The Life of an English Major and the Art of Procrastination

    If one was ever an English major or knows an English major (they aren't that rare, I promise), she would know that for every page, it only takes ten minutes. Unless it's a research paper; then, add five minutes per page. And so even though I have a 3 page paper and 5 page paper (which are really NOTHING compared to what I had to write in high school), both of which are due tomorrow, I am not worried because it will barely take me two hours to write both. So what did I do instead of writing my paper?

    It all started when I put on a playlist called "Happiest Love Songs", most of which were acoustic songs. It's always been my dream to be that crazy sister who plays guitar for her students every Friday. Legitimately, I have had this dream of me dressed in a habit of sorts, singing for my students. I could sing anything from secular songs that I can relate to Jesus, or improvisation to teach them lessons. And especially there will be days when we use music as prayer instead of vocal prayer (future students of mine, also be on the look for journaling and meditating). So after listening to all the acoustic music, I made my FB status, "I really need to learn how to play guitar if I'm going to be that awesome, guitar-playing nun that sings to her students every Friday in class..." Then all of a sudden people left and right were liking it and commenting on it, wishing me luck and what not. Then one of my closest friends posts a scene from the 1980's movie, Airplane, where the lady borrows a guitar from the nun on board. So then, seeing what YouTube could offer me, I searched "Nuns playing guitars." NOTHING. Can you believe it? Not a single nun playing guitar. There WAS a nun playing air guitar at a Steubie conference, but no legit guitars, people. So now I REALLY need to learn guitar so I can post videos of myself on YouTube for curious discerners wondering if nuns play guitars. I promise you, they do. I know so many sisters who play guitars and I sing for them. It's great. But anyway, back to the story. So, disappointed in no guitars, I searching "Singing Sisters" and THE DAUGHTERS OF ST. PAUL CAME UP. 

    When I was in high school, I used to sit in the computer lab after school while waiting for my Daddy to pick me up and I would just listen to the Daughters on YouTube for hours while doing homework. I love them. I saw them in concert two years ago and I was in love. Their voices are angelic and it was literally like being in Heaven. I really, really, really thought about discerning with them because I love to sing. Literally LOVE. When I sing, it's one of the few moments I feel so utterly free. And when I listened to them, again I felt so free. But I know my vocation is to teach. 

   So anyway, that's my story. This is just the simple life of an English major who also wants to be a sister. 

I Love My School A Million...

   When most people get to college, they never even think twice (or even once) about going back to their high school for a visit. It's time to party, live life and forget the past. And then there's me and the rest of the Naz Acad alum. Going back to our high school is a MUST. With all the tradition wrapped around the place, and the faculty who you just can't get enough of, you don't think twice about it; you just go. 

    Thanksgiving last year was the biggest influx of alum I had ever seen at Mass. This year, it was just me and one of my best friends since most of our classmates were stuck still at school. But if I was home, there was no question about it; I was getting myself up early to go and visit. You see, there's something about our Chapel and Mass that one can never escape. It brings you such a feeling of warmth, love and faith. It's a feeling that truly can not be expressed; it must be experienced.

    And so, at the last possible minute, we slipped into the last pew. We opened our programs and smiled at every song selection. Back when we went to school there, we would so easily harmonize with each other during Mass. We couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces as Mass began. Now, it's never a complete Naz Mass without a Music Department fail and of course, within the first few minutes, they failed by not coming in on time and switching tempos. Oi. But never the less, Mass was always enjoyable.

   Most of you have never witnessed a Nazareth Mass, and if you ever get the chance, be forewarned: newcomers always, ALWAYS get freaked out during the Our Father. Every single person in the chapel moves toward the center and it gives a loud, thunderous sound. We all join hands and pray together. We lift our hands in praise to God and then stand still until the sign of peace. It becomes the loudest sign of peace you could ever hear. Every time I am moved to tears, because those few minutes are what we are all about. Every. Single. Time. Tears. 

   While it's so nice to walk around and get to see each those teachers we will always love, there is something so special about sharing the Mass with all 450 students and the faculty. There is something so spiritually moving about the thunderous roar of Eastland shoes moving across the Chapel. There is something more than comforting in holding hands with students past and present and teachers, all at once; everyone connected. And there is something so unique, which makes one truly love their school a million, about having the Communion Ministers still say, "Body of Christ, Becky," even when you graduated two years ago. Yeah, this school is almost something magical but it's so real. And I really do love my school a million. 

