It's Christmas Time in the City!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="648"] Wreath in Grand Central

A selfie with said wreath was completely necessary you don't even understand.

Look how pretty Macy's is!

One of the windows at Macy's[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="504"] I thought this was ridiculously funny[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576"] Super cute, am I right?[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="864"] Wooohooo!!!

Our friend, Sprout the elf. #sprout@thenorthpole.com #elfy #hetoldustousethesehashtags

Creeper shot of Abby Lee from Dance Moms![/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576"] the tree at Rockefeller Center![/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="336"] My sister, Sarah and I in front of the tree.[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="288"] My friend Sarah and I in front of the tree.[/caption]

 

On Papa Frank

Amen.

One year

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="354"] The center of town on the first anniversary of the horrific tragedy.[/caption]

On December 13th 2012, I had to stand in line for security as I prepared to fly home after finishing my first semester of college. I complained about the long lines and that I had to pack a month's worth of clothing and shoes into two small duffle bags. I got off the plane, and when I walked towards the gate, I saw my dad waiting for me. I ran to him and gave him a huge hug before going to baggage claim.

The next morning, my mom was watching the news. I asked her to change the channel, because the news depresses me. Literally moments later, our local news station announced that there was a shooting at an elementary school 45 minutes away from my house. 

I couldn't breathe. Reilly, my seven year old cousin, lives in Newtown, and attends public school there. I had never been so afraid in my life. I soon found out that he attends another school, and was safe. I would find out later that his best friend is a student at SHES and was in the class of second graders told to cover their eyes as they passed the body of their principal. This sweet seven year old boy had seen the body of his beloved principal, unrecognizable after being shot at.

I saw a girl I graduated from high school with tweet saying that no one had heard from her cousin Vicki, who was a teacher at the school. Vicki did not make it out alive. Vicki Soto helped save some of her students, and I am so proud to say that we graduated from the same high school and were from the same town. She is Stratford's Hero.

Where was God during this? God was in the community who supported each other, teachers who died protecting their students, the first responders who put aside their pain to care for those who needed their care.

Today, my heart breaks for 26 families who lost a child, a sibling, a parent, a cousin, a friend. 20 little souls who will never get to go to college, and whose parents will never experience a hug from them again. 

8 ways to help your friend with depression

So... you have a friend with depression. As someone with depression, I know it's hard to deal with, and sometimes you don't know what to do. Here's a list of things that my friends have done for me that have helped.

*DISCLAIMER* I am not a psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist or even psychology major. I'm simply a girl who's speaking from experience, not expertise. Just because something helped me doesn't mean it will help you/your friend.

1. Be careful with your wording. This might seem silly, but one little word that seems fishy could through someone off kilter.


2. Tell them you're thinking about them and that you care. I know that my depression is often caused by feelings of being unloved and lonely. When a friend texts or writes me a note, it makes me feel better.


3. Invite them places. Even if you think they already know they're invited or it's a normal thing, reinforce the idea that they're wanted. Sometimes, when my friends don't text me about dinner, I assume it's because they don't want me there. Turns out it's usually because they assume I already know.


4. Be there. You don't have to understand what they're going through or be able to relate to help them. Just listen to them. Hug them.


5. Validate them. Even if you don't think you would feel some way about something, let them know that it's okay if they do.


6. Even if they do themselves, don't make a joke out of their illness. I know it's something I struggle with. I make fun of things I'm uncomfortable with, but if anybody tried to make fun of my depression, I would be shattered.


7. Educate yourself on their illness. Even if just on Wikipedia or Google... just learn some general facts. It'll help both you and your friend.


8. Ask them how they want you to help them. Maybe they won't tell you. Maybe you'll find out that they'd really appreciate it if you forced them to get out of bed when they really don't feel like doing something. Maybe you need to be gentler.  Whatever they tell you they need, do it.

Sandy Hook: "Evil did not win"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUR7BFTphmI

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." - John 1:5

Why Switchfoot won't sing Christian songs

This is good.

40 Things to do in preparation for the Birth of Christ

"Advent is here. What a marvellous time in which to renew your  desire, your nostalgia, your real longing for Christ to come — for him to come every day to your soul in the Eucharist. The Church encourages us: Ecce veniet! — He is about to arrive!" - St. Josemaria Escriva

Here are 40 ways to prepare your heart for the Birth of Christ! *note* I am NOT doing all of these. I am doing some. These are just ideas I had and decided to share.

none of the pictures are mine.

1. Spend 10 minutes in prayer daily - or if you already do this... why not 15 or 20?


2. Go to daily mass!


3. Go to adoration... "Oh Come Let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"


4. Go to confession.


5. Pray a Scriptural Rosary (these are my favorite!)


6. Do a daily meditation ... I'm doing a few that are available on the Apple app store! Magnificat is $0.99, but Advent Daily Devotions is F R E E ! I'm also using the Word Among Us.


