The Paper Posts

A traditional gift celebrating a fiftieth wedding anniversary is gold, which is why a fiftieth is a called a golden year or golden anniversary. Similarly, the first year of marriage's gift is paper, thus "The Paper Posts" will be very marriage (and God) focused over the next year! 

When I'm feeling frustrated with a particular part of my life that I can't control, such as rental-house-hunting, for example, I like to rearrange my furniture. To date, I have rearranged the bedroom six times since moving into the apartment last August. I haven't messed with the living area though, until last night. Heedless of how Josh may feel about it, I practically turned the apartment on its head and then let him just come home to it. He wasn't a fan.

But instead of nay-saying or asking it to be put back, we worked together to come up with a layout we both liked. And I know that Josh would have probably preferred the apartment the way it was, but he understood that I needed this relatively small change in scenery. Throughout all of it, he was actively asking my opinion on the recliner or the desk, making sure that we achieved everything I had set out to do. That was more touching to me than anything else.

He could have been angry with me for rearranging without his permission. I could have taken it personally that he didn't like what I had spent an hour and half arranging carefully. Jesus reminds us in today's Gospel that whoever is angry with his brother will be liable for judgment.(MT 5:20-26). That we have to make the effort to reconcile with those around us before trying to make peace with God. There are times for righteous anger, but furniture is not one of them. It isn't something that belongs between spouses or between children and their God. As a married couple, a literal reflection of God's love, I feel this overwhelming need to make our fights count. To choose them carefully, with intent, so that the disagreement will better us as a couple, rather than cause us to lash out and stay angry, separating both of us from God.

Tota tua.

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 (!!) 

Saturday Special: Camp Graduates

To all of my staffers who graduated high school this May,

I am so excited for you and so proud. You have graduated high school! And with that comes a time that is unlike any other, where for the first time you will soon not have to answer to the adults in your life in the same way you did, where large decisions will fall to you, and you alone, and learning curve is much steeper than you realize. Best of luck graduates, you'll do great.

I do have some advice for you though, about this last summer home before you move. Whether moving across country, state, or staying at home, this summer is a special one. Remember that.

1. A Summer of Adventures
Go have fun this summer, take a trip you've always wanted to take, spend time with friends that you will be separating from come August. This is just the beginning of being able to do things like this, so start small while you're still at home and can have help from parents if you need it.

2. Speaking of Mom and Dad...
Don't alienate them. This is one of my biggest regrets from my late teens. Instead of celebrating adulthood alongside my parents, I pushed them aside. Instead of saying thank you for all they had done, I acted as if I had done it all my own. They will continue to do so much for you as college begins and pushing them aside does no one any good. You will need them when you get into your first accident or have to drop your first class. Just knowing your parents will catch when you will inevitably fall makes all the change ahead seem less scary.

3. Work Hard
The value of the dollar is going to start to mean more to you as you begin to finance more and more of your own life. Boring, I know, but true. Budget, work hard, save up. Take all the handouts you can from family members and send thank you cards. College can be a bit expensive, and in unexpected ways, so plan ahead for that.

4. Get Up and Pray
You are now in charge of your sleep schedule. Make time for Christ. Make time for church. Be the adult who can pull their sleepy self out of bed and go to Mass, because mom isn't going to be giving you the wake up calls anymore.

5. Ask For Help
You are going to need it. At some point. Whether you ask me, your older sister, your RA, or your boss, you aren't alone in this. Just because you are a legal adult does not mean you have to do this alone! Ask for help when you need it.

6. Say Thank You
Remember those thank you cards I mentioned? Send them. There is nothing more polite telling people thank you for what they've done for you. And not just your guests, your friends, your teachers, your parents and grandparents. They helped you take the baby steps that contributed to your last few steps to take your diploma and throw your cap. Thank 'em for it.

7.  New and Old
You are about to start something very new to you, meet new people, and begin a new life of sorts. You don't have to remain the same. This is an opportunity to change and grow. My brother, to our surprise, went Greek his freshman year. Several years later, he told it was because he wanted to be a different person than he was in high school. He wanted an environment that would help him to become more social, that would help stay accountable to his academics, and give him leadership opportunities. This summer is a good chance to ask what you like about yourself, what you are proud of, and what you wouldn't mind changing. Figure out who you want to be a year from now, four years from now, and be open to the new that will make that happen.