Finally Got Grandma Beat...

   Here's to: My grandma, Mommom, as I call her, the hipster. Ok, so she's not your typical hipster, but she's pretty hip, as you can see in the picture below. I'm her spitting image and her favorite. Sorry, cousins and siblings, but you all know the love a grandparent has for the first born is HUGE. Anyway, so let's talk about her hipster attitude. While she may have false teeth and spends her retired days crocheting me AWESOME blankets for my dorm, she is the most in the know grandmoo I know. Seriously.

   People think I'm technologically advanced, but my mommom beats me on that one, believe it or not. She had a computer long before I ever did and she taught me how to use it. She has digital cable while I still am stuck watching channels 3, 6, and 10. She had a digital camera before I even knew that film was going out of style. In fact, I inherited her first digi cam. Once giant computer screens were out of style, she bought a laptop with a webcam and was on skype before I even leveled up past dial-up internet. Fast forward to present day. I now have my own laptop, for school purposes only, of course and I'm on Skype. I finally have my own digital camera that aids me in my LOVE for photography and editing. And, I finally know how to work YouTube now that she's taught me. However, Grandmoo didn't know what a Facebook was until I showed her. But, of course, she made one and "likes" all my statuses, pictures and posts. I made a blog, to one up her again, and guess who follows me: Mommom. So, HI MOMMOM I LOVE YOU! But finally, FINALLY, I think I may have done the final one up. Today, after detesting the hype for years, I made a Twitter and already, I love it. And so, finally, I got Grandma beat. Until of course she follows me on Twitter and gets my tweets sent to her mobile phone...

   Follow me on Twitter : nunbetter_BG92

Leave Me In The Turn

    As Fr. Bill said during our tour of the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, it takes a special desire to get up early as a college student and spend the day Shrine hopping. Yeah. Actually, I would have been up anyway and at Mass. But I mean, you can tell me I have a special desire and you'll be right. So here's the truth: I switched my work day so that I could go to the shrine with a few of the campus ministry "groupies." As religious of a fanatic I can be at times, my main motive was just getting off campus and going into the city. The shrine was beautiful, don't get me wrong. But I already knew Catherine Laboure's story and I wear my Miraculous Medal proudly with devotion in French, mind you, my original foreign language. It was lovely to be among so many devoted people praying the Novena I've had memorized since I started going to daily Mass. And to have beautiful music in addition to a great homily on the Magnicat (my favorite Mary prayer). But something just wasn't hitting my heart yet. Then we all got in the van to go home when Father said we were making a surprise trip the Carmelites. HOLY WOW! Nothing like high heaven!!!

     Teresa of Avila has always been my favorite saint (in addition to the other carmelites, Therese and Edith). Her go-get-her attitude, independence, sass master ways and realness just defines me to a tee. She's a mystic, a reformer and had such a real relationship with God. Oh and she suffered from severe migraines. Her life story=my life story. I love her and I always, honestly, wanted to live the life of Carmel. I've always desired the silence and strict lifestyle of Carmel. I know, BIG SHOCKER, right? I'm loud, boisterous, out-going. Why on EARTH would I cloister myself? Honestly? I don't know why. I just live their lifestyle. Now the tradition is, that every time you visit the monastery, you bring an offering to the nuns. Since it was spur of the moment, we didn't have an offering. So, I volunteered. Just put me in the TURN! Father and I laughed, since we were the only ones who understood until everyone finally saw the TURN. "See, you could really fit in there. Get in. We're leaving you here." I had no objections. But then I thought about my siblings and all the others I would leave behind. My blog right now is clear indication that I didn't stay but oh how I wish I had to courage to enter Carmel. 

