Year of Faith (Vol. 2)

Ever come across those articles that leave you pondering for days?

This article from the Catholic News agency is one of them. In it, the journalist discusses the Year of Faith and renewing faith in the American Church. If you have been around for a while now you know that I have a deep devotion to praying for radical conversion and passionate faith in our country.

A line that caught me dead in my tracks ...

“The appropriate response to relativism is faith, where you no longer are the center of the universe, you are no longer the one who decides what’s true, but you commit yourself in faith to God’s truth”

The article focuses alot on the lack of faith among people who call themselves Catholic, or as I like to call them "Facebook only Catholics". Saying...

"it’s easier for the Church to convince people who are not Catholics of the truth of Catholicism than to convince Catholics who aren’t true believers that they ought to change”

Wow, makes you think about all that evangelism encompasses. Not only must we evangalize to those who do not know the Truth but also to those who are only living a half truth. For half Truth is no Truth at all.

This Year of Faith has only just begun and there is so much more to dive into.

"The call to conversion and witness that is part of the Year of Faith, offers an opportunity for the Church in America to be renewed and grow stronger"

Just gives you goosebumps.

So let us go out and preach the Gospel to those in the pews, those in line at the grocery store, those in our family, and when necesary, use words.

Live joy.

What I Wore to Macy's

The dress code for associates at Macy's is all black. If you have a cardigan on you can wear any color underneath and your shoes can be any color but besides that all black is it.

When I began working there a few summers ago, I bought two black dress pants at Goodwill and a pair of black capris at Marshalls/TJ Maxx otherwise I swore I wouldn't spend money on a minimum wage seasonal job. In hindsight, two summers and three holidays later, I could have spent a little money on some black attire if I would have known how long I would work there. But I have made it work with the black clothes I have and have a large section in my closet at home of black clothes which will mostly be purged upon getting a real job. But here are two poor quality iphone photos of my outfits for the two days I went to work over Thanksgiving break.

Nothing fancy just some black and neutrals, some of it from my moms closet and jewelery box.

Live joy.

A Few of My Favorite Things: My "Childhood" Room

Being home for Thanksgiving Break reminds me of a few of my favorite things about being home. One of which is my room. I put childhood in quotes because although this is my room in my parent's house since I was 4 years old I redecorated it the summer after my freshman year in college. So this is the same room I had all through my childhood but it has been recently decorated, and thank goodness for that. Here are some pictures of the redecorating process...

Yeap, that bear border was what adorned the walls from the time I was 4 to about 20. Redecorating my room was such a great process. At that point my brother lived at Boy Scouts camp so I could take over sleep in his room while mine was being painted. In addition, it was a great opportunity for quality time with my parents before I jetted off to Austria for 4 months.

I did a real cheap and easy redo because I only now live in the room less than part time. Following are a few of my favorite things about the room now.

The color. The entry way is a deep purple/plum color. The main part of the room was supposed to be periwinkle but all of those were too blue (go figure) so instead it is more of a lavender.

I love, love, love my bed. The comforter was an unused one that used to be on my parent's bed. The purple pillow was leftover from a duvet for college, I made the yellow one, and the deep purple just pulls it all together so well.

I mean really, this color combo is just so lovely.

Normally, when I am not home, there is an extra comfortor on the end of bed since this is the favorite place for my dogs to hang out. If you were a dog wouldn't this view be your favorite place too?

Another favorite place is the top of my tall dresser. These old prayer books in English and Polish I inherited from my great aunt. The other knick knacks include First Communion gifts, Lourdes traveling, and a picture from my Confirmation.

And here is my mirror dresser. The perfect place for a lady to get ready for the day.

And I saved the best for last.

I know isn't it great.

Wait let me show it again from a different angle so that you can really see the greatness of it.

The frame reminds me of a window frame. It is wood with detailing on the sides and a sort of ledge along the bottom. But the image is the real gem. It is a spectacular image of Our Lady of Guadalouple embracing the head of Pope John Paul II and he in turn kissing her hand. It truly portrays the love between Our Lady and the beloved Pope John Paul II. So you want to know where I got it from right? You are never going to believe this. I found it at a parish rummage sale for something like $8. Yeah I know, you don't find a gem like this everyday.

I hope you enjoyed a look into my childhood home.

Live joy.

Small Town Mornings

This morning I am at the quint Coffee Corners, a coffee and antique shop in small town Ohio.

Whenever I am home, as often as I get the opportunity I like to come here and read, study, blog or catch up on odds and ends. The coffee is amazing and the muffins are great. They even have seasonal muffins including red velvet in the winter and strawberry in the summer.

This morning I got blueberry crumble coffee and a cinnamon crunch muffin.

