The Shrine at night :D

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"Offer it up" ???

Life is very interesting these days. I am now an assistant 2nd grade Catechist at my parish AND am the Respect Life Co-ordinatoor (you email the archdiocese about one thing and you wind up having a title?). I am very excited about both of these things, quite excited about everything that is going on in my life...but something inside me seems off balance.

I often feel like hopping a plane and going to Texas, like right NOW--- part of me wishes I lived closer to my new home! It is so far away and so expensive to travel all willy nilly.  This past week, for some reason has been especially hard...and I am really having a hard time explaining or understanding this. When I think of how far way entrance is, I start to tear up (its a great amount of time for family and friends, but for me...sooo long) wishing it were next week! 

My God-daughter and I will visit in April, and even that seems too far away. I guess it's probably because I have wanted to be with God in this way  for so long, and I am finally close to having it but it will NEVER be close enough, well maybe if it were next week it would be! 

I guess I will just have to offer up my yearning and continue on with the patience that God has graced me with---as hard as it might be! 

God Bless You ALL!

Superstah---no more

Yesterday my beloved "Superstar" key chain broke in half...all the letter beads that formed the word fell to the ground.


I am convinced that this is a further sign of my vocation, I am no longer striving for personal attention from others--- I am striving to give attention to those who might need it :D

Also, while cleaning out my files--- I found papers. Remember those papers that I thought I had put away, but couldn't find while filling out the application? Yes, those papers, God has a sense of humor, that's for sure!

personal catechist?

A lot of interesting things happened this past week. None of which I am going to put into words. Sometimes events make you so over joyed or so exasperated that you can't even begin to think of the words, perhaps in another week it will make more sense and I will be able to write about it---until then I will keep you in the dark.




These are your seven deadly sins--- most people who are Catholic know them, and a lot of other Christian denominations do too.


I have taken on the project of being a personal catechist to my God-daughter. She has been asking about Penance and First Communion for a while now, and nothing has been done about it (she is in the 5th grade, went to public school the year this was supposed to happen). It is like pulling teeth though, she says she really wants this to happen but when it comes to projects and assignments, she just won't do it. "It's boring". Well my dear learning about your faith takes dedication and a little bit of work~


This will be a fun ride.

curious events continued...

That night, as I was getting ready for bed my God-daughter called me hysterically crying. I was in shock because she is like me and normally tries to hide her tears, but something was different. When I asked her why she was crying she said "Because I don't want you to be a nun". I was shocked, she had been so excitedwhen I first told her the news. She explained that she didn't think she would still be able to do  theatreand that she wouldn't be able to go to mass anymore (as I have been in charge in both these areas) Itold her that I am not becoming a nun, and explained to her the difference between a nun and sister, and toldher can call me and write to me, and that I promised when I came for home visits I would spend as muchtime as possible with her. She then told me "Are you Happy? If you are happy, i am happy for you, But,if you decide that this isn't what you want, and stay I will be happy then, too" I started crying, but hid thisfrom her. I feel as if I am abandoning her in a way, but at the same time, I feel this will be an extraordinaryexperience for her (perhaps as much as it will be for me). I told her that we would spend as much time as possible together before I leave in the summer (I haven't the heart to tell her I leave 2 days afterher birthday). And the 2 of us WILL make the most of  our time together. Guaranteed.


Sunday---


I arrived at my church early, as I started doing after the October retreat in Panhandle, to spend time with Jesus and in prayer. As I was praying, I saw the deacon watching me out of the corner of my eye, and he smiled at me. If you knew my deacon, you would know how interesting this is. 
      I had just sat back in the pew and he (the deacon) approached me saying..."you remember how you used to altar serve when you were a little one. Well, I might need a server for this mas---a test of your vocation, the holy spirit is open as am I...now all we need is you" 
I loved serving, and actually do miss it, so of course I said Yes... if it was needed. Which it turned out not to be. 

   This mass was the Rite of Entrance for our Confirmation Candidates. Beautiful to see all 15 of our youth state that they wish to be confirmed and the reasons why--They all WANT to be confirmed, that is the most spectacular thing!






I guess that wasn't so curious...but in any event, my weekend was full of up and downs, I am so glad it ended on an up note though!

Weekend of curious events...

Hello my LOVES!

This past weekend had some very exciting, and sometimes curious events involved. Let me elaborate.

On Friday I attend Eucharistic Adoration and the first Santo Nino novena mass (official feast is next Saturday the 15th), at my parish. It was a beautiful event, and I don't think I have seen so much beautiful dedication, as the Filipino community has brought to The Shrine. I somehow fell into the role of hospitality minister! I saw that the Sacristan (who is new) had placed the programs on the wrong table---I was on my way out to the vestibule when the Minister of Worship said "Oh, Thank You Crystal, we really need someone here tonight"-- I just went with it. One of the families volunteered their daughter to help out--she was amazing, started talking to me about the weather and what she was doing in school. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE KIDS?

After mass I headed out to dinner with a few friends and then we went to a karaoke bar! My friends signed me up for a few songs---which I still haven't paid them back for! They figured I must start getting my vices out so I sang Britney Spears, Madonna, and Dixie Chicks---granted I don't really listen to any of those artists on a regular basis! It was an over all beautiful and quiet evening. Enjoyable.

Saturday I spent the majority of the day cleaning and re-organizing. I am starting to whittle down my life, to 2 "maybe" boxes (in case something were to happen and I had to leave Panhandle (Heaven Forbid!)). I thought that this would be an easy task but alas NOT. I was bagging up books, stuffed animals, and clothes. I explained most of what happened in the post just before this one, so I don't feel the need to describe it all again. 

Here is a picture I found online of the porcelain doll I was talking about---something very special just happened. The sight I went onto to get the picture had "Memory" for CATS playing as the background music--This was/is our song! My Grandmother and I, that is.

Saturday evening my family took me out to dinner for my BIRTHDAY and to celebrate my acceptance. Avery nice night indeed. 

My Beloved

The Ultimate Surrender of LOVE