to be bothered to minister to one another because everyone is so busy with their own “stuff.”
Our society has devolved so significantly in the past 50 years or so that no one has support systems anymore. No one stands up for the things that matter like moral values, family focus, a “village” mentality (where all of the adults in a neighborhood act as “parents” to all of the children, and all the children listen to and respect all adults), none of it. Everyone is so busy minding their own business and allowing everyone their freedom of this and that that no one is willing to stand up for anything anymore and people like this obviously hurting, obviously broken, and obviously sick man in Virginia are left to fight a losing battle with their demons.
Why do we no longer demand better for ourselves and one another?
Only a merciful God can help this college and town heal after such a terrible event. Only a merciful God can help deliver us from evil, especially the evil we as a society create and watch and allow to perpetuate. God help us.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Asking for forgiveness when it's due...
Last week I went to confession and the day after I had gone, I knew there was something else that I needed to do while we still had a couple of days of Lent left. I took the opportunity to ask for forgiveness from an old friend of mine who I no longer speak to. It's really not easy for me to admit when I am wrong (it's definitely one of my biggest character flaws, especially since I am always so sure I am right!).
In this case, it wasn't wrong that we parted ways, but the way I went about it was all wrong. I didn't feel like I am necessarily supposed to go back to the way things were in the past with this person, but I did feel like I owed someone who I used to call my friend, and a close one at that, some sort of explanation of why I did what I did and extend an apology for any confusion and hurt feelings she may have felt at my hands. I also wanted her to know she was not singled out and that I actually stepped away from from quite a few people last year.
The e-mail that I sent her was, thankfully, well received and she is doing well and I feel good in knowing that my old friend and I are actually better people on the other side of this past year. Even though we are no longer fixtures in one another's lives, we still pray for one another and want each other to be blessed and happy. And, if and when our paths cross again we will be happy to see each other and not feel weird or nervous about how the other may feel or react.
Sometimes by admitting we have done something wrong we can actually make things very right. Kind of like the sacrament of Confession in a way, no?
In this case, it wasn't wrong that we parted ways, but the way I went about it was all wrong. I didn't feel like I am necessarily supposed to go back to the way things were in the past with this person, but I did feel like I owed someone who I used to call my friend, and a close one at that, some sort of explanation of why I did what I did and extend an apology for any confusion and hurt feelings she may have felt at my hands. I also wanted her to know she was not singled out and that I actually stepped away from from quite a few people last year.
The e-mail that I sent her was, thankfully, well received and she is doing well and I feel good in knowing that my old friend and I are actually better people on the other side of this past year. Even though we are no longer fixtures in one another's lives, we still pray for one another and want each other to be blessed and happy. And, if and when our paths cross again we will be happy to see each other and not feel weird or nervous about how the other may feel or react.
Sometimes by admitting we have done something wrong we can actually make things very right. Kind of like the sacrament of Confession in a way, no?
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Happy Easter
Today begins what the Church calls the Triduum (three days). This is my last day of work this week and I will be in church tonight, Friday afternoon, and for a few hours on Saturday night for the Easter Vigil Mass (Fr Pat goes all out for the Easter vigil and the mass is very long).
A lot of people don't go to the Easter Vigil mass because they can't bear being in church that long, which, if you think about it, is a crying shame considering the fact that we are celebrating the fact that Jesus suffered and died for our sins (and rose again!). The least we can do is sacrifice some time.
I am cooking Easter dinner this year (I am not quite sure how this happened, since we usually just go out, but I felt inspired). My parents, Cathi, and Terry will be coming.
I hope that all of you who will also be celebrating Easter will have a blessed holiday surrounded by the company of the people you love.
Christ is risen, He is tuly risen!
A lot of people don't go to the Easter Vigil mass because they can't bear being in church that long, which, if you think about it, is a crying shame considering the fact that we are celebrating the fact that Jesus suffered and died for our sins (and rose again!). The least we can do is sacrifice some time.
I am cooking Easter dinner this year (I am not quite sure how this happened, since we usually just go out, but I felt inspired). My parents, Cathi, and Terry will be coming.
I hope that all of you who will also be celebrating Easter will have a blessed holiday surrounded by the company of the people you love.
Christ is risen, He is tuly risen!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Another year of a rich life...
Another year of blessed life is on the verge of having passed and I am reflective.
I have joy in my life and I can see it and savor it. I am grateful for that. The joy is sometimes very small, but it is enough for me to recognize and glean happiness from. Thank you Lord for helping me appreciate the small joys.
E fights with me almost daily (because he wants me to be happy) that I am unwilling to do enough to make my life the way I want it. However, I find that he often wants me to do things the way he would do them, which in some situations is great and in others is totally impractical. We threaten to kill one another at least once a day. Of course we never would, but that doesn’t stop us from getting fired up.
The problem is that it is true that I often am a person who sits and waits for things to happen instead of taking any risks to make them happen. I would be interested in knowing how many of you see me that way because I don’t think that I actually give that off in my daily interactions with people, ie, people see me “doing” a lot and making things happen, but I guess I am able to hide it less from a person who spends the better part of 5 days a week with me, like E.
I think about what I will do when the time comes in the future when E will leave this job. I wonder if we will ever be able to be as close as we are now. It makes me sad to know that the answer to that is most likely no. I know we will be friends for the rest of our lives, but the dynamic will very different. It’s just weird to think about because we have only known each other in these circumstances.