I was supposed to be studying Peds but upon finding out a dear friend is in labor it is awfully difficult to focus. Can't wait to meet this little girl. She is being very considerate and it looks like she will be here before I have to go back to school later this afternoon.

Live joy.

What I Wore Sunday (Vol. 4)

UPDATE:  I am over at Amongst Lovely Things posting my "Most Clicks" post.  For some crazy strange reason this post has the most clicks on my blog for all time.  My favorite nativity mug seen here is lost, my blog looks a little different thanks to my new blog design, my dog ate those tights, I still wear that outfit often but most importantly that great breakfast place has reopened and is as tasty as ever. 

Once again I am joining the ladies over at Fine Linen and Purple for What I Wore Sunday.

Today I am enjoying a Sunday at my parent's house.

What isn't there to enjoy when you are drinking fresh brewed coffee out of a nativity mug.

And this is your view.

I was supposed to go into work today but since I haven't been able to kick this laringitis, I saw too many cars spun out this morning, and I have yet to take a sick day in the 3 holidays and 2 summers I have worked at Macy's and I decided to be a revel and took a kind of sort of needed sick day.

Let me stop rambling and get on with what you came here for.

What I Wore to Mass this morning...

This outfit is most defiantly an oldy but a goody. I vividly remembering wearing it out to our favorite breakfast place in Steubenville (which has since closed down :( ) last November on a very important weekend when I intented to Regina Angelorum, a friend intented to our brother household, Knights of the Holy Queen, and another friend suprised us with news that he was offcially preparing to become Catholic the following Easter.

And yes I did randomly get that mug, they didn't even know I was a nursing student.

The details

Dress: TJ Maxx/Marshalls years ago. I am talking like before I could drive years ago.
Cardigan: Another Target classic.
Scarf: Don't shoot me but....somewhere in Poland.
Tights: Heaven only knows and they do have some above the hem line runs.
Boots: From Peebles. I would normally wear nice boots but since it was actively snowing I thought some warm fuzzy boots would be just wonderful.

Can't wait to see what everyone else is strutting this Sunday.

Live joy.

What I Wore to Thanksgiving Dinner

I love this link up over at Camp Patton and just had to join in on the fun.

Today I filled my stomach with turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing at my aunt and uncle's house. Nothing fancy so I just had a nice top ensemble and blue jeans. Sorry for the bathroom mirror shots.

Top: silky pinkish top from Marshalls/TJ Maxx.
Sweater: Liz Lange sweater from Target
Necklace: Cookie Lee from my mom jewelry cabinet

A close up of the necklace. It looks alot like the one I talked about here but not the same one.

Thankful Thursday

Well it all comes down to today. The day that is set aside for being thankful and of course filling our belly with lots of food.

I am thankful...

+For the small joys of being home--running in to old friends and coworkers, full-size beds warmed by dogs and big 'ole sectionals to cuddle up on.

+For remembering to stare up at the stars in my own backyard. I get so caught up in dreaming and planning on gazing at stars in far away countries that I forget how bright they shine right above my head.

+For opportunities to trust the Lord and be a little pencil in His hands.

+For time to relax and not be completely consumed by schoolwork.

+For finding an awesome sweater at H&M that was promptly handed over to my mom to be put under the tree.

Live joy.

We choose the Church....and we always will.

This popped up in my Pinterest again for the first time since this summer and Franciscan's newsworthy response to the HHS mandate.

I was reminded again how much I love my school, how much I believe that Franciscan University is a beacon of Truth and hope in our world. And most importantly, I was reminded how important it is for Catholics to remove themselves from mediocracy and half-heartedness. Instead, it is the time for Catholics to come running to the sacraments, be filled with conviction for Truth, and fight the good fight of faith.

Live joy.

Every have those days...

....when all you want is to be completely immersed in the Sacred Heart of Christ and lyrics like this...

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

--Bring the Rain by MercyMe

or these...

I just wanna be in Your arms
I just wanna be in Your arms
Moving ever closer to Your heart
To Your heart

---Letting Go by Matt Maher

...just put words to the song of your heart.

Live joy.

What I Wore Sunday

I am again joining Kendra at Fine Linen and Purple for this link-up.

So this Sunday I am really changing up the routine. I normally go to 8:30 on campus but today I am going wild and going to 12:30 on campus. In my three years on campus I have never gone to this Mass.

So without further ado, my attire for the day.

I love the look of matching grey with brown.

Yes that is a little bit of counter in the bottom right corner. My roommate who normally takes my picture is already home for Thanksgiving and our full lenght mirror is very broken so I had to use the self-timer setting.

Details:
+The grey dress is super old and has been well loved over the years. It is super versitile and has been worn many a Sundays and a wedding or two.
+The sweater is from Target and is kindof like this one.
+The "cami" is one of these gems.
+The belt is from goodwill.
+The boots were just purchased a few months ago from Target. I love them! They were a great $30 spent. However, I am still wishing for the day that I can get a great pair of awesome leather boots.

