Baby It's Cold Outside

And when I say cold, I mean COLD! This native Floridian is feeling a little out of sorts in the face (literally) of single digit windchill. But God is good and invented indoors and heaters (when people turn them on). So I have not frozen into an icicle, though it was a close call recently, and am still running after souls at SHU.

Bible Studies are starting up this week. The women have added at least 3 new studies this semester and 5 new student leaders! God is so good! In my senior study we are discussing how to evangelize in their classes and workplaces without being the stereotypical preacher-with-a-megaphone, then we'll go through Salvation History, a FOCUS Bible Study that goes through the fundamental stories that lead to Jesus' coming and Ascension. The juniors wanted to pick a book of the Bible to go through, and we've narrowed it down to six choices as of now. (In case you hadn't noticed, there's 73 amazing books to choose from and 6 women that need to agree...could take a while) I have my favorite that I think would be good for them, but I'm trying not to be too biased and let them pick. And in the Greek (Alpha Sigma Tau) study that just started, we're going to be addressing different topics the girls are battling. They'll bring something they want to talk about and I'll research it and the next week we'll talk about it. They want homework, too. I've led SH before, but the other two methods are entirely new to me. Man, I can't wait for this semester!

This past Tuesday was the 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. In the past 40 years in America alone, 55 million babies have been murdered. As the president recently said, "If there's even one step we can take to save one child...then surely we have an obligation to try". Every year, hundreds of thousands come from across the country to Washington, D.C. to march peacefully in protest. The old march with the young; Rabbis and nuns walk alongside each other; different ethnic backgrounds can be seen, banners high, joining the March in an effort to end abortion. This year around 400,000 Americans walked to the Supreme Court steps.

Myself and around 25 other SHU students took a bus at 6am to Washington, D.C. Now, the silly side of the march comes into play when you realize that your friends from around the country will also be in Washington, D.C. Hmm. What a great time to meet up! NOT. I am a firm believer in staying with the group you came with and leaving the people I see up to chance. I'm there for the babies, not reunions. Not everyone holds my opinion, I know, and that's ok. However, that provides the background for my prayer prior to the march: that my buddy (from SHU - the buddy system is best when surrounded by hundreds of thousands of people) and I don't get lost, and if it be Your will, let me say hello to a few far away friends. And boy, is God good!

We ended up at the NC Mass at the National Shrine. Having graduated from a North Carolinian school, I knew the bishops and knew I was praying with my friends from Belmont Abbey. Not only that, but one of my favorite priests from NC was a concelebrant at Mass! And a friend who entered the seminary this year was also in the procession! I didn't get to say hello, but even seeing them was such a blessing! THEN when we got to the Supreme Court steps, I saw the BAC banner and got to say hello to a few old friends. THEN I saw the Nashville Dominican banner. To convey the accurate level of excitement this stirred in my heart, you must know that one of the freshman in my Bible Study last year at BAC entered with them this year. And I knew she was going to be at the March. I saw her for maybe 30 seconds, but they were some of the happiest 30 seconds on the March. THEN I also ran into a fellow missionary friend. THEN we saw the Sisters of Life. Another friend from FOCUS entered there last year. I wasn't sure if she was going to be at the March, so I was just walking through the crowd of nuns, and I saw her! Such a blessed reunion! All of these interactions lasted maybe 5 minutes, but they brought such joy to my heart and soul! And kinda made up for the fact that I couldn't feel my toes anymore. 

Two of our fearless leaders at the March

So many people!

Statue of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton :)

The National Shrine. So beautiful!

And today I went to the swim meet and watched one of the student leaders compete. I love watching swimming, and SHU did such a great job! God is indeed amazing and totally blesses me. Thank you for your amazing prayers and be assured of mine for you!