tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62132438144062647532024-03-14T00:28:09.294-07:00Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come!Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-46588594611766226152013-04-06T23:14:00.000-07:002013-04-06T23:14:34.302-07:00Never Become Complacent for Communion (Inspired by Father Dominic Foster TOR) At the moment of our Baptism the Lord placed an indelible seal on our soul. He claimed us as His children. How precious we are to him. We are made to know, to serve, and to love him. He desires us to live our lives according to his word, and way. He, Jesus Christ, desires to pour graces on us in any way possible. He shows us himself through the breaking of the bread, through friendships, and through the sacraments. <br />
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Here at Franciscan and many other Universities many students have opportunities to obtain these ideals. Unfortunately, there are countless souls in others countries including China where they may have no friendship, and no place to practice the sacraments. In that Country for instance, a priest will be saying mass and have individuals watching out for those who want to distrupt and kill anyone who is involved in the mass. When the spies warn the priest of individuals coming a person will change into the priest clothes, give up their life for the priest, so the mass can continue to be celebrated. These individuals know the preciousness of the mass and who is in the Eucharist. They know Jesus in the Eucharist, and he is the way, truth and life. Because, in past times we have not been frightened for our lives for going to mass, we may take it for granite. Sometimes in mass we could be thinking about the next football game, what we are to eat for what we are to wear. These things can be good for the soul(recreation is important), however, they are not our true road which will lead to eternal life with the Lord Jesus. <br />
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We must not be complacent in our faith. There will be a time when we must stand up for Christ, and not be afraid of living and dying for our faith. The times may come sooner than we think when we have to stand up for the dignity of marriage or the human person to a deeper degree. We must equipt our person for battle. To equipt ourselves for battle we must entune ourselves to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. When we partake in him we are becoming one with him and he in us. <br />
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Partake in the sacraments, YES, do it with as much reverence as you can muster. Praise Christ for the sacraments YES. As a priest once told me we should recieve Jesus as it is our first, last and only time recieving the Eucharist. WE must have this mindset while recieving Forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation. Go into the presence of the Lord and lay down your sins, so that you can rise again with him, in wholeness and holiness. <br />
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Lets strive to Grow deeper in our relationship with our Lord. Brothers and Sisters lets live for Christ in a deeper way which is good, pleasing and perfect, so that we can give ourselves to HIM who is Father Son and Holy Spirit!!! Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-9732133810913421992013-04-05T20:00:00.002-07:002013-04-05T20:04:24.957-07:00To convert is to die to oneself but to live in Christ everlasting joyWe may kick and scream during the conversion process. As americans we like fast things. We like cars that go 80 miles an hour, food that we can order and recieve in a few minutes, and depending on where you are at in your spiritual lives spirit highs. Many individuals desire a quick fix. However, a quick fix will not help you to live a life solid in Christ. We need to let ourselves go through the conversion process. Now, I'm not saying at all it will be a process of candy canes and dandelions but it will be worth the process. <br />
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Everday were faced with struggles that we need conversion from. Conversion from lies of the world, conversion from eating too much/eating too little, or not praying enough. At any place, wherever you are you are able to be start the conversion process. It could be as simple as saying, " I surrender to your Holy Will", or "Help me to surrender to your conversion time frame and let mine be shattered". For me, I have gone through struggles to realize that conversion is a process. The many stories, or movies I have read or watched it always seemed to me that saints, and the like were always converted in around 1 or two hours time. We must realize that conversion takes time. Many, myself included desire to have a miracle where I know where the Lord wants me yesterday. The Lord may work like that in miracle cases but in most cases he desires us to grow deeper into his love and understanding on a daily basis. <br />
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All of our conversion processes start the day we are born. We may not recognize it though until many years later when we realized God was in certain places in our lives which planted seeds of insurance of his love, or a future vocation. In my life, as I am journey to go deeper with our Lord I have noticed over the course of many years he has continuously planted seeds of his wonderful love for me as Father, and shown me how he wants to shower me his daughter with gifts of deep joy and peace. <br />
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We must come to realize brothers and sister that we will be converting till the day we die. Each day we must surrender ourselves to Christ so that our conversion to occur. We can go kicking or screaming in the conversion process but that will only make the process go slower when you desire to grow closer to Christ. <br />
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When our hearts are surrendered to Christ we can draw closer to him, and our hearts can be converted to him in a deep way. When we are fully converted to him, our hope is that you may see your eternal father in heaven. For when we die our hearts will be one with him and our conversion will turn into consummation!!! <br />
