May 13, 2005
Novena time.....
+JMJ
Feastday of Our Lady of Fatima
Well it's been very surreal to me counting down my last days in Scotland. Yesterday I went to my last pub quiz and it was really bittersweet. I've really tried to cherish the time with my flatmates because I know these memories will last long after I leave. This morning I started a novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague for my return home and my Dad's recovery. I started it because I have exactly 9 days left here and since I just saw the Infant Jesus of Prague, I figured He would be good to turn to.
I honestly can't believe I have 9 days left. I know I'm going to be saying that all this week, but it's true! Part of me is soooo excited to be home again and be with my family, esp. my Dad, but part of me is going to miss Scotland so much. One consolation I have is that I will always remember my time here and the people that made it special. I have tons of pictures as well, so if I ever need reminding, I can just look at them.
I think Our Lady is shining down on me today because when I checked baltimorecatholic.com, there was a new vocation story! It is simply beautiful and I encourage you all to read it.
Aulina's Story
Her story is not only a witness, but a plea for help. She wants to enter the Sisters of Life, but she has $25,000 of loans that need to be paid off. She' working with the Laboure Foundation, so if you have any money that you wanna give, think about Aulina! All the info for giving is with her vocation story. God Bless!
Feastday of Our Lady of Fatima
Well it's been very surreal to me counting down my last days in Scotland. Yesterday I went to my last pub quiz and it was really bittersweet. I've really tried to cherish the time with my flatmates because I know these memories will last long after I leave. This morning I started a novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague for my return home and my Dad's recovery. I started it because I have exactly 9 days left here and since I just saw the Infant Jesus of Prague, I figured He would be good to turn to.
I honestly can't believe I have 9 days left. I know I'm going to be saying that all this week, but it's true! Part of me is soooo excited to be home again and be with my family, esp. my Dad, but part of me is going to miss Scotland so much. One consolation I have is that I will always remember my time here and the people that made it special. I have tons of pictures as well, so if I ever need reminding, I can just look at them.
I think Our Lady is shining down on me today because when I checked baltimorecatholic.com, there was a new vocation story! It is simply beautiful and I encourage you all to read it.
Aulina's Story
Her story is not only a witness, but a plea for help. She wants to enter the Sisters of Life, but she has $25,000 of loans that need to be paid off. She' working with the Laboure Foundation, so if you have any money that you wanna give, think about Aulina! All the info for giving is with her vocation story. God Bless!
May 11, 2005
Update Finally!
+JMJ
Feastday of St. Ignatius of Laconi
Well, I'm sure most you thought I had died in Ireland somewhere, but I'm okay! Ireland was wonderful and so was Prague but I'll make detailed updates later. My absence from the blog is because of a family crisis last week. See a few weeks ago my Dad was put in the hospital because he was really tired and weak and wasn't eating. Right after I got back from Ireland, before I left for Prague I called Mom and she told me Dad had been diagnosed with cancer. Yup, the big C. He has it in his liver, lungs and gastro-intestinal tract. The doctors think it's the skin cancer he had back in '89 that either mutated or wasn't fully killed back then.
Right now he's back in the hospital and the doctors are seeing what the best course of treatment is. Because of all this, I switched my flight from the 29th to 8am on the 21st. I guess the good part is that I get to see my family and friends sooner, but I'm so sad to leave Scotland. It all happened so fast and caught me totally off guard. I feel like we just went through this because my cousin Andrew was diagnosed with leukemia in September.
I think this is a really critical point in my faith life- I could just say this sucks and stop believing in God. OR I could lean on God as my Rock and ask Mary and the Saints to look after my family right now. Ummmm yea I choose the latter. God has done awesome things for me and I'm not gonna stop praising Him now. I mean I know of at least 20 girls entering religious life this year, including the 12 SMME postulants (::wink to Camille andCarly!::). That is proof of God's love and greatness.
If you could send up some prayers for my fam it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!!
Feastday of St. Ignatius of Laconi
Well, I'm sure most you thought I had died in Ireland somewhere, but I'm okay! Ireland was wonderful and so was Prague but I'll make detailed updates later. My absence from the blog is because of a family crisis last week. See a few weeks ago my Dad was put in the hospital because he was really tired and weak and wasn't eating. Right after I got back from Ireland, before I left for Prague I called Mom and she told me Dad had been diagnosed with cancer. Yup, the big C. He has it in his liver, lungs and gastro-intestinal tract. The doctors think it's the skin cancer he had back in '89 that either mutated or wasn't fully killed back then.
Right now he's back in the hospital and the doctors are seeing what the best course of treatment is. Because of all this, I switched my flight from the 29th to 8am on the 21st. I guess the good part is that I get to see my family and friends sooner, but I'm so sad to leave Scotland. It all happened so fast and caught me totally off guard. I feel like we just went through this because my cousin Andrew was diagnosed with leukemia in September.
I think this is a really critical point in my faith life- I could just say this sucks and stop believing in God. OR I could lean on God as my Rock and ask Mary and the Saints to look after my family right now. Ummmm yea I choose the latter. God has done awesome things for me and I'm not gonna stop praising Him now. I mean I know of at least 20 girls entering religious life this year, including the 12 SMME postulants (::wink to Camille andCarly!::). That is proof of God's love and greatness.
If you could send up some prayers for my fam it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!!
