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!!!  

 

  

8 Quick Takes - an extra one to make up for last week!

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1.     WE HAVE A POPE!  WE HAVE A POPE!!!  It’s so exciting!  I thoroughly enjoyed the live coverage of the first address from Pope Francis.  Thank God for modern technology.  I first heard the bells of our church ringing and it sparked my attention since it was at 12:09 after the Angelus bells and not Mass bells, death bells, or funeral bells… then it hit me “THE PAPAL BELLS!”  After that I watched the live video coverage online.  Isn’t it wonderful we can be halfway around the world and feel so united with everyone in Rome the day the day a pope is elected?!  Isn’t it amazing how the Church can be so widespread, throughout the whole world, at the same time here locally in my little town, all united together!  It’s beautiful.  Christ sure knew what He was doing when He established His Church. 

 

2.     Look at this picture of the last 2 popes and our current Pope Francis.  Isn’t he cute?  I think I’m really going to like this guy.  I can’t wait to get to know him! 

                                                                 3.     Lucky Charms.  My mom sent a care package of necessary things: hairclips, hairgel, my ATM card, etc and she also included a box of Lucky Charms.  Luckily I did not know the Lucky Charms were for Easter and I consumed them in 3 days… by myself.  Hey, I offered them to the a couple of the other volunteers when I was shoving them in by the handful and they declined.  When I realized I consumed the whole box of marshmallowy goodness in 3 days I felt a little guilty… but not really.  Thanks Mama, you know me so well!  (and Fr. Mark for delivering them for me)

4.     The group of Benedictine students came for their spring break mission trip a couple of weeks ago and the group from Franciscan came this past week.  One things for sure… I’m not in college anymore.  It’s great having them here.  They do so much with the students!  But, man are they young!

5.     I haven’t found any more ticks since the 5 I picked off myself after being on the Ruta Maya Canoe Race support team and camping for the weekend.  I’m sure you all have been really worried about me and the ticks because of my large amount of thick unruly hair.  Also… there’s no lime disease in Belize. 

6.     St. Patrick’s Day isn’t really celebrated down here, which is kinda a bummer, but you know what is celebrated?  ST JOSEPH’S FEAST DAY on March 19^th!  It’s a solemnity, which means it counts as a Sunday so don’t give up anything on Tuesday and celebrate instead J  St. Joseph, pray for us!

7.     You know what one of the greatest things in the world is?  When you find out one of your BEST FRIENDS is coming to visit you!!!  My friend Angela made my day, well my week really, when she told me she’s coming to visit the first week of May for my birthday!  YAY! 

8.     As most of you know I’m not teaching this semester; I’m working on preparations to start a Jr. College here in Benque Viejo.  John Paul II Jr. College is set to open in August 2013!  We’re all quite excited, but the point of this quick take is not about the Jr. College, it’s about NOT teaching.  Friday I went to the school for our weekly school Mass and being on campus just about broke my heart.  My students were happy to see me.  The boys kept asking when I was coming back to teach them again.  They asked if I would teach them next year.  They told me they miss me. 

My replacement who is teaching them now is a great teacher, they’re in good hands, but it doesn’t change the fact that I miss them and I miss teaching.  Teaching is such a rewarding profession I feel so blessed God has c alled me to it.  I’m doing what needs to be done.  That’s why I’m here, to serve however and wherever they need me, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t break my heart when the kids tell me they miss me!  I can’t wait to get back to teaching next year.

7 Quick Takes - 3rd Week of Lent

1. La Ruta Maya starts Friday, March 8th!  I'm not paddling the 170 miles this year but I will be the support team for 2 boats.  Is it weird that I'm SUPER excited about being on the support team?  Maybe 4 days of setting up camp and cooking and taking care of the 6 people who are dead tired from paddling all day doesn't sound that exciting to you, but to me IT DOES!  I can't wait to be support and serve my little heart out!  I'm baking and preparing food tonight, making little notes with motivational quotes, and getting my hands ready for back massages and head-stratching... they're not going to know what hit 'em!  So it may be a little weird that I'm excited, but then again, it is part of who I am, God calls all of us to serve each other, I enjoy taking care of people because that's how God made me and what He wants me to do :)  The idea that I can make this adventure a little more comfortable and a little more fun gives me great joy!



2. My sister, brother-in-law, and nieces are in Mississippi visiting my parents this week.  I'm so happy my mom posts videos and photos on facebook for me but I didn't realize how home-sick, or what I call family-sick, it would make me!  I think could sit all day just watching the video of my Goddaughter walking around and acting crazy, but alas, there is work to be done here.  How could you not be homesick looking at these kids!