Proud of you, graduates. Make the best of the summer.

Tota tua.

Joyful Prayers at Camp But Not at Home

 As Lent has gone on, I've considered and evaluated my prayer - essentially checking to see if I was praying "enough". Here, we've arrived at Holy Week, and I've come to the conclusion that my prayer life is to somber. Here. On the holiest of weeks, and I am concerned that I pray too seriously.

There are five types of prayer, adoration, expiation, love, petition, and thanksgiving.

And I petition frequently, asking for help, blessings, or protection for myself or another.
I'm pretty thankful, I make lists of things I'm thankful for at the end of each prayer-journal. But I find myself not adoring and not loving the Lord that way God deserves. I'm not joyful, I don't glorify, I don't look around and just feel overwhelmed by God. I don't pray with love and adoration on a day-to-day basis during the off-camp season. But at camp I find myself praying in a more adoring, loving way. Probably because I'm less surrounded by worldly things or concerns.

My prayer life at camp is more joyful. I journal in the early mornings, attend Mass, sing joyfully, and pray the rosary as I fall asleep, because camp puts me so at ease in my spiritual life that my prayers aren't because I need to pray, but because I want to. And that's the joy that I miss in my daily prayers out here.

The Lenten season is a time to reflect and pray, and to see what we can do better as Christians. What can I do better? I can find my joy.

Tota Tua,

LeAnn

P.S. Confused about the upcoming week and what's expected of you? Check out my Holy Week guides. 

Love Letters

For those who have yet to get married in the Catholic Church, consider this your warning, pre-cana classes are no joke. And if you're taking them online, it can be a bit of struggle to convince your fiance to sit down and do them with you on such a nice Monday evening.

This is round two of the pre-cana worksheets for Josh and I, all joking aside, these are some heavy things. My poor Baptist-raised fiance is being asked what the sacraments are, what symbols represent them, and what grace the sacraments give us. And so we sit there and work our way through this dense material, a lot of which is unfamiliar territory for him.

But the most valuable part of these lessons is not the actual material we are learning, although it is valuable information. It's the teamwork, the discussion, and it is the love letters. At the end of each worksheet, we're supposed to write one another a love letter, and Josh sighs and mutters about how he's not the best at writing things down. But he does it anyways, leaving me this tangible piece of his love, showing me that he will provide the love I need, even if it isn't in the way he would like to provide it.

We all love a little bit differently, and the value of understanding that we each love a little differently helps us to better understand how God loves us all, all the time. All of those different love languages, all of those different gestures, they are all rooted in the original Love, the all-consuming Love.What grace does the sacrament of marriage give us? An opportunity to better understand God's Love.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

Tota Tua,

LeAnn

Lenten Accountability

As we've begun our third week of Lent, about a third of the way through this season. I thought this might be a good time to check in and see how our Lenten journey has been progressing. Oftentimes, we start Lent with good intentions a list of things we are going to do better, similar to New Year's Resolutions. But as the days where on, we realize that giving up red meat or Netflix or going to happy hours was harder than we had originally planned, and we're slipping.

But that means we're doing something right! Fasting is not supposed to be easy. It is not supposed to be something we casually do throughout these weeks, but something that we strive to do, something that we focus on, and truly bring God closer to us as we try to give up these things that build a wall between God and God's Love. So check yourself:

• Are you making excuses to consciously break your fast? Such as, it's her birthday or but Fuller House was just released!
• Are you breaking your fast without realizing it? Reaching for the ice cream or starting a gossipy conversation
• Are you "cashing in" your Sundays early? 
• Are you promising yourself, you'll do better tomorrow, only to not?

Lent is not intended to be easy, but it does not have to this big, grand gesture. God does not always work in the thunder and the lightening, oftentimes, God is the whispering wind. Just like when God tried to help Naaman, there was no big song or dance to it, Naaman was just told to go wash seven times in the Jordan. God was not asking for Naaman to do a lot, just to trust that God would help him (2 KGS 5:1-15). 

