HERE I AM LORD, I COME TO DO YOUR WILL
I've been wanting to blog more recently, and as I am a recent grad from Franciscan University, I have been reflecting on my journey through college and have thought of several points that helped make my time incredible, or some ways I could have improved! Please enjoy this as it also brings up several of my memories and joyful times! 1. Take advantage of activities around campus-especially free ones-especially the first few weeks. 2. Claim a spot in the lib, great way to make friends. @CaraeDomini 3. Invite the girls over on your wing for a girl’s night. Truly life changing. 4. Take pictures-all the time. 5. Journal each night of your first semester of college. I did it and it is so cool to go back and see when I met my friends for the first time! 6. Get involved in ministries, club sports, clubs (but you don’t need to do it all) 7. Include your parents. I did, my friends loved them and our relationship is so much more beautiful! 8. Go on one retreat a year-really helps you to refocus, to reorient your focus on why you are doing anything! 9. Delete social media, use it only every 3 days for 20 minutes (it will help you to not fall into comparison) and it allows you to be more productive, and spend more time with those around you. The four years go fast, live in every moment. 10. Spend time at the caf, give yourself a solid 45 minutes per every few meals to get to know those around you and to take a break from studying! 11. Get your studying done earlier in the day, go to the library-crunch it out so you can take advantage of everything else offered. 12. Work out-one of the coolest things about college is all the free stuff, especially the gyms. 13. Make your room cozy and inviting, your room becomes a place of rest, fun and a place where you WILL make life long memories with your friends! 14. Join a Bible study, read the Word of God as often as possible, it will inspire you and bring you peace, I promise! 15. You don’t have to go to daily mass (maybe 3 times a week if available) or don’t do a daily holy hour, I made the mistake one semester of having the best prayer life ever, and I almost failed all of my classes, be prudent with your prayer life, study life and social life. There is a possible balance! 16. Take walks/runs around campus-bring a friend. Great way to also run into people, clear your brain and take a productive break!
17. Visit a lot of households just because, not to commit, it's okay to find one that works, but also to find some you don't want to join. But also, Carae Domini all the way! ;) 18. Forget about what others think, this time will be the most freeing years of your life, and everyone is trying to figure out who they are. 19. Be present (turn Netflix off, these four years go so fast). 20. Get to know your professors, the religious, and leaders of ministries/clubs. 21. Celebrate the heck out of birthdays. It's fun. 22. Include everyone! Everyone is in the same place you are in. And everyone deserves a friend!
0 Comments
During the fall semester of my senior year, I realized that I could participate with one of the summer missions that Franciscan sponsored. This was exciting because I had come into the year knowing I would not be able to serve on a mission for Franciscan again, because of student teaching. So, I took it to prayer. It was clear I needed to apply for Ecuador. But was I really supposed to go? Something else that had me question if I was truly called to this mission was my desire to apply for NET Ministries for the following year (plot twist, I’m starting in less than a week with NET), which would require fundraising for two major mission trips. Although it was possible to fundraise for both, I continued to pray for clarity, trusting that God would provide if I was meant to do both.
Fast forward to right before we went to Ecuador, I was getting so excited! I just kept imagining the kids running into my arms and becoming best friends with them. It was finally time to go and when we got to Ecuador, and went to the orphanage, the children immediately ran up to us and embraced us. They also tried to talk to me. But in Ecuador, they speak Spanish, and the only language I ever took was Latin, and I barely retained that, so I had no clue what they were saying! Even though the kids did run into our arms, the language barrier became my biggest struggle the first few days. For some reason, I hadn’t considered that happening. Throughout my journey in Ecuador, I soon came to realize there were only certain phrases necessary to use with the children. Even those words weren’t necessary, though. What I needed to do was get out of my comfort zone and embrace the love of God. Actions truly make a difference. There are a few words everyone knows-a smile, a laugh, a squeal in delight. During my time, I finally learned how to translate those for my own heart. I began to recognize Christ in these kids, even if they had never heard of Him. But I also saw them through the Father’s eyes.
Disclaimer: I apologize for a lack of pictures of the children (we aren't allowed to share their faces, as well as a lack of photos of me, I was kind of the team photographer, so there are only a few without showing the children's faces, so enjoy some awesome photos I captured of my teammates! :)
It was just VBS, nothing special. Right? Just a chance for children to enjoy the mornings... But that's not what this VBS was about. It was about speaking truth into the minds of intelligent children of God. These children deserved the truth and attention from adults in their faith. Because of the commitment from incredible, passionate adults, thirty children got to experience the fulfillment of the Gospels.
When reflecting on this week, my heart was flooding with joy. These kids have changed my life. Many were at our first VBS last year and they came with expectations for this second year, which made me insecure! I didn't feel as prepared going into it, because I knew what a week of VBS looked like. But as soon as we began Monday morning, my heart filled to the brim because I saw Christ face to face. Through the children. "Let the children come to me."
