Put God first.

This last month has been a crazy one. I traveled to Colorado, Utah, South Dakota, Wyoming, and went on a private trip to Denver with my best friends Mariel and Lance :) What an adventure. I lost someone close to my heart, but gained more knowledge about myself that way. Instead of dwelling on it, I realized that God sees the bigger picture and that He knows what is best for me. This guy made it to the top of my priority list when God should have been up there. In an amazing way, this brought me closer to God. I started to go to youth group with this guy, went to his church conference, and met some amazing new friends. At this conference (also known as Encounter), we did devotions every morning. So, now I do devotions as often as possible. Sometimes I even go to the local coffee shop and sit by myself for a few hours and reflect on scriptures and write about them. Could there be a more intimate and more awesome way to experience God in my everyday life? I don't think so.. At least not one that I've found to work. My everyday desires of being depressed are slowly disappearing as I become more independent and learn about myself through God. He has given me so much, shown me so much, desired so much for my life... I just need to let Him take control. Lord, give me the patience that you had. Give me the love that you have. For I know that if I were the last person on this earth, you would die for me. How awesome is that? Help me spread your love to people who feel worthless. I know that feeling, Lord. I've felt it numerous times. But your love always overcomes that feeling that the devil wants us to take advantage of. He tries to draw me away from you everyday, it is now that I realize how much YOU love ME. Thank you for that.
Amen!
:)

JOY & patience.

"There is no rush in life."- father Pius X.
He's a monk who inspired my patience and who gave me a humbling talk. One of the things that I often have a hard time with is patience. It is patience keeps me from a lot of things, such as meeting new people. Sometimes, I don't want to deal with their problems because I have so many of my own... Until I realize that is exactly why I am here. To love, know, and serve God. I am not only loving God through others, but also serving him to the best of my ability right now. I am trying so hard to change my attitude towards life. I miss the laughter that I used to have, I miss the JOY.
LORD- Please help me find the JOY in my life.

Take life one. day. at. a. time.

What a month it has been! :) This month, I was in the musical production Brigadoon! It was AMAZING. I'm only going to school half days, so it's been a lot easier health wise. My family has been working in the green house growing our own food and it is delicious... Elizabeth finished her Masters in Cultural Anthropology. We are so proud of her. I am planning on going to school one more year since I should technically be a Junior anyway. I got asked to Prom by Taylor Roberts. He wrote me a poem. Pretty exciting.. ;)

The kids have started up ice skating lessons and my physical therapy is beginning to be very successful and rewarding. I joined the Rim Rock Opera Choir for Kids and I am loving that along with the awesome people! I have made so many amazing friends this month. I can't wait for another year with them! I'm hoping to visit Washington this summer... Or maybe Emily who lives in Alabama. That would be fun.

Today, I received a letter from myself. I sent it last year when I was on the SEARCH retreat. It was a letter from me, to God. I remember how much faith and love radiated from my heart that weekend. I still feel him, just not to that extent. I wish it was still there. I would have gone to SEARCH again if I didn't get asked to prom...But I know God has a plan and I can't wait to have an amazing night with Taylor! :)

Everyday this year, I have tried to stay positive and better myself as a person. But then I realized, God loves me for what's in my heart because he knows who I really am. I don't need to put on a happy face for people everyday. Sooo, I've accepted myself. I'm comfortable with who I am, and I feel such a sense of peace about it! It makes me a happier, more loving person by taking things as they come. One day at a time.

My Dad.

My dad has never been a religious person. He grew up a Methodist, but never lived his faith. He went to an all Mormon school and married my mom, who is by far the most Religious person I know. She prays the rosary everyday and has since I can remember. Her devotion to Mary inspires me and she has prayed for my dads conversion for twenty years. He got Baptized with my little brother 12 years ago and still didn't seem very into his faith. Then, he got a job in Billings Montana. We moved last summer and our house in Washington is still on the market. So he made a dedication to Our Lady to say a novena with our family until our house sold. Then that novena turned into a second, third, fourth novena, until he decided we won't stop, even when our house sells because it has brought us so much closer together as a family. Now, he goes to adoration every day during his lunch break and prays the rosary, prays the Byzantine rite liturgy, and sits with God. Today I went with him for the first time and I've never seen my dad happier. His faith is a very personal thing to him and he doesn't share it with many people. It gave me so much hope to see him like that. This homeless man started visiting him there last week and now my dad brings him lunch everyday and they pray together. It's crazy how God works sometimes, but everything always turns out for the best if we trust in his plan. My dad's faith inspires me all the time, especially when we get to pray together because that's not the dad I used to know. This one is so much better.

To know, love, and serve God.

It's February! Congratulations on making it this far. Ten more months until 2011 ;) Scary stuff, right? Well I am so excited to share it with all my new friends. In the last few days, I went to the Rocky Mountain Honors choir and met some awesome people who will be my friends for a lifetime. I finally feel at home here in Montana! It's taken a while, but so worth the wait. I can't imagine life without them.
As for my health, things are slowing progressing. Adam and Nhat lost their baby, but in my sister's words, "God needed another little angel." This is so true. God has a reason for everything, and although we may not always understand it, we need to trust that it's his will.
What would life be like without being Catholic? It'd be pretty dull because I would not have the Virgin Mary or Saints to look up to. They inspire me in my faith. When things get tough, that's when its the most important to stay faithful. I've learned this the hard way. It's so tempting to give up, especially when there are so many unanswered questions. I learned to never stop asking questions...That's how I got to where I am now. It's refreshing to have faithful people around me as friends, even though we don't always agree on things, at least they are true to themselves and God.
I hope and pray that everyone might find absolute truth in their lives... Especially those who are struggling, like the people in Haiti.
:) <3

2010. A New Year. A Fresh Start.

Thank God for the new year. Thank God for the fresh start!! Last year was hard, this year will be challenging. I am so excited to start up school again and get involved even more. I need to work harder and focus on good grades and growing closer to Jesus! For my new years resolution, I am focusing on others. That's the theme this year. It's all about giving. Give my whole self to my studies, God, family, and my best of friends. The things that are the most important in this world are not material things. They are merely the little simple acts of kindness from one person to another. No matter what it is, try to do it to your best ability. Tell a girl she's beautiful, that might just make her week. Tell a guy you appreciate them, that could mean way more to them than it does to you. Love one another. That's what he said!!
I want to look back on this year and think, "Wow, look how far I've come," or even better, "Wow, look how far we've come Jesus!" His fire burns so bright in my heart right now. I hope that never changes, but grows stronger and stronger until the day I die. I love you Lord. Thank you for this last year's blessings. I would have never guessed I would have lived in Montana. Not in a million years. But you have a plan, and I trust in it. With all my heart <3

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Christmas!

Christmas is almost here! Adam is home, Nhat is pregnant, and almost all the siblings are home! It's hectic..but I'm lovin it as usual. I dedicated my song at the musical festival to Adam since he just got home from Afghanistan. We all sang, "Jose' the temporary reindeer". It was precious and everyone laughed and enjoyed it...by far the most creative performance ;)