It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It has been a while since I posted, and I am truly sorry for that! Things have gotten crazy around here from Thanksgiving, which I spent with my aunt in CT, to trying to get all the students signed up for the SEEK Conference in January. And our final weeks of pushing and asking and praying has paid off! We have around 40 students (including 3 seminarians) signed up for conference! We will be taking a bus from Seton Hall to the Swan and Dolphin Resort starting in the afternoon on the 1st of January. We have been speaking at different parishes, raising money to help pay for renting the bus, and what was said reminded me why I spent so long trying to convince those I love to give it a chance. "[SEEK 2013] will be a life changing event for students – many will go to Confession and Mass for the first time in several years, other students will discover a vocation to priesthood or religious life and many others will recommit their lives to the Catholic Faith." I am counting down the days! 

Speaking of countdowns, I get to see my sister for the first time since August in 3 days and 7 hours. Just saying.

Since yesterday was the feast of the Immaculate Conception, I went to the chapel to pray my rosary in front of Mary and wanted to share this picture with you. This is the statue of Mary at the front of our chapel. I just adore this image of her, a slight smile on her face, holding Jesus yet looking at the congregation of the faithful. A friend of mine and I have discussed our love for Mary at length. Naturally, when I saw this statue I tried to describe it to her. I probably didn't do a very good job, though, so here's the 'real' thing:

The flowers are for her feast day!

Last night the missionaries went into the City for some relaxing time. It was much needed and we all had a great time! Most of the FOCUS missionaries went as well as the missionaries from St. Paul's Outreach. With their 4 plus our 5 (one of us couldn't make it) plus one, our group got to be pretty large! We got to the City around 8 and made a beeline for the tree! It's very beautiful. Many say that they are disappointed by how small it is in real life, but it was still very impressive. 

Then we stood along the rail and watch the skaters (you would just watch too at a $45 fee to skate on such a tiny crowded rink!). It was amusing to watch a little boy skillfully darting through adults - he reminded me of my almost 10 year old cousin - and the four little girls trying to spin and the really talented skaters try not to hit the mere mortals while spinning gracefully.

Caitlyn wanted a ride!

Toward the end of the night half of the party departed and the rest of us went to Phebe's Tavern and Grill to continue with our fellowship. It was wonderful to be able to talk with the two SPO women. We have been becoming closer friends, but because all of us are busy with our own missions, we don't have much time to spend just us missionaries. I am so blessed to be serving on a campus with such amazing men and women!

Me and the SPO women

Blessings

I took the bus from Manhattan to South Orange and was astounded at the amount of damage and debris I saw still on the roads. Being from Tampa, I am no stranger to hurricanes, but we have been blessed that the hurricanes for as long as I can remember have avoided our corner of the world. I have never had to drive through my city and see the havoc Mother Nature left. When Sandy hit last week, I was running around the apartment filling up the tub, buying perishables, getting flashlights in easily accessible places. All through Sunday, Monday, and early Tuesday my team waited...and waited...and waited. But the electricity stayed on, the water kept running, and the worst damage we could see from our window was trees flexing in the wind. I was getting updates from my aunt in CT who lost power for a day, the other Catholic missionaries - who live in a house behind the university - who were without power until yesterday afternoon, and other missionaries from the area most of whom lost power. Driving to campus last Wednesday to pick up my car from the parking garage where it stayed during the storm, we saw countless trees and limbs blocking roads. The lights remained dark in the neighborhood between our apartment and the university until yesterday. The devastation is astounding, but the response from the students is amazing as well! DOVE, the service organization on campus is swamped with students desiring to help our neighbors. 

If you could please keep one of my student leaders in your prayers. She has family that lives on the coast. Her great-aunt's house is condemned, the sea-facing wall having been swept away. A few other relatives' houses, including her grandmother's house where she has lived the past two summers, have at least 3 ft of water damage, making the furniture useless and requiring a lot of work to make them livable again. It's really shaken her up to see pictures of that house on the Internet, taken by random strangers who are wandering the coast documenting the damage. 