Mom and I are having a very special girls’ day when I take the day off on Friday—our main stop is going to be to go to QVC for the studio tour and to shop in their studio store. I am looking forward to the day off. I have off again next Friday for Good Friday. I am looking forward to a meaningful Holy Week beginning this Sunday.
I am blessed to be on the verge of turning a year older with two healthy parents who I love more with each passing week, my own health, a stable job that I still enjoy going to after all these years, friends who enrich my life and make it (and me) better, and a God who knows me better than anyone else and loves me more than I could ever begin to fathom.
That is a blessed life if I have ever seen one. Thank you Jesus for another year to serve you and continue to give you all the glory. Praised be your name.
I have joy in my life and I can see it and savor it. I am grateful for that. The joy is sometimes very small, but it is enough for me to recognize and glean happiness from. Thank you Lord for helping me appreciate the small joys.
E fights with me almost daily (because he wants me to be happy) that I am unwilling to do enough to make my life the way I want it. However, I find that he often wants me to do things the way he would do them, which in some situations is great and in others is totally impractical. We threaten to kill one another at least once a day. Of course we never would, but that doesn’t stop us from getting fired up.
The problem is that it is true that I often am a person who sits and waits for things to happen instead of taking any risks to make them happen. I would be interested in knowing how many of you see me that way because I don’t think that I actually give that off in my daily interactions with people, ie, people see me “doing” a lot and making things happen, but I guess I am able to hide it less from a person who spends the better part of 5 days a week with me, like E.
I think about what I will do when the time comes in the future when E will leave this job. I wonder if we will ever be able to be as close as we are now. It makes me sad to know that the answer to that is most likely no. I know we will be friends for the rest of our lives, but the dynamic will very different. It’s just weird to think about because we have only known each other in these circumstances.
Mom and I are having a very special girls’ day when I take the day off on Friday—our main stop is going to be to go to QVC for the studio tour and to shop in their studio store. I am looking forward to the day off. I have off again next Friday for Good Friday. I am looking forward to a meaningful Holy Week beginning this Sunday.
I am blessed to be on the verge of turning a year older with two healthy parents who I love more with each passing week, my own health, a stable job that I still enjoy going to after all these years, friends who enrich my life and make it (and me) better, and a God who knows me better than anyone else and loves me more than I could ever begin to fathom.
That is a blessed life if I have ever seen one. Thank you Jesus for another year to serve you and continue to give you all the glory. Praised be your name.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Greater care for one another...
Something else that I am doing this year is working to take greater care of others. We all need to do this. I know that while some may consider me a generous person on the surface, I am also very regimented to the point of being selfish. I’m constantly going from point A to point B, needing to get this and do that and when someone throws a monkey wrench into my plans, everything falls apart.
Tragedy does not make an appointment. Happily, neither does joy. I need to be better prepared for dealing with both.
I started small. This year (I actually started in February) I have called all of my friends on their birthdays. It’s not just enough to get the card or gift in the mail on time. In the past, if the person’s birthday was during the week and I was running around and if we didn’t speak on the phone very often (excuses, excuses) I would shoot the person a quick e-mail and be glad that the card reached them in good time. I thought about this and I realized that for the couple minutes it takes to write an e-mail I can just as easily pick up the phone and TELL said friend that I wish them a happy birthday and let them know they mean something to me.
Then, when Jim’s mom died suddenly a little over a week ago, I was given the opportunity to try do better in a sad circumstance. The wake was on Wednesday night and I happen to also have my weekly hour of adoration every Wednesday night. At first I just figured that I couldn’t go to the wake and I would just mail a mass card and pray for Jim and his mom at adoration. Then it dawned on me that this was a prime opportunity to show greater care for my friend. I arranged for a substitute at adoration and drove an hour in each direction for the wake and hand-delivered my mass card and hugged my friend. I know that Jim appreciated my attendance and it made me feel good to show my support in a real and meaningful way.
I have decided that I cannot allow my life to become so “busy” that I am not doing the real things that matter. Things like physically being there for people I care about and making extra effort to share in people’s happiness and/or sadness. I cannot allow the fact that I daily manage 10 people and that they count on me for guidance on what to do and how to work stop me from taking time away from the office with almost no notice and literally be with people who need me in their time of sorrow or time of joy. I am a care taker—I minister to people in many ways as a daughter, friend, boss, youth minister, child of God, and so on. Sometimes plans and schedules have to be tossed aside at a moment’s notice in order for the Lord to use me and for me to do my greatest works for Him.
Let’s all begin to think about small ways we can take greater care of one another—not just our parents, spouses, kids, and dogs, but beyond that intimate circle of the people we live with or talk to every day. At the end of the day, it’s one of the main reasons why we are here.
Tragedy does not make an appointment. Happily, neither does joy. I need to be better prepared for dealing with both.
I started small. This year (I actually started in February) I have called all of my friends on their birthdays. It’s not just enough to get the card or gift in the mail on time. In the past, if the person’s birthday was during the week and I was running around and if we didn’t speak on the phone very often (excuses, excuses) I would shoot the person a quick e-mail and be glad that the card reached them in good time. I thought about this and I realized that for the couple minutes it takes to write an e-mail I can just as easily pick up the phone and TELL said friend that I wish them a happy birthday and let them know they mean something to me.