Holy Spirit Chapel, Carmelite Monastery, Philadelphia

    So let's talk about normal. Every college student skips class for various reasons. Most of the time, college kids are sick, "sick", need a mental health day or simply are skipping because the very next day starts some type of break and they have a plane to catch. I fall into this catagory, only IF I am completely incapacitated by the flu (like I was LAST week). However, today, I did the normal with the extraordinary. Yes, I skipped classes (with permission) BUT it wasn't for any of the above reasons. Today, I proudly skipped class to be a student leader for a local high school's senior girl retreat. WOOHOO!
    Needless to say, I was riding my high horse of happiness (AKA the school van) on the way there and I really couldn't wait. When we finally got there (everyone loses their way sometimes...), we were met with a sister who HAD AN ENGLISH ACCENT. I don't know about you, but I love ACCENTS! So immediately I was in love with the place. Then we walked around to find our "sacred space"  and found the CHAPEL! AHHHHHH. So it's completely in the round and all you see through the windows is NATURE; trees, leaves, squirrels, loveliness. Not to mention JESUS in EXPOSITION! Oh my goodness, it was a slice of HEAVEN!
   Ok so anyway, our lovely ladies of God get there and talk about ROWDY RAMBUNCTIOUS TEENAGERS. Oh wait...that's me. Yeah, I was ready to BOUNCE. OFF. THE. WALLS. from happiness. Everyone seemed so open to the retreat and I just know it's going to be a good one; I know there's going to be happiness and tears and GOD, totally! We break up into our groups, make our goals and share, discuss, and get to know each other. And then we get to the real deep stuff; cross the line and path of angels.
    If you've ever done a cross the line, you know it consists of real deep personal questions. It talks about discrimination, beliefs, race, the whole nine yards. And then there's th question: Cross the line if you've ever felt alone in a crowded room. Every single girl moved forward. Including myself. It happens, we all feel alone at times. But that's why we do our path of angels. Everyone lines up on either side of the hallway and then one by one every person walks down the middle so that they have to listen to the BEAUTIFUL comments everyone has for them. Talk about moving. Wow, tears. After every girl went through, we thought we were done. But no. The Spirit was so present that each of the girls encouraged the leaders to go down as well. Now if you read my most recent blog about adventuring and getting injured, you know that I have a brace on my knee and have to hobble instead of walk. In the words of one of my best friends, "my swag is off". Yeah, my swag! So I hobbled down the LONG hallway to the cheers of beautiful, young women I have never met before.
   Finally, after that oh so moving exercise, we all moved to the Chapel. Yeah, the little piece of Heaven I mentioned earlier. The final part of the retreat was the letter reflection. I won't tell you too much except that truly this was a time when the girls were made aware of how much they are loved by family. Having done this reflection before, I can truly tell you that it creates a lot of tears and emotions. I even found myself crying with all the girls. Being in that sacred space, with all those girls, with the calming music, I could feel nothing but love. Especially as I sat on the floor a bit incapacitated with my slacking knee and shared moments with dear hearted Sister.
    I can honestly say, that for the first time being a student leader for a retreat, nothing allows me to be more peaceful that spreading LOVE in anyway. Yeah, I guess that's my calling: to love in every way possible. "Our vocation is to love." (Mother Teresa)

Charters, Kites and Creeks OH MY!

   If there was one thing that I miss most from being away from home besides the sisters and my family, it's the water. Yes, the dirty Delaware River. I miss it. Truth is, I would go there all the time when I needed space; it's my outdoor Chapel. Something about the steady waves and the wind blowing across my face simply makes me feel so loved by God. While at school, whenever I need that "me" time, I simply go for a walk around campus and take in the beauty of it. But no matter how much "me" time I take, there's always something missing; the water. 

    This past weekend, despite being swamped by homework and the need to clean my room, one of my best friends steered me away from it. And let me tell you how worth it it was. WE FINALLY FOUND WATER!!!!!!!!!!! And mud and swamp and foxes and WATER! Yes, our shoes were covered in mud and swamp life, and yes, I did fall and busted up my chin and knee and YES, we did see a fox. But all of it was so worth it, because literally right down the road there's a creek, that used to be Mary's Lake where residents of our school used to sun bathe on the afternoons off, and I can finally find my solace. 

    The day of adventuring wasn't complete, however. Being on a "mountain" of sorts provides much wind and a few weeks ago, after for the first time flying a kite with one of my best sister friends, bought two of my own kites. Together, my friend and I, after cleaning up all the mud, flew our kites for a good two hours. Having just found the WATER and now having the wind blow across my face, I felt nothing more than pure love for my JC, the one who probably made the day just to spoil me. I can't tell you how much the day of pure, kiddie, freedom set my heart and soul on fire. 

