Sharing in the Struggles

As I spend a fair amount of time in this site (only because school has not started yet), I’ve come to realize that I really love and enjoy sharing thoughts about God and my faith.  Maybe I will move one soul out there into knowing Christ more, or maybe not.  But it has been a learning and insightful experience for me, writing and reading the posts.  And I just thought ‘What if I could do this ALL the time?  If only I don’t have financial responsibilities, or if I am not STRUGGLING on what career to pursue, or if I didn’t have to take my car to the repair shop, or help out in my family’s activities.  If everything in my life is right in place, in perfect harmony, I could do so much more in this ‘ministry’.

But what then have I got?  How then would I understand the trials and difficulties we all undergo IF my life was free of it all?  How would I share about pain, anger, disappointment, hurt, and doubts if I don’t experience it?

Now I understand more God’s deep love for us, coming down to earth that He may share in all our struggles.  He could have solved everything from ‘above’, but He chose instead, out of love, to walk with us, dine with us, and suffer with us.  He Himself experienced our pain.  He was rejected, betrayed, abandoned, CRUCIFIED!

Wheeeeee!!

You know - the last time I posted it was about how tough it is being a grown up” - but there’s a good side too!

As a kid, we’re stuck with doing the things adults want to do.  Our lives are governed by other’s choices.  We go where our parents want us to go, we do what “they” want us to do, we live our lifes completely dependent on our families.  Many times it’s without any real say in the matter.  That kinda stinks.  Oftentimes we don’t get to choose - so one of the best things of being “grown up” is getting to pick what you do, where you live, how you live, and most importantly where and with who you go on vacation with! 

As I type this I realize how lucky I am to be 28.  I realize how lucky I am to have a (relatively) steady (for now) job that pays me money on a regular basis.  I’m lucky to have the options in my life that I never had as a kid growing up.  I’m lucky to not have to worry about my parents’ permission.  I’m lucky that I’m a responsible, free adult who makes her own decisions in life - who can go on vacation!!!!

 Being grown up doesn’t completely suck!

btw - can you tell I’m going on vacation?  And I’m EXCITED!!!

=)

Lent Support Group

The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 6.  It is a time of fasting and abstinence, and increase in prayer and almsgiving. Some may decide to give up certain food like chocolate or soda, or the use of specific ‘words’.  Others may focus on being more patient and loving, understanding and charitable.  As we go through this penance and self-denial, we can use this blog as an online support.  You don’t have to share and be specific about your ’sacrifice’ and ‘offering’ but we can still pray for each other and give each other moral and spiritual support.  I personally have not decided what I am ‘giving up’ or ‘doing more of’ yet. 

Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.  (Joel 2:12-13)

Let us always keep in mind that this Lenten discipline is to help us encounter God more fully and deeply with spiritual conversion.

An interview with God…

The Confessions

  

Having gone through a phase when I sinned gravely, I was reminded of St. Augustine.  All I know of him is that he was a great sinner, who, with the help of his mother’s persistent prayers, was converted and later became one of the great Doctors of the Church.  Even that little information may not be accurate.

Wanting to know more about this saint, I browsed through his life and ran into his book Confessions.  The book is an autobiography of Augustine, describing his sinful youth and then his conversion.  I am just beginning to read the book.

There Will Be Blood

[Yahoo] An epic tale of family, faith, power and oil set on the incendiary frontier of California’s turn-of-the-century petroleum boom. The story chronicles the life and times of one Daniel Plainview, who transforms himself from a down-and-out silver miner raising a son on his own into a self-made oil tycoon. When Plainview gets a mysterious tip-off that there’s a little town out West where an ocean of oil is oozing out of the ground, he heads with his son, H.W., to take their chances in dust-worn Little Boston. In this hardscrabble town, where the main excitement centers around the holy roller church of charismatic preacher Eli Sunday, Plainview and H.W. make their lucky strike. But even as the well raises all of their fortunes, nothing will remain the same as conflicts escalate and every human value–love, hope, community, belief, ambition and even the bond between father and son–is imperiled by corruption, deception and the flow of oil. (Yahoo.com)

Critics: A-
Yahoo users: B+

Run Time: 2 hours 38 minutes
Rated: R (violence)

Taize in Covina

“In the Desert with Jesus…A Lenten Journey”

“In the Desert with Jesus…A Lenten Journey”

This pdf file reveals all the details on the great opportunity for young adults to spiritually prepare for Easter during Lent and meet up with other young adults from around Los Angeles.

Volunteer Opportunity

  YOUNG ADULTS :
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Second Saturday Project with the Little Sisters of the Poor Love - Service - Prayer 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Monthly Beginning January 12, 2008

Morning :

Gathering
Eucharistic Adoration / Lectio Divina / Mass

Afternoon :

Service of the Elderly
Lunch / Discussion / Social Time

You will give much. You will receive more.
There is no charge for the day.

For information or directions, contact:

Sister Michael, l.s.p.
Jeanne Jugan Residence
2100 S. Western Avenue
San Pedro  CA  97032
310 / 413-2128
vcsanpedro@LittleSistersofthePoor.org

Pure Joy

Share some moments in your life when you experienced pure joy, deep in the heart.