7 Quick Takes

1. It's hot.  I don't think you understand what I mean by by hot.  I cannot express in words how hot it is.  Temperature = 100F and Heat Index 111F.  Tomorrow is expected to be higher, around 116 heat index.  When my dear friend Angela Dauro (from Mississippi!) came down she swore she had never been so hot in her life.  It inspired a new side of Angela I had never seen.  She didn't even bother putting on make-up because "what's the point?  It's just doing to all melt off anyway!" 

For those of you who are thinking "oh please, it gets that hot in _________(insert where you live)____"  Let me ask you a few questions:
Do you have air conditioning at home?
Do you have air conditioning at work?
Do you walk everywhere you go?
If you drive do you use air conditioning in the car? 
Ok, and there's the difference. 

2. I love March Madness.  I know, I know, it's crazy.  For those of you who have known me my whole life and those who have known me half my life you may think someone has hacked my blog and is writing this post as a joke.  But I assure you, it's really me writing and this is the truth!
I'm not the most competitive person, in fact when it comes to sports I'd be listed closer to the least competitive end of the spectrum than the most competitive.  But with March Madness you can excel without knowing too much about basketball.  Plus, with so many games happening at once and the scores being so close it makes it the whole thing fast paced, intense, and highly enjoyable.

Here I am in 1st place by only 3 points!  But don't congratulate me, by tomorrow I could be dead last... that's how things go in March Madness... that's why it's so much fun!  And no, I don't just enjoy it because I'm winning.  It's a lot of fun even when you're not winning :)



3. Here is a picture of an "anda" which is like a float that is carried in a procession.

 

They are used for Stations of the Cross, Feasts Days, and in processions every day of Holy Week.

Yes, they're heavy.  And this is one of the small ones.  The largest one takes 40 grown men to carry it.  If you're American you may be thinking "Can't they attach that thing to a truck or trailer so they don't have to carry it?"  I thought that too at first, but it's tradition to carry it.  The reason is because it's so heavy, because it's difficult; it's penance; it's suffering.  Yes, carrying it on a truck or trailer would be easier, but it probably wouldn't unite you with Christ through suffering as much!  

4.  Have you heard of "Made In His Image"?  They are an organization that does chastity talks focusing on dignity.  You can read more on their website.  You may have seen some of their beautiful memes on facebook. 

Aren't these pictures beautiful? 

Here's where you can find them on facebook

 We are lucky enough to have their main speaker, Maura Byrne, come speak to the high school students in Belize this April!  And not just our high school, she is scheduled to speak at many high schools here!  The wonderful people at Made In His Image asked if we could afford a plane ticket for a male speaker as well and when they heard we couldn't they decided it was important enough that they would raise the money themselves for his plane ticket!!!  Check this out for more information or if you'd like to donate.      

5. I've been taking 2 showers everyday.  Yup, THIS IS BELIZE people; that's life here. 

6. Confession is so wonderful, isn't it?  I mean, sometimes I think "Can it really be this easy?" It just seems so easy it seems unfair somehow.  If I'm truly sorry for my sins I'm going to tell them to this priest and he in persona Christi and after I do a little prayer he gives me for penance... I'M FORGIVEN!  oh, and also I'm not only forgiven but God is going to give me GRACE to help me avoid sinning, stay close to Him, and be strong in temptations!  Yes, I know I know, you get a little nervous talking to a priest and telling him your sins, but really?  Come on, Christ died on the cross for us, I think we can handle a little bit of uneasiness to get ourselves in the confessional!  So, if you haven't yet, please please PLEASE consider going to confession this Holy Week before Easter, if you can't make it, then go during Easter Week.  Trust me, you won't regret it :) 

7. Have a holy week, everyone.  And a blessed, beautiful, and grace-filled Easter!!!