    We all need "me" time with JC, and for me that "me and JC" time is spent in quiet, silent moments being in nature. Yes, it's NORMAL for college students to be walking around the campus, enjoying the Fall weather. But for me, I make it a prayer. Flying kites, was a prayer. Finding the water, definitely a prayer. Everything NORMAL about being a college student is changed when I add the word discernment to my repertoire. And it's only changed very slightly by the mere fact that I find GOD in everything. Especially these beautiful, Fall moments during which, I am simply a CHILD of GOD. Enjoy the adventure photos!

To Be Found (Founder's Day 2011)

    One of my lucky jobs with my sisters is being able to decorate random things for random occasions. I think my job title is technically, "Project Assistant" which makes sense that I do a lot of Presentation things. And so, this week at work, Sister and I were working on "Presenting" the founder's of her community for "Founder's Day," November, 10. And so, together, we carried down the four/five most important people in her community. Here's their story:

    From left to right in Chronological Order (for the exception of Mother Camilla in the middle)  is Teresa of Avila, St. Alphonsus, Mother Camilla Maloney, Fr. Louis (Louie) Gillet and Mother Theresa Maxis. Mother Camilla didn't necessarily help found the community, but rather the school. Her lovely face is present because of Charter Day which is November 12; it's the day our school was chartered/founded. A long, long time ago, St. Alphonsus began an order of priests named the Redemptorists. Quite a few years down the road, Fr. Louis Gillet became a Redemptorist priest and moved to the United States for mission. When he got to his mission, he realized a need for sisters in schools but there were no sisters. He said, "If I can't find any community, I will make one." And so, he enlisted the help of three women, one of whom was Mother Theresa Maxis and together they began the IHM community. St. Teresa is important because she greatly influenced the charisms of the community. Their story is one of courage and grace and Divine Providence.  

    In setting up for the great festivities, Sister and I shared many great laughs. The year before when we set up the same portraits, the rotunda (see below) was under construction and some of the stained glass was falling. We weren't allowed to work through the center of the rotunda for safety reasons, but Sister, so passionate about her community's history, insisted we "risk our lives" for them. And so, "illegally" we ducked under the shattering rotunda to put up the faces of faith! This year, while not as extreme, we ran into some hurdles. This time, the easel for St. Teresa of Avila was broken. In Sister's words, "It is not vital for her to be present with the other founder's, but since she is your favorite saint, let's find a way to get her up there." And so, together we searched and searched the school for an easel. As you can see, she made it up. 

    Spending time with one of my many sisters, and these faces of faith, is something I can't take for granted. It's a beautiful thing to learn about the history of a community and watch the sisters' passionately tell their stories. And to think, that my girl, Teresa, was a part of all it. Gotta love the saints!!!

My Soul is Thirsting...

   I'm supposed to be working on homework right now, instead I'm multi-tasking and blogging and picking music for our monthly F.O.P. (Festival of Praise...AKA Adoration with BEAUTIFUL music...no conceitedness imtended). Oh yeah, and snacking on chocolate...even though I really shouldn't since I'm lactose intolerant. But hey, you only live once, right?! Anyway, I realized I haven't shared any stories lately, so here goes...
   I am so blessed to be surrounded by familiar faces in blue and white...aka...sisters. I see them walking to class, I see them in class, I see them at Mass every morning, I see them in the Cafeteria, I see them when I'm out on my walks, I see them when I go shopping, I see them EVERYWHERE! But really, I'm not complaining. I also work for/with them. Aside from being Portress (stemmed from the Latin, porta, meaning door or entrance...) at the Motherhouse (place of formation and council) across the street from school, I also work one on one with the Sister who is the head of Campus Ministry. How did I score that job? Well, this same sister was my FYE Teacher (woot, FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE) and she saw right through me. I guess a lot of sisters caught on to my discernment when I continued to get up at the crack of dawn for prayers and Mass way into the second semester, but she saw right through me from the very beginning. As part of my FYE course, we had to fill out on of those intense personality assessments and apparently, I scored low on my desire to be at college or finish my studies. Hm..I wonder why?! And so, when we sat down to discuss my "low desire" I could only laugh. She hesitated when she asked if there was somewhere else I'd rather be. I answered very assertively, "Yes, the convent, sister." With that, she smiled, and said, "All in God's time." I shook my head in agreement and from there she became a close confidante. Soon after that encounter, she asked me if I needed a work study job. OF COURSE I DID! And there I found myself, working one on one with someone I felt saw right through me. And in truth, she really did.
    Last week, while I was icky sicky with the flu, she emailed me from down the hall (we live on the same floor in my dorm building) and advised me to rest and skip classes and work. As heartbroken as I was to be missing work with her, I was so relieved to be able to sleep. And like me, she really wanted to be rest and rest and rest so that I would be fully restored for the Final Vow Ceremony. All throughout my weekend she was emailing me checking up on me and asking how things were going. I simply emailed back, there is too much to tell; I must tell you in person. And so, for the majority of my "work" hours both yesterday and today, we sat down and talked about my weekend and my life in general. It's the reason I truly love working with her; it's personal and she is such a mentor to me still. It's how every day at work starts and ends; talking about our lives.
    Today I had to laugh when she asked if I was doing a bit of spiritual reading after Mass in the big Chapel. You see, we are pew buddies (since I needed "help" with my Liturgy of the Hours book way back when) and after Mass in that particular Chapel, I always do a bit of reading while I wait for my friends to go to breakfast. And usually, it is a bit of Spiritual reading, since it is the only time I really have to read. However, this time it wasn't. In fact, it was my newest romantic fiction novel. I confessed and told her it wasn't this time. But to make up for it, I handed over my FAVORITE spiritual reading book, Lying Awake, so she could do the same next week. Of course, with her, everything HAS to be discussed, and she asked WHY it's my favorite. Well, aside from what I told her, I think she'll really see why when she opens the book and finds all my pencil markings.
    For me, work isn't a burden because I get to talk with some of my favorite people and closest mentors. Whether the realize it or not, I honestly hold them in such esteem, especially my Campus Ministry Sister. Because without her knowing it, she gives me such wisdom and I don't know where I would be without her!