If you're taking onto too much, let a bit go, and keep some of the smaller pieces. Each little bit can help bring you and God closer together in time for the Easter to season to begin. All God wants is to become closer with you, and all you need to do this is to trust and allow God to guide you. So continue your fasting, you praying, and your alms-giving, but remember that God isn't looking for the grand gesture, God's looking for an act of trust. 

Tota tua, 

LeAnn 

Wow!

The most popular (overdone) reading about loooove was a part of the Mass yesterday. The over-quoted Corinthians verses, most commonly heard at weddings in correlation to this couple who now had to love each other as Paul tells us to.

"Faith, hope, love. And the greatest of these three is love"

I don't think this letter was meant to be the wedding-canon it is today. Although it is beautiful, reminding us to be patient, kind, and understanding, the claim and call that love should be the greatest of these three means more than just loving your spouse and family.

Paul is telling us that we should known for our love.
That we should be recognized as loving.
We are being told that our defining characteristics should be love.
Like St. Mother Teresa, our love should be what makes extraordinary people. Even if it's just little things that we're doing, if we do it love... Wow.

And this isn't just the easy love, the love you got to choose when you searched for your spouse. Or the love you were raised to have for your parents and siblings. This is a conscious choice to love those around us. To love our fellows and peers, to love those different than us, to love those who make anxious or uncomfortable.

"Come on," your brain (and mine) groans, "that's so difficult. Loving people you don't even know! How do I even start?" And that's when those characteristics pop back up. Are you patient? Kind? Understanding? Forgiving? Because that's how you love someone you hardly know. And believe me, it is a difficult task, and one that very few seem to completely accomplish. But we can do it, because were created for this very task. We were designed to love this deeply, and this strongly.



Tota Tua,


LeAnn

"Words not Deeds" in our Baptism

At Mass yesterday, in light of the Baptism of Jesus in the Gospel, the priest encouraged everyone to consider their own baptism, and what it means to them. As Catholics, baptized as babies, we often seem to forget that we have been baptized or that it "did" something for us as Christians. 

In reality, our baptism is everything. It signifies that have become part of a community of believers, that we been washed clean of Original Sin, and that now, we have a duty because we have been anointed priest, prophet, and king. So, what does my baptism mean to me?

As a priest, I am called to celebrate the Mass with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am called to pray for others, and offer my own "sacrifices" to the Lord. Just as Melchizedek offered burned offerings, we offer are on failings, triumphs, lives to God each day. But we also offer the greatest sacrifice each Sunday in the Eucharist, recognizing and receiving God's Son. 

Baptized as a prophet, I am called to proclaim my love of the Lord! This means that I am to share my faith with others, to not deny him three times as Peter did, but to claim God as my own. This also means that I am supposed to bring others closer to God through my own life. Camp, church with Josh, prayer with my family and friends, all of these things are acts of a prophet for the Lord. 

King. I think this is perhaps the most difficult one - what does it mean to be a king for God? I think this is a call to leadership, in our own ways. For me, this being a camp director, a big sister, a future wife and mother, who will guide those in her care closer to God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

But ultimately, my baptism means action. It means walking my talk, and truly embodying what Christ has called me to be, a daughter of God, a priest in my own right, a prophet through the written word, and a king through leadership skills and opportunities Christ has blessed me with. 

Try to meditate on your baptism today - what does it mean to you? What do you do and what do you say that shows the world your fire that you have been baptized with? 

Tota tua, 

LeAnn 

P.S. the quote, "words not deeds" comes from Alice Paul, a suffragist and feminist who is totally worthy of a quick search today if you feel like learning about an incredible, hardworking woman! 

Choosing the Light

Only a week ago, I was shaking my head at my Facebook news feed. It was filled with petty posts about red cups and the loud, uninformed opinions about Mizzou's situation (uninformed on both sides). There was so much negativity and confrontation, it was difficult to not write about it as well, but I knew the last thing needed was another negative post. And then on Friday, disaster struck around the world and my selfish, petty American feed pulled their heads out of their butts to realize that while we had been arguing about cups, there were much more serious things going on in the world.

When disaster strikes, it is so easy to pick a scapegoat, to question God, to lash out at those around us. Without thinking western culture points a finger to Islam, we start to blame the thousands of refugees. We shake our fists at, demanding to know how God could allow something so horrible. Our government officials panic, feeling the demand of millions who need to know something is being done to prevent another attack.

