Life Lessons

"You make me brave, you call me out beyond the shore into the waves. You make me brave, no fear can hinder now the love that made a way." 

I know I haven't written in a long time, and I want to get better at it. The school year has now started, I am a senior, and am currently taking three classes at SCSU. All of the above has made me, and I can't lie, stressed out just a little bit. :) I have this anxiety with new things, and this whole pseo thing was a lot to handle. It's hard to be brave when you feel so afraid. I think what I have realized this semester is that even if I try my best, I will never achieve perfection. I am not perfect, and will never be. I just need to do my best, and let God take care of the rest. When God makes me brave, I don't need to be afraid. Another lesson of life officially learned :)

Some Thoughts From A Little Sib

As I watched my brother Daniel go through the security line at the airport this morning, I was really sad. He had come home for ten days and we had had a grand old time, and I didn't want him to leave. I am the youngest in my family, the baby. One of the downers of being the baby is that you have to say goodbye to your siblings when they move on. You have to stay home while they leave. You are the one left behind, and that hurts. It is a transition for you as much as it is for them. Now you are the one constantly hanging with the parents and having jam sessions in your room alone. But you are also the one who gets the silly selfie and text saying "I am going CRAZY here!!", and the one who has long phone conversations with them where you quote song lyrics to each other. You are the one they miss, and the one they want to come visit. You are the one who prays for them. Your siblings may not realize it, but without you, they wouldn't be the person they are. I honestly hate these transitions of life, but I am grateful for the time I got to spend with Daniel these past ten days! I am glad he is going back to PA because he is going back to where Jesus has called him to be.  All I can do is send silly photos and call him once every week :D I am thankful to be the little sister of my family.

So remember, little sibs are important...yep, that is the point I am trying to get across with this post :) Don't think you don't need us older people, because we are invaluable to you, especially if you want something when you come home ;)

I love you Daniel, and I miss you already! 

Hugs,

Becky

Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day Dad! Thank you for always sharing your exuding wisdom and loving heart. You are the best :) I love you!

I hope you all have a wonderful Fathers Day!

Blessings,

Becky

Celebrating Cinco De Mayo

Today Mom and I went to visit my grandma and took her, along with my aunt, to the Cinco de Mayo parade downtown. It was a lot of fun, especially when my uncle came by on his float. He is the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe church, and every year they have a float in the parade.

 Here are a few pictures from the first adventure of the summer!

 My beautiful grandmother posing in front of the Our Lady of Guadalupe float! My uncle is the one on top in the back next to the Mother of God..;)

The Our Lady of Guadalupe float!

My mom, uncle K, and grandma.

Mom, auntie M, and grandma! You would think these lovely ladies were related...oh wait, they are! ;)

After we had said goodbye to grandma, mom and I went to a park that had a lake and we walked around it and talked.

 Since I am the only child at home, I get a lot of mommy/daughter time, but this was really nice! God has given me a fun and loving mother, and I couldn't live without her!

Today was a great day! I hope you had a great day as well :)

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Blessings.

Becky

The Blessings Of Easter

Jesus said to His disciples, "Do you know what I have done for you?" This Easter I have contemplated the question from Jesus.  Do I really know what He has done for me? Do I appreciate all that He has given me?  To be honest, the answer is not always.  And that is what I wanted to do when celebrating His Resurrection.

Mike and his family came over on Sunday, and so did Will, and it was fun! We had an Easter egg hunt, ate a TON of food, and went down by the river and threw rocks.

As I watched my littlest nephew toddle around the back yard looking for Easter eggs, and the awe on his little face when he found an egg made me wonder if that was the look on Mary's face when she saw the Lord :) 

The adorable bunny cake my Mom made made us all smile :)

God has given me a wonderful family!!! I was really sad that Daniel was unable to come home, but he was able to go to his girlfriends house, and that is awesome for them! I love them all so much and I found God every where, even in the hubbub of the Easter celebration.  The blessings of Easter extend themselves to every heart, and I hope you all felt these blessings!

Happy Easter!!!