Then, when Jim’s mom died suddenly a little over a week ago, I was given the opportunity to try do better in a sad circumstance. The wake was on Wednesday night and I happen to also have my weekly hour of adoration every Wednesday night. At first I just figured that I couldn’t go to the wake and I would just mail a mass card and pray for Jim and his mom at adoration. Then it dawned on me that this was a prime opportunity to show greater care for my friend. I arranged for a substitute at adoration and drove an hour in each direction for the wake and hand-delivered my mass card and hugged my friend. I know that Jim appreciated my attendance and it made me feel good to show my support in a real and meaningful way.
I have decided that I cannot allow my life to become so “busy” that I am not doing the real things that matter. Things like physically being there for people I care about and making extra effort to share in people’s happiness and/or sadness. I cannot allow the fact that I daily manage 10 people and that they count on me for guidance on what to do and how to work stop me from taking time away from the office with almost no notice and literally be with people who need me in their time of sorrow or time of joy. I am a care taker—I minister to people in many ways as a daughter, friend, boss, youth minister, child of God, and so on. Sometimes plans and schedules have to be tossed aside at a moment’s notice in order for the Lord to use me and for me to do my greatest works for Him.
Let’s all begin to think about small ways we can take greater care of one another—not just our parents, spouses, kids, and dogs, but beyond that intimate circle of the people we live with or talk to every day. At the end of the day, it’s one of the main reasons why we are here.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Random odds and ends, part 8
Work has been very busy, but not too busy—the perfect amount really.
Last week, Kathy, my dad, and I all went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the day. None of us had been there in the better part of a decade, at least. Kathy works a 4-day week (10 hours a day), so she has off on every Wednesday. I am still trying to use the last of the carry-over 2006 vacation days (I will use the last ones next Friday and then again on Good Friday) so I took the day off, and my retired Dad is free all the time. We had a good time, it was great for all of us because we hadn’t been there in so long, and Kathy wanted to do something cultural.
Kathy is coming to my birthday dinner when Darryl and LC are in town next week, and so is Matty T. Even E is considering coming over to NJ, which is almost literally unheard of. We should have a nice time—anyone else interested should feel free to join us.
I heard from Mr. Mike Day for the first time in the better part of almost 3 full months last night. We had a nice long conversation and he seems to be on an upswing recently in terms of mood and life, which is always great to hear.
On a very sad note, Jim’s mother passed away on Sunday. Please keep both Jim and his mother in your prayers. As I had also reported recently, Jim lost his brother about a month ago, so it has been an especially difficult time for Jim and his family recently. Jim and I discussed it on Monday night and he wondered how anyone who doesn’t have any concept of God could get through something like this. I agree 100%. Without faith in the Lord and what He offers us, I think it would be impossible to cope with such devastating loss.
Hope you all are well. Have a great weekend.
Last week, Kathy, my dad, and I all went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the day. None of us had been there in the better part of a decade, at least. Kathy works a 4-day week (10 hours a day), so she has off on every Wednesday. I am still trying to use the last of the carry-over 2006 vacation days (I will use the last ones next Friday and then again on Good Friday) so I took the day off, and my retired Dad is free all the time. We had a good time, it was great for all of us because we hadn’t been there in so long, and Kathy wanted to do something cultural.
Kathy is coming to my birthday dinner when Darryl and LC are in town next week, and so is Matty T. Even E is considering coming over to NJ, which is almost literally unheard of. We should have a nice time—anyone else interested should feel free to join us.
I heard from Mr. Mike Day for the first time in the better part of almost 3 full months last night. We had a nice long conversation and he seems to be on an upswing recently in terms of mood and life, which is always great to hear.
On a very sad note, Jim’s mother passed away on Sunday. Please keep both Jim and his mother in your prayers. As I had also reported recently, Jim lost his brother about a month ago, so it has been an especially difficult time for Jim and his family recently. Jim and I discussed it on Monday night and he wondered how anyone who doesn’t have any concept of God could get through something like this. I agree 100%. Without faith in the Lord and what He offers us, I think it would be impossible to cope with such devastating loss.
Hope you all are well. Have a great weekend.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Old friends...
Anyone who reads this blog knows that I'm not exactly the sentimental sort. I am not very proud of that fact, but it's who I am. I don’t put too much stock in old “things.” I cherish memories, I reflect upon past conversations (good thing I have a very good memory!)…I don’t keep very many physical mementos of times gone by—I’m a real minimalist in that regard, some old photos, a handful of letters in a box, and that's just about it. The rest goes by the way side.
I’m also not the type of person who stays friends with people only because there is a history of knowing the person for a long time.
But I do have some people in my life who I have known for a really significant number of years. One of those people is my friend Trish in Ohio. I met her right before the start of my freshman year of high school (she was a big-time junior!) and we were both on the tennis team. She was so nice to me immediately and she introduced me to all of her other junior girlfriends and she really made me feel comfortable starting high school and learning the ropes. She took me under her wings and set a great example for me as someone who used high school to her advantage and made the most of her time there in all aspects.
We then wound up going to the same college—she was one reason why I felt so comfortable there too—because she had opened her college life up to me and let me come visit her while I was still in high school and she showed me around and told me all of the “inside info.” Again, she made my transition to a new school (and a new life!) easier.
