Camping in the Woods

I am moving.  When my lease ends.  Into a friend's house for the last 6 months (or hopefully less).  

And, today, with the help of several benefactor's I was able to pay off one of my personal debts.  Hurray!

I still get overwhelmed by the amount of Christ's LOVE poured out on me every day.

Because of generous friends, I'll be able to in October begin to put a little over a $1000 a month into my personal debt, and sometime in May, God-willing, enter back into religious life.

I have complete faith and have given total surrender over to God's will.

I continue to pray for each and every benefactor, spiritual and financial.  And, pray for God's will to be done.

This weekend I took 12 teens camping for one night.  10 had never been.  10 had never:  slept in a tent, cooked food on an open fire, used the bathroom in the woods.  I even had one teenager who had never eaten bacon in her life; her family eats only fish and seafood, no red meat at her house.

I loved that experience.   Of watching them reach outside their comfort zone and strive to overcome their fears.

My camera broke at the beginning of June, so I've had to rely on other people to take pictures.  I obviously don't want to buy another one.  So, when my other chaperone emails pics, I'll post a few then.

Novena to be Debt Free - part 8

God, our Father, you have granted to your church the gift of Gianna Beretta Molla. In her youth she lovingly sought you and drew other people to you, involving them, through apostolic
witness and Catholic Action, in the care of the sick and aged, to help and comfort them. We thank you for the gift of this young woman, so deeply committed to you.

Through her example, grant us the grace to consecrate our life to your service, for the joy of our brothers and sisters. May we become generous Christians at the service of our brothers and
sisters, especially those with whom you design to share your Cross. We beg you to grant to our families the serene and Christian presence of mothers committed to transform them into
cenacles of faith and love, rich with generous activity and sanctifying service.

Grant us the grace we seek and the joy to find an inspiration in Saint Gianna who, as model spouse and mother, after the example of Christ, gave up her life for the life of others. We offer this Novena for the sanctity of all life and for the intentions of all those who are praying with us.

Please join me in prayer to pay down my debt as soon as possible. And for others like me.

Novena to be Debt Free - part 7

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.

Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly for <prayer request> -
and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.


Please join me in prayer to pay down my debt as soon as possible. And for others like me.

Prayers for others

In the quiet of my heart, I hear Him calling.  I hear Him in the silence.  I listen, and I know He is near.

I have come to love the silence again.  I remember the time in my life where I wanted nothing but noise, to drown Him out, Him whom my heart loves.

His love for us is great, great beyond all human imagining.  He waits for us in the silence.

This weekend I am taking 12 teens to a Steubenville Youth Conference.  I served for many years on volunteer teams with this amazing conference.  I ask you to keep in your prayers all of the teens who will be attending.  Not just in Atlanta, but all over the country.  Pray their hearts, minds, and ears are open to God.  Pray we might all take time to grow in our relationship with Him.  To spend time in the silence.

I look forward to the day when I will be in community again, in one heart and mind together.

Appointments are being set and grant applications filled out.  I continue to ask for your prayers.   For perseverance and patience.  Patience is the hardest to bear.  For I offer up every minute I am outside the city walls.

If you feel called, please share my story with others.  I can never have too many prayer partners.

Eucharistic Adoration Flash Mob

Prayer Request

Update on my prayer request: Cassie, our group contact leader for our Nicaragua mission trip. Her passport is 'damaged' (use it loosely b/c all information is visible) and a Delta ticketing agent said NIC might not let her enter the country, and also would not check her in. We passed her contact bag to the next chaperone in line (Cristina) and sent her to another counter to check in by herself. She met up with the group at the gate, and all have boarded the plane.


Prayer request is that Nicaragua lets her into the country. And, if not, that they will let her go seek asylum at the US Embassy so she can take car of it there, and not get shipped back here. And, if you could also just pray for her mental state as she is stressed out, as you can imagine.

How To: Clothes in a Ziplock Bag

I made a video for my teens who are travelling to Nicaragua 2mrw for their mission trip on how to pack one change of clothes in a ziplock gallon size bag.  Just in case you wanted to know.



This is our religious education office.  And, yes, my hair is long!

snail Mail

I was on our Mission Trip last week, but I didn't put a hold on my mail.  I just assumed it would pile up (I don't receive alot anyway) and I would pick it up on Saturday when I got back.

Well, there was a vacancy notice in my mailbox saying that my mailbox was vacant and no mail should be placed there.

So, if you sent me anything, it will probably come back to you.  Please send it back out.  I do live there.  I've had a chat with our postal worker and everything is set.

In other news, we interviewed someone for the assistant youth minister & assistant to the adult formation director position (a combo job) at our parish.  I was notified yesterday that we were doing this today.  Much prayer will be said this weekend if this person is a good fit for our parish.  Because if the person is hired they will slide into my position when I enter religious life.  Please join us in prayer to discern.

11 of my teens and 3 chaperones (including current assistant youth minister) depart for Nicaragua on Saturday, July 9th.  Please pray for their safety and hydration and for their mission.  I feel they are prepared, but am nervous b/c I've never not been on a trip with them.  And, we've never done a group mission trip with Amigos for Christ or in Nicaragua.  They'll return to GA the evening of July 16th.

Novena to be Debt Free - part 6

Glorious St. Rita, patroness of those in need, your intercession with our Lord is most powerful. Through the favors obtained by your prayers you have been called “Advocate of hopeless and even impossible cases.” St. Rita, humble and pure; patient and compassionate Lover of Christ Crucified! I have confidence that everyone who has recourse to you, will find comfort and relief. Listen to my petitions and show your power with God in our behalf. Obtain my petitions for me if they are for the greater honor of God, and for my good. I promise, if my petitions are granted, to make known your favor, and to glorify God for His gift. Relying on your power with the merciful Savior, we ask of you…

Please join me in prayer to pay down my debt as soon as possible. And for others like me.

good to be home

God is so abundantly good.  As I draw nearer to Him in my relationship with Him and in my payments to be debt-free, I can see myself growing.

I had an amazing week with my teens on our mission trip to Nashville.  I have another group preparing for Nicaragua on Saturday.  Please pray for their safety while their down there (July 9-16) with their chaperones and my assistant youth minister.

I am in total shock each and every day as to how much God loves me.  And, how He's preparing me to be His.  I cherish the silence.

It is good to be home in Atlanta.  Travelling wears me out.  My sleep schedule is off.  And, I always come back to a pile of work.

Please share my vocation journey with others.  I need the support!