7. Don't listen to Christmas music until the fourth Sunday of Advent... Christmas is about waiting, right?


8. If you can't do that... what about not watching any Christmas movies until after the fourth Sunday?


9. Celebrate Advent as it's own season!


10. Volunteer your time and talents.


11. Read a devotional book. Right now I'm reading "My Vocation is Love" by Jean Lafrance and it's beautiful!


12. Write a letter to God. Write it like you're writing to a friend, with tough honesty.


13. Forgive someone who you haven't forgiven yet.


14. Think about how beautiful it is that Jesus was born. Like us, He depended on His mother, He cried, He couldn't do anything for Himself. GOD loves us SO much that He became an infant! How crazy is that?


15. Fast


16. Say thank you... even for the littlest things. Thank God for the sun, for your pillow, for your family (even if you got sick of them last Thursday). Thank your friend for texting you about dinner, for sharing something with you, for being a friend.


17. Be there for someone.


18. Read a book about Advent... The Catholic Company has a bunch (I'm looking at the one based on St. Therese's Little Way)!


19. Put up a Jesse Tree!


20. Do Lectio Divina


21. Do a daily examen


22. Go through all of your stuff and donate it.


23. Make a spiritual bouquet for someone who needs it.


24. Read Luke 1:1-2:21


25. Read Matthew 1:18-2:18


26. Read a bit of Luke 1:1-2:21 and/or Matthew 1:18-2:18 a day throughout Advent.


27. Read Advent and Christmas with Fulton J. Sheen . . . Leah Darrow posted on Facebook that she does this every year for Advent!


28. Pray a novena... EWTN has a bunch that you can look through! There's also the St. Andrew Advent Christmas novena and this Christmas novena


29. Find a giving tree and buy some toys for less fortunate kids.


30. Send a Christmas card to a soldier overseas


31. Go Christmas caroling at a convalescent home.


32. Send a Christmas card to someone that you normally wouldn't/haven't sent a card to in a while


33. Donate to a crisis pregnancy center.


34. Go beyond what is expected of you.


35. Write thank you notes to your teachers, mail carriers, lunch ladies, etc.


36. Bake cookies and deliver them to a neighbor you're not very close with.


37. Call someone who you haven't talked to in a while.


38. Pray for someone.


39. Tell them that you prayed for them.


40. Give something up that you taken granted. Even if only for a day.

I hope that you have a fruitful Advent season and a blessed Christmas!

Babies, gingers, and Pope Francis.

The three things listed above are arguably 3 of my favorite things. So, imagine the pure joy I felt when I saw this picture: 

 

I could happily spend the rest of my life looking at pictures of Pope Francis with babies. A ginger baby is just the icing on top

An Ice Curse and Depression

So... maybe I just read into everything too much... but I'm an English major, so it's bound to happen anyway :P

Tonight I saw Frozen, and I saw a bunch of similarities between Elsa's ice curse and my depression. Elsa locked herself up because if she didn't, she could hurt people. She hid what was holding her back. I've done similar things because of my depression. 

Elsa locked herself away from her sister and everyone else, to protect them from her curse. Anna, her younger sister, would knock at her door and ask her to come out, to play with her, to be her friend. But Elsa hid. I've had countless of experiences similar to that, where my sister would tell me she loved me, that she wanted to talk to me, and I would lock myself away. 

At the end, Elsa realizes that love overpowers her curse, not a romantic love, but the love that she has for her sister, Anna. The love I feel for my family and friends, and the love they feel for me in return, is the only thing that helps me get through the day when I'm struggling with depression. 

Like Elsa, I can either choose to let my depression hold me back and control me, or I can use it to my advantage and make a difference. 

Stupid Disney. Making me cry and look at my life and actions differently. Isn't this supposed to be a cute kids movie?!

what true joy looks like. you might be surprised

Every life has pain. No one gets by without suffering. But I have witnessed a life that is born out of suffering. And it is beautiful. And because we can't rewind the past, we need to live fully in the present. Because our hope is in Jesus Christ, and the life everlasting to come after all is said and done. And I want heaven. I want it for me, I want it for my husband, I want it for  my children. And I want it for you. I want that more than anything in Pottery Barn. But we need to trust.

Read the rest of the post here

26 Acts of Kindness

Starting today, I will be participating in 26 Acts of Kindness in memory of the 26 lives lost in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012. I invite you all to do the same. I'm really excited because I will also be blogging my process, and praying especially for one victim each day using the praying in color method and also a decade of the rosary for their family and friends.The image shows the order I will be going in. I hope that you will all consider joining in.

