2 months of Grace

Well, it's been a ridiculously long time since I've updated this. Sorry about that. Things have been super ridiculously crazily insanely busy. To say the least. But that's a good thing. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, but then I realize that there's not a single thing I would take out of our schedule each day, so I have nothing to complain about. It's a good problem to have.

In the past several weeks, many many amazing things have happened. I'll never be able to remember them all, so I'm just going to try to give a really brief overview of some of the highlights.

We started doing "compassion service" each Wednesday morning. The 20 of us are broken in to 4 groups. My group serves the homeless around Termini Station, the main train/metro station in Rome. So we go there with supplies of coffee, tea, and bread, and just offer these to any of the people we see living on the streets. It's not much to offer, but really what we are there for is just to spend time with them and show them that someone cares for them, that they are valued. At first it was a bit intimidating, going up to someone who may or may not be homeless, and who may or may not speak any English, and trying to show them kindness and compassion. But I've really grown to love this service over the past several weeks. My service partner Natalia and I came across a man from India one morning. He spoke no English (except "very good") and he spoke even less Italian than we did. Through various means he was able to communicate to us his need for medicine, for he was sick and also very badly bruised all over his body. When we told him we could not supply him with anything, he broke down in tears and cried. He could hardly walk, and had not eaten anything for more than 2 days. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, that we could do for him. Except sit with him. We couldn't even really talk. So we sat there, just being with him, for most of the morning until we had to leave. How humbling it was to offer him nothing more than our presence. I can't even express how much he appreciated it. I think he was shocked that anyone would care enough to do anything more than glance his way. This encounter taught me so much about the beauty of the human person. We desire one thing above all else - to be known, to be loved. All else is secondary. Even if we need food or medicine, these things can never fulfill us in the way as one who truly shows that they love us.

We've now met dozens of homeless men and women that live in this area, and we are able to show the love of Christ to them each week. There is one man in particular, Andrea, whose eyes light up every Wednesday morning when he sees us approaching. Maybe we're the only thing he has to look forward to in the week. It's all so simple, but it just goes to show that God doesn't need us to save the world. He only needs us to show love in small ways, and He'll take care of the rest.

Each Friday we go out in to the streets of Rome to do what we call "street evangelization." We take out the World Youth Day cross (the cross given to the young people of the world by Pope John Paul II, which has traveled all around the world, carried by millions of young people), and break in to 2 groups. One group sings, while the other simply goes around and starts talking to the people passing by. We want to get to know who they are, why they're in Rome, etc. We get to tell them about our school, and why we decided to give up a year of our lives to come and grow closer to God and learn about our faith. The people we meet are always extremely interesting, and usually really open to what we have to say. We have mass directly afterwards, so we always invite people to come with us. 

One evening we did this at the Spanish Steps, one of the main squares in Rome. We had a prayer service going on in the church there, and we went out into the square on a Friday night, and invited people in. Many people were really touched by the offer, and tons came in. I'll never forget one incident - One of the girls in our school started talking to a group of teenage boys who were drinking whiskey out of the bottle. They were from Germany, as was she, and they asked her to drink with them. So she did. This led to a conversation, and she invited them in. They didn't really want to come, but she convinced them. They weren't sure if they should go into a church with a bottle of whiskey in hand, but she convinced them it was no problem. I was able to witness a group of young boys who, from the outside, looked like complete punks, walking down the isle towards the altar. They all knelt down before Jesus, and within a few minutes some of them were crying. It was so powerful. 

Here at the school, we're each put in to a "household." There are 2 mens and 2 womens households, each with about 5 people in them. We meet once a week to discuss different things, and share what we saw as significant experiences throughout the week. A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to take the weekend and travel with our household. My household decided to go to Gaeta, a little town on the coast, south of Rome. We went there without having any accommodations, for we couldn't find anywhere that would take 5 people. So we trusted that God would provide us with a somewhere to stay. 

We arrived in Gaeta, and immediately began going to different churches asking if we could stay the night. Most of them were closed, and the ones that were open said it was not possible. We had lunch, and continued on with no success. We stopped at a convent, and they directed us to a monastery, way at the top of a mountain, so we began the assent. On the way up, we discovered an old Roman outpost, and had tons of fun playing on the ruins. After a long hike, along some of the most insanely beautiful cliffs, plunging in to the Mediterranean below, we arrived at the monastery. They said no. Great. We realized that mass was beginning in a few minutes, so we decided to stay, and we all prayed, for by now we were convinced we would spend the night homeless. At the end of mass, an old couple in front of us turned around and asked where we were from and why were were in Gaeta. Within about 30 seconds they were asking us if we wanted to come stay with them in the private villa on the beach.......God is good! They took us there, cooked us up one of the best and biggest meals I've ever had, and we stayed up late sharing stories about our lives. 

