Knocking down walls to Open Doors

 

"If you surround your heart with walls, the Lord 

will send people to knock them down (Josh. 6:20, Heb. 11:30)."

<3 Mark Hart (the Bible Geek)

 

     Mark Hart is one of the greatest people I know of. Things he posts on twitter/Lifeteen/facebook are AMAZING! This quote at the top was posted on his facebook page awhile ago and I just love it. It is really true. Sometimes in life, we build those walls around us and our hearts in order to not let our emotions out or whatever else, but God always sends those people into your life to knock them down. I truly believe that it is through the love we receive, the walls are knocked down so we can live for Him. Mark Hart posted another quote last week that I could not stop thinking about.

"Love rarely comes in the form, the manner or the person we're expecting. (Lk 1:26, Mt 1:20, Lk 2:12)"

 I receive love in so many different ways each day and most of them are completely unexpected. I know I will be loved by certain people in my life, but then there are those surprises each day that remind me that God is looking at me and wants to make me more comfortable with living for Him and spreading His love to others.

The last few weeks have been really stressful for me and I was looking for a way to get away from school and just have time to pray and be quiet and just be with Him, and so many people gave me that opportunity because they love me. 

I got sent information about a young adult retreat happening this weekend by a couple of people and I stumbled upon it myself and I knew that this was what I needed. This is God sending some extra love my way and knocking down walls. I can't wait to just be present on a retreat instead of leading them, even though I love doing that, I need to be fed spiritually before I can minister to others.

I realize that this weekend is exciting because it is Halloween, but I just don't feel like I am missing that much because honestly, Halloween happens every weekend in college almost with different theme parties, while this amazingly decorated door to this retreat doesn't happen every weekend. 

Remember to take time for YOU and take time with GOD, because that relationship is the most important. <3

Peace and Love,

Erica Jean

I won't lose ME.

"I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul..."

<3 TobyMac

 For my leadership class (aka Theories of the Muggle World) this week, I had to write FIVE values that I live by, define it according to my life, why I live by it, and how I apply it in my everyday life. Easy? I thought so. It took me a whole week pretty much to just figure out values that I live by because I just go on and live my life and I guess I don't think about values except for the Core Values of Saint Leo. I narrowed it down to 5 that I think are dominant in my life and this is what I came up with:

1.     Appreciation is understanding how valuable a person’s actions, words, etc. are. I selected this one because I think it is important to tell people they are doing a good job when they are and recognize the important role they play in your life. I apply it to everyday life by telling people on a regular basis how good of a job they are doing and telling people I really appreciate something they are doing.

2.     Devotion is when, no matter what, I stay focused on my faith and what keeps me balanced. I have selected this because I know when I lose my focus on my faith, the rest of my life doesn’t function correctly. I apply it to life by trying to remember that even when things go wrong, something good will come after. “With every NO, God has a bigger YES.”

3.     Forgiveness is not holding a grudge against someone because of something they have said or done to you. I selected this value because I have a hard time moving on from things sometimes so this reminds me to let things go, especially when they are stupid things. I apply this to everyday life by trying not to hold grudges against people for things they say or do because I don’t know what they are going through. “Let go and Let God.”

4.     Loving All is not putting people down and giving them the love they deserve as a human being. I have selected this value to live by because I think the most important thing in life almost is letting people know that they are loved.

Sisterhood

"And I'll, be, my brothers keeper
So the whole world will know
That we're not alone.."

<3 "Hold us Together" by Matt Maher

     The last two weeks have been CRAZY! My life has gone up and down numerous times, but that's okay. I have learned a lot and grown closer to people who are good in my life, and added new people to my life. If I have learned anything in the last two weeks though, it is the importance of sisterhood, and brotherhood in some cases. I am in a sorority, and a couple of my sisters and I are close and that is pretty much who I hang out with...all the time. I can go to them with any problems I have pretty much and they have my back. I added a little sister to my life this week (YAY!) and she is phenomenal. I couldn't ask for a better little sister to add to my family tree. She blows my mind pretty much every time I talk to her even if she doesn't know it. I have relearned from these few people how important being a sister is. I try my best to be here for them whenever they are hurting or laughing, or just don't want to be alone.

      In Matt Maher's song, "Hold Us Together", it says "I'll be my brothers keeper so the whole world will know that we're not alone."

New week. God's right here with me...

 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

<3 Philippians 4:13

Today was not the best way to start the week. I am chilling in my dorm room right now and I am just sitting on my bed and I have my iTunes on shuffle in hopes that I can find what I need. I got to this song and the beginning lyrics were: "I can do all things Through Christ who gives me strength, But sometimes I wonder what He can do through me; No great success to show, No glory on my own..."

This bible verse, Philippians 4:13, is my favorite. It has been my favorite since probably middle school or freshman year of high school. It has always reminded me that when God has my back, I can do anything that I put my mind to. Lately, I guess I have forgotten about that. I have been doing a lot of what I want to do probably instead of what God wants to do.

Tonight at mass, Father talked about bringing God into everything that you do. I am usually really good about doing that. I used to pray before I started things, now I guess I have forgotten about it. I schedule myself for too many things and I get worn out.

Goals for week: Figure out new schedule so I don't get so worn out. Bring God into EVERYTHING that I do. <3

Something I learned this weekend after almost passing out is there are 2 very important things to keep your body working correctly. 1. Water. 2. Sleep. I didn't have much of either of those..especially the 2nd one... That is what I am going to work on this week.