In happier news, I was able to go home this past weekend! It was such a blessing to be with my parents! At first I thought I wasn't going to be able to leave as my flight was supposed to leave last Thursday morning from JFK, but after only a little bit of hassle, I got switched to a flight from Hartford, CT to Orlando. One of my teammates graciously made the 3 hour drive from South Orange to Hartford in Starr then turned around and drove her back. My mom promised him homemade apple bread, though, so it's all good. Then my mom was waiting for me in Orlando, having driven 2 hours to come pick me up. She and I can talk about pretty much anything, so the 2 hour drive back was filled with easy, light conversation. You know, things like emotional chastity, finding joy in difficult situations, not being married in heaven, and how to be a better missionary. Man, I love my mom! 

Getting ready to head home! (in other news, I now have Instagram and think I am a professional photographer)

Sitting by my pool in the backyard, soaking in the FL sun...

She went to a scrapbooking event on Friday, so my dad and I were on our own for dinner. That translates into Mr. Empanada!! It was so nice to sit down with my dad and chat. We had a great time at dinner and then chugged up on the couch to watch The Book of Eli. Great father-daughter bonding time. We were going to go see Flight on Sunday, but his dad (my grandfather) passed away on Saturday evening. He has been sick for a while and we weren't sure he was going to hang on this long, but he's a stubborn man. He made it to his 90th birthday which was last Monday and held on even longer as a special gift to me so that my parents were home for 3 days with me before they headed up to PA for the funeral on Sunday morning. The funeral was yesterday, and though I'm sad I wasn't there, I heard it was beautiful. 

More on the weather front, I just have to illustrate how much God loves me. He allowed me to go home and lounge around in my sundresses and bare feet for 5 days out on my back porch before He sent me back north to the Nor'easter storm that gave us a good 3-4 inches of snow yesterday. Brrrr!!! Spent a while unburying Starr this morning.   

...fast forward 36 hours and it's snowing!!!

Poor Starr! (and since I think I'm a professional photographer, sometimes I tilt my phone sideways...which sometimes works better than others)

Oh Sandy!

Well we're all hunkering down to weather Sandy, the hurricane that is passing through. We woke up with electricity, and since everything else, including the University and the churches are closed, I figured it would be a good time to post an update on how things are going!

Here is a map of Sandy's path as of midmorning Monday.

This weekend I was able to head up to Connecticut to visit my aunt and uncle. They were having an early Thanksgiving get together, as not everyone could make it in a month. I got to see my cousin who I grew up with visiting my grandparents' house. We are only a few months apart in age, so we get along pretty well. It had been a long time since we had seen each other though, almost a year and a half! As my uncle is a new and welcome addition to my extended family and I was unfortunately unable to attend his wedding to my aunt, I had yet to meet his 5 children, and my new cousins. Luckily two of his boys were able to come as well as his brother and sister-in-law. We had such a great time! There was so much food, even the men didn't have seconds of everything. Once we had rolled ourselves out of the house after dinner, we made our way to 41st Bridge Street, a nice restaurant that was hosting a Blues Band competition. It was so awesome! Both bands were extremely talented, but my favorite was the Delta Generators. They received a standing ovation and came on for 2 encores!

I had made the decision to leave in the morning, against my aunt's wishes, but it was important to be back down here to weather the storm with my team. Yesterday was spent stocking up on water, non-perishable foods, and batteries. The news is constantly on in the background - and gosh, I never thought I would become my mother. But here I am with a tab opened to the weather channel online, keeping an eye on Sandy even as I type. Both of my parents have been such a help and a blessing. Even though I am standing on my own two feet, making my own decisions, I know I can always call them, ask for advice, and they will give it. I am so blessed! Know that if you are in the path of the hurricane, you are in our prayers. Please keep me in yours so that I make it home on Thursday! (my plane leaves from JFK at 6:15am on Thursday)