In the morning, they took us all over the city, brought us to the beach, let us eat grapes from their vineyard and make orange juice from their orange trees, prepared another huge lunch, etc. We sat out on their terrace overlooking the sea, just basking in the glorious beauty and in the providential care of our God. He's so faithful, and always provides when we trust in Him!!

This past week, the Pope installed 22 new cardinals, and opened the Apostolic Palaces in the Vatican (which are never open to the public) for people to enter and greet the new cardinals. It was so beautiful, and we were able to meet Cardinal Burke from Wisconsin, as well as Cardinal Regali from Philadelphia. 

So much happens each day that I could go on forever. Classes are intense, but really really amazing. We're able to learn about God in the classroom, experience Him in prayer, and live out His call through service. It's really a whole life focused on Him, and it's changing me in ways I didn't even think I needed to be changed in. It's hard to describe my experiences here, but God has been so good and has taught me alot. If I've changed this much in 2 months, I can't even imagine what's in store for the rest of the year! Please keep me in your prayers, and know that I'm praying for you. God bless!

Assisi and Back

Our whole team is finally here! Our last brother from Egypt just arrived today after much Visa trouble. Go figure...

So here's the final rundown: 4 Americans, 1 Aussie, 2 Brits, 3 French, 1 Scottish, 1 from the Netherlands, 2 German, 1 Columbian, 1 Nicaraguan, 1 Brazilian, 1 from Portugal, and 1 Lithuanian. 19 people. 12 nationalities. Total insanity. Completely awesome.

It's been awhile since I've updated anything, so I'll try to do a brief overview of the last few weeks.

We officially began on the school on Oct 1, the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, who is one of our patron saints. She died at the age of 24 as a cloistered nun, and she is one of the patronesses for missionaries.

We left Rome early for Assisi, and after the 2 hour train ride, the beautiful city-on-a-hill came into view. We hiked on up, and then made our way to the monastery in which we were staying. It was right near the basilica of St. Francis, and offered fantastic views. We had time to go around and tour the city, and we stayed out until late at night. The town is so beautiful.

The next day we were able to visit San Damiano, the convent where St. Clare lived with her sisters, and where she founded the Order of the Poor Clares. Afterward, we all gathered into one of the olive groves, and each of us shared how God had brought us to the ESM. At one point a realized something really amazing - this group is literally a microcosm of the Church. There are 20 people from all over the world. We are extremely different in more ways than I can count. And yet, we all come together for one goal: to grow closer to the love of God, and to spread that love to others. This common root is able to bind us closer together than if we had all grown up with the same experiences. It's so cool to witness and be a part of something so special.

Later on, a Franciscan brother spoke to us about the life of St. Clare. He was so wise and joyful. He made an excellent point - to the world, St. Clare's life was a complete waste. She lived in the same building, without leaving, for 40 years, in complete poverty. She was sick for 30 of those years, and paralyzed for a good number of them. And yet at death she was still able to die with an ecstatic joy. Something else was at work here!

October 4th was the feast of St. Francis! I've had a huge devotion to him for many years, especially since attending Franciscan University. To be able to celebrate mass at his tomb, on his feast day, was such a gift from God. You can feel the presence of Francis so powerfully there. It's truly remarkable. We also got to pray in front of the San Damiano cross, which spoke to Francis, causing his conversion, and subsequently, the founding of the Franciscans. We then played some intense 4-square. Epic. Earlier in the day we had broken up in to 4 groups, and each group had to make up a different "life of St. Francis." One group acted it out, one group made up a song, the other group did a dance, and my group mimed. We performed them at night, and it was absolutely hilarious.  What a blessed group of crazy people! That night, we took a walk up to the castle at the top of the hill, while praying the rosary. The whole city lay before us, the illuminated churches towering above the twinkling lights of the rest of the town. Can I move here?

On Tuesday, we hiked up to a hermitage in the hills. There was some pretty intense fog, and the mountain was steep. Not for the faint of heart. We eventually made it to the top, and were able to tour through the hermitage, and have mass in one of the chapels. While we were up there, the sun finally broke through the clouds. On the way back down, the sunrays shot through the gaps in the clouds, which made for some extremely beautiful views of the valley below. 