 

50 Ways to Talk to God

The other day, I randomly came upon an article with 50 ways to talk to God. They were interesting ways, creative ways, ways to really  get personal in prayer. I've tried a few and am planning on trying a few others. Here are my favorites:

1. Close your eyes and just repeat the name of Jesus.
5. Pray the news. Beg mercy for sinners, healing for the infirm, justice and peace and God’s will in all things.
9. Pray the Our Father slowly. Take ten minutes to pray it once.
10. Ask the Blessed Mother to hold your hand and walk you to Jesus.
26. Talk to a friend about your relationship with Jesus. Sometimes talking about God becomes talking to God.

31. Do something mindlessly physical while you pray–run or crochet or paint a wall. Engaging your body can make it easier to surrender your mind.
37. Offer each day–all prayers and sacrifices and blessings–for a specific person.
38. Do 15 minutes of spiritual reading. Spend 15 minutes talking to God about it.
47. Pray a scriptural rosary.

These are just a few of my favorites! Go over to Pierced Hands to see all fifty and pick out your favorites!

What Would I Say Vol. 2

Volume 1 can be found here!



 

I don't think I'll ever be mature enough to not need a babysitter, TBH.



 

Once upon a Time, Bridgeport, Connecticut had a tornado. Because of that, it became the new Kansas. Or something.



 

LOL what this doesn't even make sense but okay.



 

Yes. Yes they did.



This is basically what should be happening on Christmas Eve Eve. If it's not, you're doing something wrong.

 

I Need a Miracle

I’ve been praying for a specific miracle for a year now. I’ve seen no sign of the miracle I’ve been begging for, in fact, things seem to be getting worse.

As I talked to the person whom I’ve been praying for, my heart sunk with the realization that I probably wasn’t going to get my miracle. I decided to give up. I wasn’t getting my miracle.

For some reason, I felt this joy in my heart that kept me holding out for the miracle. I was actually at the aquarium when this happened, and I remember looking up at the

 ceiling, with a smile as God spoke to me in a crowd.

When Lazarus’ sisters asked for Jesus, they asked for Him to come HEAL their brother. Jesus, however, had other plans, and instead rose Lazarus from the dead. Just because it’s not the miracle you want doesn’t mean it’s not a miracle. I might not get the miracle I’ve been praying for, but I have complete trust that I will get a miracle.

Never stop holding out for a miracle. God will provide a miracle, just be prepared for it to be totally different from the one you wanted. Lazarus was supposed to be healed, but instead he was raised from the dead.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit ."

Psalm 34:18

My Interview with Audrey Assad on Female Porn Addiction

It's not just a guy thing.

What Would I say vol. 1

If you have a facebook, you've probably heard of "What would I say", a website that generates a status based on your past statuses. I'm one of those people who LOVE this website and am so excited that it seemingly never fails to make me laugh. Here are five quality statuses.

I guess that this is what I say whenever I live through a Monday. I MADE IT.

Yes. please deal with Catholicism. 

This sounds like the most romantic date e v e r.

I guess I've been watching too much Sherlock with Cumberbatch and not enough Sherlock Holmes with Downey.

LOL. Okay.

 

What are some of the ones you've gotten?

Yesterday was a bad day.

I was lonely, sad, stressed, overwhelmed, you name the bad emotion, I was probably feeling it. As I returned to my room after a tough day, fighting back tears, I wondered if I mattered to anyone. If my presence was needed. I began to pray, "God, I know I'm loved by you and that my life matters to you. Please make it known to me and make it undoubtable."

That's when I saw this written on my hall's bulletin board.

 

God is really good at smacking me with 2x4's. :)

If you think of someone, or something reminds you of someone, tell them. You never know the difference a kind word can make.

Pain is Pain is Pain

Beautiful.

The Modesty Problem

Before I begin this post... I should probably start by defining modesty.

Yes, I know. Modesty varies person to person, etc. etc. But can we all agree that it is dressing with the intention of glorifying your body to God?

Yes? Good. we can continue.

All my life, I've dressed in a modest fashion. I'm not trying to brag or be 'holier-than-thou', but it's true. I've never been allowed to show cleavage, wear strapless dresses (until much recently), show my midriff, wear short shorts, spaghetti straps or bikinis. (NOTE: I AM NOT SAYING WOMEN WHO DRESS THIS WAY ARE IMMODEST. THIS WILL BECOME CLEAR)

However, I never knew why I did this, besides the fact that my mom told me to. I'm plus sized, so if I wore a bikini or short shorts, it would be borderline obscene. Recently, I've been wondering WHY I dress the way I do. Is it because I am treating my body as a temple of God worthy of love and respect, or because I'm ashamed of it and covering it up?

Of course, I want to say that it's because I do it out of love for God, myself, my future husband, and all those around me.

