I've been away for far too long, and I apologize. :/. Life has been crazy busy (which is good), but I've neglected to keep my audience informed!! However, good news...IM BACK!! :).
The last time we left off, I had just returned from an awesome retreat of being together with all of the LV's and checking up on the service year. Since then I've attended 3 more weekend retreats, done 11 school retreats, had a visit from my dad and step-mom, spent a loooooong weekend back in Romeoville, attended 3 Broadway shows, ran an awesome 5K, crawled the streets of NYC for St. Patrick's Day looking for pubs, and tried to catch a bit of sleep in there when I am not at work!! Needless to say, I have been having too much fun, and can't believe how much time has flown by.
Living in New York, and my feelings towards it, have not really changed drastically over the past few months; still loving it, continuing to learn my way around, and overall taking in as much as possible before the year is up! The students at school have been absolutely amazing! Their continued excitement about all things Campus Ministry/Lasallian Youth is the reason I do what I do. Sidenote, I AM OFFICIALLY COMING BACK FOR A SECOND YEAR AT BISHOP LOUGHLIN!! I am so excited to have renewed my contract with the volunteer program, as well as the school, and look forward to the many opportunities that will be presented for next year! Being one who plans way too far into the future, I already have some great ideas up my sleeve! ;). But really, the students are awesome, the faculty staff are awesome, and I am loving all the growth and knowledge they provide me with. I can definitely feel and see a change in the person that I am!!
As I mentioned above, I have attended 3 weekends retreats over the past 2 months; District of Eastern North America (DENA) Young Lasallians Retreat, Discernment Retreat, and a second Kairos retreat with the students. Each retreat was a special experience, never overlapping on a similar theme, but I would have to say my favorite of the 3 was the Discernment Retreat. There was just a great feeling about taking time out of my busy schedule to truly reflect and think about not just my future as a volunteer, but also my future as an individual and my relationship with God. During one of the breakout sessions, we were able to discuss with different moderators where we were at as individuals, but also where we are at in discerning our life goals. As many of you may know, I am one that lives for the future, always excited to see the next step and what it has to offer versus living in the moment, without anticipation, and seeing where life takes me. When speaking with a specific moderator, she provided me with an awesome prayer, written by J Baps (John Baptist de La Salle as I like to call him with the students) himself.
Stir up your trust in the infinite goodness of God.
Give honor to your Creator by leaving the care of your person in the hands of God.
Don’t be troubled about the present or disquieted about the future,
but be concerned only about the moment you must now live.
Do not let anticipation of tomorrow be a burden on the day that is passing.
What you lack in the evening, the new morning will bring you,
if you know how to hope in God.
-St. John Baptist de La Salle
This prayer provided a lot of comfort and knowledge to continue my work, and who I am, without truly having to worry about what God has planned for me.
The weather is very beautiful in New York, and can't believe I didn't even really have a winter. :(. Next year however, Mother Nature will be sure to treat me...i just know it.
I promise with the next post, it will not be 823929 weeks before it happens.
Continued thanks for prayers and support. :).
Live Jesus In Our Hearts. Forever!
**I figure I could post a few pictures that have been from events that I talked about here in the blog...
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| My boss' daughter Evey Sue! :). I just thought (and know) the picture is adorable!! |
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| Broadway Show #1 that I saw so far this year (2012)... |
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| Broadway Show #2 that I saw so far this year (2012)... |
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| Broadway Show #3 that I have seen so far this year (2012)... |
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| A view from my rock where I meditated and reflected for over an hour on one of my 3 weekend retreats!! :) |
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| Yay for airport pick-ups on my looooooong weekend visit to Lewis University!! |
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| Sophia(er) and I after completing the St. Patrick's Day 5K in Providence, RI (Good ol' LU alums too!!) |
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| Loughlin students who attended our Habitat for Humanity: A Brush With Kindness during their February Break! |
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| Loughlin students who attended Kairos 7 at beginning of March. |
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| Some fancy dressed actors we met along the crawl through NYC |