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My dear Brother and sisters let us remain committed to conversion to desire to have conversion turn into consummation!!! Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-70404666549385430522013-03-13T13:46:00.000-07:002013-03-13T13:50:21.500-07:00Greatest lessons in simple momentsAs I was talking to my father on the phone many millions of people were awaiting to see the look of the new pope. Their eyes were fixed on the window waiting to be opened to see who would sit on the chair of people of flock the church. Because I am more aware of the world at a the age of 26, and a franciscan student at Franciscan my heart became excited for the possiblity of the Catholic Church electing a new pope. <br />
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After much anticipation a man with glasses came out in the white, onto the balcony for the world to see. For a moments he just stood there and stared and what lay before him. Perhaps all struggles of the world was going through him mind or what he was going to have for breakfast the next day. Even though may not know what was in his mind, from the start we can see him to have a humble spirit. During his speech, before blessing his flock he has used to bless him. When someone asks that to individuals they are full of humility. He knows that to serve anyone one must a humble heart to serve individuals. <br />
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Even though Pope Francis could have said many beautiful lengthy prayers He just stood there and asked for his blessing. Even in the simple moments in life we learn many great lessons. We learn in the scripture the Lord says "Let the Children come". He lets them sit on his lap with know they dont have any sort of degrees, but the simplicity of their childhood.<br />
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From what I gather, our new pope desires to take care of his flock, as Christ takes care of all of us. In a simple humbling gesture let us continue to draw forth from a simple gesture; of humility!! <br />
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Many times I have gone on retreat and they discuss living the Rythmn of the monastic life. This means that one has a balance of work and prayer in their life (ora et labora). At every convent I have gone to sister seems to just trust in the Lords rythmn for their day. Some wake up before the son, while others walk up just after the sun. I always looked forward to having a schedule to follow so that my heart and mind could be centered on following the voice of the Lord and not when I want a snack (which will always be on my mind with whatever schedule I hold). Lately, I have become inspired through a few of Gods amazing people to start to focus my life on a rythmn. Today is the first day that Im a following a schedule of prayer, work, dinner and giggle time with my rooms( that is essential). Last night my beautiful sisters in Christ helped me to make a schedule to begin to rythmn myself to the things of the world, and to trust in the things of Christ. <br />
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This morning I woke up at around 8:00 or so to my SD voice on her mp3 player. I woke up giggling. In my giggles I was not totally grumpy and getting up but realizing that I have a Lord that desires me to wake from my sleep with Joy in him that I am called to live joyfully.<br />
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Even though my blog is really about living a rythmic life...in this rythmic life you need giggle time!!! Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-31579486757370288562013-02-18T18:50:00.001-08:002013-02-18T18:50:34.674-08:00Recreating my feminine heart Many times in todays society the world tries to tell us who we are. If we are not secure in ourselves we may give into the illusions of the world. For many years I was lost in the idea that God was not in me, and he did not create out of the love, but was a mistake. He did not love me but created me out of bad dirt. In my head my mistakes made me believe I made a mistake that means I am a mistake. <br />
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In the eyes of the Lord this is untrue. The Lord does not make mistakes, especially when he creates the human race. He created all of us in his image and likeness and in this we are called beautiful.<br />
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Growing up I was a normal child I love to play in the dirt, riding my big bird bike in the driveway, and driving my sister nuts. Everything I did was fun. As I grew I wanted to know who I was, what I was called to do or to be. As I grew the Lord called me to be a greeter on sundays, and after I grew out of that I would altar serve or play my instrument in the choir. Because my faith was important to me I decided to attend a university with a newman center. Unfortunately, the Newman Center became an epicenter of chaos for my life. During my time I became engrossed in struggling with my sexuality identity. My identity became engrossed in the world of distortion and lies. Because of all these lies I disliked myself, and was unsure of the future. Fortunately, by the grace the Lord protected from become too engrossed in the lies of the world. Two days after recieving my diploma the Lord brought me to North Dakota where he attempted to give me graces to accept him as my Lord and savior. For the year and a half I was there He showed me himself in the blessed sacrament, on the altar, in counseling and in a spiritual director. Even though I had many spiritual paths to him He was still hard to accept. Despite frequent confessions my heart was engrossed in sin. After a year and half my heart said no to it all. I went back home to start another degree in hope it would bring me happiness and wholeness. Even though my grades were decent I was still struggling with myself and who I was in Jesus Christ. <br />
