Wth finals weeks done and out of the way, and no classes for a few weeks, posting uplifting things suddenly seems more possible. I don't have to read a case for at least two weeks, how great is that!
With Christmas a few days away, I wanted to just take a few seconds and ask how your Advent is going? Have you prepared for the Lord the way we talked about four short weeks ago?
I definitely made the effort to pick up my Bible more, and make more of an effort to apply it to each day. And I found myself in a more Christmasy spirit than I normally have. December held some intersting interactions for me, starting with attending a good friend's small, intimate wedding, where an ex (who hasn't been seen in years) would be. To say we ended ok good terms would be inaccurate at the least, and I was so anxious about it, after all, the last thing I wanted was my personal nonsense to influence my friend's big day. So before I walked into the venue, I reflected on what I had read earlier that day, about the Lord's peace and about forgiveness, and I walked in.
Just like that, I felt the Holy Spirit fill me up. Suddenly, I was just joyful for the wedding I was about to attend, for the vocation and vows that were about to take place. And I felt more prepared for Christ's birth than I had in years.
This is what it means to be prepared for His birthday, this is what it feels like to by joyful in Christ, I kept thinking.
We have five more days to find that joy- put yourself out there. Stop stressing about presents, holiday parties, and the over trivial things of the holidays and rejoice and be glad, because unto us will soon be born a Saviorc, Christ the King
Tota tua,
LeAnn
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2015
Monday, November 30, 2015
Proper Preparation
Yesterday marked the first day of the new liturgical (church) year, and the beginning of the Advent season, before the Christmas season begins. But before that Christmas season is upon us, we have four weeks to prepare.
Four Fridays until Christmas. Doesn't life suddenly seem all the more do-able and the all more busy?
Mental to-do lists expand to encompass not only all of the normal to-dos, but but seasonal extras. Students wince because finals are days away, parents cringe because Christmas-shopping-season has begun, and we all shiver because "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" means we are breaking out our coats, hats, and scarves, and trying to not to freeze in the mornings.
But Advent, much like Lent, is a season of spiritual preparation. It's a time for us to prepare ourselves for a joyous celebration of God's love, but you can't just throw that kind of party spontaneously.So, to prepare for the birthday party of the year, ready your hearts and souls. Confession, a little extra prayer time, and even making more time for volunteer hours are all good ways to spend the Advent season.
This is not the season of holiday shopping and finals cramming, it is a season of preparation.
Tota tua, and happy Advent,
LeAnn
Four Fridays until Christmas. Doesn't life suddenly seem all the more do-able and the all more busy?
Mental to-do lists expand to encompass not only all of the normal to-dos, but but seasonal extras. Students wince because finals are days away, parents cringe because Christmas-shopping-season has begun, and we all shiver because "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" means we are breaking out our coats, hats, and scarves, and trying to not to freeze in the mornings.
But Advent, much like Lent, is a season of spiritual preparation. It's a time for us to prepare ourselves for a joyous celebration of God's love, but you can't just throw that kind of party spontaneously.So, to prepare for the birthday party of the year, ready your hearts and souls. Confession, a little extra prayer time, and even making more time for volunteer hours are all good ways to spend the Advent season.
This is not the season of holiday shopping and finals cramming, it is a season of preparation.
Tota tua, and happy Advent,
LeAnn
Monday, November 2, 2015
Porous People
Over the last 48 hours, I've been told time and time again that people are porous; that despite our strong need for autonomy, we absorb what we are around and our behaviors and actions will take on similarities to those around us. Josh Radnor, who plays Ted on How I Met Your Mother recently gave a talk at conference similar to a TED Talk. (For those of you who don't know what TED talks are, you're missing out, go look them!)
Radnor's entire premise was on the visibility he experienced as his fame increased, and how it is comparable to the interwebs visibility we all have through various social media accounts. And his suggestions were very simple. Make the conscious choice to do the good thing in situations that allow for a negative. That's simple enough, right? And then Provbers 31's emailed devotional took it one step further. You can have all the potential in the world and still be "rotten". Why is that?
It is because we are porous. We absorb the world around us. Not just as small children, but as adults too. Way, waaaay back, when I was a freshman in college, I was dating this guy who spoke differently that I or my family did. He had just a touch of a twang when he spoke, and during the period that we were dating, my speech patterns gradually began to match his, and his began to match mine. For example, when saying patronize, I would make it a long "A" sound, like in Patrick. And even though this was incorrect, a few years after our break, a close, mutual friend said it the way I do, and then laughed, and explained he had been spending a lot of time with my now ex, and his speech pattern was showing it.
If our speech patterns can be that easily affected, image how are mood, attitude, and even morals can be influenced by others? The plant metaphor serves this purpose well, just like anything green, where we are planted matters.
Tota tua, and happy November,
LeAnn
P.S., here's Radnor's Talk if you would like to give it a listen!