P.S. The song is one that's been stuck in my head for a few days...guess what's getting put on the FOP playlist!!!!!

A Reason to be here...

          For the first time in over three months, I went back to my home Parish for Mass. Out of the three times I’ve been home from school, I haven’t gone to Mass at my Parish; I’ve gone with the sisters. Even when I’m home during breaks, I don’t go to my own Parish for a plethora of reasons. The main reason is that I find I can’t focus when I’m home. Between sitting with my little sisters and giggling through the whole Mass to seeing the large amount of parishioners that literally line up to talk to me about a various list of topics stemming from school, to discernment, to Scripture. Gee whiz, I’m flattered really, but I need to focus on my Jesus. Another reason is that sometimes going to my home Parish is too painful for various reasons, and instead of being reminded of those memories, I prefer to church hop. But alas, today there was not nearly enough energy in my system to church hop and I had already spent two full days with the sisters (not that either party would have minded…just my family), and I found myself sitting in a side pew, trying my hardest to be incognito about being home.

            As I knelt there, I attempted to focus but I was once again too distracted by the sea of familiar faces and the sometimes painful memories. In desperation, I merely said, “Jesus, why am I here. Give me a reason to be here.” Now I must tell you, it’s not a secret that my Boyfriend loves me, but sometimes He likes to teach me patience. Today, however, He delivered ASAP.

            If you’ve ever spoken with a Vocation Director, he or she may have told you to pay close attention to the Scriptures because that is Jesus’ love letter to us. Some days I find it easy to listen intently to Scripture but I often have those mornings where I’m still half asleep when I’m at Mass. Today, thank goodness, I was wide awake, or I would have missed JC’s message to me.

            First, the first reading was from the book of Wisdom. One line in particular spoke to me saying, “Those who wait for her at dawn will not be disappointed.” I felt as if Scripture was talking about me. You see, as a college student, it’s not normal to get up at the crack of dawn when classes don’t start for another two, sometimes three hours. Yet, the dawn is my time with JC. I’ve always loved sunrises and JC sure does paint a beautiful picture for me every morning. For He who waits for me every morning at dawn, I will not disappoint.

            Second, for the first time, I heard the new assistant priest give a homily. At first I was confused because I had never seen him before. Ever. But my little sis insisted he had been there a while. And so, after the initial confusion, I sat intently and tried to listen as closely as possible. However, my little sis, like me, sometimes doesn’t know when to stop talking and so, we had our own conversation. Suddenly, she stopped dead in the middle of a sentence to say, “Becky, did you hear that?” and before I could ask what she was talking about, I heard it: “…Holy Family of Nazareth.” I was literally blown away. You see, not only was the Homily (I soon learned) about the love of the Holy Family of Nazareth, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth is one of the few communities I’ve explored in my discernment, but they are also the community I was “raised” by and within which I find so many of my best friends.