But it would be a lie.

If one day I woke up and all of my excess weight had just melted away... I'd probably dress the same way I do now. Not out of love or respect... but because I'd probably still be uncomfortable in my body.

It's a scary revelation, but here it is:

I don't dress modestly.

I dress appropriately, covering up what needs to be covered. But, I don't do it out of love or respect for God, others, or myself. I do it out of self-consciousness. That's not modesty. Maybe it is from the outside, and maybe I'm not leading others to sin, and maybe I'm "accidentally modest", but it's not being done purposefully. And that bothers me.

I pray that one day, I will be able to love myself enough to be able to treat my body as the temple it is.

Faith

A word on feminism

As an English major, I will quote my friend Merriam Webster. According to him, Feminism is: the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.

Okay. Cool. That's been warped by modern day society, but whatever.

Now, as a Theology major, I will quote my other best friend, the Catechism: "In creating men 'male and female,' God gives man and woman an equal personal dignity." "Man is a person, man and woman equally so, since both were created in the image and likeness of the personal God." (CCC 2334)

So... if we take both of these teachings and definitions into account, isn't it obvious that all Catholics should be feminists? NOT the idea that women are no more than their vaginas or reproductive organs (as feminism refers to today), but that we have equal dignity and thus should have equal rights and opportunities? 

I am a proud feminist. A feminist who believes that women are so, so much more than their reproductive organs. I believe that women are intelligent, and strong, such did the early feminists, or suffragettes. 

Daily Smash Book: 9.20.13

Listening – Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons

Eating – cherry coke, fries and a chicken wrap.

Wearing – skinny jeans and a striped purple henley

Feeling – content.

Weather - 76 degrees and sunny

Wanting - it to be 8pm

Thinking – meh

Enjoying – Dinner


Mass? – no

Gym – no

Favorite part of today so far – I'm excited for tonight.

Daily Smash Book: 9.19.13

Listening – to I Will Wait (live) by Mumford and Sons


Eating – just ate a mint chocolate chip milkshake and fries

Wearing – black flats, skinny jeans and a purple tee.

Feeling – content.

Weather -60 degrees and clear

Wanting - more milkshake

Thinking – meh

Enjoying – Drop Dead Diva


Mass? – no

Gym – no

Favorite part of today so far – MILKSHAKEEE

"I will learn to love the skies I'm under."

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="504"] They just crack me up[/caption]

I have a confession... I'm a poser. I printed out the above lyrics from pinterest to put on my wall, with only the knowledge that they were from a Mumford and Sons song. I didn't know which one because, well... I only knew a few Mumford and Sons songs.

Today, I looked up at the quote, and it gave me hope. I smiled as I realized that the lyrics could fit into one of my favorite Mumford and Sons songs, "Hopeless Wanderer", and sang it in my head. It fit eerily well, so I googled the lyrics and lo and behold, they were from "Hopeless Wanderer". I first heard about the song when my friend Kristen told me about her blog, which is titled "Hopeful Wanderer" (go read it. She's fabulous.) after the song. Later that day, I read that the music video had been announced and that Will Forte, Jason Sudiekis, Ed Helms, and Jason Bateman were all in it. As a fan of all of them, I was giddy with excitement and watched the video and laughed and fell in love.

Then my friend said that she was disappointed in the video. "What?! What is wrong with you?! Are you crazy?! It's the best video ever!!" <--- that was my response. Then she told me why she didn't like it.

The song had struck a chord with her, and the lyrics had truly inspired her. She said that the video was very funny, and that she did really like it, but in a way, it ruined the song and lyrics for her. She told me to listen to the song without watching the video. Today, I finally did. "I will learn to love the skies I'm under". That lyric struck me. What? How do you love the sky? It's... the sky. I thought about it, and I came to this conclusion: The sky changes.



Every day it's a different shade of blue. Some days, it's so beautiful, and makes you so excited to face the day! Some days, it looks kind of scary and dismal, and makes you want to crawl back into your safe, warm bed. Such is life. Some days, your surroundings will be awesome! Grand! Everything going well for you! And then the next... Well, it's so bad that you forget you ever had a good day. The lyrics are saying that we should learn to love life, no matter how awful it seems. Because it changes. No matter what, the sky isn't constant, and neither is life. We can't predict what's going to happen, and sometimes, we'll be prepared for another type of sky. I can't be the only one who's stepped out into the cold rain in shorts and flip flops.

I will learn to love the skies I'm under. I will learn to love my life.

Thank you!

Today, I decided randomly to check my blog stats.