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For a while I just didnt know what to do with my life. Because of a few glimpses into youth ministry I decided to ask if I could help with youth ministry. for many of months I was able to help run games and be present with the youth. Last January I was able to attend the March for Life with them with left a desire on my heart, through Bob Rice to attend Franciscan University. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, in the months to come I was able to apply and be accepted. <br />
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September I started my journey here. At first I felt I did not belong because of my past and what my heart still felt. Even though I felt a deeply unworthy Catholic I ran to the sacrament of reconciliation for something to hold on to...something that would leave me peace in my heart. My first few confessions left me feeling unsure of what was to come. However, one day I decided to see a priest with rimmed glasses who had a sense of peace. As I walked up to him I thought I was going to puke. As I sat down he said "Greetings". We began the confession, and I opened my heart up to the Lord. He asked me If I wanted to renounce what was not of the Lord. Even though I was unsure of what he was asking I say Sure. He then had me renounce distorted thoughts and then he, by the power of the Holy Spirit he stripped bits of me away that were not of the Lord. For a while my heart felt free. However, as I learned, the journey of the Lord is a daily conversion process. So... I continued to journey to find freedom in myself and the ways of the Lord. The semester was full of unloading and reloading myself with the graces of the Holy Spirit. <br />
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At the end of the first semester I thought it was going to be easy to stay in the spirit of the Lord. Unfortunately or fortunately the Lord humbled and reiterated to me there was more work to be done in my heart. So, after I came back from school I began to work with priest with the rimmed glasses. He began to uncover what was not of the Lord, which left me broken and unsure of the future. Recently I met with him, and with the help of the Holy Spirit helped me to go deeper into the conversion process. I renounced many lies of the evil one. After my renunciation, with the Holy Spirit as his guide he broke the chains of sin in my heart. I opened my eyes and he had his hood on and his stole (I was like woah). He asked he how I felt I said I feel happy to be a woman of God. Following the meeting the Lord continued to convict my heart through friends. <br />
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Even though this freeing of bondage occured sins still remains. We are sinless creatures. However, the Lord loves us in our faults, He loves us now, and he will continue to love in our feminine or masculine identity whichever he created you to be!!! <br />
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Peace to you my brothers and sisters in Christ!! I pray this finds you on a journey of holiness and wholeness!! (Thanks Father David Morrier TOR)!Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-41539022895154838082013-01-07T20:54:00.003-08:002013-01-07T20:54:41.714-08:00Call upon HIM who will give you restTo give yourself to the Lord can be hard if you have never had a personal relationship. Even if you have never had a personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour you can! Growing up learning Rote prayers such as the Our Father and Hail Mary and others such information were pertinent to growing to understand the Catholic church. However, with all the information taught to me it was not directly giving me a deep intimate loving relationship with our father. For me personally growing in relationship with our Lord comes with practicing guided meditations. My heart/mind was guided to me being a small child with our Lord. We were on the beach playing on the beach. He swung me around, and He helped me build a beautiful sandcastle. After a while we sat down together, and I just melted in to his arms. When I woke to reality my heart felt as peace and knew my heavenly father touched me with his love. <br />
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We may feel this is impossible because we have places in our hearts we find disgusting or humiliating. As St. Francis embraced the leper, we can the Lord embrace the brokenness in Us!! HE can show us Love! Perhaps you can picture yourself sitting on the beach with our Lord, or a bench. Just let yourself have a conversation with Him. It only takes two words "I accept"! Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-2214029283961634432013-01-05T21:21:00.001-08:002013-01-05T21:21:34.213-08:00Walking with the LordHe is the Lord God Almighty. He will never desert you!! He will carry you through all moments of your life. Continue to let him love you. Even when we fall he will pick us up and love us unconditionally. Many time when we have sins on our hearts we become anixous and worried about lives. By the Grace of our Heavenly Father all of our anxities will be taken away with the grace given to us at confession!! What grace and blessings we can recieve when we open our faults and failing to the Lord Jesus Christ. <br />
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As my semester continued the Lord continued to prompt me to continue to tell Him what was going on inside my heart. One sunday night around 8:00 my heart was filling anxious and wanting to talk out my struggles out with a priest who I had developed rapport. After mustering courage to discuss my struggling I went up to the door, and found it was locked. The priest noticed me, and me noticing he was with an individual I wanted until He came out. When he came out I said "Would you...". He told me there was someone before, but would talk with me. At 8:30 the door opened up. My heart jumped a beat because His hours were from 7:00-8:30 so my heart was worried He would refuse to see me. From that moment my heart felt I was talking with Jesus. He asked if I wanted to walk and talk. My heart was opened to anything. As we talked my mouth opened up with a deep struggle on my heart. Without saying much I felt my heart come out of my mouth and was felt by the Lord. He wanted to protect and care for my heart. Even when cars were coming near us He moved me on the inside away from the cars. Towards the end of the walk with my heart being open to words He said " I absolve you Candice.." As he spoke I felt seen my the Lord, my heart inside His hands and safety occured in my life. Nothing matter but that moment. We briefly embraced and tears started to flow, My heart knew I started to cry but for a moment was questioning the emotions. He spoke me to me and said, "Give yourself permission to Cry".<br />