Hugs, Becky

All Is Found In Christ

   Growing up, I was taught the faith by my parents not only by words, but by actions.  I would watch my Dad and Mom as they would receive the Eucharist at Mass, and I would see on their faces the pure joy of being so close to the Lord.  For a long time, I wanted that joy.  I wanted to be able to feel Jesus near me and in me. I wanted to know this Jesus everyone was talking about. This longing was filled when I received my First Communion and I felt His presence for the first time dwelling within me!  The Eucharist is a permanent covenant between Jesus and me.  Every time I say, "Amen," I pledge my life to this God who gave His life to save me.  

   How can I refuse this miraculous gift? Many times I am so worn and tired from the world, that on Sunday I cannot wait to go to Mass and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Honestly, I don't think I could live without the Eucharist, because I know that the full fulfilment of the redemption of Jesus on the cross is in this most Holy sacrament. Through it, I am able to respond to the Lord's love and mercy.  The hurts that I have received from either words or actions have effected the way I look at myself and my self esteem, but when I am in front of Jesus in Adoration or at Mass, I feel God looking at me. When I look into His eyes, and rest in His gaze, I find that I am none of the things people have said I am.  I am loved. I am perfect. I am His. I don't see my failures, I see all that I could be.  I see the woman who was created by Him to be great, a woman who could even be a Saint!  

   Jesus has no problem claiming me as His own, He loves me for me, but He loves me too much to let me stay the same.  My response to this great love is receiving the Eucharist with a humble and open heart.  All I can say is."Lord, let your will be done," and, "I am your servant."  I can't do anything, but He can do everything!  

I have found healing in the redemption of the Cross, and I am free.  

~Becky

Birthday Time

I would like to wish a great big "Happy Birthday" to my wonderful Dad!! Thank you for being awesome and always letting me win at backgammon ;) I love you!

And just because... :)

Cinderella

Cinderella has always been my favorite princess, and one of my earliest memories is watching the musical version with my Mom.  There was something about the story that enchanted me. So when I heard that Disney was to release a new Cinderella, and it was to be a human cast, I was really excited!  When I went to see it exactly a week ago, I could hardly contain myself.  I will say, the directer, Kenneth Branagh, and the main actors Lilly James (Cinderella), Richard Madden (Prince Charming/Kit), Cate Blanchett (Lady Tremaine), and all the other amazing actors and actresses did a phenomenal job portraying this story! They added depth and humanity to the characters that was not there in the original animated film.  It is PG, but also totally family friendly! I didn't hear one curse word or sexual reference!! It was awesome, so if you can go, go :)

I realized that seeing this story through my now sixteen year old eyes is different from when I saw it as a little girl.  Since then I have experienced a lot of what Cinderella went through and felt.  I could relate to her when she was crying about her deceased parents, because I too have cried over a lost loved one.  I admired how she chose to be kind to her Step-Mother and Step-Sisters even when they were mocking and bullying her.  I too have been mocked and bullied.  I knew how Cinderella felt when she entered the ball and saw the prince.  I too have felt the butterfly's :)  And I was filled with longing as she received her happily ever after with her prince!  You see, it wasn't the fairytale that I love, or even the happily ever after.  It is the truth found in the people's lives that make the impact. This Cinderella movie is definitely not just the same old fairytale of the girl who lost her shoe and found a prince. It is a story of a young woman who loves her family, and openly chooses to be kind to those who might not have deserved it at all.  It is a story of the Feminine Genius in action. That beautiful gift from God that gives us the ability to have mercy, show courage, and be kind.  These virtues are exactly why the Prince falls in love with Cinderella.  The two characters meet in the woods, and have a rather short conversation.  But in this little chat, the Prince falls in love with Cinderella, or maybe, in awe of her.  He doesn't see her as a servant with cinder on her face, but a girl who is beautiful from the inside out. Throughout the rest of the movie he continues to love and respect her. Contrary to the Hollywood standard of love, this movie portrays a pure, and beautiful love story, that should make any girl swoon!