Ever since I posted this article, the views and comments on my blog have been booming. It is truly, truly humbling and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

When I read "6 reasons to NOT send your daughter to college," I was angry. I was sad. I felt hurt. It felt like a personal attack on my sister, my mother, my friends, my cousins, and me. Independent women, many of whom are living devout Catholic lives, who went to school simply for a love of learning. That's why I'm in school. Because I want to know more. I want to learn about the world I live in, about the people who surround me, about my faith and my Church. I'm not here for a career. I'm majoring in English and Theology, neither of those are in the least bit practical.

I believe I am a feminist. I'm against birth control, and abortion, and a lot of other things secular feminists say are "women's rights," but I believe that God made men and women equal. Not the same, but equal in their dignity. Everyone deserves an education, regardless of their gender roles.

Again, thank you, and God bless you.

Daily Smash Book: 9.17.13

Listening – to Timshel by Mumford and Sons

Eating – nothing

Wearing – silver flip flops, skinny jeans, black blouse and my blue Mount hoodie.

Feeling – restless

Weather -64 degrees and sunny

Wanting - my packages to arrive

Thinking – meh

Enjoying – Mumford and Sons 

Mass? – no

Gym – no

Favorite part of today so far - pumpkin spice latte

Drop Dead Diva touched me in a way that TV isn't really supposed to.

The other night, I randomly decided to watch a new show on Netflix. Drop Dead Diva had been recommended for me for a while, so I decided to give it a try, pretty convinced I'd watch one episode and move on.

I was wrong. I've been watching it everyday since that night, amazed at how funny, heartwarming, and relatable it is. For those who don't know, it's about an aspiring model, Deb, who dies in an accident, and while in "limbo" hits the "return button", and comes back to life in the body of a plus sized lawyer. Deb always looked down on plus sized women, and thought of them as beneath her, but after becoming one herself, she realizes just how untrue that is. She realizes how awful it feels to be looked at as someone simply overweight, and how people think you're lazy, and just not trying hard enough.

I've been overweight my whole life, and I've gotten my fair share of cruel remarks about it. I've been asked if I'm pregnant, told no one will ever want to be friends with or date me, and called a beached whale. I have to sit on the edge of the row of desks in class, because it's such a hassle for me to try to squeeze in between the seats. Sometimes, my belly doesn't even fit in the desk. I've heard people attempt to stifle their giggles as I try to squeeze myself in places. They usually fail, and I try not to cry in front of them.

Last year, I gained a good amount of weight because of stress right before I went to college. Soon after that, I stopped getting my period and didn't get it for a year. I didn't think much of it until the end of last semester. My period was always so regular, and then all of the sudden, it wasn't. I was afraid to go to the doctor, because I didn't want to be told it was because I was fat, or that something was wrong with me, so I joined a gym and began working out every day.

I lost 15 pounds and gained a good amount of muscle over the summer, and I'm so proud of how far I've come. I fit in my clothes better, I have more self-esteem, energy, and endurance. This month, my period came back. I don't think I've ever been that happy about my monthly visitor.

Drop Dead Diva is an amazing social commentary. It shows how much there is to someone, whether they're skinny, overweight, black, white, whatever, and how easy it is for someone to just look at the surface. You never know what someone's going through.

Hakuna Matata...