I saw on one of the news stories that there were people refusing to evacuate, even though they were in evacuation zone A. While I know some of them choose this because, like someone told me recently, they think the government and the weather channel are in cahoots to boost the economy and the storm won't really be that bad, the reporter said some were staying behind because they were scared of loosing their houses. Seriously? I'm imagining a man standing in front of his house, his family huddled behind him, pointing a shotgun at the oncoming 'Frankenstorm'. All joking aside, there is something wrong with society that a person's property is worth more than complying with a government that's trying to save their life and the lives of the rescue teams who this person assumes would come rescue them if things got too bad. It reminds me of the story of the Prodigal Son. While this story is definitely a story about forgiveness (the younger son takes money from his father, squanders it, then comes back home where the father forgives him and welcomes him back with a huge party) the main moral is often overlooked. Both sons value material things: the younger son demands his inheritance from his father and returns only when the money has run out, the older son follows the letter of the law and is mad that he hasn't gotten a party sponsored by his father with his friends. But that's not the true treasure. The father says to the older son when he complains: "My son, you are here with me always". It is not the material things that have the most value, but the fact that we have a relationship with God.

We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. ~Mother Teresa 

Welcome to Fall

So it has been awhile since I posted, and for that I am sorry! So much has been going on that I can't wait to tell you about!

Two weekends ago the students at Seton Hall went on Fall break and the missionaries got to go to Pennsylvania for our regional gathering. All of the missionaries from the Northeast and Atlantic regions had about 40 hours to spend away from campus, playing and praying with fellow missionaries in the beautiful, mountainous, colorful retreat center in the woods. Because one of my teammates went to Mount St. Mary's, only a short drive from the retreat center, we were able to stop by and even see the shrine to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton! Then this past weekend, I was able to go visit my aunt who lives in CT! It was such a beautiful and relaxing drive and time with her and her husband!

For those who know my testimony, you know that the FOCUS national conference in 2010 played a big role in my conversion story. This year FOCUS is having another national conference in Orlando. We're expecting 7,000 students to descend on the Swan and Dolphin Resort for 5 days of rejuvenating and life changing experiences. Here at SHU, we are hoping to bring 100 students on 2 buses for an over 24 hour drive! The missionaries started fundraising last year and we have been able to sponsor 2 students who will be going for free. I wanted to share these two stories with you to show you how God is working here.

First, there is a girl who is currently going through RCIA and is very involved with Campus Ministry. I had asked her if she was going, but she said that she wasn't. She is from California and because of other circumstances, she won't be able to go home at all next summer, so she really wanted to have as much time at home as possible over winter break. Going to conference would mean coming East 2 weeks before she had to be here. Her name ended up in a drawing at one of our events last week, and when her name was read as the winner, she started crying. She said she had been praying about going, and that this is God's answer. She is sad about missing out on time with her family, but she is so ready to go to Florida! I had dinner with her yesterday and she told me a story: In the Bible Study she is in, they make a poster at the beginning of the year with a quote that they will try to live out all year. This year's ends with "God keeps you going." After winning free registration, she got a 'going' sticker and put it near her poster. She couldn't sleep the other night and started meditating on the quote, and this is what happened:

Praise God for answered prayers!

The second is just as amazing! A young man who none of us had met before won at an event we had earlier this year. He looked like someone who was just at the even to get points to put him in a better position for housing next year. He didn't partake in any of the small group discussion, basically keeping to himself and studying the whole time. When we called his name at the raffle, someone overheard him say an expletive. The missionaries assumed he was mad about going and was going to drag his feet. Well one of the male missionaries had a meeting with him last night and found out differently. Apparently he never wins anything, and when our team director said "and the person going to FL is..." he said his own name followed shortly by our TD announcing his name. Out came the expletive. He has also been wanting to go to Florida for a long time. My teammate asked him if the faith aspect was a deterrent  since we actually won't be seeing much of Florida. He responded that it wasn't. In fact, he is inviting at least 7 of his friends, who all are interested if they have some help fundraising! Praise God! Please keep these two and the other 98 students going to SEEK from Seton Hall University in your prayers.

In other news, two of my really good friends made the 12 hour trip from Belmont Abbey to come and visit me for their fall break! They got here last night around 2am and will be here until Sunday! I am so blessed to have such amazing friends!

