Jesus is my Super-Hero!

That's where I was this weekend! Being spiritually fed at the Springfield-Cape Girardeau youth conference, themed around super-heros, super-powers, and our kryptonites. The conference was blessed to feature the key-note speaker, Tony Melendez and the Toe-Jam Band!

Odd name, right? That's because Tony was born without arms. His super-power, however, is extraordinary. He plays his guitar with his feet! Tony has preformed for Blessed Pope John Paul II and is a phenomenal speaker and musician. His message for the youth of the diocese was beautiful; find your strengths and flaws, and give them all up to God.

From this, I heard a call to service.

Despite my absolute joy over being hired as the new west side Camp Re-NEW-All director, there has been a lot of emotional and spiritual struggle. For the longest time, I felt the unbearable pressure. I was concerned that I would lose staff, that I would lose support from longtime friends, that I was not what Camp needed or what God had wanted. But Tony, and all the fellowship I found around me soothed those doubts.

Because when you lay it all out there, Jesus will provide. And as the Holy Trinity core team sang over and over for us this weekend,

And if our God is for us, than who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, than who could stand against?

I had already heard and answered God's call, but I had been pulling a Jonah. There were many times I had not been trusting or devoted enough to what God had told me. I had heard what God said correctly, and it was time to trust in that. After all, God will never give us more than we can handle, and God will always provide.

Just like God provided for Tony, by giving him talents that he was able to use despite the struggles he was also given, God will always provide for us. God wants the best for us, the best that could possibly be given to us, because we are God's best and most beautiful Creations, and oh, how He Loves us.

If you would like to know more about Tony Melendez and his incredible journey and story, here's the link to his website!

http://www.tonymelendez.com

Finally, I have a huge, massive, gigantic thank you and shout out to give to my old youth ministers, and as always, my friends. Johnna Hilton has been a part of my life since I was five years old, teaching me how to sing, act, pray, Love, and serve the Lord. Travis Washeck became a youth leader when I was in high school, and I had a wonderful time getting to know Chris Vore better this weekend. The three them are the proud T, C, and J of Totally Catholic Junk- an online Catholic store that has creative apparel, and all kinds of fun Catholic "junk". 

totallycatholicjunk.com

I think that's enough for tonight- all that's left is for is some pictures and videos. 

Sydney Barta, my little sister Ginna, and Sean Jastal singing in the rain

Adoration on Saturday night

The banners processing in at Sunday Mass

I think that's about it! Hope everyone has a blessed week, and remains full of the Holy Spirit!

Totus tuus, 

LeAnn 

Greetings from Dallas!

Last semester, I told you all that I had received an internship from Pitt State's business club, Enactus. Enactus opened a store in downtown Pittsburg in December that focuses on sustainability, fair trade, and shopping local. 

Krimson Kulture sells goods from local artists. We have necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry made from rock and metals, particularly copper. We also work with organizations like Raffa House, which helps victims of sex trafficking, Amazima, an organization based out of Uganda, and many others. Nepal bracelets, soaps, candles, recycled jewelry, and so many other beautifully handcrafted items. 

But why am I in Dallas? 

Dallas has a huge, overwhelming, massive, did I mention huge, market! Everything is sold at whole-sale prices, so you shop with the intent of stocking your shelves. All day today, we wandered in and out of shops looking for items that had the same "feel" of the store. 

The hardest part from me was that I was so completely out of my element! I am not a business major, I am very much my English major self. I like books and funky, different jewelry. Shopping for times for mom-aged women and other adults was different. Surrounded by business majors I did a lot of listening, watching, and learning. 

So, here I am, chilling in a pretty sweet hotel in Dallas, full of new information, absolutely exhausted after a day filled with new people, new skills, and fluorescent lights. And all I am is thankful. 

God is good...All the time! All the time...God is good! 

Totus tuus, 

LeAnn 

Role Models

I was recently asked on a job application who was someone I admired most and why. The smart girl in me said to choose someone who fit the job's archetypes; Mother Teresa, Pope Francis I, or some other Catholic figure head. The twenty-one year old female in me screamed for Taylor Swift, Emma Watson, or my mom. I struggled with it for a few minutes; and then I went with Emma Watson.

As I justified this in mind:

She's intelligent. She's modest. She has a lot of charity work. She plays Hermione Granger. 

I was also tearing it down in my mind:

Do I really want this job? Shouldn't I be writing to please them? Why in the world are you not writing about Pope Francis I right now? 

My reason, when it was all said and done, is that they asked for role model and that she is immediately who popped into my head. I find her modest, chaste, tasteful body image to be inspiring. I love that even though she is an incredible actress, she still continues her education because it's something she values. I find it impressive that she uses the influence she has developed to benefit organizations that she believes in. Why is that something to be ashamed of?

Role models are what we make of them. Whether or not everyone else finds your particular role model inspiring is unimportant. What matters is that this name, this person helps to inspire you. Never mind how anyone else sees you, or her.

Whether your role model is someone you met on the street, found in book, discovered in a movie, or is part of your faith, they influence you. Embrace that, use it to your advantage. Be inspired, be bold, use them as something to push and encourage you.

Totus Tuus,

LeAnn

Past

The past has an interesting way of popping back up when we least expect it. And depending on the situation, this can be either good or bad, oftentimes, it is a combination of both. The reality of it is that we are products of the past, and present is completely determined by this, and the ways if effects us.

It's most essential to remember that while our past, at one point in time it was the most important thing going on in our lives. The past was, at one point, our present. And while we can learn from our past, and can grow from it, we cannot change it. It is, after all, the past.

My advice this new year? Don't let the past tear you apart, don't hold yourself accountable for sins that have long since past. Your sins were long since forgiven, and if it's something you can't bring yourself to let go, here's where being Catholic can help to make a difference.

Confession. Ready, set, go!

"ForgivemeFatherforIhavesinnedit'sbeenXamountsincemylastconfessionandthesearemysins."

"I did, x, y, z, t, u, q, y again, and a few of h. Oh! And, l several times."

Then comes the exciting part, when the priest offers you some help. He may give you advice or encouragement, he may even just tell that it's going to be okay. After that, you receive absolution and your penance. Keep in mind, penance will be different every time, and must be done. It's as essential as confession in your quest to say sorry to God.

Keep in mind that the past is the past, the present is right now, and the future is on it's way, so why not do your best to prepare for it?

Don't cling, just let it go.

Totus Tuus,

LeAnn