Our last day in Assisi, we got to go down to St. Mary of the Angels, a huge basilica in the valley below the city. Inside is housed the Portiuncula chapel, which was Francis's church, and the place of his holy death. We had an exact replica of this chapel at Franciscan University, so it was so amazing to be able to be back inside. After mass, we played ultimate frisbee in the massive piazza outside the basilica. We caught the train home, and I was able to speak to a women in Italian for over 2 hours! Living proof the Rosetta Stone works :)

We've been back in Rome now for a few days. Our first day back we got to eat dinner with a few of our professors. One, Msgr. Sarno, grew up in Brooklyn, NY, but has lived in Rome for 29 years. He works for the Congregation for the Cause of Saints. They review the lives of holy persons, as well as the miracles that are put forth for the canonization. He was able to tell us alot about some of the saints-in-the-making. It was beyond interesting. He said that there is a miracle attributed to Mother Teresa that is looking extremely promising! So expect to see St. Teresa of Calcutta in the near future. We have the opportunity to go to the canonization of Bl. Mary Mackillop (Australia's first saint!) and Bl. Andre Bessett of Canada on Oct 17, so he told us about them as well. It was amazing. 

On Friday we had some free time. Nia and I really wanted gelato, so after shopping for some of our school books, we got some, even though we were running extremely late. We realized that there was no way we were going to get back on time, so we started sprinting through the streets of Rome, eating our now quickly melting gelatos. My shoes were tearing my feet up, so I whipped them off and ran barefoot. Everyone was staring at us. What can I say? We're Americans...

Saturday (Happy birthday Paul!) was pretty free. We began by playing soccer and volleyball. In the evening, I met up with Fr. Ed Lohse, a friend from back home whom I've known for 4 years, and was just transferred to Rome. We walked around the city and went out to eat. It was so good to see a familiar face, and I am really blessed to have him here.

Yesterday, Sunday Oct 11, I got up and went for a run to St. Peter's and back. I then met up with 2 friends from America who are in the seminary in Rome called the North American College. It is so incredible. We had a huge brunch, and then went out for coffee in a little cafe that overlooks the whole city. So so good to see them. This was followed by mass and vespers in St. Peter's.

That's pretty much what I've been up to! We officially started classes today, so things are going to get alot more intense. God has been so good already, and I definitely feel at home. I could not have asked for a better group of people to be living with for the next year. It's not going to be easy, but I know it will be fruitful.

One last thought - Everyone here is so generous! I can't even believe it. They literally think of others before themselves. It has really struck me just in the little things. For instance, even the first day, when we would be served food, people would grab my plate and serve me before themselves, or pour me water before they gave it to themselves. It really made me think about how I live my life. I'm not sure if it's just an American thing to focus more on ourselves, or if it's just me, but it definitely opened my eyes to the way we're supposed to live, in putting others first.

I probably won't be able to keep updating this blog as often as I would like, but I'll try my best. You'll be in my prayers!

Seeking the Heart of Christ, in the heart of the Church,

Eric

Rome already feels like home!!

The first time I came to Rome 4 years, I knew that I was going to live here one day. It's weird, because I'm not a city person whatsoever, but I feel at home here, and I did from the moment the plane touched down. And I didn't expect to feel so close to my fellow ESM'ers this soon. We're like a little family already. We joke around with each other constantly and aren't afraid to act completely crazy. Especially Nia and I. For those of you who don't know, Nia Hunt went to the same university as I did, and now we're both at the ESM. I sometimes feel like we're truly living up to the "crazy American" stereotype. We're definitely the loudest ones here, and laugh outrageously all the time. It's so interesting to see so many cultures coming together and interacting. It's like an allegory for the universal Church - people from all over coming together for the common goal of serving Christ.

On Tuesday, we all went to St. Peter's together for the first time. As Nia put it so well, when you walk in there, everything just makes sense. It was crazy to be back. What an incredibly beautiful, holy place. We were able to go down to the tombs of the Pope's as well, and praying in front of the tomb of JPII, as well as that of St. Peter. Whoa...

Nia and I took a beautiful walk down to St. Peter's at night. I had never seen it lit up before. Amazing. We hung out in the square and talked for a long time, and then picked up some gelato at Old Bridge, arguably the best place in the city. So good! I'm addicted.