As we pray for Beirut, Paris, Mexico, Japan, Bagdad, and others, we need to avoid blaming innocents for the works of a few. To blame Islam for what happened makes us no better than those who attacked this weekend. Islam is a vast group of people, from all over the world. Blaming a religion, which teaches non-violence, responsible for this is wrong. Islam does claim them, so why do group them all together? We don't blame other Baptist churches for Westboro, we don't blame the Pope for corrupt parishes, and we cannot blame Islam for this either. The last thing we need right now is more anger and violence.

How could God allow for this to happen? That time old tradition of free will is what allowed this to happen. God did not want these deaths around the world no more than God wanted Cain to kill Abel, but because God loves us enough to allow us to choose, this can happen. Our government officials are terrified, they carry burdens we do not; a responsibility to the millions of people in their countries. Pray for them, that they develop the plans necessary to protect without infringing on the rights of their citizens or harming far too many for the good of a few.

A few weeks ago, I put my foot in my mouth, trying to express that I understand why racial profiling happens, that I get why cops, airports, and other officials do what they do. I understand fear, and that it makes us do crazy things. I understand, but I do not agree. Maybe this is just me trying to rectify what I said, but hate is not the answer, nor is fear. That overdone, over-quoted chapter 13 of Corinthians reminds us that the greatest thing we have is love. Without love, none of this matters, and if the world is going to recover from this Friday, and other acts of aggression, we have to do so with love, not hate. There are so many places right now that are reeling from natural and man-made disasters, but this is not something that happens every now and again. The world is constantly hurting, and instead of helping, we would rather debate about those damn cups. We need to lovingly
open our eyes, and see the world for what it is, and what it could be. We have to not let our fear control us, we need to let our hope, our faith, and most importantly, our love be what guides us through our lives.

Be conscious of what you do and say, choose to love rather than to blame. We cannot create more darkness when all we want is a bright, loving world.

Tota tua,

LeAnn

Post-Wedding Excitement!!

For those who read on Thursday, you know I had a wedding this weekend- if you haven't go read it quickly, this is kind of a chapter two on that post. 

Chelsea and Matt's wedding was beautiful, for those interested, I will post some pictures at the bottom to show off the decor, venue, and stuff. But for those who aren't interested in twinkling lights and wedding dresses, let's talk about marriage. 

The wedding was not Catholic, but that did not obstruct the value in the ceremony. The pastor did a wonderful job "charging" the couple to live a loving, Christian marriage. The couple chose three passages for the ceremony, but one in particular really stuck with me. 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Oftentimes, marriage is portrayed as a love story which concludes with "happily ever after", and I don't think that is what God intended marriage. The quote above seems to really provide a good image of what marriage should be; teamwork. I mentioned it last week, but marriage is not going to be 50/50. During the ceremony, it was pointed that where one is weak, the other would be strong. Couple will find themselves filling in the gaps for one another. 

Josh is a really laid back guy. He's easy-going, quick to forgive and forget, and has a huge heart. I'm a little more tightly wound, it takes me an hour or two to cool off. Between the two of us, he mellows me out and I tighten him up. The two of us together are a well-adjusted, happy medium. Two are better than one. 

The wedding this weekend has just made me even more excited for my own and the rest of the upcoming weddings this year.

Tota tua, 

LeAnn 

The bride and I 

First Dance

Barn loft for the ceremony

Josh and I at the reception

Weddings Poppin' Up

Chelsea and I at her bachelorette
party this summer 

This Saturday, one of my best friends from high school, Chelsea,  is getting married to her camp crush and high school sweetheart after dating for over eight years. On Friday, a college friend, Tisha, whose wedding I really wish I could make it to, is getting married after lengthy engagement. So it is no wonder I've been thinking about my own wedding and marriage coming up in May.

I've had comments on both sides of the spectrum about my engagement, and I'm sure both of friends have as well. Everything from, "that's so exciting!" to "you're too young..." to "Why?".

Darn right it's exciting! I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.

Too young? I mean, compared to what? a 15 year-old child bride in India? a 35+ divorcee? I think that's my decision, not yours.