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My heart met the Lord that night. HE can meet you too. It doesnt matter what you say. He will embrace, and love YOU!! Go to Him with your shame, brokenness, and distress and peace will enter into your heart. No matter what happens in your Life HE WILL give you peace!! Run to him today. Pour out your soul to the God who Loves you!! Give Him your heart and HE WILL SHOW YOU HIS!!! THE LORD WILL NEVER REFUSE!!! Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-77021640003999794592013-01-01T21:58:00.001-08:002013-01-01T21:58:29.539-08:002 simple wordsThroughout the semester the Lord spoke words to my heart I have kept in the silence of my heart. The Lord continues to reiterate to me, words of love, comfort and forgiveness. He never holds any of our sinfulness against us. He forgives and pushes the erase button. So, everytime we ask for forgivness we are given a clean slate. This clean slate makes us feel happy, and peaceful inside. This peace can tried and pulled by the world. However, because we have a loving Lord we CAN walk back to His loving arms. Each time we confess our Lord gives us forgiveness and words to live by. One evening I stood waiting for my confessor. My Holy Spirt guided me to my SD. My heart was scared to confess what was at the depths of my heart. What came out of Father Shawn was the word of God. He gave me a hug and said, "Come here"!The Lord continues to call us to his presence. HE will give you your hearts desires. Just listen to the words in the depths of your heart which are two simple words: "Come here"! Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-42110000806722929262012-12-31T20:43:00.002-08:002012-12-31T20:43:27.839-08:00In the Lords time and wayOne step, moment and a breathe at a time the Lord will show us the way. Many times in our lives we desire to solve the world problems. Growing up we have may have been in many volunteer opportunities for our churches, or community. This left us feeling good because people have benefited from our works. We loved doing the works for ourselves, and accepted the credit but never did the works for the credit. However, sometime in our life the Lord may call us to a different act; sitting before Him. For me and many others this is a hard task. We feel this is not doing any good for the world by just sitting in front of the Lord and being receptive to what he desires for us. To sit in front of the Lord is to be like Mary. Mary sat at the foot of Jesus, and listened. Martha did not agree with this action. But with her actions Jesus told Martha, "Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her".<br />
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Let yourself be ok with sitting before the Lord. Sometimes in our life this is our calling. He wants to heal you, love you and SEE you!~ Dont be afraid to let the Lord see you!! Sit before him and tell him what is on your heart!! It seems as if many times we will continue to do much service when we have so much going on in our hearts. In these time just go for it, plop the but down and listen to Jesus! He will show you what he desires and give you what he wants in his way and time!! Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-61346260095059002842012-12-30T16:35:00.001-08:002012-12-30T16:35:25.329-08:00Showing us how to LoveThe world tells us we need relationship after relationship to feel love. However, this leaves up feeling empty, and we then shame ourselves by looking for a relationship to fill the emptiness. Many call this a cycle of Shame. Many know they are in the cycle but do not understand how to reclaim a life without shame. There are many television shows out there that show same sex marriages, polygmous marriages, or one-night stands. These actions leave the person empty, and wanting more. We must reclaim ourselves in Jesus Christ. However, when a person feeling shameful the last thing they want to do is to talk to Jesus Christ. They feel he may shame them or even worse reject them for what they done or how they feel. Thanks be to God... this is not our God. Our God will not shame you or disown you. He will give you the love that will fill the emptiness inside. It is not easy to go to the Lord and tell that we are lonely, and have been looking in all the wrong places. Yes, it is true He know how we feel. But when we give to Him we feel He will make our emotions pure and beautiful, and feel out emptiness with Joy. He can fill our hearts with the truth love that we deserve.<br />
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To give struggles to the Lord can be done through following the path St. Francis took to embrace a leper. At first he felt the Leper was vile and disgusting. With the grace of God, in time he was able to see Christ in them and embrace them as true brothers and sisters in Christ. Following this pattern we must learn to embrace what we feel is vile and disgusting within us. <br />
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For example:<br />
I go in to prayer and I see the Lord sitting on a bench. I walk up to him and ask if its ok if we talk. He says Yes. At first I am a bit scared but I go forth and ask him questions at the bottom of my heart. His mouth opens and tells me such dear and beautiful words which touch my heart. These words touch my heart and give me love and peace which I desire!!! <br />
