Today

Today, May 6, 2012 was First Communion at Didde Catholic Center. This made me remember my First Communion. The only thing that I remember, though, was that one of the girls fainted and she was sitting right next to me. It was a hot day and she was wearing a dress that had long sleeves. Before that day, I remember my mom, aunt Donna, aunt Jan, and I going shopping for my dress. We finally found one that all of us liked at Burlington Coat Factory on the east side of Wichita. the years after mine, my mom always said that she like my dress the best. I do remember having a party afterwards at my house with all my family and friends of the family. It was great to have the family there to celebrate being Catholic. Back to today, I was one of the Eucharistic Ministers for the First Communion. I was not the one to give the Body or Blood of Christ, but I was there to give the Blood to their families. I love days like this that make me so happy that I am a Catholic and that there are others out there that are just like me.

This song is for all of you. Remember who you are and who you belong to.

The Passion Of Christ

Tonight was the first time that I saw The Passion for this Lent. Every time I see it, my emotions get the best of me. Growing up I new that Christ went through a lot for us, but I didn't know how much that was until I saw the movie. Seeing something that is taken from what actually happened in real life puts it all into perspective. Christ DIED for all of us! He loves us all, even when we sin. The one thing that I love about watching the movie is watching it with amazing friends who feel the exact same way you do. I could not tell you, out of two times that I've seen the movie with friends, who wasn't emotional. They understand and will be crying right there with you because they know what Christ did for them too.

This song is amazing! The pictures and other videos are from the movie. I could not imagine what Mary went through when her Son died. Just remember that Christ died for you and me so that we can live!

TEC songs #2

The third song is "Before the Morning" by Josh Wilson. This song was for TEC 126. I was on the Resource Team, with an amazing table leader and amazing candidates. A couple of weeks before the weekend, my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. The same thing that my mom died from. My aunt was my mom's sister. I was really in a dark place after that, but this song helped me realized there is going to be a bright light in my life (the morning).

The fourth song is "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North. This song was for TEC 129. This was the first time that I went down to Pittsburgh for a TEC. I had a really bad summer after my Grandma past away. She was my mom's mom and I didn't even get to day goodbye to her. I felt like maybe I wasn't suppose to be living and what is the point of life. God knew I had to be on that TEC because of what some people talked about in their meditations.

The last song is "I lift my Hands" by Chris Tomlin. This was for TEC 130. This TEC was as amazing weekend where I met wonderful people who are on fire with their faith. I was on Resource for this TEC and our table name was Blessed Are You Among Women. We only had one guy on our table with six girls. It was a great time. I had to give a talk and I get nervous talking in front of people but as I was giving my talk my nerves went away. My friend, who was on this TEC, knew exactly what I was feeling and her prayer helped me through the weekend.


There will be more songs for as long as I go on TECs so more will be posted on a later date. 

The TEC songs #1

I know there are a lot of people who know me and my life, but do not know what has helped me get through the tough times. The people who I have met in the last two and half years know what that thing is. It is a retreat called TEC, which stands for Teens Encounter Christ. The wonderful people have helped me grow closer to God by just being there for me and offering prayers whenever I need them. One of things that TEC has showed me more of is Christian Songs. I now love a lot of songs that I never in my life thought that I would. 

The first song is "Friends" by Michael W. Smith. This song is the theme of all of the TECs in the Wichita Diocese. This song explains us very well. We are friends but more like a family, that's were framily comes into play, a friend family. We grow as a family through the weekends being together and outside of the retreats. When I see people from the TEC Framily, I get so happy and excited just because. I feel more like myself when I am around them than with anyone else. I can't explain it, it just is. 

The second song is "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman. This song is from my very first TEC. This song helped me to come back to God. After my Mom died, I felt as if He didn't care about me and I was mad at Him for her away from me. It taught me that He is always there even when you don't think He is there, He is. Whenever I hear this song, it takes me back to TEC 122, where I met some amazing people who became friends. I am grateful for those people who were on my table because they were the ones that helped me the most.

The Third song is "I'm Letting Go" by Francesca Battistelli. This was on TEC 124. I was very excited to be on this TEC. The one thing though was that I was not sure how I would feel to be there on the date because of what the date was. To begin this TEC was suppose to be in Hutch on the first weekend in June, but it was in Wichita on June 26th through 28th. The 26th was the day that my Mom died six years before. The first day of TEC is called Die Day. You die to yourself to let Christ's resurrection save you. I had a lot of time to spend in adoration on that day and it was on of the best days I had ever had. I was with friends who care for me and want me to be my best. They were real supportive through the weekend. This song is one that we chose for the weekend and it describes that a person has to let go to let Him take control. I know that sometimes it can be hard to let go, but it is worth it in the end.

