The person I was two years ago and the person I am today are almost totally different. Before I opened up to Jesus Christ, I was filled with loneliness and anxiety, wondering “is there something more to life?” After coming to know and love Jesus, I am the best version of myself! I am joyful, filled with life, and I have confidence in Him. Thanks be to God that, two years ago, He met me in my brokenness and restored me by revealing Himself to me. Throughout these two years, God has revealed Himself to me in many ways. Ways in which I never thought possible. Two summers ago, I had the privilege of going to Laguna, New Mexico where I served as a missionary for a week through EYM. I didn’t know anybody, but, little did I know, I was going to meet my second family. Jesus revealed Himself to me through the other missionaries in the way they were so accepting of me and in the way they included me and wanted to be my friend. I also saw Christ in all the people of Laguna with how passionate they are about their faith and with how loving and welcoming they are. They taught me a lot about compassion, appreciation and about loving others, no matter their background. (100/10 recommend the mission trip!!). In Adoration, Jesus is revealed to me in the Eucharist, but also in the way He speaks to my heart and continually reminds me that I am good, beautiful, and beloved every time I go. Adoration is more than just quiet time. It’s a time to sit before the exposed Sacrament and to truly BE in the presence of our Father. There have been times when I have seen Jesus, times when I have cried and times where I had no emotion but felt just complete peace; no two experiences are the same, but they are all incredibly healing and peaceful. Also two years ago, I remember my first Confession, since I was little, was during the Steubenville Catholic Youth Conference 2016 (basically a Catholic party!). I remember walking into a room filled with priests, my heart was pounding and I was so nervous. However, I did it anyway. I told the priest all my past mistakes no matter how hard it was for me to be vulnerable. I experienced Christ’s mercy as the priest assured me that God has a beautiful plan for me, that I can change for the better, and that I am not alone in my struggles. I saw Christ in him in the way he comforted me and absolved me of my sins as I cried my eyes out. Confession may seem “scary” or like it’s “not your thing,” but Confession is for everyone, it’s an amazing gift and I encourage you to take advantage of it!! One of my most favorite ways He reveals Himself to me is through MUSIC! :) Especially through songs by Hillsong United, Housefires (my personal favorite), Matt Maher, Emily Wilson, Josh Blakesley Band (if you’re looking for some bops!), and Tenth Avenue North. My personal favorites would have to be “You Are the Light” by Josh Blakesley, “The Wick” and “This Love” by Housefires (but literally all of their songs are great!), “Hold Us Together” by Matt Maher, and “Captain” and “Closer Than You Know” by Hillsong United. These are just some of the ways God reveals Himself to me. I hope and pray you begin to seek Jesus and find the ways that He speaks to you! Just an insider, the Sacraments and EYM are a good way to start! :)
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Hey 410! First of all, let me start off by saying how blessed and excited I am to be one of your senior helpers this year! A year ago I was in y’alls shoes and let me tell ya, I had no idea what I had ahead of me. I could honestly write pages and pages about how much being in 410 changed my life (But a 100-page book written by a 17-year-old with bad grammar may get boring lol). While this year is gonna be fun, there’s one thing I ask of y’all and that is to be open. Open to listening to others, open to sharing your thoughts and feelings, open to making new friends and strengthening the friendships you already have, open to having fun, and most importantly being open to God’s love. I know being this open can be scary but it’ll so be worth it. The feeling you get when you feel God’s presence will make the fear worth it. I can already tell you this year is gonna be filled with laughter, joy, and so much of God’s love. Being in 410 you already have the best teachers you could ask for and your senior helpers aren’t too bad either ;). I pray that we can help y’all on this journey in any way that we can. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us! Thanks and God bless. |
AuthorYour confirmation teachers - Kathleen, Eric, Sophia, and Valerie, and with contributions from 410 alumni Archives
September 2021
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