3 out of 5

In the last three weeks I have survived freezing nights in camp ground without blankets, a sinus infection and ear infection, a lost voice while trying to lead four to five forty minute music periods a day for four days straight, poison ivy and some other from of irritant, and more hugs than any introvert should have to handle.

And I've loved every single minute of it.

Music at 1C, my dream job of assistant director at 2C, and now the senior of seven adorable 6th grade girls, my day to day life in July has been one big dream.  Somehow among all the chaos and magic, I've found a lot of time for God in my daily life. Rosary for bed, meditating on a different form of prayer each time; praise, thanksgiving, blessing/adoration, petition, and intercession, helping to keep myself focused on my prayers but still "covering all my bases".  On Thursday nights at Camp, the entire group is lucky enough to experience a penance service and adoration.  Sitting in adoration, listening to the same playlist twice now, one song has hit home twice now.

"Beautiful Things" by Gungor starts with this low drone, and even the first time I heard it, not in adoration I could tell this song was going to stick with me, and it has.  The lyrics are simple enough to remain with you, but they also have a second layer within them, making them something worthy of quiet contemplation in a setting such as adoration.

With so much camp on my hands, I hardly have time for anything else, let alone keeping my blog updated, but I thought, if anything, I could share the a song that has been helping me along in my spiritual journey this summer.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

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