After college, a good number of years ago now, we lost touch for a while, she relocated to Ohio because her soon-to-be husband had gotten a great job out there.
Then, sometimes things happen in our lives and people who have drifted away drift back and so on. I’m not even sure when we reconnected, but I think it was basically because we had never totally disconnected, if you know what I mean.
Now Trish is a mom and a wife and an activist for women and children and a great adult human being. Her birthday was this weekend, and you know what the amazing thing is? SHE called ME the day before her birthday to leave me a message to thank me for her birthday card and to tell me how much she thinks about me and all of the funny things we did in high school and to tell me that she prays for me. I want to cry whenever someone tells me that they pray for me and I think it’s because I pray a lot and I pray hard and I cover a lot of bases when I pray. I know the power prayer has and to know that someone else takes time out of their life to pray for me is the greatest thing another person can do for me. I mean that.
Last May I went out to Ohio for the first time and stayed with Trish and her husband and son and got to watch her live her life out there. I had so much fun. It’s funny, because she is so much like her mom in her personality and her very friendly way. I’ve talked about us all turning into our parents before and I am convinced that nine times out of ten, we do. In her case, that’s a great thing. I still see her mom around town and at church sometimes and I love it because it's the next best thing to getting to see Trish.
Sometimes old friends are great friends and we have to work to keep them as much as we do the “newer” people we surround ourselves with on the day to day. God sends us all kinds of people at all different times in all different ways. If you take the time to really listen, He will let you know who He wants to to keep close to your heart for all of your days on His earth, and you'll find as time goes by that it's not just your mom, husband, or daughter...We have all different kinds of family and all different kinds of soulmates in this life, both men and women. Stay open to all of yours.
I’m also not the type of person who stays friends with people only because there is a history of knowing the person for a long time.
But I do have some people in my life who I have known for a really significant number of years. One of those people is my friend Trish in Ohio. I met her right before the start of my freshman year of high school (she was a big-time junior!) and we were both on the tennis team. She was so nice to me immediately and she introduced me to all of her other junior girlfriends and she really made me feel comfortable starting high school and learning the ropes. She took me under her wings and set a great example for me as someone who used high school to her advantage and made the most of her time there in all aspects.
We then wound up going to the same college—she was one reason why I felt so comfortable there too—because she had opened her college life up to me and let me come visit her while I was still in high school and she showed me around and told me all of the “inside info.” Again, she made my transition to a new school (and a new life!) easier.
After college, a good number of years ago now, we lost touch for a while, she relocated to Ohio because her soon-to-be husband had gotten a great job out there.
Then, sometimes things happen in our lives and people who have drifted away drift back and so on. I’m not even sure when we reconnected, but I think it was basically because we had never totally disconnected, if you know what I mean.
Now Trish is a mom and a wife and an activist for women and children and a great adult human being. Her birthday was this weekend, and you know what the amazing thing is? SHE called ME the day before her birthday to leave me a message to thank me for her birthday card and to tell me how much she thinks about me and all of the funny things we did in high school and to tell me that she prays for me. I want to cry whenever someone tells me that they pray for me and I think it’s because I pray a lot and I pray hard and I cover a lot of bases when I pray. I know the power prayer has and to know that someone else takes time out of their life to pray for me is the greatest thing another person can do for me. I mean that.
Last May I went out to Ohio for the first time and stayed with Trish and her husband and son and got to watch her live her life out there. I had so much fun. It’s funny, because she is so much like her mom in her personality and her very friendly way. I’ve talked about us all turning into our parents before and I am convinced that nine times out of ten, we do. In her case, that’s a great thing. I still see her mom around town and at church sometimes and I love it because it's the next best thing to getting to see Trish.
Sometimes old friends are great friends and we have to work to keep them as much as we do the “newer” people we surround ourselves with on the day to day. God sends us all kinds of people at all different times in all different ways. If you take the time to really listen, He will let you know who He wants to to keep close to your heart for all of your days on His earth, and you'll find as time goes by that it's not just your mom, husband, or daughter...We have all different kinds of family and all different kinds of soulmates in this life, both men and women. Stay open to all of yours.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
The timing of things...
I just love the way things occur sometimes. I chalk it up to God revealing himself to us in small ways to let us know He hears us at all times, but others may just call it no more than crazy coincidence. We can debate that issue too, but that’s not the heart of my story. This is:
Yesterday, E and I were talking in my office and we were talking about rings. I wear a small crucifix ring almost every day. I wear it on the third finger of my left hand (hey, until God sends my husband, if there is one for me, I’m all God’s!). E was asking me why I don’t wear it on my pinkie finger and I said that men do that more often than women. He asked if it was an Italian thing and I said no, because Rob wears a crucifix ring on his pinkie and he is not Italian.
Now, Rob is a guy who works in sales for a print vendor my company used years ago, but no longer does. His company also provided service for the company E worked for became he came to work at my company two years ago, so we both know him, but from different times in our lives. Because Rob’s company no longer works for our company, we have no regular contact with him at all anymore and we haven’t seen him in months.
Imagine our surprise then when no more than 5 minutes after E and I talked about him, Rob walked around the corner and appeared in the doorway of my office. I was so shocked that my whole face lit up and I couldn’t stop smiling. Rob stopped by to see me—he was in the office because he was taking someone from another department that he’s still friendly with out for her birthday. I just love when things like that happen out of nowhere!