One scene that really grabbed me is were Cinderella breaks down into tears, because she has been very hurt by something the Step-Mother said, and the only way to escape is to ride her horse through the woods.  This is where she meets the prince.  This brought on emotions from the past few months, where I have been hurt by words said to me and I find myself crying and needing to escape. Usually, I remove myself away from people and go somewhere I can be alone, just like Cinderella.  When I am in that place I talk to my Prince and ask for His guidance and comfort.  We are all, young or old, like Cinderella.  We have been clothed by our Father, the king, and made into a beautiful princess.  Sometimes, like any daughter, we don't want His love, and we run from Him, leaving our shoes behind, and the King searches the entire kingdom for us.  Remember, He loves you and wants to heal whatever wound might be on your heart right now.  You are precious. You are worth being loved. You are His.  Disney's new Cinderella reminded me of the power of love. When you have courage and are kind, anything is possible!

In Christ,
Becky

Walking On Sunshine

Got to play with my nephews today in the sun! 

This kid is so grown up!!! That backwards hat is something else ;)

Breaking out the scooter and soccer ball! I don't know if Jonny Ignatius was very impressed :) Tommey wouldn't pose, thus the only one of him is in the background ;)

I am one!!! (How can he alrady be one?!?! That is just CRAZY!!!!)

These guys are way too much fun! I love them so much!

Happy Hump Day :D
~Becky

50 Degrees And Sunny...Snowman Building Anyone?!?!

Yesterday was so nice, 50 degrees and sunny, with a slight breeze! My parents and I went out and built a snowman, whom I now dubb...Fred :) It was so nice to breath in the fresh, crisp, air...*sigh* It was so amazing!!!!  

The photo directly below was taken by a very nice young man, who happened to be stopping in on his friend, who is our neighbor.  Before he had shown up, we had tried to take a selfie, but that failed miserably! But the Lord always provides, and in this instance it was with a nice man in a truck to take the photo ;)

After this fun activity, we went for a walk, which I am now sore from.  How can I be sore from walking?!?! I am puzzled..anyway, please enjoy this beautiful weather! It is a great gift from God :)

Happy Monday!

Hugs,
Becky

Thankful

God has given me so many people and things in my life, and I would like to take a moment to just be thankful for the people He put into my life today!

I am thankful for my wonderful parents, who make me laugh, and hold me when I cry! They are the two most loving and awesome people on earth and I am so blessed to call them Mom and Dad!

 I am thankful for getting to meet one of my favorite animated characters, Pumbaa while at lunch...sadly Timon couldn't make it, but I still love this guy ;)

I am thankful for my brother, who took me out to lunch to one of my most favorite restaurants!!! He is so sweet and considerate :)

 And last but not least, I am thankful for this wonderful romantic/historical fiction novel written by Tracie Peterson that I get to go snuggle up and read in bed!!!

Thank you Jesus, for always taking such good care of me, and for being the best friend in the world! I love you, and I trust in you!

Hugs and love to you who is reading this! I am thankful for you too :)

In Christ,
Becky

Busy Weekend

My uncles wake and funeral was this weekend, and it was such a blessing to see so many family members! It has been hard, but beautiful at the same time.  Daniel actually came home, and man, it was so awesome to get to spend a day and a half with him. I have missed him a lot! We stayed in a hotel Friday night, which was really fun, because you know, it is a hotel ;)  My Godfather/uncle and his wife, my aunt, came all the way from Arizona! I have not seen them in a very long time, and it was nice to catch up! I even remembered to take a picture (or pictures), with them ;)

I will let you guess what this picture was all about ;)

*sigh* I am tired, but happy :) Thank you for praying for my uncle and all my family! God is good all the time. 

In Christ, Becky

My 2015 Lent Theme Song

I always like to have a theme song for my lent, especially a song that has great meaning for me! Here it is.  I sincerely hope no one ever forgets who they are in the eyes of their Creator and Father!

God bless you, Becky

Trusting In God's Plan

I have noticed that in the Old Testament and the start of the New Testament, the Israelites had an image of the messiah who was going to come deliver them. They wanted a powerful warrior and king who would come and crush their oppressors, and return them to the great nation they were in the glorious days of David and Solomon.  The people of Israel had this in mind all the way up to when Jesus came and began His ministry, suffered, and died.  This resulted in them not recognizing him, not accepting Him, and then crucifying Him, all while they were longing for and fantasizing about the messiah they thought was yet to come.  