3. I've come upon so many great quotes lately.  It's like everyday I'm writing things down in my fabulous quote book.  Thank you Jenny Percy who gave it to me years ago as a journal but it was just too special to be used as a journal.  Here's just 2 for you to enjoy: 

“When a man loves a woman, he has to become worthy of her. The higher her virtue, the more noble her character, the more devoted she is to truth, justice, goodness, the more a man has to aspire to be worthy of her. The history of civilization could actually be written in terms of the level of its women.”

- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

"The only way you are going to come to know your true identity is to be silent long enough so that God can tell you."   Fr. Larry Richards

4. Catholic Memes.  Okay, if you don't know what a "meme" is you probably do and just don't realize that's the name for it.  It is one of those funny pictures or cartoons with a saying or quote or joke written on it.  They're floating all over the internet these days, especially Facebook.  These will make you smile :)

 

5.  John Paul II Jr. College.  I'll have to write a post just about this, but for now I'll just say that I'm working on preparations for John Paul II Junior College here in Benque Viejo Del Carmen, Belize.  It's a lot of work and it overwhelms me at times.  Obviously, there are things my degree in Elementary Education has not prepared me for... this is definitely one of them!  It's set to open in August 2013!  There's much to be done before them so please keep our future students, faculty, and staff in your prayers as we chug along with preparations!  

6.   uh - oh ... ran out of time due to La Ruta Maya preparations!  I'll have to add 6 and 7 to next weeks and leave this week as 5 Quick Takes !  

 

7 Quick Takes 2nd Week of Lent

1. Goodbye Pope Benedict XVI.  It's not easy to know or understand why he resigned, but I have completely faith that he discerned God's will and is acting accordingly.  I thank God for two wonderful popes so far in my lifetime and pray for our future pope!

2. I went to Caye Caulker last weekend.  Yes, yes, yes, I know I'm spoiled!  If I'm going to live in Belize and it only takes me 4 hours to get to an amazing tropical beach I'm going to take advantage of it!  Hey, God in His infinite wisdom put me here :)  Also, I've decided I always want to live somewhere near a large body of water, preferable salt water, but I would settle for a big beautiful lake if need be.  Here's some pics my "beach happy" self last weekend.

          

     


3. I really like the Total Consecration apps for iPhones!
Total Consecration App and My Consecration (for older iphones but still cool :)
I decided to pray the 33 day preparation during Lent and end on Easter... then I promptly forgot to pray it the very first day!  haha, then when checking out the app I found that you can put in your start date and it keeps track of which day and automatically prompts that day for you.  Also you can set a reminder (similar to an alarm) on your phone.  So, the second day, before I went to bed, I looked at my phone and saw the reminder popped up!  How convenient!  Especially since I probably would've otherwise forgotten that day also :)

4. La Ruta Maya!  The annual 170 mile canoe across the country of Belize is next week.  Last year I was in the race and this year I'm going to participate by being "support crew" for a team of newbie volunteers.  I'm pumped to be involved again this year; it's so much fun to be a part of it!  And... if for some reason they need a replacement . . . I'll be around... just sayin'  :)

that's me in the middle, paddling my little heart out at about mile 160 of 171miles

5. Shout out to all my friends and family who are getting engaged, married, and having babies lately!  I'm telling ya, I just love seeing the beautiful happy pictures.  Being far from home it really helps me stay connected and feel close to people.  Well, that and who doesn't like to see BABIES?!

6. The dog is gone.  THE DOG IS GONE!  The Lord heard my prayers!  Turns out that nice-looking dog did have an owner.  One of the students saw the dog and told us that it belongs to her aunt.  I am so happy... for now, until the girls I live with find another dog that "followed them home".

7. It's Lent, people.
Giving up Diet Coke has been surprisingly easy which makes me wonder:
1. Maybe I wasn't that addicted all along, if it's that easy to give up?
2. Maybe I should add an additional sacrifice now, 2 weeks into Lent?
It could just be providential that it's not difficult because other things have been difficult.  Suffering is a very interesting thing.  I'm going to read "Friends of the Cross" by St. Louis de Montfort this week.  I highly recommend it as Lenten reading.  It's only 14 pages long if you're interested: Friends of the Cross printable pdf

8. Confession with my homeroom girls. 
ok, I know it's supposed to be 7 quick takes, but I just had a very nice experience taking my 39 freshmen girls to confession this morning.  They were nervous and happy and cute.  Confession is just so wonderful, right?!  What a gift.  Thanking God for His abundant mercy, unconditional love, Sacramental grace, and that I get to be a part of these beautiful girls' lives!  

 

Laughter

 "A day without laughter is a day wasted."  Charlie Chaplin

Aren't pictures of people laughing the best?!  I can't help but smile when I see them. 

       

Have a good laugh today! 