On Wednesdy, we hung out at the San Lorenzo, which is the youth center that JPII houses, and where the World Youth Day cross resides. The people who work there are amazing, and we'll be doing alot of work there throughout the year, so it was great to get to finally meet them.

Afterward, a few of us hit the city. We went into a random church, and it turns out that St. Philip Neri is buried there! We continued on and went to Piazza Navona, one of the most famous squares in Rome. It is filled with shops, restaurants, churches, and fountains. There are always street performers and artists entertaining the masses.

We've been playing alot of cards at the ESM, and it gets crazzzzyyyy! We played this game called Logretto, and people were screaming and running around everywhere. We definitely feel comfortable around each other!

Tomorrow we leave for Assisi! Right now we're having our opening mass. Gotta go! I'll pray for you all!!! :)

Seeking the Heart of Christ, in the heart of the Church,

Eric

Bongiorno from Roma!!!

I made it! And what a crazy adventure it was...but definitely blessed!

So my parents and I left on the morning of Saturday the 25th. I was flying out of JFK in New York, so they drove me up there. My aunt works for Delta and was able to get me a cheap flight, the only catch being that I was on standby. So we drove up there, through the crazy NYC traffic, and made it to the airport. After checking my baggage and all that fun stuff, it was time to go through security. So I said goodbye to my parents for what I thought would be the last time. The Lord had other plans!

I went to my gate, and all of the employees had been telling me I had an excellent, almost guaranteed in fact, chance of getting on the plane. So I wasn't worried at all. I saw my name on the standby list, and I was near the very bottom. More and more people were making it on to the plane, but I still thought nothing of it. Eventually, only one other girl and I were on the standby list, and there was one spot left. A minute later, they called my name to come and check in. I went up to the desk, and the guy was like "Yay, you got the last seat!...Oh wait, nevermind I made a mistake, you're not on." So that was kind of a bummer. I called my parents, who had waited at the airport, knowing this was a possibility. So I ended up seeing them about an hour later, rather than many months. We got a hotel, went out for an excellent NY pizza, and just hung out and went to bed.

After mass on Sunday morning, we decided to try our luck at traveling into the city. As always, the traffic was out of control. It took us about an hour to get to the ferry for the Statue of Liberty. When we got there, we decided we probably didn't have enough time to go over, so we decided to walk around the area instead. There was a nice little park with a fort from the Revolutionary War, so we visited here first. Then we trekked into the heart of the city. After turning down Broadway, we saw signs for Ground Zero, so we decided to go there. I had been there once before, about 3 years ago, but I had forgotten the indescribable feeling of entering that space. Crazy. There was a beautiful memorial to the firefighters, which I missed last time.

After walking around this past sight of destruction and future sight of a beautiful memorial, we found a really cool area right down by the river. There were restaurants and shops, and a tree-lined walkway that skirted the water. So we decided to just grab burgers and eat down here. After hanging out for a bit, we realized that the walkway would lead us back to exactly where we started, by the ferry. So we followed this all the way back, until the Statue of Liberty was directly across from us.

By now it was almost 2, so we hopped back in the car and headed to the airport. This time, all I needed to do was go through security, so I had tons of time. I hung out with my parents for a few hours, and then we had to say goodbye for real this time. Not fun at all. But as my mother texted me, seconds before I took off, "You are not flying alone. Your holy Mother and her Son are with you!" A infinitely comforting reminder.

Needless to say, I made my flight!!! The man that I sat beside, Carlo, was from Rome, but spoke English, and he was extremely interesting. We ended up talking for most of the flight, which definitely cut in to my sleep time, but it was worth it. I slept an hour or two, and when I woke up, the map on the screen informed me that the dark expanse below me was France! And soon after, as the sun broke the horizon, Italy was visible several miles below!!

After landing an hour early, I got my luggage and waited for someone from the ESM to pick me up. Eventually I ran in to Helen, one of the women who works there. She's from Australia, and is super awesome. Nia arrived shortly after. I can't describe how good it was to see her!! Seeing that Regina Angelorum sweatshirt in the middle of Italy made my heart smile.

We grabbed a taxi and literally FLEW to the ESM. If you didn't know, the Italians + driving = a dangerous combination. On the way we passed by the Hotel Gelsomino, where the wonderful Spring 09 Austria crew all stayed, just a year and a half ago. So many memories came flooding back in that instant. And shortly after that, the ESM came into view!! My home for the next year! It's beautiful.