            And so, in response to my, “Jesus, give me a reason o be here,” He answered, “…Holy Family of Nazareth.” Perhaps it was nothing short of a sign from JC to set me in the right direction. Or maybe it was the sign that I needed to LOVE even more and in that LOVE be open to GOD’s plan for me, not my own plan. Regardless, I’m still head over heels in love with my Jesus. He has truly captured my heart and I am His. 

The Nun Wedding...Finally

    In the words of my little sister, "Sister got married to Jesus today. Forever and Ever." Yeah, she got it right. Seriously, this day could not have been any more beautiful for my dearest sister. The Chapel was perfect, the people were perfect, the music was perfect, her smile was PERFECT! Seeing the face of a beautiful bride to be was nothing short of amazing. Having been there to witness her make her final vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and receive her ring that says "My Beloved is mine and I am my Beloved's" was beyond exciting. It pulled at my heart strings so greatly and as I knelt in the oh so familiar Chapel, listening to the Litany of Saints, tears of joy and hope streamed down my face. 

     There was something about being in the Chapel that first threw my heart into a tizzy, fainted by God's love. After all my years of sneaking in there during my lunch period EVERY DAY during my four years of high school, that place still brings back so many memories of my discernment. Let's just say it's a place where I shed many tears in frustration and many laughs in happiness. It's where I so often received Jesus in the Eucharist and once again I did all of these today. And yet, while all of those days were special, today was the most special of all. Not only was I there for my first "Nun Wedding" with so many whom I love, but also because it was today that spoke most to my heart concerning my vocation.

      First, I must tell you that the Homily resolved around three things: Jesus saying, "I love you" at our Baptism, Jesus saying, "Live in my Love, forever" during our lives and finally, thanking those people who have blessed us by helping us live in Jesus' love. Today was so full of me thanking the people who have helped me live in His love, mostly the sisters. 

      After the final profession, so much festivity surrounded me. I saw sisters I haven't seen in years, sisters I've never met and my closest sisters with whom I correspond daily. With all those sisters, however, there was one common phrase: "I can't wait until YOU are a beautiful bride of Christ, too, Becky." Yeah, imagine my face flushing red with pure love of the Lord. If I've even been more in love with JC than today, I cannot remember. Truly He sent me each one of those sisters, from my closest to my newest, to give me hope for my future as a Sister. A legitimate, religious sister. 

     Just like every wedding, the reception wouldn't be complete without at least two crazy people, taking crazy pictures and doing crazy things. I am proud to say, that I and my long-time partner in crime sister, fulfilled that obligation by taking very serious pictures with the mixer made for intense amounts of baking. Oh and of course, the awesome, new dish washing phenomenon that we are even more excited to use!

     And finally, just like most little girls, while at a real wedding, plan their special day with their husband-to-be, I was dreaming about my final profession date. Since I have a HUGE, supportive family and so many friends, I imagine a Chapel stock full of people, and my high school gym decorated picnic style with much dancing, laughing, singing and sharing. In this dreaming, I wondered, too, who would be the sister/sisters who stay up with me the night before my final vows because the Lord knows I will be too excited to sleep? Hmm...who will that lucky person/people be? I can truly only imagine a community room full of my very closest sisters, all in one place (because the all BETTER fly/drive in), sharing story upon story upon story...of their wedding days. 

It's the Beauty of Teamwork...

     The past three days, I thought I would never make it to this weekend feeling better. I prayed and prayed and had a million others praying for me, too. Yet still, even this morning I was feeling the remnant of what may have been the flu. On the car ride home, I felt like I was being baked in a sauna. After sluggishly taking an hour to drag my belongings up the stairs to my room (which my middle sister has decided to take over, even though she has her own room), I got into the car and headed to the bank to begin the weekend home routine: Bank, Pick-up Lizzie, Shopping, Home, Make things. Except this time, we weren't going shopping until AFTER we helped set up for the reception. 

     Who's getting married? you ask. A nun. Yep, finally. After so many years of postulancy, noviate, and temporary vows, she'll finally be saying the big YES to JC in front of SO. MANY. PEOPLE. I can't even begin to express my excitement except by taking it step by step. So let's start with the reception set-up.