Another really lovely thing happened today when E and I were talking. He reminded me of who I want to be when I grow up. We were getting back to work and he said:
E: “Go back to what you do best.”
Me: “My job is the thing in this world I do best?”
E: “Not really. You’re great at your job but the two things you do best are take care of the people you care about and serve God.”
Me: “That’s the nicest thing someone has said to me in a while.”
E: “Well, it’s the truth.”
Me: “Thank you.”
I fully know that I still stink at least half the time, so I pray that may live up to that moment. I may be fair at those two things some of the time at different times. I pray that someday I can be good at those two things ALL the time and that it may be by those two things that I known. I’ve worked at my job for many years, but I would much rather be known as a beloved daughter of God than a skilled manager.
Yesterday, E and I were talking in my office and we were talking about rings. I wear a small crucifix ring almost every day. I wear it on the third finger of my left hand (hey, until God sends my husband, if there is one for me, I’m all God’s!). E was asking me why I don’t wear it on my pinkie finger and I said that men do that more often than women. He asked if it was an Italian thing and I said no, because Rob wears a crucifix ring on his pinkie and he is not Italian.
Now, Rob is a guy who works in sales for a print vendor my company used years ago, but no longer does. His company also provided service for the company E worked for became he came to work at my company two years ago, so we both know him, but from different times in our lives. Because Rob’s company no longer works for our company, we have no regular contact with him at all anymore and we haven’t seen him in months.
Imagine our surprise then when no more than 5 minutes after E and I talked about him, Rob walked around the corner and appeared in the doorway of my office. I was so shocked that my whole face lit up and I couldn’t stop smiling. Rob stopped by to see me—he was in the office because he was taking someone from another department that he’s still friendly with out for her birthday. I just love when things like that happen out of nowhere!
Another really lovely thing happened today when E and I were talking. He reminded me of who I want to be when I grow up. We were getting back to work and he said:
E: “Go back to what you do best.”
Me: “My job is the thing in this world I do best?”
E: “Not really. You’re great at your job but the two things you do best are take care of the people you care about and serve God.”
Me: “That’s the nicest thing someone has said to me in a while.”
E: “Well, it’s the truth.”
Me: “Thank you.”
I fully know that I still stink at least half the time, so I pray that may live up to that moment. I may be fair at those two things some of the time at different times. I pray that someday I can be good at those two things ALL the time and that it may be by those two things that I known. I’ve worked at my job for many years, but I would much rather be known as a beloved daughter of God than a skilled manager.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Random odds and ends, part 7
First of all, I do just want to say just a couple of things in regard to the death of Anna Nicole Smith. You can say what you want about her (but think wisely before you start judging her too much), but no matter what you think about this woman, I think everyone has to admit that the whole situation is a crying shame—from the very start up to the circus we are in the middle of now. I feel so sad for this little baby who now has no mother. Let’s just find out who this little girl’s dad is already. If Maury were involved he could have gotten us DNA test results within a day or however long it takes on his shows!!
Also, I still have a lot of “blog lurkers,” many of whom are friends of mine who enjoy reading this blog but feel like they can’t say anything. I can’t say that I will ever understand why, but I suppose some people are just more comfortable observing. So be it! Keep enjoying!
LC (of LC and DJ fame from CT) celebrated a birthday yesterday and Terry (a friend from my church who is going to Italy on the same tour my parents and I are) celebrates a birthday today. I spoke to LC last night and they are in the new house and away from their crazy downstairs neighbor that was constantly reporting them to the police for walking in their own condo!
What else? I have my birthday next month and LC and DJ will be down here to spend the Saturday of that week with me and spend the night. They did the same thing last year and we had a really nice night—Matty T went out to dinner with the three of us. I am sure we’ll do something similar this year. Anyone who is around would be more than welcome to join us if interested! LC always does such a bang up job of taking me all around when I go up to visit them that I need to definitely thing of something decent to do with them during the day when they visit. I better start thinking now…
E and I were both big fans of the White Rapper Show on VH1, and the finale was on Monday. The guy we wanted to win, did, so we are satisfied. I also have a new appreciation and fondness for the host of the show, MC Serch (formerly of 3rd Base).
Kathy and I are taking a day off in mid-March for a day of culture. I think we will likely go to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which, I am ashamed to say that I have not seen in MANY years.
Hope you all are having a great week!
Also, I still have a lot of “blog lurkers,” many of whom are friends of mine who enjoy reading this blog but feel like they can’t say anything. I can’t say that I will ever understand why, but I suppose some people are just more comfortable observing. So be it! Keep enjoying!
LC (of LC and DJ fame from CT) celebrated a birthday yesterday and Terry (a friend from my church who is going to Italy on the same tour my parents and I are) celebrates a birthday today. I spoke to LC last night and they are in the new house and away from their crazy downstairs neighbor that was constantly reporting them to the police for walking in their own condo!
What else? I have my birthday next month and LC and DJ will be down here to spend the Saturday of that week with me and spend the night. They did the same thing last year and we had a really nice night—Matty T went out to dinner with the three of us. I am sure we’ll do something similar this year. Anyone who is around would be more than welcome to join us if interested! LC always does such a bang up job of taking me all around when I go up to visit them that I need to definitely thing of something decent to do with them during the day when they visit. I better start thinking now…
E and I were both big fans of the White Rapper Show on VH1, and the finale was on Monday. The guy we wanted to win, did, so we are satisfied. I also have a new appreciation and fondness for the host of the show, MC Serch (formerly of 3rd Base).
