Still Blogging

Almost a year ago, I decided I was done with this whole blogging thing. Someone had commented and tore apart what I had written, something that I had really believed in. I was mad and done. And (obviously) I got over it because there's more to life than how people respond to what you believe in. There's more to life than what social media has to say about you. And there's more to life than what those around you think of you. At some point, you have to decide who and what truly matters.

And what matters to me is that I love my family. I am beyond amazed by the love and marriage I have just entered. And God, who gave me all of this, matters. Matters more than the perception of my peers, more than the perception of my friends. My life, my family, my marriage, none of it would be possible without God. Which is why Timothy's letter rings so true to me today.

Remind people of these things
and charge them before God to stop disputing about words.
This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.
Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God,
a workman who causes no disgrace,
imparting the word of truth without deviation. (2 TM 2: 8-15)

I'm not perfect. My words are not perfect and that's not what matters. What matters is when we present ourselves before our God, we have no shame, no disgrace. We imparted the Words of Truth to the best of our ability, and did our best to share the Love we have for our God without any deviation. And that's what matters. That we did our best to share what we truly believe, irregardless of how others react. And as Timothy reminds us earlier in his letter, we were not made to be timid.

Tota tua.

Our Wedding Day

We've now been married all of two days. And right now, curled in our honeymoon suite, I am overwhelmed by the love and support we have been shown. I keep crying over the simplest things. Which is so unlike me; as my friends put it, "I've never seen you cry!" On Saturday night, I thought it was because I was tired. Yesterday. I thought it was because I was still overwhelmed. But today, I realized that it's because I am just that perfectly, incandescently happy.

I'm sure we will be sharing stories about our wedding for months to come, but my favorite will be about my in-laws. Only one thing went wrong on Saturday, our hotel realized they were double-booked and couldn't accommodate us while we were at the reception. I shrugged it off, we would find a place to sleep for the night. I wasn't worried and I had no reason to be. My sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and his fiancé were on it, with a little help from my dad, we had a room within the hour. 

I was raised in an amazing, giving family. A family that I know is a rarity, not everyone has aunts and uncles who attend middle school basketball games for you or brings your flowers at grade school dance recitals. But somehow, God gave me another family that is equally incredible and that dropped everything so that Josh and I had a beautiful place to spend our mini-honeymoon at. 

I didn't particularly want to change my name. I like the name and I love being a Verhoff. But as the engagement led into our wedding, and as the wedding led into the reception, I felt more at peace with the name change. I couldn't be happier to be a Wood and belong to such wonderful families. As Megan put it, "I fell asleep covered in glitter and beer," (we had a great reception), "and woke up with a wonderful sister-in-law." And so did I. Two actually. And two amazing brothers, and parents who will always be there for my husband and I. 

Tota tua. 

LeAnn Wood (!!) 

Ringin' in 2016

(Written while sitting in the back row of my parents' diesel Exursion, en route to St. Louis for my aunt's NYE wedding festivities)

A new year offers people an opportunity for a fresh slate. Something about the number changing indicates a chance for newness, a new change, a fix for the new year. This year's resolution trend seems to be choosing a word for their new year. I've seen trust, hope, adventure, love, and faith so far scattered across my various social medias, and I smile at it, at the optimism for this new year, and the opportunities it brings.

In less than 6 months, I will be married, with a new last name and a permanent roommate, and I couldn't be more excited. 2016 holds so much for me, but I am thankful for 2015's opportunities as well. We warned the first week of classes that law school would be transformative, and I can feel it. Between living alone for the first time, and undertaking a major educational mountain of sorts. 

So, I suppose my "word" for the upcoming year would be change. All the changes in the last year will culminate with this next year of major life changes; ones that I can hardly wait for.

Ring in your new year safely, and with enthusiasm friends. Tackle your new year head on and try to accomplish a thing or two. Read a new book, learn a new skill, take a plunge of sorts.

Tota tua,

LeAnn

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A New Season

I couldn't possibly be talking about Ash Wednesday, after all, isn't Ash Wednesday? It's kind of a big deal in the Church, almost everyone goes to Mass!

News Flash: Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation. 

It celebrates the beginning of Lent. It is a reminder that all of us are sinners, that we broken and battered, and need God at all times, not just on special days. Lent's purpose is to remind us of our sinful natures, and teach us to be better. This is why give up things, and add things to our spiritual life.

My approach to Lent has two parts; adding and subtracting.

