The End of a Family Filled Summer

This summer has been filled with times with family and I wanted to dedicate a post to all of them, from immediate to extended, I love you all and am so grateful for having each of you in my life. God has blessed me so abundantly! It's been amazing to see almost everyone in my extended family over the course of this summer and I am so thankful for the opportunity to travel so much in order to do so.

The first major trip of the summer was to Arizona in May, where I was able to see much of my extended family, even if only for a short time. I was, sadly, sick with a 24 hour bug during part of the time I was there, shortening my time with much of them. But it was still good to see so many of them and visit with my Tias, cousins, and see my Nana.

The next trip of the summer was with my family to Oregon for my cousin's wedding, where my aunts and uncles and a few cousins were able to join the fun celebrations. It was great to do some sight seeing and meet the new family!

 

  

Within a week, Mom and I were off to Minnesota where I saw a friend from BC, and a whole lot of family! From cousins I hadn't seen in years, to my Grandpa and Aunts and Uncles, it was wonderful to sit around a campfire or at Pizza Ranch talking and enjoying everyone's company. It was a beautiful opportunity to see my cousin's newborn twins as well! They are so incredibly adorable and I can't believe how tiny babies are!

 

 

 

Tonight, I wrapped up my summer spending the evening with my immediate family. We enjoyed a wonderful homecooked meal, angel food cake, and fun. It was so fun, I never even took out my camera.


At the posting of this, I will be disabling all comments on my blog and will not be posting anymore... as we leave tomorrow to head to Lincoln! We'll arrive at the Motherhouse and Guesthouse tomorrow night after spending the afternoon with some BC friends in Lincoln. Then Sunday after Mass and Brunch, I will wave goodbye to my parents and head into Sunday's Holy Hour.

"Leaving a place is easy.  But leaving the people who have shaped me with their friendship, opened their homes to me,  and welcomed me into the happiness and sorrows of their lives – that’s very, very hard.  All I can say to them is thank you." -Archbishop Charles Chaput

I will see you in the Eucharist.





May Christ always reign in your heart and in the hearts of all those you meet this day.


In Christ through Mary.

Goodbye and The End

This isn't my very last post most likely, but it is close to it. You see... I have some news for you.

I have officially been accepted to enter the School Sisters of Christ the King on August 28. Yes, I am aspiring to be a religious, a sister, in this community. I've posted photos of them before yet avoided questions of whether I was primarily discerning with this community so I could tell family and good friends first. But now, as the date approaches, and I think of deleting my facebook, blog, twitter... I know I have to leave some reason for suddenly disappearing. And in addition I could really use your prayers. Please pray for me, that God's will may be done in my life, and for the community, that God blesses them abundantly with many vocations.

Formation recreation in April while I was visiting.

(Click photo for link to blog post "Visiting the Sisters")

Why this direction? Why this choice? Well, it really is all by God's grace and goodness that He has called me to be His bride, His love. There have been many small moments of grace and some larger moments, leading me to this point. And, praise the Lord, I am saying "yes" to His calling for my life. We are all called to holiness, but each of us, as unique human beings, are called to live in a different way, leading us to holiness and ultimately heaven. The next best step for me at this time, in my path to holiness and heaven, is to enter this wonderful community as a Postulant in just 13 days from now.

 An outing to Boys Town

An outing to Boys Town

 Walking the grounds.

Answers to the inevitable questions:
Yes, I am excited! God is so wonderful!
Yes, I am slightly nervous and overwhelmed. But God is all good and all powerful. Jesus, I trust in You!
Yes, I will be deleting my facebook and blog.
No, you cannot e-mail me.
Yes, you can write me. No, I cannot write back very much.
Yes, I will get to see my family.

Once again, I ask for your prayers, especially on this feast of the Assumption!

May Christ the King reign in your heart and the hearts of all those you meet this day!


In Christ through Mary.

Destination: Oregon

Two weeks ago, my parents, sister, and I made a long road trip to Oregon for my cousin's wedding. Along the way we stopped at various places, seeing different towns, family, friends, and various sights. Once we reached Oregon, we stopped at Crater Lake before heading up to Portland for a few days.

I finally understand why my friend, Carina, has always loved Oregon... So beautiful and awe-inspiring! Especially the mountains--when I got out to at one point, the smell of the sage was overwhelming! I simply wanted to bottle the smell forever.

 

Looking out over Crater Lake.

Looking out over the mountains, opposite Crater Lake.

 

Driving through the foggy mountains towards Portland.

It was an amazing trip... Look for more photos to come, including Portland's Mary Grotto, rose gardens, wedding photos, and more!

In Christ through Mary.

Families, Fun, and Relaxation

It's little sibs weekend here at BC. It's fun to see all the families and meet others' siblings, but makes me miss my family all the more. After Mass yesterday, I met up with my suitemate, her boyfriend, and their sisters at a tailgate/carnival thing. It was so much fun to see the girls enjoying the games and food. After we finished there, I had a little time to spare before I met up with a friend to watch the Lady Ravens' basketball game. So, I walked up towards the library and took the below shots.