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 ;)

SEARCH 4 JeSuS

Where do I start? I signed up for this retreat that my youth group was going on. I had no idea what to expect. I felt so out of place at first. Then, as the weekend went on... I felt Jesus more and more. The first night we all went to confession. I spilled my guts after my youth minister told us that Jesus already knew, he was just waiting for you to apologize so that he could heal you. This is so true. I felt an abundance of grace that night. So much peace overwhelmed me. I can't even describe the feeling completely, you'll just have to try it out for yourself. I met a priest named father Marc who really inspired me. We listened to talks about marriage, celibacy, and learned more about vocations. I still don't know what I'm called to do, but I have plenty of time to figure it out.

I met some amazing people as well. Ones that I won't ever forget. Their stories touched me and I realized how all our trials and fears are all a test. I can't say enough thank-yous to everyone who helped out on this retreat. I wish I could live in adoration with Jesus and all those I love forever. It was the most amazing experience. Jesus can change anyone's heart, if we let him.

It never ends...

I have been in many places during my life... Some good, some bad. Through it all, I've learned so much. I would not trade the world for my experiences.

I moved to Montana without any expectation of what it would be like, and absolutely no idea what God had in store for me. This summer was by far the most stressful I've had. Sometimes, I wanted to die. My family was fighting all the time and life seemed like it was going nowhere...In a place where there was no where to escape. I knew no one. Not a soul in Montana. Thankfully, I was forced to join a youth group. I remember sitting in the parking lot with my mom and she was waiting for me to get out of the car and go into the church. I told her that I changed my mind. I didn't want to meet new friends, I liked my old ones just fine. She shoved me out of the car, and I cried wishing that my friends were there to force me to do something that I resisted. I went into the youth group room and met some amazing people that night. Since then, our friendships have only grown stronger through retreats, camping, hikes, and summer games.

That year, I went to a new school. I knew a few people from my youth group, but for the most part, I didn't know very many people for such a large school. It's been a challenge to get through my Senior successful in all areas. Especially since I'm never home to be with my family. I miss them terribly. But, we all have to get on with our lives and live it to the fullest. I'm so close to being done. It's scary. Sometimes I wish that I could start over and be with these kids since Kindergarten, like all of them have been. God obviously had different plans for me though, and that's okay. I've accepted that. For me personally, the most challenging part of it all is the physical part. I hurt so much. All the time. It's so hard not to complain, but I always think of those kids in Mexico that I spent time with in the summer of 2008 on a mission trip. They have it so much harder than I ever will. I am so lucky to have a good education and a place to call home.

Mentally, it's challenging me to stay strong and try and be positive. Even in the hardest circumstances. "Cast your cares on the lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall" Psalm 55:22. Then I think of Philippians 4:11 where the Lord is telling people, "to be content, whatever the circumstances". God has brought me so far. So far. I can't thank him enough for all the graces he has given me. Especially the grace of strength. I can do this. He will not give me anything I cannot handle. I know that now.
So should you.