During Lent, your spiritual life should grow. Just giving something up means nothing if you aren't giving it up to help bring yourself closer to God. When we were younger, we gave up candy or TV because it was what our parents suggested, or because we weren't sure what else we really liked. As adults in the Church, we give up things that put distance between us and God. You could also give up something you rely on, or take for granted. Examples could be a food you eat everyday, or a drink such as your morning coffee. I have known people to give up their pillows, adding salt to their food, chocolate, Facebook, and other things in life we take for granted. 

The second part requires extra effort to add something to your daily life. Lent is all about becoming closer to God, so the logical thing to add would be prayer. There are many different forms though; adoration, daily Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, and the Angelus would be more traditional forms of prayer. There are other options though; praying with your significant other, making an effort to read the Bible or other forms of devotions, spending time with family, or making more time for self-reflection. 

Try to find something this year that is going to push you, that will make being a better person seem all the more difficult and all the more obtainable. 

Good luck, God bless and as always, 

Totus tuus, 

LeAnn 

Finish Line

I'm sitting at my kitchen, eating way too much food, killing time until I celebrate the holidays with my friends by, again, eating way too much food.

There's only one thing between me and successfully completing by fifth semester at Pitt State and that is my final in British Literature tomorrow. I feel prepared, but weirder things have happened. Such as playing my last jury ever today! Which was such a good feeling to be done with that part of my life. Music is great and all, but it is not something I want a career in.

Although I am a day early, I'm ready to celebrate a successful semester! Classes are wrapping up and I have so much to look forward to over the winter break, and next semester. I just wanted to tell everyone thank you for a such a blessed and memory-filled semester. You all know who you are, and how much I love you.

Enjoy the snow, enjoy the holidays, and be ready to light that third candle this Sunday.

Totus Tuus,

LeAnn

Happy Easter!

Our God's not dead, He's surely alive!

Easter is absolutely, positively my favorite holiday.  It doesn't involve an insane amount of shopping or holiday stress.  Buy some candy, stuff some eggs, and hide them around the house.  Put a few treats in a basket and you're set; commercial holiday is satisfied.

But then you have the fun parts; the Easter dresses and suits.  The big, beautiful white church filled with Easter lilies, and finally getting to sing Alleluia!  It's the best service of the year.  Afterwards is full of family; dinner, mass Easter egg hunts, and desserts galore.  It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Remember to make God some part of your Easter, even if it's a small personal prayer of thanksgiving tonight before you go to bed.

Ginna and Luke

Wayne and Elsie 

Ginna and I 

 Here are some shots of my family Easter!

Ginna and Elsie 

Fr. Paul blessing the Paschal Candle 

Luke and Wayne serving at Easter Vigil 

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter Sunday!

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

Perspective

This last week...

Oh buddy.  This last week has just been the pinnacle of my semester.  Not to be a "Debbie-Downer", but oh goodness, it's been a grueling past couple of weeks and this one just really stuck it to me.

Temptations were flying at me Friday night; the standard broke college kid fare of cheap alcohol and thrill of not being responsible for your poor decision-making the next morning.  But at the beginning of the semester, I signed a contract with parents that agreed to not partaking in drugs or alcohol illegally; so instead of getting hammered, I hightailed it home.

I'm lucky that I go to school only an hour and fifteen minutes from home; because as much as I would like it to be, Pittsburg KS is not my home.  The moment I turned on highway 37, I could feel so much tension fall off my body.  I could catch my favorite radio station, I knew these roads like the back of my hand.  There is a high amount of security in the area that you grew up in; and it was exactly what I needed.

Home was exactly what I needed to help me find what I had lost over the last few weeks; my perspective.  Perspective on what really matters; on my goals and my decisions.

That when it's all said and done, am I really going to remember the idiot who lied to me?  Is he worth letting my grades and other, more important personal relationships take a hit?

Absolutely not.

Because when it's all said and done, this is not my end goal.  I don't want to get married within the next two years, I definitely don't want to stay here indefinitely.  What needs to matter most is my future, my goals and plans, and how I'm going to get there.  I don't need a boyfriend; I need friends and family.  I don't need drama; I need to be able to focus.

By Sunday afternoon, at 3:30, I had pulled the sense of peace and security that I found at home into my heart and head, and I was ready to head back to Pittsburg.  And although PSU campus is not my home, McCray Hall, my friends, Twin, future is here, and that's enough perspective for me to be incredibly thankful for all I have.