Hakuna Matata

The Lion King

6 Reasons to NOT Send Your Son to College

A rebuttal to this post and inspired by this post

1. He will attract the wrong type of women.  Ah, college. The home of parties and frat boys. There are so many lazy men in our society, that it's likely if you send your son to college, he will become a partying frat boy, lazy. Thus, he will attract the wrong type of women. Tsk tsk. He should just stay home and meet a nice girl at his job (Walmart and/or McDonald's) or church, and they can get married and make lots of babies and he will provide with his income. 
2. He will be in a near occasion of sin.  Boys will be boys... right? He'll be tempted to, instead of going to mass on Sunday, stay in his dorm with friends, maybe being corrupted by some sorority girls, maybe underage drinking, Just think of the environment that college-age students live in.  You have a heavy concentration of young people all living together without the supervision of parents at the most sexually charged state of life they will experience.  How can one expect that anyone would be able to avoid these temptations, even on a Catholic college campus much less a secular one?  So if it is unnecessary for one to be in a near occasion of sin, is it prudent to willingly put oneself there?  This is no small matter we’re dealing with here.  Is a degree worth the loss of your son's purity, dignity, and soul?  I don't think so
3. He will not learn to be a father or husband .  Nothing that is taught in a college curriculum is geared toward how to be a good father, husband, or even how to correctly treat a woman. He doesn't learn about what he was c r e a t e d to do, so why even bother? He will instead learn things like, "work before wife and children" and "money is power". You don't want your son to be like that, do you?
4. The cost of a degree is becoming more difficult to recoup.  Like anything that is subsidized by the government, the cost of a college degree is inflated.  That being the case, it can often be difficult or impossible to get an adequate payoff for the investment.  The most common example of that scenario is the job of a school teacher.  More commonly now we’re seeing situations where not only is the income not enough to support a family, but many are strapped with student loan debt.  Add to that the possibility of not even being able to get a job with the degree and you have economic disaster for a family before they even get started. 
5. You don’t have to prove anything to the world.  Often the reason for a man going to college is the pressure of the society around him, including his parents.  The man who graduates from high school along with his parents gets the endless barrage of questions of “Where are you going to college?”  The society is so fixated with the idea that a paycheck makes a man, so parents and sons often beam with pride in what university he will attend. So parents and their daughters often beam with pride in announcing what university she will attend.  Astonishingly even homeschool parents fall into this folly.  Often homeschooling parents feel they have to prove that they have done a good job in educating their children and are validated by them going to college.  But the confounding thing is that they went through all this effort to raise and educate their sons themselves but don’t give their sons the opportunity to do the same by locking him into a career. What if he wants to help homeschool his children, but instead feels trapped by the career that is pushed upon him
6. It could be a near occasion of sin for the parents.  In our culture many parents feel an unnecessary obligation to pay for the children's college tuition.  Of course to aid in that there are a host of financial advisers who can set up college investment savings programs for which the government will grant tax favors.  So parents may avoid having more children with contraception, sterilization, or illicit use of NFP to bear this cost.  To assume that all of our children will need a college degree is quite a stretch, particularly for men who will likely be fathers and can make just enough to get by at Walmart.
7. He will regret it.  When he has children, and misses baseball games, first communions, dance recitals, and other special things because he is at his job, he will wish he didn't go to college so he didn't have to work this job. When his wife tells him that he should take time to be a father. When his kids have no desire to talk to him anymore. When he walks his daughter down the aisle and wonders where the time went, and realizes that he could have spent so much more time with her if he had just not went to college
8. It could interfere with a religious vocation.  According to Corey Huber, President of the Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations, Catholic seminaries and religious orders do not accept candidates who have substantial unpaid debt. He states the average college loan debt today is a staggering $27,029 which takes most graduates a decade or more to pay off.  

 

Oh, and if you were wondering, for many of the reasons, I simply changed "girl" to "guy" and "she" to "he". I also fixed some horrific grammar issues. 

14.jpg

Daily Smash Book - 9.10.13

Listening – to Andy's Birthday from Toy Story

Eating – cookies

Wearing – black flats, jeans, and my "Keep Calm and Mount Up" shirt. Also my St. Christopher Alex & Ani.

Feeling – tired.

Weather - 79 degrees and clear

Wanting - nothing.

Thinking – about what I need to do.

Enjoying – playing candy crush


Mass? – no

Gym – no

Favorite part of today so far – First Bible Study!

"May you trust ...

"May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be."
-St. Therese of Lisieux

Daily Smash Book - 9.9.13

Listening – to the buzzing of the A/C.

Eating – hummus and pretzels

Wearing – skinny jeans, black flats, and my Mount SEEK shirt.

Feeling – hungry...

Weather - 68 degrees and cloudy

Wanting - to be done with classes.

Thinking – I need to step up my game.

Enjoying – meh.


Mass? – no

Gym – after classes with Gianna

Favorite part of today so far – getting a package with stuff from Rome and London from my Texan bestie <3

Daily Smash Book - 9.8.13

Listening – to Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid

Eating – nothing

Wearing – jean shorts and my 'Treat Yo Self' shirt

Feeling – determined

Weather - 81 degrees and mostly cloudy

Wanting - to watch The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Tangled

Thinking – that I need to finish my Philosophy essay.

Enjoying – that my music is spot on

Mass? – no

Gym – no

Favorite part of today so far – Eating brunch with Bridget and co.

Be A Best Friend. Tell the Truth and Overuse 'I love you'.

-Zac Brown Band

World Day of Fasting and Prayer for Syria

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] How do you say 'no' to that face?[/caption]

Today, Pope Francis asked the Catholics of the world to spend the day fasting and praying for peace in Syria.

I was proud to participate, and was glad that my school (on which the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is on the campus of) was hosting events.

First, they had mass and adoration at the seminary. I decided not to attend mass, but did adore Christ with a chapel full of fellow students, seminarians, priests, and faculty.

After that, we processed up the mountain to the grotto, where, in front of the Eucharist, we prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, begging Jesus to have mercy on us, and the whole world.

Then we went to the grotto altar, where we prayed the Rosary and finished with Mass. It was beautiful to see how many were aware of what is going on in current events and how many care about and love our brothers and sisters in Syria.

Still, there weren't many students there, which was a bit disheartening. But nonetheless, a lovely experience

Daily Smash Book - 9.7.13

Listening – to Blackbird (Piano Cover)

Eating – cheese fries and root beer.