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Everyone can talk and embrace the Lord. Do not be afraid. He will tell you who you are in his EYES!! Regardless of what you feel, He will enter in and change your feelings, and fill the emptiness the world can never fill!! Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-48698993436125753542012-12-28T21:24:00.003-08:002012-12-28T21:24:51.154-08:00Participate dont AnticipateTo open my heart up to Christ continues to be freeing. This freedom open our hearts up to feel the Lord and His grace. For me personally feeling this freedom and grace has come when I least expected.<br />
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One evening my heart wanted to grow deeper in the Lord. My Lord led me to open hours with a priest who has deep care for the Lord and students. At around 8:30 he asked if we wanted to walk and talk. With my courage and Gods grace I went along with him. As we walked and talked my heart felt understood. It was as the Lord was walking next to and new everything even before I vocalized. Even when cars were driving by us, he didnt want me by the road in case a car became out of control. Because my heart felt placed in the arms of Jesus I let myself be open to the Love and Grace provided. When the conversation was coming to an end, my heart was slighly cracked opened to emotions of love and acceptance for the father. After absolution I became wrapped in the arms of my father in heaven. I began to fight the tears. However, my father in heaven told me to give yourself permission to cry. These words for beautiful, and so I went and hide behind a big Giant Jesus and let my heart be vulnerable before our heavenly Father. <br />
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<strong>Reflection from that night:</strong><br />
Oh my beautiful Glorious God to do your will is beautiful, to follow you on a journey, but to know your truth priceless. My Lord and my God it didnt matter what our sins you you show us beautiful compassion. You did not look up her with distain but love and mercy. Telling her to show herself patience...to give herself over to more energy for conversion rather than to place shame on her...to give her permission to cry, and telling her You are Daugher of the Most High King. You told her she is changing and going through a paradigm shift, and this is beautiful. Looking into your eyes he said "Am I looking at you with less dignity...no....my dignity is still the same for you! <br />
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Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-23328804178481503692012-12-27T20:25:00.001-08:002012-12-27T20:25:48.172-08:00Preparation takes timeEverything that is worthwhile is worthy of preparation. Tonight as I was looking through my journal entries from this past semester this line stuck out and reminded me of the journey that I have taken througout this semester. Towards the end of semester I wrote this journal entry which started my journey of freeing myself to be able to absorb the love of Jesus in a deep way. <br />
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On august 22 I entered a world full of Jesus, truth, people who wanted to live for the truth and people wating to help you live the truth. At the beginning I was ovewhelmed/excited/what have I gotten myself into feeings going on inside of me. Despite knowing that the Lord desired me that this college I was struggling with the fact that I felt I didnt belong. Because of this at my first opportunity I went to a priest who had just given a talk regarding Baptism. Because of the talk and feeling at peace listening I approached him and opened my heart up and spoke of my struggles. He was comforting with a bit of humor and tried to reiterate to me I was accept at the university. At the end of the conversation he gave me a hug and sent me on my way. A few days later I desired some personal time with the Lord. <br />
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Well, I walked into the chapel to find many students sitting in the pews. I whispered to someone asking what was occuring and they clearly spoke "praise and worship". I was excited, and rushed to sit in the front pew. Only having a few experiences with Praise and Worship all of them being good I was excited but unsure of what was going to occur. As I stood there trying to sing and pray I did feel comfortable raising my arms, or letting my heart be open to the Lord. While I was trying to pray the music became quiet, and the priest spoke of what the Lord wanted him to tell others. He tell the congreation,"There is a person here who feels out of place, who feels pagan, and who gave up a lot over the summer, and he wants you to know be a child and continue to be open to what was occuring (very paraphrased). At that moment my heart felt at peace, and I knew the Lord was present, and wanted to me be there. <br />
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The Lord was continuing to work. Because of my acceptance of this I wanted to grow in deeper truth of Jesus. One tuesday afternoon I decided to attend the sacrament of reconcilation. This was not hte first time confession, but this time it felt different. I had a feeling in my heart of wanting to puke, and sacred. Whenever I had this feeling in the past I knew it meant something deeply intimate was coming! When it came time to pick a priest I picked a priest with glasses who seemed not threatening. As I approached I was nervous as all get out and wanting to throw up. I sat down and he said "Greetings". I said "Hi" and began my confession. After I confessed he asked me if I knew anything about Theophostic prayer, and I said No. Then he asked me if I was new? I said Yes. He said that after absolution he wanted to pray over me, but asked me if would have prefered it at that moment or later. Because of the desire to go deeper in the Lord Jesus Christ I suggested we pray at that moment. As we prayed my heart opened my heart up to the struggles of my heart. When he finished my heart, body and mind felt clear as ever! <br />
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By opening my heart up the Lord I was able to prepare myself for graces that He desire to bestow on me through the coming months!!! <br />
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( continuation tommorow))! <br />
Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-67395775491614462822012-06-13T21:41:00.000-07:002012-06-13T21:41:04.305-07:00A lesson from Teen MomWho knew I would gain a lesson about living in the present from Teen Mom. During a therapy session for Amber, the therapist knew she was not focused in the present moment. Because of this her therapist sat down next to her and placed her hand on her stomach and said, "Be present". Many times we struggle with this idea. However, as I heard this moment I reflected on the moment. This is what occured as I let the Lord show me what to write. <br />
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My body wants to stay present. Not become obsessed with future moments. I desire to be present. Not to sexualize each moment. The pure intimate moments. This is what I desire to experience. To stay in the moment of peace. To reveal what will give me peace. Not to obsess will be my greatest desire. Be present; to live fully in the grace of God. No obessesion can keep me from the present but my own insecurities. Im ok with myself at this moment. The moment. The touch. No over thinking in the words. Be present. You just do! Being present is a matter of faith and trust. Its about opening the heart up to the moment. Obsession becomes depleted. Peae comes and tears well up in the eyes. Be present. To continue to center oneself is the desire of the soul. No obsession will continue where the presence of God reigns in the soul. Its ok to surrrender in a pure way. To surrender to impurity brings a lack of presence only more obsession. To give presence to the soul is the greatest gift to the soul. Presence to the soul is but a calmness to the heart. To not overthink but surrender to Gods own will is the gift to your life. <br />
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The world has sexualized touch, love, and bodies for too long. We all desire hugs. We want love with worrying about extremes. A simple. light calming touch is what we need to desire. The world believes soo much is needed for intimacy. But the touch of a hand, the sitting next to a friend, a letter from a friend these are simple but beautiful moments. These are what we must desire. These moments we can hold onto for a long time. As a culture we must not worry about when these moments will come. Our hearts must continue to hold onto the moment for as long as the Lord desires. These moments of purity, and beauty will/can last in our hearts. To hold the simplicity in the heart is a great gift. To let the evilness of the world go, and live in the moment of love and grace in the Lord. To live in the present moment is to recieve God and surrender!Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-52093212696907245402012-05-29T20:24:00.001-07:002012-05-29T20:24:20.503-07:00Trying out marriage?Marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman. However, for some marriage is a time when a young girls desires to spend as much money as possible for a dress, reception, and a few hours of dancing. The perhaps a fews the couples do not see eye to eye which results in divorce. Their intention may have been pure at the beginning but the world may pull them into a world of confusion. When a husband or wife goes to world a person can become lonely. They look for happiness in places such as the internet or erotic novels. As they continue to indugle the marriage suffers, and the covenant is broken. To decrease this from occuring one must be rooted in Christ. Christ can help a person stay pure for their beautiful husband. Its not easy. The world does not want others to be pure in love. They continue to preach same sex marriage is beautiful, show woman in practically no clothing and promote plural marriage. Each of these ways of life will not fullfill anyone life. They are not rooted in what is pure and beautiful.<br />
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However, to erase these thoughts from ones mind and to battle the world place God into the mix. God will turn everything pure and beautiful. God is love and beauty. We must not listen to the world. The world cannot fulfill a soul. For the world has reject the Lord. He is the road to freedom. NThing else will bring freedom peace and love but the Lord God Almighty!! For he is was, and will be forever true fulfillment. For when marriage is rooted in Christ true beauty will reign! Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-10093202266129892892012-05-28T19:44:00.001-07:002012-05-28T19:44:30.217-07:00TV Love???!!!Everyone desires love, and affirmation. Our hearts want to be held in a persons hand and feel completely at peace. Unfortunately, we want to find this love instantly. Many have tried to find this love on shows such as the Bachelor, and Americas Next Top Model. For many weeks, they either are given positive comments for pictures or engage in continuous sexual activitity to find a significant other. Either activity or show are not positive avenues to find what everyone needs. You cannot find love when the relationship is based on ratings, or affirmation when its based on having a pefect body. To find love and affirmation go to Christ. Christ will always affirm you heart and tell you "You are beautifully and wonderfully made"!! He will bring you ultimate fullfillment. He will guide, if you are not called to marry him, to a husband who will love Christ above all else. When this occurs the couple can lift up the relationship to Christ, and become one in Christ. <br />