Kathy and I are taking a day off in mid-March for a day of culture. I think we will likely go to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which, I am ashamed to say that I have not seen in MANY years.
Hope you all are having a great week!
Monday, February 26, 2007
One of my 2007 "improved living" goals
I saw my friend Michelle on Friday night and she shared with me her scrapbook from a trip to Italy in May, 2006. It made me so much more excited for my trip. Just looking at the pictures, hearing the stories, and seeing the colors and the sights made me wish the next 7 months would hurry up and fly by so that I could get there to see it all with my own eyes.
But then I realize that I need the next 7 months to get myself into fighting shape so I will be ready to really enjoy this trip to the fullest. I have set some modest weight loss goals and have finally gotten my lazy self back to some regular exercise. This is one reason why I am glad the trip is still off in the distance, so that I have time to actually make some realistic changes and see a good difference before we go.
Sadly, I have done this all before, so I know exactly what needs to be done, it’s simply a matter of making it happen. I say “sadly” because, yo-yoing my way through life is not something that’s good for anybody.
Here’s to consistent and healthful changes for the next 7 months and beyond so I can enjoy every moment in Italy to the fullest and enjoy good health to boot!
(Get it? “Boot?” Italy is shaped like a boot? Yes, I am corny and I love it!)
But then I realize that I need the next 7 months to get myself into fighting shape so I will be ready to really enjoy this trip to the fullest. I have set some modest weight loss goals and have finally gotten my lazy self back to some regular exercise. This is one reason why I am glad the trip is still off in the distance, so that I have time to actually make some realistic changes and see a good difference before we go.
Sadly, I have done this all before, so I know exactly what needs to be done, it’s simply a matter of making it happen. I say “sadly” because, yo-yoing my way through life is not something that’s good for anybody.
Here’s to consistent and healthful changes for the next 7 months and beyond so I can enjoy every moment in Italy to the fullest and enjoy good health to boot!
(Get it? “Boot?” Italy is shaped like a boot? Yes, I am corny and I love it!)
Friday, February 23, 2007
confirmation (with a small "c")
We so-called “religious types” like to talk about receiving “confirmation” in situations. That’s confirmation with a small “c” and not the sacrament Confirmation (with a large “C”).
I try to allow the Lord to lead me (as much as I am willing to allow Him) and a lot of times it’s only through confirmation that I can begin to know that I am heading down the right paths. The Lord will sometimes place someone in your life at the right time to tell you something that you need to hear.
I recently received confirmation from two different friends in the same week about my youth ministry certification. My friend Paul (who I went to visit in California in 2005, but who is now back in NJ) responded well when I told him that I have been a youth minister for the past half a year. He told me youth ministry “makes so much sense” for me.
My friend Diana, who relocated to Florida a couple of years ago, wrote me the following message when I shared the same news with her:
When you told me about your becoming a youth minister, I thought "that is a perfect fit." I can't think of anyone more appropriate than you. The kids will certainly be able to identify with you because you are young and hip, you have a nice career going, and you certainly can understand their issues very readily as well. Absolutely PERFECT! :) I'll say a special prayer in church tonight thanking God for recognizing your wonderful qualities and channelling them into our youth.
I can’t tell you how blessed I felt when I read that. Not so I can get all puffed up about how young and hip and relatable I may be, but because I have been so wrapped up in trying to “do” youth ministry that I actually never took any time to “see” that I am perhaps really doing God’s will and that he is giving me a gift that I can share with the youth.
Lord, give me eyes to "see" what I am "doing" for Your kingdom.
Everyone, please pray for Jim’s brother who passed away last Saturday. Eternal rest, grant unto him.
I try to allow the Lord to lead me (as much as I am willing to allow Him) and a lot of times it’s only through confirmation that I can begin to know that I am heading down the right paths. The Lord will sometimes place someone in your life at the right time to tell you something that you need to hear.
I recently received confirmation from two different friends in the same week about my youth ministry certification. My friend Paul (who I went to visit in California in 2005, but who is now back in NJ) responded well when I told him that I have been a youth minister for the past half a year. He told me youth ministry “makes so much sense” for me.
My friend Diana, who relocated to Florida a couple of years ago, wrote me the following message when I shared the same news with her:
When you told me about your becoming a youth minister, I thought "that is a perfect fit." I can't think of anyone more appropriate than you. The kids will certainly be able to identify with you because you are young and hip, you have a nice career going, and you certainly can understand their issues very readily as well. Absolutely PERFECT! :) I'll say a special prayer in church tonight thanking God for recognizing your wonderful qualities and channelling them into our youth.
I can’t tell you how blessed I felt when I read that. Not so I can get all puffed up about how young and hip and relatable I may be, but because I have been so wrapped up in trying to “do” youth ministry that I actually never took any time to “see” that I am perhaps really doing God’s will and that he is giving me a gift that I can share with the youth.
Lord, give me eyes to "see" what I am "doing" for Your kingdom.
Everyone, please pray for Jim’s brother who passed away last Saturday. Eternal rest, grant unto him.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
My youth ministry experience...