Radnor's entire premise was on the visibility he experienced as his fame increased, and how it is comparable to the interwebs visibility we all have through various social media accounts. And his suggestions were very simple. Make the conscious choice to do the good thing in situations that allow for a negative. That's simple enough, right? And then Provbers 31's emailed devotional took it one step further. You can have all the potential in the world and still be "rotten". Why is that?
It is because we are porous. We absorb the world around us. Not just as small children, but as adults too. Way, waaaay back, when I was a freshman in college, I was dating this guy who spoke differently that I or my family did. He had just a touch of a twang when he spoke, and during the period that we were dating, my speech patterns gradually began to match his, and his began to match mine. For example, when saying patronize, I would make it a long "A" sound, like in Patrick. And even though this was incorrect, a few years after our break, a close, mutual friend said it the way I do, and then laughed, and explained he had been spending a lot of time with my now ex, and his speech pattern was showing it.
Jeremiah 17:7-8, "But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."We are rapidly approaching what can be a very stressful time of year. Holidays, finals, travel, they all start to stack up. But if we take the time to surround ourselves with the god stuff, the good people, and the Good News, we can be a positive influence on those around us in return. Like a fuzzy blanket on these cold, upcoming nights, wrap yourself in those good things, things that fill you up and make it easier for you to share the "good stuff" with others.
Tota tua, and happy November,
LeAnn
P.S., here's Radnor's Talk if you would like to give it a listen!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
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.
Here are some shots of my family Easter!
Hope everyone had a blessed Easter Sunday!
Totus tuus,
LeAnn
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 |
 |
| 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
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Forewarning and Prep Time
Happy Advent!
This weekend, right after Thanksgiving break, I found myself back at home in Monett. This time, however, I wasn't in town for family festivities or for the pie. I was in town to judge at the speech and debate tournament Monett hosts every year.
It's an unwritten rule that alumni come back ever so often and judge; seeing as I missed last year, I had to go this year.
Judging in and of itself should not necessarily be fun. It consists of sitting still, listening to people argue over obscure points, such as whether or not Egypt is considered in the Middle East and watching poorly written monologues about "Life on the Street: Sesame Street" and "Removing the Hat". When it's described like that, it sounds awful.
But then you get that one good debate round, where you can tell this team has put in so much time and effort into building a solid case, that one performance that has you gasping for air because you are laughing that hard, and it suddenly seems worth it.
Being prepared and ready to do whatever it is you're setting out to do makes a huge difference. A little forewarning, and smart use of time can lead to something amazing.
In a round of Public Forum debate, teams are allocated two minutes each for "prep time" during which they can prepare their next speech or create a plan with their partners. Those two minutes can make all the difference in the world; they can be the difference between a win and a loss.
What can you do with two minutes of "prep time"?
It's the Advent season, from now until December 24th, giving us all plenty of forewarning of what is about to happen. We have four weeks to be ready to welcome Jesus into our homes. He isn't an unexpected guest, or that rude visitor that didn't call ahead. We are all very much aware that Jesus is about to be born.
This Advent, spend your time well; say the Rosary each night, make some extra time to say morning prayer, volunteer, and be more loving to those around us. This time of year can really be the "most wonderful time", but only if we make it. The only way we can really do that though, is by preparing for what and who is about to come.
Happy Advent and good luck; don't forget to light your first candle.
Totus Tuus,
LeAnn
This weekend, right after Thanksgiving break, I found myself back at home in Monett. This time, however, I wasn't in town for family festivities or for the pie. I was in town to judge at the speech and debate tournament Monett hosts every year.
It's an unwritten rule that alumni come back ever so often and judge; seeing as I missed last year, I had to go this year.
Judging in and of itself should not necessarily be fun. It consists of sitting still, listening to people argue over obscure points, such as whether or not Egypt is considered in the Middle East and watching poorly written monologues about "Life on the Street: Sesame Street" and "Removing the Hat". When it's described like that, it sounds awful.
But then you get that one good debate round, where you can tell this team has put in so much time and effort into building a solid case, that one performance that has you gasping for air because you are laughing that hard, and it suddenly seems worth it.
Being prepared and ready to do whatever it is you're setting out to do makes a huge difference. A little forewarning, and smart use of time can lead to something amazing.
In a round of Public Forum debate, teams are allocated two minutes each for "prep time" during which they can prepare their next speech or create a plan with their partners. Those two minutes can make all the difference in the world; they can be the difference between a win and a loss.
What can you do with two minutes of "prep time"?
It's the Advent season, from now until December 24th, giving us all plenty of forewarning of what is about to happen. We have four weeks to be ready to welcome Jesus into our homes. He isn't an unexpected guest, or that rude visitor that didn't call ahead. We are all very much aware that Jesus is about to be born.
This Advent, spend your time well; say the Rosary each night, make some extra time to say morning prayer, volunteer, and be more loving to those around us. This time of year can really be the "most wonderful time", but only if we make it. The only way we can really do that though, is by preparing for what and who is about to come.
Happy Advent and good luck; don't forget to light your first candle.
Totus Tuus,
LeAnn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)