Young people of our world can get so caught up in their own plans and visions of the future, that they sometimes miss what is going on in front of them that God wants them to see and envision for their lives.  We can sometimes be like the Israelites of old, yearning for what we don't have, and missing what we have at the moment. 

My uncle passed away early Wednesday. Tuesday, he was given the Anointing of the Sick from a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese.  Both my parents were there.  My Mom told me that this time was so beautiful.  The priest told uncle John after he had finished that he was as ready to die as he will ever be. In the prayers he prayed, he told uncle John that God knew him through baptism and that He loved him and had a plan for his life.  The Catholic Church has so much certainty about death, and God's love and mercy.  God has a plan, and we need to trust Him and let Him take care of us.  We have to realize that He might just be doing something important in the midst of suffering.  

The veil was lifted for me with this.  I am a worry wart, and trusting in Jesus is something I have to daily choose to do.  The knowledge that Jesus is real, alive, and still working miracles is astounding. The fact that my uncle wanted a priest to come and give him the sacraments was a miracle in itself.  I am so glad uncle John decided to let this miracle happen!  God might have a plan for us, but we need to be open to receiving it.  We need to let Him in, and we need to let Him love us. May God grant us the grace to do all of this, before it is too late. 

Love, Becky

A Story Of A Cow Who Lost His Eyeball...

In my Advanced Biology class we had to do a dissection of a cow eye.  It was rather disgusting, I would say, but others might call it fascinating.  My stomach will never be the same! Here are some pictures of our adventures....

Stay tuned for the story about a pig who lost his heart ;)
Hugs, Becky

Family Time

Skypeing with Daniel

Late night Skip-Bo with my parents!

R.I.P Kayla Mueller

Yesterday I heard on the radio that the young 26 year old ISIS hostage, Kayla Mueller, had been killed. I was disturbed and angry.  I thought it was such a waste of a beautiful young life.  I later looked her up on the Internet, and as I read some of the letter she wrote to her family while in captivity on a news sight, I was amazed at the courage and strength found in her words. She proclaimed that she would never stop fighting for freedom, and for as long as it takes, she would not break down. I started to cry. The truth is, I now don't think it was a waste at all. Kayla worked in Turkey and Syria before she was captured. She didn't have to put herself at risk, yet she did, because she cared about the people there.  In the Gospels, Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. I don't know for sure if Kayla was a Christian, but I know that she lived out what she believed to be true and right. She saw the dignity of the human person in the midst of a country filled with persecution and death.  By her I was reminded that I must be strong in my beliefs. I need to know who I am, the God I serve, and where I am going.  I pray that I would be able to stand strong in the face of tyranny and persecution just as Kayla did. She lived out the teachings of Jesus by her actions, and I have no doubt Jesus revealed Himself to Kayla, especially in her final moments, just as He did to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.  Kayla, may you rest in peace!

YCCM And Laidback Sunday Afternoons

My days are filled with YCCM singing because we are getting ready for a big concert at the end of February.  Here are some photos of us doing what we do :)

And then there are these little familiar faces :) We all had a nice walk on this laidback Sunday afternoon, and we got some pictures, of course :)

 What a wonderful life :) Hugs, Becky

March For Life

Had an amazing time praying and marching for life today at the March For Life in St. Paul! Life is a precious gift, no matter how small :)

This beautiful woman does so much for the pro-life movement! Gosh, I just love her smile :)

Marching along, singing a song, side by side :)

Love, Becky

The Wonders Of Ordinary Days!

Need I say anything about how my day is going??? I think not :)

Thankful For Nephew Time!

 I am thankful for little people who like to take naps with you :)

 Little superheroes,                                            

 And sleepy, happy babies!

Thank you Jesus! Man I love these kids :) God bless, Becky

The Solemnity Of Mary As Mother Of God

Mary, Mother of our Lord Jesus, pray for us! Happy New Year!