Wearing – black exercise pants, and Emmaus 7 shirt (He Never lets Go! :) )

Feeling – content

Weather - 62 degrees and fair

Wanting - to have a movie night

Thinking – that I have to stop overthinking things.

Enjoying – My rootbeer, yo.


Mass? – Yes.

Gym – Yes

Favorite part of today so far – The day of prayer and fasting activities at school. So beautiful. I'll post about it later.

I'm Glad

My life.

Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever find that perfect little place I belong at school.

I have no doubt that I'm supposed to be at the Mount. God has given me signs upon signs upon signs... but sometimes it's hard to be here.

I see groups of people always together, always hanging out. I used to have that, but then I screwed up. Or maybe I didn't. But things changed. I changed.

Last spring was a mess, I was sobbing in bed on a daily basis. I would have bet on my soul that nobody cared.

This year is better, but it's still tough. I mean, it's still the beginning, so things can change, and I think they will. But right now it's tough. There's never enough room for me to be able to do things with my friends, or I'm just not invited.

They don't have to spend every waking moment with me. Hell, I hate doing that. But sometimes it'd be nice to be included instead of feeling like you're intruding on something.

I'm praying that I'll find my niche, I know God will show it to me, and that I'll find it. I just sometimes wish that His timing was more like my own.

When I was in adoration  last night, I was praying for certain things I wanted. A few weeks ago, God revealed to me that it was not time for me to really seriously discern my vocation, because He wanted me to focus on my life in the present, and aim for heaven in my every day actions in the now.

This bothered me, because I want to know my calling right. now. I told God this, and He told me that He'd let me know when it was time.

So, I've been praying that He would help me focus on what I am called to do now. Last night, this prayer was in my head.

I don't know my path, but You do. You're walking it with me, holding my hand, guiding me.

You are behind me, reminding me not to look back.

You are at the end of the path, reminding me to aim for greatness.

The path becomes crooked and goes uphill sometimes, support me and encourage me.

The path will hit a fork in the road. Don't let go of my hand, lead me down the one that reaches heaven.

People will join me on my journey, people meant to be there. They may help me to my final destination, or they may hurt me, and try to convince me to take another path. No matter what, they are meant to journey with me.

Our paths may cross for a short while, or a long time. I may not like having them there, or may cry as we go our separate ways.

If all of my companions leave and I feel despair and unable to see in the dark, shine Your light, so that I may be able to see that you are still behind, ahead and next to me.

Set the pace. Don't let me walk any slower or faster than I am supposed to, for I may get hurt.

If I feel the weight of my cross on my back, encourage me, because in suffering we find grace. You are on the cross.

Daily Smash Book: 9.6.13

Listening – to Only Prettier (Piano color)


Eating – drinking ice water with lemon and cucumber

Wearing – blue striped Henley with a ribbed blue tank under it, skinny jeans, and nude flats.

Feeling – peaceful

Weather - 78 degrees and sunny

Wanting - to feel more determined

Thinking – that I'm ridiculously blessed :)

Enjoying – Life


Mass? – nope

Gym – Not yet, going soon.

Favorite part of today so far – watching Hannah Montana...

God can do anything with anyone.

Daily Smash Book: 8.31.13

Listening – to the Braveheart soundtrack


Eating – nothing, getting ready to go to dinner

Wearing – my gray yoga pants, a pink tank, and a blue tank layered over that.

Feeling – hungry

Weather - 85 degrees and partly cloudy

Wanting - to receive a responding text

Thinking – that it's only the second week of school, and I've a l r e a d y fallen behind in homework.

Enjoying – Once Upon a Time


Mass? – nope

Gym – Yes, this afternoon. Used the elliptical for 20 minutes while watching Once Upon a Time.

Favorite part of today so far – today has been pretty unexciting. I've been doing homework all day. I'm really excited about tonight, however. :) Bingo and Foam Party at the FOCUS house! :)

Daily Smash Book: 8.30.13

Listening – to Shrek and the crickets outside my window

Eating – just drank a nice mug of Vanilla Creme Brulee coffee :)

Wearing – my blue dress

Feeling – at peace.

Weather - 74 degrees and fair

Wanting - More coffee...

Thinking – that it's time to rewatch The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Enjoying – Shrek

Mass? – nope

Gym – Yes, this morning with the roommate.

Favorite part of today so far – Now. :)

God weeds out the good to put in the better.

Yesterday, I was wondering why fate would have it that some people who were so important in my life last year were no longer part of it. I knew that God had a plan, and that it was best that they weren't in my life, but I wanted to know why it hurt.

That's when it hit me.

This summer I gardened. I sucked at it, but I planted sunflowers, daisies, tomatoes, peppers, basil, mint and much more. I remembered when I was getting the ground ready: how I had to dig and pull out rocks and weeds and all sorts of nasty stuff before I could put the seeds in. 