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This love may not come instantly. We become frustrated and try to find love in other places such as the listed shows. The love with come in the Lords time. We must be open to the Lord. By staying open we must continue to recieve Jesus in word and in sacrament. Our vulnerable hearts will be at peace when we recieve Christ. Christ will guide our hearts if we ask! To be open to Lord is to find your true relationship wherever that may be. We must stop looking for love in all the wrong places!!!Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-45776123046410139652012-05-27T20:20:00.003-07:002012-05-27T20:20:41.561-07:00The RhythmThe rhythm of the basketball, and the Rosary. What do these have in common? The rhythm of these match the to rhythm of our heart. The repetitive beat unites our bodies to calm and relax. Without this rhythm, this beat we would be dead. We would dead to life. When our rythm becomes too rapid we may be dying inside from too much stress. To continue the calming within our hearts we must pray calming prayers. Thse common prayers are the rhythm of God. The rhythm of God is peace. A priest once asked me to meditate on the scripture, "Why are you so terrified". Like the disciples they were afraid of the rhythm of the sea. Sometimes we become afraid of the rhythm of our lives. To combat our out of rhythm lives trust in the Lord. Reach out the Lord. He will calm the sea within our hearts. Our hearts will become in union with the beat of JESUS who is the ultimate beat!Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-64590660345392085212012-05-24T20:51:00.002-07:002012-05-24T20:56:08.787-07:00Third times a charm!I had once heard after you do something three times it becomes a routine. Well, for me doing something three time had been difficult. For many years I would pray the Rosary or the Liturgy of the Hours sporatically. Whenever I felt the Lord I would pray. If we would accomplish anything based on how we felt we would get nothing completed. There are days that praying the Rosary is difficult. However, I know that after I pray my heart and body are more relaxed. By praying or continuing a routine we are united ourselves to the Trinity. The trinity is three in one. When doing something three times we are completing and uniting ourself to the trinity. We must do everything for the trinity. For when we do everything for the trinity we are united completely to Christ. So, if you are having trouble praying...third times will do the charm!Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-67896470052388664152012-05-22T20:31:00.000-07:002012-05-22T20:31:30.704-07:00The way we learnWe are unique. Everyone learns in different ways. Why do we believe that when not understanding something we feel unintelligent. In these cirumstances we are trying to copy someone else. This is the biggest mistake or our lives. When our Lord create he placed his unique inprint on our lives. He created us unique and different from everyone else. This uniqueness consists of the way we look, act and learn. some of us learn through speaker, while others books. Regardless, of the way we learn this is OK. Were not the characters in the bible OK when they were learning valuable lessons pertaining to their lives. They were OK. If it werent for the lessons of forgivness, and trust we would be lost. God ordained each individual to learn lessons in a way they would understand God, and themselves. For this reason God ordains us to learn lessons in ways he knows we will understand. To understand the uniqueness of these lessons turn to the book Abandonment to Divine Providence which teaches us to learn to listen to how God wants us to learn!! For when we turn to him and not the world we can learn how to follow him! By his word we are free!Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-33159319489706501072012-05-11T20:31:00.001-07:002012-05-11T20:31:57.293-07:00I feel beautifulFor a long time Rosary felt boring. I felt no connection. Everytime I prayed it was very robotic. When I was a missionary I was asked to pray the rosary for a Nursing Home. It was difficult to pray but out of obedience I did what I was told. Many time over priests and amazing Catholic speakers have suggested and highly encouraged many to pray the rosary. Well, on occasion I would become inspired. However, whenever I would pray the rosary I would only do it for a few days and then fall off the ball. Many times we do not pray prayers because we do not understand. Our lack of understanding may come from insecurities with who we are as people. Because this reigned true in my heart I could never stick with praying the rosary. Fortunately, the Lord has continued to cleanse my heart of my insecurites. With this cleansing I have begun to pray the Rosary. While praying the rosary I felt deep connections and beautiful with our Lady. She does not seem me as ugly but a beautiful girl who see wants to be connected with forever. No prayer, No insecurity, No question will keep the love of Virgin Mary and Jesus from you! Continue to reach out and do no be afraid of being vulnerable!Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-4266704001853358092012-05-04T20:36:00.001-07:002012-05-04T20:36:39.163-07:00Jesus has forgottenThe Lord forgers ours sinfulness and so shall I. Many times we dwell on our sinfulness for a variety of reasons. We many believe because we have commites such sins as abortions, drunkeness, or adultery(in the heart), we believe God will not forgive. In our minds our sinfulness is so bad that not even Jesus will look at us with love. This is absolutely false. When we look at Jesus and he accepts us as we are. He will never look on us with distain for what we have done or failed to do. The world may bring us to continue to think of our sinfulness. Lets face it sinfulness is all around and there many triggers that may remind us of our pasts thoughts and actions. The one thing we must focus on is Jesus Christ. To focus we must find time during the day to remain silence, and just listen to the Love. The love which is forgiveness. Forgiveness forgets our past and renews our hearts! Let us confess what we have failed to do, and live with Jesus in front of us, in our hearts and behind us!<br />Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-26190251281815708772012-05-02T19:55:00.001-07:002012-05-02T19:55:16.694-07:00We ARE!We are beloved Sons or Daughters of Christ. The world does not understand this concept. They want us to define us by how much money we have, who we know. and where we live. My heart does not want to be defined by anything of these things. Yes, these things are good. We do need to live somewhere, have money to live that place and we do need to know good people. However, there is one great who has defined us before we were born. Jesus Christ has defined us as his Daughters and sons. Sometimes our struggles, voices from others, etc tell us we are something else. We must never listen to these voices if they are not in line with the will of God. The will of God is we must listen to him and do our best to faithfully follow this voice. The world can be loud and try to drown that voice out. These voices can come through the television, classmates, or people who are close to you. For us to remain in Christ to stay defined by Christ is to be our survival in this world. We must listen and be still for when we are still the Lord speaks and tells us who we are. We are made in the image of the beautiful God. This is the truth and the truth will set us free.Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-52913353688777026792012-04-24T21:32:00.001-07:002012-04-24T21:32:33.781-07:00Proof we loveSin hurts the one we love.Our Lord becomes sadddened when we turn our hearts away from him. We also may feel quilt and disconnected from Christ and others. These proves we are in love with Christ, and desire to serve him. If we did not feel anything afterwards we have no connection with our Lord. These feelings are like being caught up in a fight with a friend. After the fight we feel immediately guitly because we know we hurt a loved one. This guilt with not remain in our hearts because Christ remains. Christ will take away our guilt because he is Love. Love can take away all guilt. We are his prodigal Children in whom he is well pleased!!!Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-70937208421796387142012-04-24T20:19:00.002-07:002012-04-24T20:19:35.419-07:00In the momentEvery momnet is precious in the eyes of the Lord. However, we become caught up in our emotions and do not believe the Lord is present. This occurs when we dive into sinful ways. At the moment of a snort, drink or escaping through a website that is all we are focused. That moment nothing else matters. Following that moment we beat ourselves up because we felt lonely in the moment. there is one problem with the statement. We are never alone. We are just afraid the Lord to see what we feel. We believe our emotions will not be cared for and seen by Christ in a positive way. However, this is unture the Lord will see all emotions and turn them into joy. He will hold our hearts, and love us with whatever we will. He knows our emotions and will care for them as any father would. He is our great heavenly father who created us out of his hands. Whenever you feel scared or worried about emotions remember the Lord knows what you are feeling and thus there is no need to feel afraid of what he will say. He knows our emotions and would never look down on what we feel!! We are all beautiful in the Eyes of the Lord. Let us never be afraid to tell him our sadness and concerns for our heavely knows!! He will always tell us WE are beautifully and wonderfully made!!!!Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-41345709956763636272012-04-24T20:11:00.000-07:002012-04-24T20:11:03.761-07:00Lean on scriptureSCripture is inspired by the Lord. It is the truth which gives us hope and words to live by. Sometimes we fall short of these words. We fall short because our culture does not want to follow the truth. They want us to believe in distorted love and killing babies is ok. These are not the choices of the heavenly father. Our heavenly father wants us to live as treat everything he created with pure love. To conquer distorted love we must turn to the song of songs. The songs of songs is a book in the bible which shows the erotic love of the beauty of love as it was meant to be. We must focus on this book to see love as it was meant to be. However, to conquer other struggle we may ask where we should turn in the bible for answers. Turn to the Holy Spirit and he will guide you to the specific scripture he intends for your heart. Sometimes he will talk to you and give you peace from struggles with these scriptures. These scriptures will lead all to the truth. The truth may hurt but whenever there is a cruxifiction there will be a resurrection. The resurrection will come indeeded. We must stick to the truth for the truth will set our country free.Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6213243814406264753.post-17966753190785483482012-04-02T19:42:00.000-07:002012-04-02T19:42:00.028-07:00Being defined<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For many of years people have been defined by what they look like and not who they were as people. Many times a person dresses, and acts a certain way because of their circumstances. These thoughts came to mind while watching a documentary discussing the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. In this Novel Atticus Finch is asked to defend an African American who is believed to have committed a crime. Throughout the trail it is realized Tom Robinson is not guilty however, due to the times he is found guilty and sent to prison. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Besides the trial being an important aspect of the novel Finches young daughter Scout. She loves to dress in pants and play outside. Many tried, including her father to become more of a lady. However, despite their efforts she continued to fight at school and wear overalls while playing outside. Many of these things occurred because of the lack of a mother figure growing up. When a person is young they pick up traits from their parents. Because she was raised predominately by her father she dressed more masculine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Face value culture would treat her as something to be desired. However, I see her as a broken child. Because of the lack of a mother figure she was trying to find out who she was. She wanted to someone to love and guide her. Fitch was helpful to this aspect. He was smart, intelligence and new right from wrong. Every time Scout fought she would go in his arms to learn a lesson about justice and standing up for the truth. By doing this she was being formed. She was formed through the trial, and school. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you look deeper at the life of Scout you see a girl who is trying to find herself rather than a girl who is not dressed appropriately. She is beautiful because she is looking, questioning and wanted to grow! </span></div>Daughter of the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886563230668933658noreply@blogger.com0