A View From Above

The other night I hiked up to the third floor of the tallest and oldest building located on campus so I could finish some school work. Upon finishing a good chunk of my work I got a phone call from my family. I was so excited to hear from them that I was pacing up and down the hallways. Hearing about their days and what was going on back home made me feel connected with them. Eventually my legs became tired from all my pacing and I decided to wander about the classrooms and find one to sit in. After a little more pacing about I found one that I liked; it was dimly lit and had two large, deep windows which gave it a cozy feel. I walked in, keeping the lights off, and headed toward one of the windows and preceded to perch my butt on the ledge, pull my knees into my chest, and look around. I was so happy to be talking to my family and to be sitting on my newfound little spot that I didn't think the moment could get any better. But when I looked out the window, it did. From the third floor window I was able to see the city several miles away and all the city lights glowing in the night --it was beautiful. In that moment I felt as if everything and everyone in my life was at peace. God was with me on that window ledge thankful for the time we had together as we admired the beauty of the world He created. My previously restless heart was now at peace which made me realize that God has a great way of sneaking in and turning simple moments into wonderful ones whenever I least expect it.

Mail Time!

After my last post I received a letter in the mail from one of my favorite readers who just happens to be a beautiful young lady who I am proud to call my sister. This one letter made me so happy. It has been a blessing in my life and made me realize that there is so much more to life then the trivial spats that people have. Sometimes the simplest of words are the kindest of gestures. In this case they can change someone’s day around. In the letter I received, my dear reader expressed how she feels that judging people based on the expression of their faith is just terrible. She proceeded to tell me that she loves me and that she wanted me to have these pins (above) to remind me that I am loved, especially by her. Thank you lovely lady, you are very much loved by this girl. :)

Your T-Shirt Made Me Smile

I attend a Catholic college in picturesque New England, and as I have recently found, there is some religious competition among the girls. Mass attendance, interaction with the religious personnel, proper dress, and acts of evangelization are the main areas open for judgment. Personally, I am in inwardly faithful person and would rather live my faith the way I see fit. This has worked for me and I plan on sticking with it. However, I don't go to Mass every day, I run in spandex, and I'm not posting scripture verses all over my dorm, so I have been viewed as not "Catholic" enough. Due to this, I have been left out of certain activities and judged for the way I dress. I didn't want it to get to me but tonight I was beginning to question myself, wondering about my prayer life, my actions, my clothes and so on. I was getting rather confused with this line of thinking so I prayed and sent a text to the people who know best -- my parents. They helped me through, assuring me that I should keep doing what I'm doing and do it with a smile, not minding what others may think. Taking their uplifting advice I found a few friends and headed out for ice cream. I treated myself to an ice-cream sandwich and sat down to enjoy my wonderful life with God. Amidst this moment a man walked by with a shirt that said, "If you have haters you must be doing something right". I couldn’t help but smile and thank God for his simple ways of letting me know He is with me.

Never Thought This Would Happen

As I put on my spandex and singlet this morning, I turned around and looked in the mirror and smiled real big. Never did I think I would see the day where I was waking up, putting on a college uniform, and heading to another state to run in my first Division II Varsity Cross Country race. Just four years ago I was nervous about joining the high school team but I did and I loved it. After high school ended, I was determined not to run in college. But God had a different plan. His plan is better than anything I could imagine. The best part is that it is still unfolding. :)