Immediately after entering, I got to meet 2 of my fellow students, Daniel from Ohio and Natalia from Columbia. Crazyyy!! We had mass at noon, followed by lunch, during which I met Bernadette from Australia, Juan from Miami, and Adela from Nicaragua. The rest of the day was free, so we did what any normal Roman would do - went to St. Peter's, and then got gelato!!!

It's weird - I've been here before, but it feels different this time. I think when coming as a tourist, I had the mentality of "try to cram seeing 20496 things into the shortest time possible," whereas now it has a feeling of permanence to it all. I don't have to see everything now, because it will still be there tomorrow.

We went to the San Lorenzo, a youth center started by JPII, where we will be doing a lot of work. The chapel there houses the World Youth Day cross! We got to meet the staff and talk with them. They're from all over as well - England, Australia, Belgium...Rome is such a crazy place.

The rest of the evening consisted of filling out paperwork that will ensure that we can stay here for the year. Nia kept falling asleep and I'd have to poke her with my pen.

First day in Rome. I don't really know how I feel. I'm excited, anxious, blessed, awestruck, let's be honest, terrified. But I know that I was called to this place, and that God will use every single experience, small or large, to bring about His plan for my life. I just pray that I can stay out of His way.

I pray that you are all doing well. Please pray for me.

Seeking the Heart of Christ, in the heart of the Church,
Eric

Last day!

My last day at home. I was trying to contemplate what I could fit into a day. And then I realized, I don't want my last day to be some crazy, hectic, tornado of insanity. I just want to "be."

I tried to just "be" all morning. I went to mass, hung out at home a bit. And I was doing pretty well at "being" too, until the incredibly ridiculous reality of my Visa fiasco began to weigh down on me. Was it going to come in time?! Only God knew. It had been six weeks. Six weeks, when they told me two. And now, the day before I leave, I still did not have it in my hand. I was actually surprisingly calm and unworried, until I called the Italian Consulate in Pittsburgh, and the lady was freaking out that I hadn't received it yet. Needless to say, that didn't really put me at ease. She recommended that I go to the post office to see if there was ANYTHING they could do to see if the Visa had been shipped, and to get it to me asap. So I hung up and was preparing to leave for the post office. My heart began to race, for the question I had been avoiding for the past few weeks finally flooded into my mind. What if I don't get it in time?

Just about the time my anxiety was skyrocketing, my mom walks out of the laundry room. She comes into the kitchen and says, "Look at this." She was holding a small crucifix, one that would attach to the end of a rosary. I took it, and, looking at it, realized I had never seen it before. Neither had she. I asked her where it came from, and she said it had come out of the washing machine. I figured it must have been in someone's pocket and fallen out. But she informed me that she was only washing the whites, and that there was nothing with pockets in there. I turned the crucifix over, and on the back was inscribed the word "Fatima." Now you may not know this about me, but I'm semi-obsessed with Fatima - the place where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to 3 children in 1917. Ever since I learned about it as a small child I've had an attraction to it, which has developed into a devotion to Our Lady of Fatima over the years. In fact, I just finished a book written by Sister Lucia, one of the visionaries of Fatima, and it kind of changed my life. So even in the past week my love for Fatima has grown. Once I saw this crucifix, I knew that Our Lady had everything under control. So I left to go to the post office. I didn't even have the tracking number for the package, so I didn't know what good this trip was going to do. I walked in and told the lady my situation. About half way through, she interrupted me and exclaimed, "I have it!" It took me a second to process, and then I was like, "What?! You have it?" "Ya," she said, "I was just about to send it out, but you beat me to it." I was basically jumping up and down as she handed me my long-awaited Visa, and I went home to share the amazing news with my mom. Within only a few minutes of receiving the crucifix, I had also received my Visa. A true miracle of Fatima, right in my own home! I can say one thing for sure, that crucifix is not leaving my side during the next year! Mama has got an eye out for me. Gotta love her :)

Several other things went on throughout the day: alot of hugs, many goodbyes, the start and conclusion of my packing, some last-minute trampoline jumping, time with family and friends, and just "being." It was quite a normal day, and if I wasn't leaving tomorrow, I'm sure it would blend in with most other days at home. And that's exactly what I wanted. A normal day, doing normal things. I'm sure I won't have many of those this next year, so it was nice to have just one more.

I guess the next time I post, I'll be in Rome. Wow. God is so good. Our Lady is so good.