Faith Like a Child

I have just gotten back from a half day retreat. Before I get into the details, I just want to say thank you all for your prayers! God has been hearing them and my complaints about traffic/driving and gave me the most perfect half hour journey today. We had our retreat at the Shrine of St. Joseph about half an hour away. The drive was perfect: a 10 mile stretch on a lightly trafficked highway where I got to go 70mph! Once you got off the interstate, we then drove through back streets lined with trees that every once and a while would surprise us with some yellow, orange, or red leaves. The Shrine was right in the middle of this rural fairytale land. It was the most enjoyable time I have had in the car since I got here.

This dedication to Our Lady of Fatima is where I spent the morning meditating at the Shrine

There was very little structure to the day, but there was a theme: faith. As some of you know, Pope Benedict XVI (my hero), has declared this year from October 11, 2012 until November 24, 2013 to be the year of faith in honor of the 50th anniversary of Vatican II. When asked to share what we were going to do for ourselves and the students we serve in light of this inspiration, I found myself meditating on this stained glass window:

This image is one of the windows in the chapel at Our Lady of Sorrows where the missionaries go to Mass on Saturdays. I am drawn to the little girl in the yellow dress. I realize that this is how I want to live this year of faith. I want to continually seek Jesus' side. I want to clutch His robe so that I can hold on to nothing else. I want to continually look upon His face with complete and utter love and devotion. And perhaps more than anything, I want to feel His loving gaze into my soul and His gentle hand upon my head.

So now that I live in the north, and we actually have a change of seasons, I have realized that people love doing 'seasonal' things. So things like apple picking, pumpkin spiced anything, scarves, and colored leaves are all the topic of conversation around here. So on Saturday, myself, the other women missionaries, and two other students went apple picking! It was my first time and I had a blast! It was fun to wander through the orchard, looking for non-rotted apples. We ended up walking away with three bags full of apples between the five of us.

Caitlyn climbed the tree to grab an illusive good looking apple.

Is there something on my face?

I had grand plans for my apples! I wanted to bake apple crisp. So as soon as we got home, I picked up the ingredients and called a student to head over for a baking frenzy. It was so delicious! While we were eating our straight-from-the-oven warm crisp with vanilla ice cream we watched Clue. Made in 1985 and based on the board game, it was so ridiculous it was hilarious! What a great Saturday!

We brought the rest of the apples to the brothers' house on Monday. We were invited there for vespers followed by an authentic Mexican meal. There are 5 professed brothers/priests of the Community of St. John who live and work at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish, two of whom also work at Seton Hall (I mentioned them in a recent post). Br. Martin was a chef before he entered, so everything we cooked had to get his seal of approval. The food was delicious and the company was impeccable. I am truly very blessed.

On Friday the FOCUS missionaries head to PA for the Atlantic regional gathering. I can't wait to be reunited with my fellow missionaries from the surrounding states. Yet, a missionary's work is never done. Please pray for peace for all the missionaries this weekend. Pray that we can leave all the to-do lists at home and truly enjoy each others' company. Pray that our to-do lists are blessed and get done, despite the way the hours disappear during the week. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers!

The Urgent and The Important

Time management. That's what I talked about this week in mentorship with one of the women I get the chance to walk with this year. She is involved in so many things, it's a miracle she has any time to breathe in her schedule. So we talked about making sure she gave time to FOCUS, but at the same time making me aware that she had other commitments. Basically, we are meant to live in moderation. Go figure. As I headed home and thought of all the things I have to and want to do, I was reminded to live my life in moderation. I had a slight mental breakdown recently as I had made a list at least 587 pages long of things that needed to get done in the hour I had between meeting with students and my team. I called my mentor in a panic, needing talked down from the proverbial ledge. (Side note, she is amazing!) She calmly asked about my list, all the things I had to do, and walked me through urgency and importance and ordering my time. Now I've heard this countless time from my mother, but it's different in a moment of sheer panic and stress. I'm sure my mom could point to a book by a brilliant life strategist about this all important life skill, but for now, I will share this website that has a very simple and easy explanation if you are looking for details. It was a very helpful call out to organize my time better and to live in moderation. As much as I would love to, I can't spend all my time in prayer, nor can I spend all my time talking to my friend across the street.