Why? This one is my favorite. Why? Because Josh is awesome, that's why. And because we are awesome together, in a Cyclops and Jean Grey, kickin' butt and takin' names kind of way.

But marriage is something that you shouldn't take lightly. I love seeing posts about married life, and how wonderful and exciting and hard it can be. I think our society has polarized marriage to some degree. It's either this perfect relationship that lasts forever or it is a disaster in the making, and from what I understand about marriage, it is neither.

What I know about marriage (as an outsider getting ready for it):

• Marriage is not an answer to problems, if anything it will magnify what you were already struggling with as a couple 
• Marriage requires work, you can't just expect it to float along the river on its own 
• Carrying that metaphor further, it is not a 50/50 split, sometimes you are going to have to paddle harder than your partner and vice versa
• Marriage is about family and being willing to raise one
• Marriage can be a lot of fun 
• You get to live with your best friend
• Marriage requires a third party - God 

So let's review, marriage is not easy but it is worth the work. Marriage is what you make it, and marriage requires God, which means prayer! You need to pray to God with your spouse and for your spouse, but marriage is not just a legal contract between two parties, it is an agreement to help bring your partner closer to God, and how can you do that without water in your well? You have to keep praying to be able to even provide for your spouse. 

I remember when Chelsea and Matt started dating, and I remember watching them grow up. But as college rolled around, obviously I stopped seeing Chelsea as much. We were reunited at camp two years ago for some really in-depth friendship time, something we had not had in a while, and I was blown away by how at peace she was. Chels was never the frazzled sort, but this Chelsea had grown up and changed a lot, and I think a part of this was because of the church she and Matt and started to attend together. Not the church necessarily, or the pastor, but the community and sharing it with her then boyfriend. 

Now, I'm no marriage expert, but I think there is something to be said about the couple that prays together.

Tota Tua, 

LeAnn

New Traditions

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

This year's Thanksgiving feels a little odd, I'm not in my old tiny twin bed or at my mom's dining room table. I'm nowhere near my parent's house actually. Josh's family tends to sleepover at his grandparent's house on Thanksgiving night, and so we decided to just stay in Pittsburg while he works and then drive over.

All week, I felt really conflicted about what I should be doing this week. Eventually, we reach an age where our home is not our parent's house, and our family is no longer just the family we were raised with. But when is it appropriate to start a new tradition?

I believe that when you feel safe enough, comfortable enough, loved enough to develop something new with someone(s) you should do it- Josh and I went shopping on Tuesday and had dinner out, calling it our personal Thanksgiving. We picked out gifts for our Secret Santa's and had a great time together. That's our new tradition.

But this newness does not detract from our old commitments, next year, when I'm living in a new place, I'll probably be desperate for a week back home in that safe, warm home. But all the same, your parents will understand. They have to eventually stop serving you Thanksgiving dinner, so that you can serve your own family and friends.

Remember that today, that your traditions were started by someone, and you hold them near and dear to your heart and to your entire life experience. Be thankful for the opportunity to partake in old traditions and begin new ones.

I'm thankful for each and everyone of you, and I hope you have an incredible Thanksgiving day!

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

Pope Francis's Statement - cont.

So, after the Synod the media world has exploded, my morning newsletter, Skimm even had a segment about it. Remember while reading these article that the Catholic Church is not suddenly exploding into a liberal church- they are just restating what we have always stated:

LOVE.

and

TOLERANCE.

Here are some more links for you all, from Catholic news sites and secular sites like what I gave you last night again.


This is a little long, but it's very good:

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/synod-relatio-document-only-a-working-document/ 

And this one gives you both sides, because like everything else, there are different opinions about the synod:

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/serious-reservations-expressed-about-content-of-synod-report/

Totus tuus dears,

LeAnn

Pope Francis's Latest

Goodness, I love this man. He is such a kind, humble, loving man of God and of Faith.

In a meeting with 200 bishops at the Vatican today, he discussed many family-related issues facing the Church in our modern age. He did not argue for a change of doctrine or taking leave of core Catholic beliefs, but he did ask for acceptance of gay, single, and unmarried people. He asked for the Church to be loving of those who are divorced, and kind to children who come from unconventional families. Our Holy Father promises that the holy institution of marriage will always remain part of our Catholic faith, but that does not mean we cannot recognize the that there are "positive aspects of civil unions and cohabitation", stepping away from the idea of condemning those who would have formally known as living in sin.