Our Lady of Fatima, you've made it clear that you're here for me. I'm dedicating this year to you. Be my guide and protectress along the journey. Bless all of your children throughout the world, and bring us only ever to your Son.

Ciao for now! Next time, from Roma!!!

Seeking the Heart of Christ, in the heart of the Church,
Eric

Preparing for the Journey

3 days. In 3 days, I'll be sitting in my new home. Not having ever been there before, it's quite impossible to know what to expect. What I do know is that it will be somewhere in Rome, Italy, about a 10 minute walk from the Vatican, in a hotel which houses the Emmanuel School of Mission. In 3 days I'll finally get to meet my 20 other companions who will accompany me on this adventure for the next year. They will be from far and wide, with vastly different experiences from myself. Those from England, Ireland, or Australia will be native English-speakers. Those from Asia, Europe, South America, heck maybe even Antarctica (?) will come with various degrees of English proficiency. All from different cultures and upbringings. A true melting pot if there ever was one. But we will all be united in one thing. In faith, in purpose, in love of Jesus Christ. In the desire to spread His message and love to the ends of the earth. To make disciples of all nations. This common bond brings us all to the heart of the Church, to be formed in a missionary spirit and to be drawn deeper into the love of God. We will live together, learn together, laugh and probably cry together, hurt together, be stretched and molded together, serve together, and most of all seek God in every single moment of this entire year, together.

But before I get there, I've got a lot to do. Trying to prepare in any way I can, brushing up on some last minute Italian, possibly starting to pack, (nah, that can wait until the night before). Oh, and awaiting that pesky Visa which has eluded me for the past 6 weeks.

As excited as I am, it's hard to go. It finally hit me about 2 weeks ago, lying in bed one night: "I'm ACTUALLY going." And then my next thought was: "What the HECK am I doing?!" When I first felt called to the ESM and decided to go, I was thinking only about the awesome-ness that was about to ensue. I never really took into account all that I was giving up in order to go. An amazing family, who I can never thank enough for their support. So many incredible friends, whether from home, from Franciscan, from CHWC, and so many other places. I'm comfortable here. I've been comfortable here for too long. It's time for me to step out of my comfort zone. If we're comfortable, we're not growing. I want to be stretched beyond my limits, further then I ever believed I could go, for only then can I truly live out the Gospel call. Christ calls us to give everything, not just what we're comfortable with. Everything. I recently came across a quote from a saint that said something to the effect of: "Attaining the Kingdom of Heaven is going to take every ounce of passion you've got." That is what I want to do, and what God is calling me to do in Rome. To give every ounce of passion I've got; to die to myself fully, in order for Him to use me as He wills.

I'm one of those people at Franciscan that was like "Ohhhh, I just love it here. Everything is perfect and roses and butterflies, and I never want to leave, ever." So I had been planning for awhile just to stay for grad school, more to prolong leaving than anything else. But God had other plans. He completely took that desire from my heart, and by the end of last semester, I was ready to leave. I knew that I was not supposed to stay, for God had other plans for my future. So instead of being a hot mess at graduation, like I expected myself to be, I was actually just really really happy.

But, as I said goodbye to all of my remaining friends in Steubenville yesterday, the tears that were stayed during graduation finally began to flow. I know that I'm doing God's will, but that doesn't make leaving any easier.  Many of these amazing, loving, Christ-filled people, who have been such an inspiration to me and an aid in my own faith journey, I may never see again. I thank you all. You mean more to me than you'll ever know.

I know the goodbyes will only continue until this Saturday. But if there's one thing that I've learned recently, it's to focus not on endings, but on beginnings. This is a crazy new beginning in my life, one filled with uncertainty, for who knows what the future holds? God does. And that fact alone is enough for me, because, as He has promised, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). I will trust in this promise as I go forth into the unknown. For honestly, what would life be without a little uncertainty? We'd be bored out of our minds! Let's trust in God's promise as we live out the exciting uncertainty that we face every day.

I'm starting this blog in hopes that, by sharing how God is working in my life, you may come to see how truly awesome He is, and thus come to love Him more. For if He can use me to do anything for His Kingdom, He really does deserve an excessive amount of Glory. You see, I'm not the best at yielding to His will. Lord, may You use this blog for whatever purpose You may have, bless all those who read it with Your protection and peace, and unite us all in Your love until we meet again.

Until then, see you in the Eucharist!!!

Seeking the Heart of Christ, in the heart of the Church,
Eric