After knowing this of myself, how can I not run to the cross? How else will I be fed? There is no other way for me to be at peace, but in the Father's arms. He adores me. But He also adores you. Think about it, He created you, in His own image and likeness, for this specific time in the world. He gave you this life because He is calling you to greatness. You are called to Sainthood. Above is an image of my sisters and I. These women are beautiful. They call me on. They remind me of my worth in God. These women know my heart. They understand that I am not perfect, and they love me in that. They lead me back to the Father with their example of prayer without ceasing. They constantly remind me of my identity in Christ. They understand how the Father could love me unconditionally because they live like Christ does, they see others as Christ sees others. Thank you Father for blessing me with a community that unites my heart to Yours.
What I see in the above picture is authentic sisterhood. There is a pure love in this picture. We cherish each other and understand what it means to love in every moment. This was a spontaneous picture, but I could contemplate with it for hours. I see so much growth, healing and newness. There is a breath of fresh air in this picture. There is an intimacy and uniqueness to each pair. Praise God for how He moves in our hearts every second of every day. sisterhood: a bond between two or more girls, not always related by blood. they always tell the truth, honor each other and love each other like sisters. And of course, there had to be some intentional beaver pictures! :)
I am back!! But now, I am small. Do I mean short? No. I am average height. Maybe to the Beaver family I am short, but in society, I am average. Am I small in weight? No. I am healthy. Am I small in school, meaning unsuccessful? No. I am a little above average. Am I small in my faith. Maybe.
What am I doing to build the kingdom of God? What are you doing to build the kingdom of God? How can we be small, or child like, to help build the kingdom of God?
You can be a witness by being small and by doing small, but substantial, things. May God bless your week! :) Here is a video, from FOCUS explaining what SLS did and how it served the Catholic Church in America: This past January, I was blessed with the opportunity to go to a conference in Chicago called SLS. SLS stands for Student Leadership Summit. Although, this year, the conference was open to those active in parishes as well, not just college students. The conference's goal was to supply us with materials and skills to bring the faith to others. To live out the Gospel message, by approaching it as Jesus did. By investing in a few. The way the Lord invested in the twelve was a great start. Here is where I see that I can invest in a small group through my Bible study. Then Jesus even had three closer to Him. Peter, James and John. This is where I am called to reach out to a few to create that authentic friendship. To walk through life with them. This is what each one of us are called to do. Not just the 8,000 at the conference, but every single human being God created. We are called to go out and proclaim His message, and to invest in one. That will make the difference. Investing in one will change our world and the way we live.
There were so many absolutely incredible speakers throughout the whole conference. Below I have links for Dr. Ed Sri and Sr. Bethany Madonna's talks! The middle picture is of Bishop Folda, bishop of North Dakota. Sadly, they have not posted his homily on YouTube. What makes conferences like SLS incredible is the speakers that come, and it's just their humility and love for God that radiates and draws so many to them. But in reality, it is drawing more people to God. There is a need for more living saints, like all of these speakers. Be that living saint!
On January 19, 2018 I marched for those lives who will never get a chance to walk. On November 4, 1996 I was born to a woman who was 17 years old, and on November 7, 1996 I met my parents who would raise me to know that I am worth everything. I marched because that could have been me, who never got to walk. I march because there are lives being murdered before they can even whisper "I love you". I march so that the lives that God intended could potentially be saved, so that they can stand up for their friends who may get bullied one day. I march for the women who have had abortions and hurt and ache to have held their child. I march for the doctors who perform abortions, that they may have a conversion of heart, to recognize the lives they are taking. I am marching so there does not need to be a 46th March For Life. Enough is enough. It is time we cherish the gifts God tries to give this world.
I will not be silent. Thank you to my birth mom for choosing life, that I may stand for these lives being taken. If only I could have known them. What beauty they would have added to this world.
"Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 I just celebrated my 21st birthday and I have had a little time to reflect on where I have been and where I am going. Within the past twenty one years, I have been joyful, sad, overjoyed, emotional, stressed, and productive. Within those moments I have seen who I am becoming slowly, I have realized who my friends are and I have grown in relationship with my Lord.
As this semester has continued, I have gone to a pumpkin patch with my dear friends, I have gone and attempted to use a bow and an arrow, I went to Build a Bear for my 21st birthday and I also got to wear a fun Mexican hat for my birthday! Along with all these blessings, I have grown in a desire for time spent in front of the Blessed Sacrament and I have grown in a desire for a relationship with our Mother Mary! Praise God for the beauty within this semester and the growth that has taken place, only because He allows it!