I have been enjoying being a youth minister more than I thought I would.
You see, I am not a woman who deals well with bad attitudes—and I don’t care if you are 5 or you’re 65, if you’ve got a bad attitude, are nasty, like to roll your eyes, don’t take what I’m saying seriously or think you above it all, etc, then I have little time for you and will let you know just that.
So obviously, knowing that almost every teenager behaves that way at some point or another, I was a little concerned that I wasn’t going to enjoy working with this age group. I figured I would be surrounded by a bunch of teens whose parents force them to come to our gatherings and that they wouldn’t listen and wouldn’t care. These teens have proven me wrong…They are bright, they are open, and they aren’t afraid to be honest with me when I ask them to be. They aren’t afraid to talk about their relationships with Jesus (they also aren’t afraid to talk about the fact that they don’t have relationships with Jesus in some cases).
Most of all, I am touched by their trust. These teenagers listen to me talk about God and my experiences and they open themselves up to me telling me about what (and who!) bothers them, what makes them feel happy, what makes them feel accepted. These teens feel safe when they are with me and the two other adult facilitators.
And I feel honored that God has entrusted them to me for a few hours a month—to have fun with them, and joke with them, and teach them—and most of, continuously remind them just how much God loves them. I am blessed.
You see, I am not a woman who deals well with bad attitudes—and I don’t care if you are 5 or you’re 65, if you’ve got a bad attitude, are nasty, like to roll your eyes, don’t take what I’m saying seriously or think you above it all, etc, then I have little time for you and will let you know just that.
So obviously, knowing that almost every teenager behaves that way at some point or another, I was a little concerned that I wasn’t going to enjoy working with this age group. I figured I would be surrounded by a bunch of teens whose parents force them to come to our gatherings and that they wouldn’t listen and wouldn’t care. These teens have proven me wrong…They are bright, they are open, and they aren’t afraid to be honest with me when I ask them to be. They aren’t afraid to talk about their relationships with Jesus (they also aren’t afraid to talk about the fact that they don’t have relationships with Jesus in some cases).
Most of all, I am touched by their trust. These teenagers listen to me talk about God and my experiences and they open themselves up to me telling me about what (and who!) bothers them, what makes them feel happy, what makes them feel accepted. These teens feel safe when they are with me and the two other adult facilitators.
And I feel honored that God has entrusted them to me for a few hours a month—to have fun with them, and joke with them, and teach them—and most of, continuously remind them just how much God loves them. I am blessed.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Back in the "habit"
I received good news yesterday!
A friend of mine entered a Carmelite convent in California in late August/early September of 2004 as a novice. She had lived in NJ up to that point, but attended graduate school at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and met some nuns from this particular Carmelite order during her time in Ohio. Over a period of years she discerned that she was being called to the religious life. She had visited the sisters in California and then came home to discern some more. She then left the east coast to go live near the sisters in their convent and pray with them daily, but still work a "regular" job. Then, after almost a year there, she asked to be accepted as a novice and begin her journey toward becoming a nun.
What a sacrifice to make, but what great reward!
When she was a lay woman, my friend's name was Christa--but about a year and a half ago she took her religious name--Sr. Sophia.
Sr. Sophia's family let us know that she has very recently been approved for her first profession! These set of vows--Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience--are pronounced annually for a period of six years. During that time, she'll continue her ongoing formation in her Carmelite consecration and spiritual formation. She'll gradually assume responsibility in the service of her community apostolates thus integrating the Carmelite charism of uniting prayer and service.
She will be clothed in the habit of Carmel on March 19, the Feast Day of St. Joseph.
Both Sr. Sophia and her family are asking for continued prayers. I'm asking you to pray for her too!
A friend of mine entered a Carmelite convent in California in late August/early September of 2004 as a novice. She had lived in NJ up to that point, but attended graduate school at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and met some nuns from this particular Carmelite order during her time in Ohio. Over a period of years she discerned that she was being called to the religious life. She had visited the sisters in California and then came home to discern some more. She then left the east coast to go live near the sisters in their convent and pray with them daily, but still work a "regular" job. Then, after almost a year there, she asked to be accepted as a novice and begin her journey toward becoming a nun.
What a sacrifice to make, but what great reward!
When she was a lay woman, my friend's name was Christa--but about a year and a half ago she took her religious name--Sr. Sophia.
Sr. Sophia's family let us know that she has very recently been approved for her first profession! These set of vows--Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience--are pronounced annually for a period of six years. During that time, she'll continue her ongoing formation in her Carmelite consecration and spiritual formation. She'll gradually assume responsibility in the service of her community apostolates thus integrating the Carmelite charism of uniting prayer and service.
She will be clothed in the habit of Carmel on March 19, the Feast Day of St. Joseph.
Both Sr. Sophia and her family are asking for continued prayers. I'm asking you to pray for her too!
Friday, February 02, 2007
Random odds and ends, part 6
I am now a certified youth minister (certified by my diocese), which means I have an answer to give if a parent ever asks me what makes me "qualified" to teach their teens anything about God or the Catholic faith or spend time with their teens. I now have what the diocese calls a basic skill certification and am also getting certified in True Love Waits (which is a Catholic chastity program for teens, I'll be certified to teach that program too). But the nice thing is that from here I can go on to get a more intense youth ministry certification as well, if I choose to. I may take some more classes over time--it's a great thing to have in my pocket (ie, if I ever want to change careers some day and find a parish that pays to have full time youth minister). My parish is paying for the classes, so it's a gift I should take full advantage of.