So let me tell you; this next week is going to be much better.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

2012

Adios cinnamon toast! Or in this case, 2012.  

I thought I'd try something with my last post of 2012, just for fun.  Instead of throwing a bunch of words at all my lucky readers, I thought I'd give you all a lot to look at instead, and with that, give you all of my highlights of 2012!

 Nothing really happened in the winter of 2012, but Memorial Day Weekend, my family visited St. Louis, and got to see my boy Yadi hit his first grand slam of the season.







For Mother's Day, I borrowed my aunt's amazing camera, and took my siblings out to a beautiful local park called Jolly Mill.  We took a bunch of shots, to fill a large frame of nice pictures of her kids.  We had a great time taking pictures and playing that day.

 

 Trips to my grandparent's lake house on Table Rock lake are always a blast.  The house is built on top of a hill, and at the bottom is the lake.  I don't have very good cell service or internet down there, which makes it the perfect get away.







Camp Re-New-All, my favorite place in the world, it's what keeps me going year after year.  This place and these people are more important to many than most people know.  It is always on my highlight list.

Football games! I love PSU football! Even though we are Divison II school, our games are so much and full of energy.  And of course, being in the band means we have the most fun.

 This girl right here.  She makes my every day better.  We visited KC in June, tie-dyed in August, suffered through Parkinson's college algebra class together, and had so much fun all semester.  She is my best friend, and I am so glad I can call her "sister".

  

This girl as well.  I couldn't have survived this semester without her and our long walks around campus, searching for the perfectly crunchy leaves.  Between our walks and shared love for writing, the MBTI, and music, we get along great.  

And this lovely lady.  My roomie, twin, and now SAI sister.  Two highlights in one in this picture.  I moved onto campus this year, and was lucky enough to room with my twin and we've had a blast living together whenever we have time to actually hang out!  We also joined Sigma Alpha Iota this semester and I am so honored to be accepted into such an amazing group of young women.

Finally, my quote of the year.  2012 held a lot of ups and downs for me.  From fights, break ups, and betrayals to some incredible new friends, a stronger bond with my family, and greater connection with God.

Happy Early New Year's to you all!

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for...

I have many things I am thankful for this year, and I thought I would share my top seven with you.
Sometimes, it helps to make a list longer than what you think you have.  Choose a random number and then fill it up, seven seemed like an appropriate number somehow.

1. God.  God is great...all the time! All the time...God is great!
2. My family.  My loud, crazy, exuberant, hilarious, odd, never-ending family.  
3. My best friends.  The people who are my "chosen family", who I couldn't live without.  
4. Second chances.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to try, try again.  
5. Opportunities.  I receive so many of these every day, and they make such a difference.  
6. Music.  This is a bigger part of my life than I normally realize, but when I really think about what I am thankful for, it always comes up.  
7. Today.  Every day is a gift from God, and I am thankful for every single one.  

Happy Thanksgiving, eat some turkey for me, because I won't be eating any.  

Also, tomorrow you have my blessing to begin listening to Christmas music.  

Totus tuus,

LeAnn 

Priorities

1, 2, 3...

When I decided I was going to do this whole blog thing, before I even started I made it a personal goal to post every Sunday and Thursday.  And already, that isn't happening.  I missed on Sunday, but with what I consider to be good reason.  

We all have varying levels of priorities.  Friends before school; family before friends; maybe even school before both of those.  Whatever they may be, we should have our priorities straight in our head, knowing what we value most in each situation. 

My top five:

1. Personal well-being
• It looks self-centered when I put this at the top of my list, but I firmly believe that before you can help anyone, you have to help yourself.  What good am I to anyone if I'm not happy and healthy? 
• This also includes my personal spirituality.  God before all else, because He is the one thing that is never going to let me down.  
2. My family 
• this includes my immediate family and a certain level of my extended family
3. Best friends
• These people are almost as good as family and I hope that they know that by now
4. My education
• homework before hanging out, class before personal time, and a constant attempt to do my absolute best 
5. My future
• When I'm making a decision, and have already examined it against the other top four priorities, my final thought is if my future self would be proud of me, would I be proud to share my life-adventures with my future family?

With those being stated, Sunday and Monday didn't allow for me to write this post.  Personal well-being and family took precedence, which is probably why I'm already recovering from whatever strange bug hit me the last two days.    

Vote, don't do drugs, live life on the edge, and if you really want to get crazy, leave me a comment with your top five priorities!

Totus tuus,  

LeAnn