The Church will still not condone gay marriage or union, said one of the bishops present, but it will "respect the dignity of every person", an idea that relies heavily on focusing on the individual, rather than just the sexual orientation.

As young Catholics, we often struggle with our Church's traditions. We are surrounded by a media that has given a face and name to various types of non-traditional families and relationships. We go to school with, live near, and befriend people who are different than us because we recognize that differences are not reason for personal condemnation, and even more importantly, we know that it is not our place to do so.

Please this week, take some time in your daily prayer to pray for more tolerance, more acceptance, and more love for those who need just a little bit more from our Church. Be their Brother or Sister in Christ, not their enemy.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/world/europe/vatican-signals-more-tolerance-toward-gays-and-remarriage.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=LedeSum&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0 

http://world.time.com/2013/09/19/pope-francis-expresses-tolerance-of-gays-support-for-women/

Find the Light

Disney's Frozen has taken the nation by an (icy) storm. Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the trolls have all won our hearts. The entire movie has won over the country, with it's incredible musical numbers, strong story line, and great characters, it's no wonder the movie has remained on top. 

I was watching Frozen this weekend with my roommates and a few of my SAI sisters, all of enjoying the movie for all it's worth, including a heavy discussion of it's subtext. The feminist inside me cheers for Elsa and her refusal to approve of her sister's marriage. I appreciate that Kristoff respects Ana and her life, despite how he feels about her. The movie, for the most part has had a lot of positive feedback, but it's also had some negative whiplash. Some of which, I can handle, and some of which just gets under my skin. 

As much as I love Elsa's anthem, "Let It Go", I'm frustrated by the fact that Disney found need to make her look so sexy. 

It's not that I'm not okay with women feeling empowered, obviously. If you've watched the film closely, you know that before Elsa creates her own outfit/style, she dressed exactly like her mother. My only problem, and I do mean only problem is that Elsa's new out includes a very high slit, and focus on her hips as she struts through her brand-new ice palace. I could have done without that one little detail. Other than that, I cheer for Elsa, thinking "get it girl!" "wow!" "You're amazing" and "good for you."

"Let It Go" is a great song for young girls, and I believe that Frozen as whole, is healthy for them. Anna is quirky and fun, with plenty of human error inside of her, from a temper to snoring, and a huge appetite. Many people have accused Elsa of teaching children to be disobedient or to be disrespectful. All I can hear in this song, and believe me, I have listened critically, is that it's important to move on, and to explore our talents and personality. Elsa teaches that it's okay to be different, even if it's not what everyone else had in mind for you. 

Let's go ahead and just state the obvious; that Elsa and Anna teach about true love, and sisterly love. Anna was willing to die for her sister, how many of us are willing to do that? The pair, despite their differences, are there for each other. 

My favorite lesson in Frozen is one that I haven't seen a lot of people post or discuss.

We're only saying that love's a force that's powerful and strange
People make bad choices if they're mad or scared or stressed
But throw a little love their way, and you'll bring out their best
True love brings out the best                     -  "Fixer Upper" 

You can't even argue with that logic. The trolls, without even knowing what has happened between Anna and Elsa, have explained why Elsa has behaved the way she has for years. She's scared and stressed, and now she's lashing out at people.

There are very few children's movies that offer such a large moral background, of love and respect for people. The fact that for the first time, the movie doesn't with wedding or implied wedding is a positive image for children everywhere, not just the girls. That Kristoff and Anna provide mutual help for the other helps to show an ideal relationship, and that the pair started off as friends gives sets an excellent example of how relationships should go.

Is Frozen perfect? No, I still won't let go of my issue with Elsa and her "sexy hips". But I think in regards to self-love, self-image, healthy relationships both romantic and platonic, and overall good vibes, this movie does the job.

We as Christians, and as Catholics, struggle with finding the Light in the media all around us. Lucky for us, Frozen isn't a struggle to find healthy values and strong morals. The Light is staring us right in the face, we don't have to dig for it. We don't need to go digging for something negative when there is so much positive around us. We just need to throw a little love towards negative Nancy's in our lives, and focus on the positive all around us.