E turned 30 yesterday. He always takes off on his birthday. My mom wondered if he was taking off so he could try to see his shadow. I got a kick out that, but it would have been funnier if his birthday was today. He thinks it's absurd that (most years) I actually come to work on my birthday. I know a lot of people that feel the way he does. If it makes them happy, I say take the day off and enjoy! My mom turns 60 on Sunday ("I'm exactly twice E's age!" mom pointed out).
Staying with the theme of YOP (Year of Positivity), I have been trying to pinpoint a hopeful story each day, a story of people doing good or something that reminds us of what we are capable of. It's been making the work day brighter for me this past week, so I plan on sharing some of those with you too as time goes by, so stay tuned!
Happy Groundhog's Day everyone :) most especially to Trish in Ohio--this has always been her favorite holiday. Thanks for the Groundhog's day card T!
E turned 30 yesterday. He always takes off on his birthday. My mom wondered if he was taking off so he could try to see his shadow. I got a kick out that, but it would have been funnier if his birthday was today. He thinks it's absurd that (most years) I actually come to work on my birthday. I know a lot of people that feel the way he does. If it makes them happy, I say take the day off and enjoy! My mom turns 60 on Sunday ("I'm exactly twice E's age!" mom pointed out).
Staying with the theme of YOP (Year of Positivity), I have been trying to pinpoint a hopeful story each day, a story of people doing good or something that reminds us of what we are capable of. It's been making the work day brighter for me this past week, so I plan on sharing some of those with you too as time goes by, so stay tuned!
Happy Groundhog's Day everyone :) most especially to Trish in Ohio--this has always been her favorite holiday. Thanks for the Groundhog's day card T!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Words may be cheap, but...
I need everyone to start to pray for me and the writing of my book. I started the book about a year and a half ago and I am ashamed to say that I only have 17 pages written. That’s a borderline disgrace, especially when I tell you that I am writing this book for God’s glory.
I have always considered myself a writer of sorts. Although my career is in publishing, I write nothing for my job. I am a reasonably good writer and really have always had the talent. I consider the talent one of my gifts from God, if you will...My grammar is not always as good as it should be (and I majored in English in college no less, although I always tell people--English majors read books and poems, no one was showing me how to write grammatically correct sentences in college. Maybe they assumed I already knew that!)
I am a good writer because I am good with words. I am a pretty good story teller and I write in a similar manner to how I speak. I submitted 80 pages of a novel in progress as my senior thesis for the honors program I was in in college. For several years right after college I actually tweaked that book in many ways, but kept working on it.
Then my entire life changed when I came to allow the Lord to start to work on me and I let Him into all of the areas of my life. A couple of years after that (about a year and half ago) I knew the kind of story God wanted me to tell. It was a completely different story from what I had been working on for all of those years, but I trusted God and started the story over from page one. My story. A memoir about my “conversion.” The first 17 pages are exciting (even E thinks so--he edited the first 16 pages a year ago, but is literally furious when we talk about it now because I have had no forward momentum. He expects better from me). It’s a story that secular readers will really enjoy and holy rollers can get into too--kind of like me--relatable to all sorts of folks.
I know God wants me to do this. I want to do this. I just have to actually commit myself to a regular writing schedule and I have to make this happen. I have to make it happen so I can be true to something I believe God wants me to do for Him and for others. I ask for all of your prayers that I will not be lazy and I will see this project through. It doesn’t have to be finished in a few months, but it has to be worked on on an on-going basis.
Please pray for my commitment to this. As always, I’m praying for all of you.
I have always considered myself a writer of sorts. Although my career is in publishing, I write nothing for my job. I am a reasonably good writer and really have always had the talent. I consider the talent one of my gifts from God, if you will...My grammar is not always as good as it should be (and I majored in English in college no less, although I always tell people--English majors read books and poems, no one was showing me how to write grammatically correct sentences in college. Maybe they assumed I already knew that!)
I am a good writer because I am good with words. I am a pretty good story teller and I write in a similar manner to how I speak. I submitted 80 pages of a novel in progress as my senior thesis for the honors program I was in in college. For several years right after college I actually tweaked that book in many ways, but kept working on it.
Then my entire life changed when I came to allow the Lord to start to work on me and I let Him into all of the areas of my life. A couple of years after that (about a year and half ago) I knew the kind of story God wanted me to tell. It was a completely different story from what I had been working on for all of those years, but I trusted God and started the story over from page one. My story. A memoir about my “conversion.” The first 17 pages are exciting (even E thinks so--he edited the first 16 pages a year ago, but is literally furious when we talk about it now because I have had no forward momentum. He expects better from me). It’s a story that secular readers will really enjoy and holy rollers can get into too--kind of like me--relatable to all sorts of folks.
I know God wants me to do this. I want to do this. I just have to actually commit myself to a regular writing schedule and I have to make this happen. I have to make it happen so I can be true to something I believe God wants me to do for Him and for others. I ask for all of your prayers that I will not be lazy and I will see this project through. It doesn’t have to be finished in a few months, but it has to be worked on on an on-going basis.
Please pray for my commitment to this. As always, I’m praying for all of you.
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