In a day in the life update, this past week we gave a scholarship to our conference in January to a guy at Seton Hall, Rashon, who was less than thrilled at being chosen. Please pray for him! We have these two great religious men who work with campus ministry:

Br. Andrew James (aka Br. AJ) - he plays the guitar and harmonica and never forgets anyone's name.

Fr. Gabriel Mary - he has such reverence on the altar and such a joyful spirit.

They are a part of the community of St. John and they are two incredibly holy men. Seton Hall is so blessed to have them. They do a program once a month called Philosophy Brew. It's a chance for people of all faiths and backgrounds to come and discuss some topic from a philosophical point of view. I didn't realize how much I missed learning and intellectual discussion until I was able to go to this evening of intellectual exchange. It was so incredible! Also, a freshman I met is going to teach me how to knit! We were laughing at ourselves in the check out line in Walmart with our knitting needles and yarn. How strange to see two young women knitting, but there we were. Yesterday I went with a student leader to NYC to go to the Met. It was incredible...and large. Very large. We had deep fried Oreos and waffles covered in Nutella. Overall, it was an amazing trip with an amazing woman.

Also, I watch Dr. Who. And the fall finale is coming up. And one of my favorite characters is leaving the show. I'm pretty convinced she's going to die or some other tragic, emotional departure. So I'm rereading the Hunger Games to feel better - wait, that has a sad ending too. Good. All that to say that I took time for myself this week, praise God.

The Big City and Tye Dye

This weekend has been a flurry of events! On Friday we had our team trip into the city. It was so much fun! We got to walk through Times Square and explored the three levels of the M&M store. I'm not sure how, but I resisted the temptation to buy any M&Ms. It's truly a miracle. We had the opportunity to pray in three separate churches. First, we spent a few minutes in St. Francis of Assisi church right outside Penn Station. Then we spent went to Mass and said our holy hour in St. Patrick's Cathedral. Finally we got to see Padre Pio's glove at the San Gennaro Church in Little Italy. After praying through there, we wandered through the San Gennaro festival in Little Italy. There were so many people and vendors and cannolis! We also celebrated Caitlyn's 21st cheeseburger at Five Guys for lunch. Up until last September, my teammate thought she didn't like cheese. After trying bacon cheese fries, she realized she was mistaken and started keeping count of how many cheeseburgers she consumed in her lifetime. I have been privileged enough to have been there for numbers 19, 20, AND 21.

As a slight digression, a small explination is due. The links above all send you to pictures of the churches. You may be wondering why I didn't just put the pictures in the blog. Well, in the saga of my computer woes that have spanned years, my 2 year old laptop decided the motherboard didn't want to work. So I am writing this from my iPad, which is such a blessing. However I can't save pictures from the Internet into my iPad, therefore can't put them in the blog. But I can still link. The computer problem should be fixed soon, and pictures will once again find their way onto this page.

Then on Saturday, we had a women's night at our apartment. We made 2 things of brownies, a bag of cookies, and tons of popcorn. About 12 women came over. We Tye dyed and played an icebreaker type game involving paper and charades, ending with a movie. It was so awesome to just sit back and see people getting along with people they never would have even met if the missionaries weren't here. It is so beautiful the way God works. I was content to just sit back and see all the women laughing over tyedye and popcorn. I am truly blessed.

Finally, last night we had all of the student leaders over to our apartment for fellowship and rejuvenation in the mission of FOCUS on campus. Those nights are called Upper Room nights. The title comes from the beginning of Acts when the disciples all gathered together for strength and prayer after Jesus ascended to Heaven. The point is to be strengthened by each others' trials and successes. We have such an amazing group of student leaders! I am so inspired by them and excited to be able to share in their journey this year!

With all that excitement, my introverted side is asking, where did my weekend go? Welcome to Monday in the life of a missionary. :)