I've been struggling all semester with being positive. I've felt overwhelmed, scared, frustrated, stressed, and hurt. And I think a large part of that has been that I've focused on it. Luckily for me, April is a good month. And it's a great time to start focusing on the positive again. So whether's it's while watching a children's movie, singing a song, or the entire way you live your life, let's try and focus on the Light of Christ this month, and the months to follow.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

Not That Different

For spring break, Josh and I, with a group friends are going to Poncha Springs, CO. But first, we are spending the weekend in his hometown with his family! Saturday was spent celebrating his younger borther's birthday, and today has been spent in two different churches. 

First, Josh and I had to drag ourselves out of bed for an 8 am Mass at St. Francis de Sales in Lansing. Then came breakfast at this awesome train depot now restaurant in downtown Leavenworth. Then came Josh's childhood church. 

During Mass, there is the part which everyone greets those around with them with the Sign of Peace. This is one of my favorite parts, especially at camp, when everyone walks around giving hugs and creating this atmosphere of Love and fellowship. 

The Sign of Peace happens during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, shortly after the Lord's Prayer is said. During the early times of the Church, it was called the Kiss of Peace. It has origins in the Jewish culture, and the other Middle Eastern, Greek, and Roman cultures of the time, all of which who used kisses as a sign of peace and respect. But what's the point now? 

This Kiss of Peace, the Sign of Peace, this acknowledgement of the people around us is for us to see each other with love and respect. In the same way that Budhists offer "Namaste" to each other, acknowledging each other's souls; we as Christians are acknowledging the Peace of Christ within us all. And not only are we acknowledging this Peace in each other, but we are offering it to those around us as well, creating a community of believers, filled with Christ's Love and Peace for each of us. 

At the beginning of service at Lansing First Southern Baptist Church, there was some singing, a greeting from the pastor, and then an invitation for people to go around and greet one another. 

"Hug, shake hands, talk," He encouraged them. I could handle the hugging and hand-shaking, but at first, the talking caught me off guard, along with the roar of conversation that ensued. At least not in my childhood, which required conversation outside the sanctuary for the most part. But as I sat there, feeling slightly on edge, I reminded myself that just because it was different does not make it wrong. 

Imagine how Josh must feel in the middle of much more formal gathering at Mass, when we suddenly start making eye contact and touching one another, I chided myself, this is no different. This was exactly like the Sign of Peace, it was love, peace, and fellowship. What's so bad about that? 

The obvious answer is the right one; nothing. 

We all get so hung up on different churches, different denominations. When what matters is that we see the Peace of Christ in each other, and know that each of us are Loved by God in the same mighty, all-consuming, Loving way. We are all in our own ways "totus tuus", or totally God's. 

Totus tuus, and happy spring break,

LeAnn 

That One Guy...

I don't typically write about this guy, because I'm not a fan of the girl who centers everything around her boyfriend, but I have to say, he's earned this post.

Josh is not the guy I would have chosen for myself two or three years ago. Although he is quite good-looking, he wasn't what I would have ever picked up out of a crowd. Boy, was I ever wrong. What makes Josh so special?

He prays with me.

And believe me, this is something I had never considered to even ask of a boyfriend until a little over a year ago. It wasn't something I thought of ever doing with anyone really, but one day we were laying around, and I just felt emotionally stretched to my breaking point and it just burst out of me.

"Will you pray with me?"

Now Josh knows that I write this blog, and I'm fairly certain he reads most, if not all of the posts. He sent me countless letters while I worked at the church camp this summer, he's been to Mass with me although he is not Catholic, he knows that God is a big deal in my life. Why I thought that this was an absurd thing to ask of him, I couldn't tell you, but I can tell you how touched I was when he said yes.

So there we were, sitting in my living room, holding hands, and praying; for strength, and patience, for help and love, and when we were done I was just blown away.

I'm not saying that I'm destined to marry Josh. But I am saying this, the love that I have for this man and the strength of our relationship would not be what it is without prayer.

Dating has only two outcomes; together forever or break up. Why waste your time on someone who doesn't fulfill your needs, including your spiritual ones? I've often told campers that my favorite dates are Mass dates. Get all dressed up, and meet your cutie at Mass, sit together, sing together, hug at the Sign of Peace; there is nothing better than going to church with your significant other.