That's what God did to me. He pulled out the weeds, and it hurt, but now he's sowing the seeds, and something beautiful will grow from it.

Read

The most intense adoration

Yesterday, I went to a diocesean youth rally with my youth group from high school. I was excited to go, but I wasn't expecting any big revelations or anything: my faith life is fine. Or so I thought.

It started when I went to confession. After I confessed my sins, the priest told me that he knew that I was going to be holy, and that God was proud of me and my efforts to be holy. I was surprised. Usually, priests will tell me what to do differently, and what I've been doing wrong. I've never been told I was doing right. He also told me I had a roadblock in my heart that was keeping me from holiness.

I thought I knew what that was, but during adoration, something hit me. Something that I had hidden deep in my heart. Feelings of fear, rejection, anger, and much more. It was a walking adoration, and as the priest reached my aisle with the monstrance, I began to sob. The priest came to me, and I looked up, and all I could ask was 'why?' as I stared at Jesus. The priest put Jesus closer to my face. A song about trusting in Jesus was on, and I realized that I didn't trust Jesus. "I don't know what You want from me. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Who am I? What do you want from me?" And loud and clear, Jesus answered me, "You are mine, and I want you to trust in me. I have a plan, and you'll know in good time. You just need to trust."

I never realized that I have a difficult time trusting Jesus, but since then, it seems so obvious. I trust my dreams and plans more than I trust His.

As I begin to put total trust in Christ, I know that my life will change for the better. My heart will soften, my eyes will open. I'll keep you updated.

Daily Smash Book - 8.18.13 (on 8.19)

Listening – to Arrested Development on Netflix

Eating – drinking cranberry raspberry juice

Wearing – purple shorts with pink stripes and an old Twilight shirt

Feeling – nervous and stressed

Weather - 68 degrees and partly cloudy

Wanting - Someone to pack for me.

Thinking – that I suck at packing.

Enjoying – watching Arrested Development

Mass? – Nope, went last night at Fan the Fire

Gym – No.

Favorite part of today so far – Going shopping at Target with Gina

Daily Smash Book - 8.16.13

 

Listening – to Pretty Little Liars on Netflix

 

Eating – Twizzlers

 

Wearing – black workout pants and a blue shirt

 

Feeling – excited 

 

Weather - 76 degrees and fair

 

Wanting - nothing.

 

Thinking – that I'm procrastinating so much.

 

Enjoying – life

 

Mass? – Yes, with Julia, Alyssa, Caroline, Dan, Michelle, Quinn and Sarah

 

Gym – Yes, with Sarah and Michelle

 

Favorite part of today so far – Auntie's after mass :)

 

Dorm Print out 2

Daily Smash Book - 8.14.13

Listening – to Ripper Street on Netflix

Eating – just ate a Thai food smart ones frozen meal

Wearing – black workout pants, a pink tank and a blue patterned tank layered over.

Feeling – Hungry, even though I j u s t ate

Weather - 76 degrees and fair

Wanting - Roxie to snuggle with me :(

Thinking – that I should probably start packing for school...

Enjoying – watching TV... nice and relaxing.

Mass? - Yep! With Dan, Andrew, Julia, Sarah, Alyssa, Caroline, Quinn and Michelle.

Gym - Yes, with Sarah and Michelle

Favorite part of today so far - Just sitting and watching TV (Ripper Street, Scrubs, and now Downton Abbey)

Dorm Print out 1

Daily Smash Book - 8.13.13

Listening – to Pretty Little Liars on Netflix

Eating – just ate some plantain chips and drank some diet coke.

Wearing – denim bermuda shorts and a white Harry Potter t-shirt

Feeling – excited that my birthday's in a week!

Weather -74 degrees and partly cloudy

Wanting - it to be Thursday so I can go to Lake Compounce with my friends!

Thinking – that I should get some food soon.

Enjoying – life

In all rarity there is great value

Adoration

Dorm DIY special

I'm going to be doing a special series on DIYs for dorm rooms, or for other places. It'll be starting soon, and will be complete with pictures and instructions

Daily Smash Book - 8.11.13

Listening – to Once Upon a Time on Netflix

Eating – actually, drinking diet coke.

Wearing – one piece black halter swimsuit with jean bermuda shorts and a purple Steubenville East '09 shirt over it.

Feeling – content

Weather -73 degrees and cloudy

Wanting - to binge eat. but i know i shouldn't. cuz i didn't do so well on my WW points for the last few days

Thinking – about my incredible night last night (pictures to come!)

Enjoying – Catching up on Once Upon a Time with my sister.

Pascal hangs out at the tower

I started another blog... The adventures of Pascal!

Believe.