And a little close up oi the earrings.

I have no ideas where these are from but I do vaguely remember buying them to go with a dress for my cousin's wedding in Florida a few springs ago. It is hard to tell in the picture but they are a pale teal color to go along with the sweater.

Hope you have a great Sunday and can't wait to see what everyone else is wearing.

Live joy.

Not So Lazy Saturday

I am taking a break from pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum complications, at risk newborns, and heart defects of the newborn...

...to show you a little image into my morning.

Nothing like some Jesus of Nazereth, text book, and coffee to start the day off right.

And nothing like a good sandwich to give you energy to continue on.

And I told you I brought out my Christmas stuff already.

Ok its back to the studies now.

Live joy.

7 Quick Takes (Vol #4)

--- 1 ---

From now until Christmas break I only have two classes a week. I have no excuse not to get As on the rest of my exams. In theory, I could go home today and come back next week just for Tuesday OB exam and lecture but I know myself and know I won't get work done if I am at home.

--- 2 ---

This morning in the shower, where all the best thoughts happen, I was reflecting on how providential the timing of the Year of Faith is. We face an uncertain future in our country where it seems our religious freedom, the idea our country was founded on, is no longer a guarantee. As Catholics we must no longer be passive but cling to the Truth of our Faith with conviction. Although this year of faith is universal, as American Catholics we must in a very conscious way must increase our knowledge, deepen our devotion, and live our faith passionately in a way we never have before.

--- 3 ---

I finally entered the apple world. I picked up my iPhone 4S this week. I have to say so far I am loving it.

--- 4 ---

I will officially be back at Macy's again this holiday season. I have worked there two summers and this will be my third Christmas. I can't lie I love being part of an American icon during the holidays.

--- 5 ---

I apologize for the awkward "new Iphone during class presentations" look. One of my best friends got me this scarf last year for Christmas and don't think I could have picked a better scarf for myself even if I tried. You have heard me talk about it before here.

--- 6 ---

Tonight I am going to a thanksgiving party that requires a costume. I wish I had my derndel at school with me but I might have go as a spoon. Yeap I have you curious on how I will do that.

--- 7 ---

The rest of the weekend includes flea market plans Saturday morning and then lots and lots of studying until Tuesday. Nothing too exciting, just real life.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Thankful Thursday

+The big highlight of this week, the thing I am most thankful for, would have to be my 7 new sisters. Each day I have been so amazed and inspired by them. There dead pan is incredible!

+On that note, I am so thankful for my household sisters. They truly are my sisters. They challenge me to imitate Our Lady more perfectly. They are powerful intercessors who are changing the world.

+I am thankful that the Lord is taking me on another crazy Haiti adventure and that He is putting together another amazing team.

+I am so thankful for long time best friends. With the recent cancer diagnosis of Kate's dad, I am reminded of the rock of friendship we have that is always there through happy joyful moments and really crappy unfair situations. My life would not be the same without these girls.

My high school graduation nearly 4 years ago!

+I was going to be thankful for something frivolous like nail polish but I just have a hard time even putting that in after the other four rock solid things. So yes, I am thankful for my bed, nail polish, finally breaking in a pair of toms, awesome Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Shortbread cookies, Christmas trees, and new phones but those things just can't compare to things like sisterhood, mission trips, and best friends. Lord, you bless me more than I deserve.

Live joy.

The Finish Line is in Sight

I am officially done with OB clinical including turning in my final care plan. While it is sad that I won't be back on a woman's services floor till at least next spring it feels good to accomplish something. I can't believe how much I have learned in the past few months and know that if I do go down the midwife path I still have so much to learn.

I am glad a close friend is having her baby any day now otherwise I might go through newborn withdrawl. Until then, I will leave you with these...

Live joy.

What I Wore Sunday: Wedding Edition

I am joining Kendra again over at Fine Linen and Purple for What I Wore Sunday

DISCLAIMER: This post isn't actually what I wore Sunday because a wedding just throws everything off. This past weekend I was in CT for a household sister's wedding. I went to the wedding Mass Saturday and afternoon and did go to Mass on Sunday. On Sunday, I was literally in my Mass clothes for only while in the Church because we woke up a half hour before Mass and left for the 8 hour trip back to Steubenville straight from the Church parking lot and I quickly slipped yoga pants on under my skirt and switched out a cardigan and belt for a sweatshirt. They call it stealthy packing.

So this is what I wore Friday on the drive out to CT. I thought it was cute so I wanted to share.

Yoga Pants from Target
Pink Shirt from H&M with a modest tank top underneath from ModBod
Liz Lange Grey Sweater
Gold Toms
Cowl scarf made by me!