A relationship isn't just you and your "other half" there's a third person in there too, and you have to make room for God. Otherwise, a relationship without God will never be as strong as it could with God.

Your relationship should always reflect the Holy Trinity, the Church, and the Love God has for the other two in the relationship.

There are other things about Josh that I love; his songs he makes up, the way he talks about his mom, his determination, and his insistence on eventually owning a pug. But my all-time favorite thing about Josh is that he wants the kind of relationship I had always wanted, but never knew how to ask for. And I would not trade that for the world.

Totus Tuus,

LeAnn

St. Anthony, St. Anthony...

Please look around! Something is lost that needs to be found.

How's that for a quick and easy intercession? It's also one of my personal favorites. Why? Well, for one St. Anthony has helped me and others find all kinds of things. From car keys to flash drives, weddings bands, and books I need to return to the library.

I had a St. Anthony moment last night. My graduation present from my parents, a silver and sapphires work of art that I absolutely love. I took it off to wash my hands, slipped into the hoodie pocket I was wearing and forgot to put it back on. Later, I changed said hoodie.

Needless to say, later that night I had a major panic; my ring was not on my finger nor was it in the original sweatshirt. After scouring the kitchen, living room, and my car, I called WalMart to make sure it hadn't fallen out of the pocket while pumpkin shopping. The entire time I was on hold, waiting for them to tell me whether or not it was in the lost and found, I was muttering the St. Anthony prayer.

"St. Anthony, St. Anthony please look around, something is lost that needs to be found!"

My roommate watched, amused by my praying but I knew better. This always worked for me.

"Sorry miss, we only have a gold ring in the lost and found."

Well, shoot. My ring has to be here somewhere. I decided to check my room and the kitchen one more time. Under the cabinets and fridge, around my bed and under my dresser. Under my bed, moving boxes around with my phone acting as flashlight...

And there it was, in the middle of floor beneath my bed was my ring. And I am being completely honest when I say I highly doubt that the ring had just bounced there when I took off my hoodie, because it would have had to clear a box, a bag, and a few random socks. But that St. Anthony, he's a tricky one.

Saints are tricky like that too. We don't pray to them, we pray through them. They all have their special niches that they just relate to incredibly well. Patrons of jobs, illnesses, situations, and occurrences, they all have unique life stories that make them more relative to us as humans than that omnipotent, impossible to understand being who Loves us more than humanly possible.

Intercessions are for saints, prayers are for God. It's that simple. After all, a saint is merely a sinner who kept trying for God. They are role models, people to admire and learn from, they are not idols or smaller gods that Catholics "worship". They're kind of like the big brother or sister you learn from, and ask for help because they seem to "get it" better than your parents.

Next time you've lost something, instead of freaking out or giving up, retrace your steps all while whispering, truly believing he ask God to help you, "St. Anthony, St. Anthony..."

Totus Tuus,

LeAnn

P.S. I have friend whose grandmother recently had a small stroke, if you could send some prayers for her grandmother we would both greatly appreciate it.

It's Here!

Summer break has arrived...

For me anyways, finals are over and I'm home for the next six weeks until camp begins.  So here I am, at home and positively bored out of my skull, and it's only day three of my "vacation".

So, I've taken the time to compile a list of summer goals.  I'm not a crazy list person by any means, but there's something nice about having a list of long-term goals to strive for over the next two and half months.

Summer Goals:

• Be Fit
• be able to run a 5k comfortably 
• gym every other day
• the goal here isn't to be a gym rat, but to have a healthy lifestyle.
• Eat healthier
• portion control, don't binge eat
• less sugar, more fresh foods
• water, water, and oh yes, water!
• Read
• read for fun!
• read thirty books from a top one hundred list (link is on my links page)
• Pray
• renew my commitment to Love
• see things with eyes of Love and Awe

Summer time is a time for friends, family, and remembering why we do the things we do.  It's a time to remind yourself of what you love about yourself, what you do to have fun, and it's a great time to start new habits.  The trick is, don't put it off.  Get up and do something this summer!  Make a list of the things you want to accomplish this summer, and then actually do it! There's no time like the present, no moment like right now!

Totus tuus,

LeAnn