Thursday, July 2, 2009

Belonging

Hey All!
So on Monday a FOP (Festival of Praise) came to Pittsburgh and so did Sr. Michelle (my vocation director)! There is nothing like spending an evening with close friends and our Lord in the Eucharist, singing and praising His name with hands raised high. Nothing ever reenergizes me like a good FOP! I always seem to come to a new understanding after praying in this way. One of the things I came away with this time was that, in Christ's presence is where I belong. I belong to Christ because He made it so, no matter where I am or who I am with. For Christ, "though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality." We all belong ... in Christ.
Keep the Faith,
Betsy
P.S. I should update you all since I have not posted in some time. I am applying to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth! Much to say about that and yet so little time. So you will have to wait for more later. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

The Purge

Hello all,
So I have decided I'm really awful at doing these blog thing on a regular basis. I suppose it reflects my ability to journal ... which is non-existent. ;) I realized today that the journal I have contains entries from the past year and a half and I am only 1/4 of the way into a not so large journal!!
This past Saturday I came back from my monthly Spiritual Direction with a few tasks to complete, homework if you will, that were in some part up to me how to complete or accomplish. For me a challenge such as this is both daunting and invigorating. I love a challenge, especially one that I know will help me to grow closer to God. To complete the the first task I chose to purge my clothing. For those of you that do not know me, I am very simple with my clothing and appearance but I am also a packrat! I had clothes in my drawers from back when I was in grade school!! Clothes that had not been worn in years and that would never be worn again, clothes that were so worn and torn that I could not wear them anymore but could not part with either! The whole time I was thinking, wow this feels great!! I have room in my closet and drawers again!! I have room to grow! And "AAACHOOO" I should take another allergy pill! In the end I ended up with a very large bag and a half of cloths to give away and a half bag to throw out. God (and my spiritual director) wanted me to realize that it is important to let go and clean house and step out of my bubble regularly in order to make room for new people and lessons and experiences that God has in store for me. And to share what I already have with those I know and don't know in order for them to grow as well. And of course to throw out completely those things that keep me from God. Who knew cleaning could be so insightful!!
I think task two and three will have to come for lesson learned from task one. Maybe I'll remember to write next week to let you know what I learn next!
Keep the Faith,
Betsy
P.S. Please pray for a friend of mine that just found out she has cancer and has to have her small and large intestines removed as well as some lymph nodes on Feb. 25. She is one of the most faithful and beautiful people I know.