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Sunday, August 29, 2010

5...4...3...2...1 LiftOff!

     Less than three days, and I will no longer be in the United States.  This summer has been miracle after miracle leading up to this trip.  I began this summer broke, spiritually unprepared, and completely ignorant about where and what I was going to be doing.  But let me tell you, God definitely looks out for those who serve him, and definitely gives you the tools you need for your service.  
     First, I accidentally ended up going to a retreat because of my brother. It turned out, that the retreat was all about being a missionary for Christ! Thus began my spiritual preparation and the missionary zeal I needed!  
    Next, I went to an amazing service formation camp in Texas where I met many other young missionaries and some awesome Salesian sisters. I really hadn't expected to get anything out of the camp that I didn't already know. But, as we studied the lives of St. John Bosco and St. Maria Mazzarello, I ended up learning how much more there is to serving than I ever expected.  I was sure I could never do anything as great as these saints, when the Lord gave me the opportunity to witness to a bunch of young mothers, children, and  teenagers in Asherton Texas.  I learned as I saw hearts change after explaining God's mercy and the sacrament of confession, that I don't have to do anything as great as those saints, because God does it all!  Man I was getting excited to go, but despite my new found hope, I still wondered and prayed about how in the world I would ever earn enough money to go, because I couldn't get a job if I was only going to be home for less than two months!
     Hence God answered prayers with some miracles.  On my way home from the camp, on a late-night layover, despite my complete exhaustion and overwhelming desire to take a nap, I followed this nagging in my heart that said to go talk to someone (in the completely empty and shut-down airport).  There was nobody around, anywhere, except for at the bar... "uhhh I guess I'll go put on my social butterfly wings,"  I thought.  As I walked in, the guy who sat next to me on the plane invited me to sit down.  It turns out I came right in time to interrupt his conversation about the job market... and Viola.. I was offered a job! The job was perfect, I worked from home allowing me time to prepare for going abroad.  I was able to finish my job assignment just in time to go to Chicago and Wisconsin for my roomate Meagan's wedding which was beautiful to be a part of! 
   My sister Joelle had been pregnant all summer, and I was worried I would miss getting to meet the baby if he came too late, but sure enough he came early! While I was in Mass on my last day in Chicago, baby August was born; so I came home the next day to meet a handsome baby boy! All these things just fell perfectly into the squished calender; God's timing is impeccable!  
     Finally, the last miracles, and most amazing ones, have been all the prayers, contributions, and support that I recieved from family and friends throughout this summer.  I have been so blessed by so many generous people who have joined the Mission and made it possible for me to leave on Wednesday! You are all amazing and I cannot wait to go to Honduras! I will keep you all in my prayers, and you are always in my heart wherever I go! Thanks to all of you who have helped God prepare me (as well as I can be...hehe) to go out and serve! Muah!