The Blood of Christ

Today was my first time being a Eucharistic Minister. I had the Blood of Christ. At first I was really nervous but as more people came up to me, my nerves went away. It was an AMAZING feeling to hold the Blood of Christ in my hands and offering it to the people. Holding the Cup reminded me of what Christ did for all of us. He died to save us from our sins, which is basically ourselves. This reminds me of the song If We Are The Body by Casting Crowns. 

This song shows us what we should do/act with each other. We should open our group to anyone who wants to come in. The Church is open for anyone to enter who believes, we should do the same thing without judgement. I know sometimes it could be hard but it will be a good thing that we do. It shows others that we care for them and want them with us no matter what. WWJD. See you in the Eucharist!

Consecration to Mary

This is my very first post and it will tell you about the nine days leading up to a glorious day in my life.

Day 1- I am doing something that I have been thinking about since January. Only a handful of people know what I am doing and I am not going to say until I am done. Today I was thinking about the past two years and all of the people that I have meet. Everyone has helped me become a better person and I thank you for that.

Day 2- I am reminded how much I am loved. They love me for me and not for who I wish I was. Also that I have many moms. A mom is someone who cares and loves you no matter what. The best mom in the world is Mary. Mary is the person you can go to if you have stuff on your mind and she will help you get through them.

Day 3- Going on from yesterday, Mary is our Heavenly Mother. Since she cannot be physically present in each one of our lives she lives in our earthly mothers. Our earthly mothers are a representation of Mary. Isn't cool that Mary is in our mothers. We need to love and respect our mothers because in a way they are Mary. Also Christmas is coming up. It is not about the presents, it is about what happened on the special day, when Christ was born. He came down from Heaven to save us all.

Day 4- I think today I am just going to use a quote that I read. "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for you people Israel." Luke 2:29-32

Day 5- "letting go" This phrase can mean a lot of different things. Letting go of something bad that happened to you, letting go of a loved one how passed away, and letting go of what you did in the past. Mary had to let go of Her Son so that He could save us. She knew that He had to go after finding Him in the temple with the teachers. So let go of the past because you are in the present not the past.

 

Day 6- Signs! Signs are a big part of my life. They let me know that things are okay. The first one is a rainbow. Some of you may remember last year on TEC 124 on Sunday what that day was like. For others if you want to know about it talk to me later. Rainbows for me means that everything is going to be okay even under awful circumstances. Rainbows is also a covenant between God and man, that He w...ill never flood the Earth again. Another sign is just the word "Everything." For me that means that God is my Everything and I don't need anything else. Last one is two words that make me happy and sad at the same time. These two words are love and beautiful. They were the last two things that my mom said to me. They also lead to me to the wonderful sisterhood of Chi Omega. There are alot of signs in the world, you have to watch/listen to the right ones for you.

Day 7- Today I remember Steubenville 2009, On Saturday night during adoration. I can remember the security gurads asking us to split into two sections and our sponsors were telling them no. We find out later that Father Jarrod Lies is the one who gets to carry the monsterance through the arena and walking right in between our group. What a special thing that was to witness. Jesus was right in front of us being carried by one of our priests from Wichita. I was sitting with my friends and we were all crying and it was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I can't wait until I am 21 to be a sponsor and go back to Steubenville but to help the youth become closer to God.

Day 8- Mary is God's instrument. He uses her in ways that we cannot explain. We are instruments as well. God uses us to bring others to Him. I see can see that God uses my friends to bring me closer to Him. Some have told me that I bring them closer to God by listening to my story. I never thought that I could not do that but it is an awesome feeling to have knowing that someone is closer to Him because of you. Be God's instrument. Let Him use you to bring others closer to Him.

Day 9- What a beautiful day! I woke up this morning and went to Mass for the Imaculate Conception. This was a great way to start my day. Today is also the day that I Consecrated myself to Mary. I know some of you quessed what I did but I was making it a surprise for everyone. Today I start a new life without worring about the future and it is a great feeling. Thank you for everyone who has been there for me through everything. I wouldn't be here without you. Have a blessed day 

All of these are from doing my readings from St. Maxamillian Kolbe's Consecration to Mary. i don't know how often I will write a post but I will try to keep you updated with what is going on. Thank you for reading.