Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Today we celebrate our gratitude and love for Jesus through our respect for the cross. The cross was once the greatest symbol of shame. Criminals who died by the sword were spared the "branding" of crucifixion.Jesus chose to do the most for us to obtain our salvation. He took on the suffering of the cross. With that suffering came the shame. The cross has become the most sacred Christian symbol. When the cross has the image of the suffering Christ on it, that cross is called a crucifix. The crucifix on our bedroom wall and the crucifix or cross around our neck are important. They remind us that Jesus paid a price for us.For centuries relics of the true cross have been cherished by devout Christians. It is believed that Emperor Heraclius recovered pieces of wood from the cross of Jesus in 629. He and his group of pilgrims honored the relics and invited all the people in the area to join them. Even before that time, Christians honored and loved the symbol of the cross. The word "cross" can also mean the sufferings that come our way. When we accept them lovingly and with patience as Jesus did his cross, we become "cross-bearers" like Jesus. We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world!

Work

Training was pretty good today. I feel good about this job and for once I wasn't nervous to start the first day. Everyone there is so nice and family oriented. I even met Cat's kids (Nicholas is in 8th grade & Maddy is in 6th).I work again from 1-4 Thursday & Friday and then I will get my schedule either Thursday or Friday.

*Edit*
Lisa was the one training me yesterday and during our conversation i found out that her son went to Holy Cross. He was a sophomore when I was a freshman - small world!It's so amazing how God works in people's lives and connects people together. I've seen God work in my life so much lately and I really appreciate and am thankful for what he has done in my life!

Blessed Mother's Birthday

Today is the Blessed Virgin Mary's birthday! Happy Birthday Mother Mary!!!!!

Mysterious ways

God sure does work in mysterious ways!!!
So I had an on-the-spot interview today and found out I got the job! It's an awesome story of how it came into place.

*Edit*
Last night @ RCIA Fr. Dan talked about the first chapter of Genesis (about Creation) and how all that God created on each day was linked in a specific order. I'll have to get the outline that he wrote on the board but oh man was it ever awesome. It was the first time I had actually realized that. And he was also saying that is how life works for us - every event is connected somehow or another leading us to where God wants us. I'm seeing it more and more each day.

Discernment

People are going to take a lot of journeys in their lifes. Some may be longer/shorter than others, some may be tougher, happier, painful than others. Everyones journeys are different, never the same, never identical. As much as they are all different and don't resemble, one thing about all journeys taken in life are alike in one aspect; you learn from it. Everyone learns something from their journeys, but what is learned is different than others. You may learn what you did wrong, what someone else did wrong, or what made you happy and what didn't, or even what made you the person you are today. I have to face it. And I know it's hard, and it's going to be hard for a while. But I want to be strong for my friends, my family, but most of all for myself. I want to be happy again, I want to move on with my life from this journey. I need to be proud of myself, and I'm going to try to be. I need to keep telling myself my real feelings are just as important to others rather than hiding it from the world, especially those closest to me. I'm not only lying to those I love, but also to myself. I need to focus on myself and changing both spiritually and morally. My pride has gotten in the way too much this summer and the devil has been tempting me and "telling" me things that aren't true -I've been weak and I can't let it happen any longer!!! I won't! I need to fight him off so I don't hurt the people I love or the future people I will meet in life. I want to chage - too much of my past has had a hold on me and as much as it's hard to let it go, I know I need to. It's not going to be easy.........
After much prayer and consideration I have decided to help in any way with RCIA. On Sunday Fr. Dan had mentioned that people were signed up for RCIA but there were no sponsors. He told the congregation that even if we feel we need a refresher course or if we feel God is pushing us towards helping in any sort of way to come.
He said it can be a way to meet the candidates and maybe become a sponsor - I need to do this for myself. I feel it may help in a way and I'd be helping others in the long run.
Today at 7 is the first session (it continues until the Easter Vigil). Please keep me in your prayers as I go through a long process of discernment and Letting go and Letting God.
I will keep all of you in my prayers as well!

Eucharistic Congress

I had such a nice time today. BK's workshop was really awesome and gave me a lot of insight. I could really relate to what he was saying since I'm going through some of the stuff he was talking about.fr dan was really awesome too! I got a copy of his "top ten dating tips". My favorite one would have to be this:

"Your future vocation must govern & shape your expression of love in any current relationship."
Corollary: Pray every day for the wife/husband God may be preparing you to marry.
Corollary: Pray for your boyfriend/girlfriend before & after each date, mindful that he or she, too, has a destiny.

Also this is one I liked and agree with:
"Discuss, know, and respect the sexual limits of your date: If you feel too awkward talking about these things in the light of day, you are certainly unprepared to act them out in the darkness."

Overall it was a fabulous day (except for the weather).Now I am waiting for my parents to pick up Chinese food for dinner (ahhh i am so hungry).

Schedule for Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the Eucharistic Congress at ND. The first workshop I'm signed up for is called "Survivor: Dating Game". It's from 1:30 - 2:10 and Father Dan is giving that workshop.
My parents are signed up for a different session which starts at 11:30. They registered one car tho so I can't drive. I dunno what I'm gonna do until mine starts....I'm gonna be bored. lolThe 2nd workshop I'm signed up for is called "Lost?" and BK is giving this workshop. I'm looking forward to it. He's really good!

~Well, my laundry is almost done so I'm gonna finish with that.

Anyway...here is the schedule of events for the Eucharistic Congress at ND:
9:30 – Noon Information Table — Joyce Center

10 a.m. Ecumenical Prayer Service — Basilica of the Sacred Heart

11:30 - 12:30 p.m. Workshops — Session I

11:30 – 2 p.m. Lunch on your own (picnic or food for purchase)

2 - 3 p.m. Workshops — Session II 4:30 = Mass