And this is what I wore to Mass Saturday afternoon during which Matt and Amy vowed before God that they would be together forever and always until death do them part.

So as not to draw too much attention, I don't have a picture by myself because that can just be weird sometimes. Instead I have a picture with a dear friend who I have talked about before.

Dress and belt from a friend
Sweater from a friend
Hair done by a friend
You can't see it in the picture but I had on leopard print flats from Target, they were actually mine

Yeap one of the best kind of outfits is one borrowed from friends.

Live joy.

Thankful Thursday

During this month of November, I want to make a conscious effort to be thankful for all the many things we take for granted. For when we see every aspect of our life as a blessing from God it transforms how we live.

+I am thankful that I go to a passionately Catholic college that challenges me to live my faith radically each day. With a University President who is quoted saying this in light of the recent election results....

‎"The age of casual Catholicism is over; the age of heroic Catholicism has begun. We can no longer be Catholics by accident, but instead be Catholics by conviction."

+And for professors who also like to put their two cents in.

+I am thankful that I will be on my way to Connecticut, along with many household sisters, this weekend to witness the wedding of one of our sisters . It is going to be quiet the party.

+I am thankful that I have no class or clinical today. Now I just have to pray that I can actually be productive and not fall slave to the nap or youtube.

+Each and everyday I am thankful for coffee. O how good you are to me.

+I am thankful that I am already filling my house with Christmas decorations. The mugs and cups have already been in full use. Some may call it early but I have a few points of rational. First, we don't have much time at school after Christmas thus I can begin celebrating here early. Secondly, when isn't it a good time to begin celebrating the incarnation where the God of the universe entered humanity in order to one day bring us salvation. Whoa.

+I am thankful that after I got home from clinical last night at around 9:30 I just took the night off. Neither of my roommates were home and I took a shower and then cozied up in my warm bed with ice cream and Grey's Anatomy.

Live joy.

So did you vote yet?

I personally mailed in my absentee ballot yesterday. The down side to this-no "I voted" sticker.

Or maybe I even could have gotten this sticker.

Being a swing state I know my vote is important. I know that history tells us in order for a president to win the presidency he has to win Ohio. It is energizing and exciting to know that the country is looking at us.

Today on the radio I heard about a woman who was in labor with contractions 5 minutes apart and membranes ruptured yet insisted that she needed to vote before she could go to the hospital. If she can vote, I don't know who can't.

I am amazed at the intensity of prayer and fasting going on today. This is what changes the world, not another political ad on my facebook, spodify, TV, radio, newspaper, youtube (anyone else completely frustrated by the infiltration of political ads in every form of media).

And although I, like every other American, is ready to be done with all the political ads I have to admit I did enjoy this saying spreading around the internet these past few days.

If you haven't voted yet, what are you waiting for?! Get your butt out there and vote!!

Go and Rock the Vote!

Catholic Woman's Almanac

Ok I am trying something new today rather than a daybook I am going to link up to Jenny's Catholic Woman's Almanac.

Moments of Gratitude

--Four days filled with whatever I want-it included alot of quality time, naps, sleeping in, good food shared with others, and some adult beverages.
--You want to talk about how much coffee I drank during break. If that isn't something to be thankful I don't know what is.
--Spending 6 hours a week in a newborn nursery. Some people call it a dream, I call it clinical.

Beauty in the Ordinary

Ahh I love beauty in the ordinary. One my favorite personal mottos is "Find the extraordinary in the ordinary." Ordinary days are when modern saints are made.

From the Kitchen

Nothing too exciting there. All I made this during the past few days is pasta and sauteed peas. O but I did make these gems which are now on my go to list for desserts.

Praying

---For our election and nation as election day looms right in front of us.
---For the Haiti Mission trip, I had 6 people added to the "Praying About" it list. I am fearlessly praying that the people who are called to the trip will hear the voice of God and that if it be the of the Lord's will a priest will be able to go with us.


Pondering

"He must recapitulate the whole of history from its beginging-from Adam on; he must go through the whole of it, in order to transform it."-Jesus of Nazereth

Reading

In light of the third Jesus of Nazareth book by Pope Benedict XVI coming out. I decided it was about time to read the first one. I have been reading it with overdrive on my phone and writing down notes and quotes in my journal. Can I just say I love it!! And I hope I can continue to make time to read more. Here is to hoping!

Memorizing

The Magnifact. I have a special love for Our Lady of the Annunciation. She is my household saint and I can't believe it took 200 some sisters for someone (me!) to finally pick her! Our Lady of the Annunciation, I believe, so perfectly emulates Our Lady's virtues. Recently while being prayed over, the Magnificat came up and since then I have been trying to talk hold of it chunk by chunk.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Captured

These are my BEAUTIFUL sisters that I got to spend four days with!! The weekend started to come to a conclusion with Sunday morning brunch