I thought it'd be fun to share some photos that I took on my phone this past week, it will also be an easier and possibly more fun way to see what I am up to! Glance at your own risk... There may be some smiling. ;) Image taken September 20th 2017. Most mornings I need to be out of my dorm between 6:30-7:30 am, so I always get a beautiful image of just what is in front of me! Lots of fog on the hill! Image taken September 21st 2017, featuring Christopher Thorpe, my friend, until he see this. :) What's wonderful about leaving my phone on the table at the caf is I always get wonderful pictures of what I missed as I found my dinner! Image taken September 21st, 2017. As you'll catch on, I love the sun shinning through trees, and taking pictures. This was after dinner, walking out of the caf! Image taken September 22nd, 2017. This is an extremely flattering picture of my roommate, Allegra, and myself as we very confidently finished our abb workout! Truly what kept us smiling was the thought of our smoothies waiting for us after this workout! it's the little things. Image taken September 22nd, 2017. After our 10 am class about sacred music, we decided to pray a rosary together. There were a lot of bugs crawling all around us. Mary here made it a rosary journey, as she journeyed from rock to rock contemplating the mysteries! Image taken September 22nd, 2017, featuring an innocent Nikki. What was absolutely wonderful this weekend was that I had the opportunity to go home for a brief time. What a blessing it was to be greeted by this lamp! What fuzzy lamps we have in the Beaver house... Image taken September 22nd, 2017. What I really enjoy doing is taking pictures in the car. Sadly it doesn't always work because of the speed. But this one surprisingly worked out! (Disclaimer, my mother was driving!) Image taken September 23rd, 2017, featuring a proud mom and her dog, Bailey. There was some exciting commotion at the Beaver Lodge this weekend. Little did I know I was going to be graced by the presence of a royal puppy! Bailey titled for the SECOND time! We are so proud and grateful. Images taken September 23rd, 2017. These are pictures that prove to me that Jesus Christ is my God. The beauty He chose to create; the trees, the sun, the water, and my parents. Praise God. So much truth, beauty and goodness in these images. Images taken September 23rd, 2017, featuring Bailey and Nikki. This is just essential to share because they were a huge reason I came home. Image taken September 24th, 2017. When at home... But really though! Praise God for moms to bake with! My mom helped me make a few fun meals and goodies in the kitchen this weekend to help provide me with food to eat this week. Let me tell you, these were incredible!! The recipe is pictured below, found on Pinterest. Image taken September 27th, 2017. Something "fun" I do that many people might not know, is I work out. Yeah, I'm buff. JUST KIDDING! (Not yet.) But I begin with the elliptical and then do weights and things for abbs. I really enjoy working out, it really helps to start my day out productive! It is most frequently rewarded with yummy smoothies, I'll share my favorite recipe below! Again, thank you Pinterest. Side note: I also use frozen bananas for a colder smoothie! Image taken a lot longer ago! Featuring my dad and I!
I'm going to close with this image of my dad holding me up on his shoulders. I hope this was enjoyable for others, just something fun. But for real, God is incredible and His mercy is enduring and super needed! Golly, God is so ready to love on you! Say YES! Allow Him to pick you up and carry you around on His shoulders. He's waiting with arms wide open! God bless you! Know of my prayers for all those who read this! :) "Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be and becoming that person." St. Therese of Lisieux Simple beauty is how I view the Saints. It is how I want to see myself. It is how I think we need to view the Faith sometimes. This time of the semester calls for that simple beauty. Whether that is in the moments of rest throughout the day or in a coffee date. Without my daily time of holy leisure, I cannot be myself. We all need that time every day to just be, be ourselves, do our favorite thing, and to just breathe. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day." Matthew 6:33-34 How can we find that simple beauty? Through our Lord. Through the scriptures, through the Eucharist. How do we even breathe daily, only through the Lord are we capable of taking a breath. Only because He allows us to take that breath. I challenge you to take that time. Every day. Take an hour with the Lord, in silence, reflection or in mass. Also, take an hour, every day, for yourself. Take that hour and paint, read or just take a walk to experience the simple beauty of God's creation. Lastly, share this method with all those around you. Our lives will seem simpler, more joyful if we give an hour to our Lord, and take an hour to take care of ourselves so we may better serve Him. "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1st Corinthians 2:2
I begin with creating a schedule for each day. Half hour by half hour. If we are not intentional about our day, how can we use the time the Lord has given us? I begin with putting my classes and necessary and mandatory commitments into the day. I then go through and write in a holy hour and homework. What I struggle with most currently is sticking to these last two. I then try to write in an hour of holy leisure to take that time for myself. Most times it includes canvas painting or spending quality times with friends! Throughout my day, I also just try to include prayer when possible. I try to pray my Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet outside of that holy hour to reserve that time for listening to the Lord through His word or through silence. Frequent confession also helps with being consistent in who you are and also being true to those you encounter, this also goes along with a daily examination of conscience. And how have I not mentioned this yet: DAILY MASS! So necessary for life, for breathing, for anything! But if you miss one day, don't fret, you will survive. I only highlight this because I struggle with putting myself down when I don't make it. Overall, these are the main things I would suggest if you find that you've not been at peace or you've been very down. I share all of this hoping to share Christ with you, to help you grow with Christ. Our goal is not just for us to get to heaven, but to get each soul we encounter to heaven! "O eternal light, lift up my blindness! O perfect unity, create in my simplicity of being. Humble my heart to receive your graces."
St. Louise de Marillac |
Hello!Welcome to my blog! I am nothing special. OH WAIT! Just kidding, I'm a daughter of the King of all Kings. Oh wait again, we're related! Categories
All
Archives
September 2017
Who is Sarah Beaver?Learn more about me!
|