     The moment I walk into my alma mater, I no sooner bump into the Provincial Superior (AKA head sister of the sisters in the USA). I once again introduce myself and then get put to work. Now you must keep in mind that my seven (and a half) year old sister is with me. I was worried that she might be more in the way than of any help, but alas, her old best friend, my high school principal, took her under wing. While I was dry-mopping the Chapel (ahhh...my little piece of Heaven) floor, my little sis (and big sis) were hanging hangars up in the hallway. Once our task there was finished, we headed down to the "Student" Dining Room to set up tables, chairs and place settings. Right away, another one of my closest big sisters took my littlest sis under wing and put her to work. Perfect. She wasn't a bother to anyone and I was truly shown the closeness of our sisterhood. While my little sis was off counting chairs and forks and knives and spoons and anything else the sisters could find for her to count, I was standing shoeless on a table hanging leaves. Yep, leaves. I was counting ceiling tiles and hanging leaves with one of my closest sisters, my retreat group leader from Senior year. When we finally got the job done, I hopped down and she wrapped her arm around me.

    "Isn't this exciting? Gosh, I'm so glad you still fit perfectly in the crook of my arms. I love you and can't wait for your day."

    Talk about me being ready to burst. If that didn't do it, the next few lines from the sisters who I never met before sure did. Aside from being told how much I was loved by my closest sisters, and being hugged and thanked a million more times (seriously, it never gets old and I love it), my little sister's new best friend, linked my arm as we walked out of the building together.

     "Becky (there it is again), did you ever think of being a religious. I mean, I think you'd make a beautiful sister."

     Tears filled up in my eyes, most likely more so from the fact that I was still an isty bitsy sick, but none the less. I placed my hand in hers and told her, "Yes, I have actually. I've been openly discerning for five years now."

     "Oh honey, I knew it."

     I either wear my heart on my sleeve or these sisters have some type of vocation radar. I couldn't contain my joy as it grew as the night went on. I set to working on my sister's "wedding" gift while carrying on a conversation with a few of the other sisters on Facebook. Yep, back on Facebook again. While the conversations started out as exclaiming our excitement for tomorrow's festivities, they ended up hoping and planning for the day when I can finally say my own YES to the big JC!! Oh how much I love Him! 

My Mom Away From Home

"When someone takes care of you when you're sick, it's a true indication that they really love you." - Unknown

   If you've ever been sick at college, there's a deep desire to be taken care of. Scratch that, if you've ever been sick, all you really want is for someone to take care of you, mostly your mommy. So, there I was, laying in my bed with the itchy, scratchy throat and runny, stuffy nose. All I wanted was someone to take care of me, but my mommy was an hour away. So, I resolved that I would get better on my own, and took some medicine then went to bed an hour earlier than normal. 

   The next day I woke up with the desire to dislocate my throat from my neck it burned so much and I felt extremely dizzy when I jumped off my bed. But, I had to learn how to be bilingual and teach a lesson on Healthy Relationships in my FYE class. There was no bailing yet. In my third class of the day, despite the heat being turned all the way up, I was freezing, sneezing, and my eyes were constantly tearing. I figured, I would push through my lab and sleep til my 7:20-10 class. But alas, God had other plans.

    I'm a big believer that sometimes we have to fall in order to be lifted up and so, whenever I get sick, I believe that maybe it's God's way of testing my dependency on Him. However, this time God's message wasn't about my dependency on Him but rather other people, especially those I love.

    Whenever I get sick, I usually don't tell anyone, and pull myself through it, except my mommy. But this time, I knew I could not be sick for this weekend and asked a few people to pray for me. The one of my closest sisters, despite being far away from me, took the praying for me to a whole new level. She took care of me via texting. I got a morning text that said, "I hope you're feeling better for your observations." And then when I wasn't feeling any better, but even worse, "You better be drinking lots of fluids and taking medicines. Have you eaten anything today?" She also encouraged me to get lots and lots of rest. 

    It's not easy being sick at school, especially when your mommy is an hour away. But knowing that people, especially my closest sisters, love me so much enough to take care of me, even if they have to do it via texting, somehow makes the NyQuil work ten times faster. So thanks Sister "Mom" for your taking such good care of me. You're the best and I'm way beyond blessed. 

They Call Me Becky...