"A day without laughter is a day wasted." - Charlie Chaplin

7 Quick Takes First Week of Lent

Each week of Lent I'll post my 7 quick takes!
If you're behind the times (Jenny Hess) let me fill you in that "7 Quick Takes" is just a list of 7 thoughts /happenings/what-have-yous.


1. Our priests are awesome!  Most of you know I've been spoiled by great priests since I've been hanging around S.O.L.T. for the past 10 years.  But lately I feel especially blessed.  Every homily has been amazing and on top of that they are so good to us, their flock, in many ways.  From Theology of the Body classes, to individual spiritual direction, to just hanging out... they are Christ to us and they are great at it!

and... Welcome Fr. Scott Giuliani!  Like a trooper Fr. Scott pulled into the driveway at 4:55pm and 5 minutes later was saying the 5 o'clock Mass for us.  We are so blessed to have a third priest to serve the people here and even more blessed that it's Fr. Scott!  YAY!

2. Art is a release for me.  Despite not having free time to draw or paint since... oh well... since college I suppose, I still find little things that art related to be such a release.  Art is still part of my 'down time' and I will always enjoy it as a hobby in one way or another.  No, I haven't painted anything, I'm speaking very loosely about art right now; including reused plastic coke bottles made into lanterns, my Mardi Gras costume, homemade stationery, and random photos taken on my phone as "Art". haha

3. LAST WEEKEND.  We drove to Orange Walk (northern Belize) for the Boys Soccer National Championship.  It was a crazy 40 hour trip which started with the church van breaking down 20 miles from the game we were missing and ended sitting in the emergency room with 2 of our boys after a crazy CRAZY fight broke out on the field in the last 5 minutes of the game on Saturday morning.  Mt Carmel took 3rd place and don't worry, the boys are both fine!  The best part of the trip was the amazing generosity shown to us by our Vice Principal and her in-laws.  They housed us, fed us, and drove us around the entire trip!  The most shocking part of the trip was waiting at the emergency room.  Both of our boys just needed to make sure they didn't have a concussion and x-rays to make sure they didn't have any broken bones, it took a while to see the doctor because he was busy attending to a man who had just been admitted with his hand chopped off by a machete!  Yes, this is as shocking here as it would be in the States (ok maybe slightly less shocking here) and I'm sure my mother is freaking out, but don't worry, Mom, we make a point to always stay away from crazy people with machetes :)

4. Chapel time in the morning.  Best part of Lent so far!  We are fortunately to live right next door to Jesus.  For Lent I've made a point to hit the adoration chapel to start each day.  It's been surprisingly easier than I thought!  I don't dread getting ready a little earlier, I actually look forward to it... and my days have been notable more peace-filled because of it!

<--- Jesus is my closest neighbor


5. Letters.  I haven't received mail in quite some time and Tuesday I happened to receive 5 letters!  (Thus proving my theory that despite what the mailman says, the mail IS NOT delivered to Benque from Belize City everyday!)  So thanks Mama, Jenny (and Anna), Sr. Claire, Emily, and Jonathan!

6. Tabs on my blog.  This may sound simple, but to a once-computer-illiterate girl it's a pretty big achievement to figure all these things out.

7. The stupid dog.  Yes, my roommates are DETERMINED to get a dog.  Despite my very reasonable argument that in due time it's going to start rotting from the inside out like all the other dogs in Benque they just HAVE to have a dog because "He's just sooooo cute, Betsy!"  If I had a picture of the dogs on the streets here I would post it and all of you would look away in disgust and vow to never again read my blog.  But it's hard to take a picture of something you walk a block out of the way just to avoid seeing, yes, I'm talking about "pink dog" and "tumor dog".... anyway, last night this dog (they named him Frank but I refuse to name him) supposedly followed them home.  He stayed on the balcony upstairs all night which made me realize they definitely fed him; no wonder he followed you!  The good news is when I caught a glimpse of him this morning I realized he's WAY to clean (and neutered) to be a stray, so hopefully his owners will come looking for him or he'll go home on his own!

Hope everyone is having a great start to Lent!  <3

"Love. This is the center and the meaning of life. It's not extra. It's not icing. It's IT."

 Happy St. Valentine's Day to all!

Without love I am a noisy gong,  without love I am nothing! 

A couple of Sundays ago 1Corinthians13 in Mass. This has always been one my favorite passages in Scripture. I've heard a few homilies on it, usually at weddings, but that Sunday Fr. Mark did such an excellent job some of our Seniors from the school were actually jotting down notes on their hands! Luckily, I had my iPhone (thanks to the generous and lovely Beth Gehring) and was able to record it. It's in 3 short parts totally 15 minutes, make the time to listen to it, you won't regret it.




 13 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body [a]to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 [b]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 
11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I [d]became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 
13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.