"What's in a name, if by any other name, a rose still smells as sweet." - Shakespeare

      Even though I always introduce myself to new people with my full name, Rebecca, I am always never referred to as a Rebecca. When I was younger the only people who would use my full name were my parents...when I was in trouble. I would hear, "REBECCA LYNN!!!!!!!!!!!!" roar from wherever my parents were. I assume for a little while my grandparents all referred to me as Rebecca, but mostly everyone called me Becca. That was, until, I met the nuns. 

      Growing up, every Christmas Eve we went to Mass at the convent. After Mass was always a treat of cookies and milk or hot cocoa. Aside from my Dad promising the sisters he was going to send me to them when I turned 16 (which he didn't), the only other thing I vividly remember is being called "Becky" by the sisters. No one ever, ever, EVER referred to me as Becky except for them. I guess to others I just didn't appear to be a Becky.

      Fast forward quite a few years to when I was 12 and my littlest sister was born. While our middle sister referred to me as CaCa, short for BecCA, little Lizzie has never called me anything but Becky. We had stopped visiting the convent for Christmas eve Mass by this point and so now, the only person to call me Becky was my little sis. 

      Fast forward once more to my Sophomore year of high school. Since our class was so small (a little less than 125 girls), there were only two Rebeccas. One of us went by Becca, me, and the other, by Becky. One afternoon I emailed my Biology teacher a question about homework and signed it, Rebecca. The next day in class, she addressed the question as being sent in by "Becky". She was searching the room for, "Becky" and even asked where "Becky" was. I looked right at her and said, "She's in the other class." She laughed and said told me I was a good joke-teller. Only then did it occur to me that she was talking about me. Fail. So in my high school years, the sisters and I got extremely close, as you can imagine, and while some who  I told to call me Becca, many of the sisters still always say, "Hi, Becky." 

       Today, once again in Biology class, my teacher called on me and called me, "Becky." While everyone else in the room exchanged questioning looks, I answered her without thinking twice. She's not the only sister here at school who refers to me as Becky. Whether I've had them in class, or have shared a pew or even worked for them as portress, I've been called Becky so many times before. I have finally deducted that it must be a nun thing. 

        I find it interesting how the sisters, without a doubt, have consistently called me Becky, even sisters in various, different communities. Many of my friends, who aren't used to calling me Becky always give me a questioning look that I just shrug off. I kind of really like being called Becky, especially if it's only by the sisters. It's just a cute, little connection, that is unique to only us. No one else can call me Becky and no one else understands how much I love it. Maybe one day, when it comes time to take my religious name, I'll tell them how much I loved it!

My Hour With The Saints

"I love Jesus Christ and that is why I am on fire to give Him my soul." - St. Alphonsus Ligouri

      Let's be real, being a full-time undergrad student, I don't get much free time or time to spend in silence or with JC during the day. That's the reason I get up every morning an hour before the rest of campus; to make sure I get at least an hour with JC. Even though He travels with me throughout the day, we chat often during those quick moments between class and work, I often feel like I'm cheating Him and cheating myself. So frequently, my heart simply desires silence. Today, on the Feast of All Saints, I got my chance.

      First let me explain that own of my many work study jobs on campus is for the Mission and Ministry part of Campus Ministry. I get the opportunity to work one on one with the sister in charge on various projects, one of which has been the glass display boxes at the main entrance of our main building. Yeah, it's a little bit of a big deal. In the past two weeks, this project has been my arch nemesis. First, we had to take out the glass shelving. I felt the fragility of each shelf throughout my whole body, afraid that at any moment they were going to crash to the floor and shatter. Then, the backing wouldn't match up to which Sister insisted I am a High J and Logical learner. Hm...I dislike math more than a lot of other things. Then, we had to put the shelving back in. I can't tell you how many times we dropped those shelves on my feet and knees. Thank God for high pain tolerance! But finally, after all our trials, we were able to finally add in some of the display. 

     Working with Sister is such a privilege because not only do we work well together, but she also knows when I need some quiet time during work. That's not saying, we don't talk to each other, but rather, she'll set me to a task that I can do on my own. Today, she set me to putting together the display and I got to spend a good amount of quiet time with the saints of my university. It was such an unique and peaceful experience to spend about an hour with the people who made my university a possibility, most of whom were sisters, and read about their experiences. It was a full trip into the history of the saints, of those who are in some way responsible for the start of my school and those who have continued the legends and traditions. According to the homily from Mass, the saints are meant to be our friends, and so, I had a beautiful date with my new friends: the saints of my university!