Can I join you?

It's been a while since I've had something happen and instantly felt "I need to put this on my blog". So... finally... here is something that happened, just yesterday, on campus that I need to share.

Teia and I have been meeting for discipleship for a little over a month now and usually meet in the education annex of UMD. I like this spot because it's usually quiet enough to pray, but not where you feel disruptive while talking. Also, I like being around education stuff... my major hasn't been forgotten since graduation that's for sure.

Anyway, yesterday we began discipleship and were opening with meditative prayer as usual. I decided to lead with the story of Christ's birth found in Luke's Gospel (Luke 2:1-20). Usually, I begin by reading through the story, and then going back and prompting some ideas that stick out to me to guide whoever I'm praying with. So here's what happened...

Me: "...While they were there, the time came for her to have her child.."
Professor: "Excuse me, do you mind if I join you?"
Me: "No, that's fine."

So this professor takes a seat and I continue... I read the rest of the story, share some thoughts on the shepherds' perspective... think about it, they got front row seats at the birth of the Messiah!...  and then close in a short prayer.

As we finish, Teia and I make the sign of the cross and our new friend also does so. He then asks if it was a Catholic Bible (it was) and shares that he is also Catholic. It turns out, his family is beginning their own Christmas tradition this year apart from his and his wife's families. "Maybe we will include a reading of this story in our new tradition," he said. All I could think was... YES that is so great. Expose those kids to Scripture!

We continued to chat and Dan, our new friend, shared that he teaches various education classes at UMD and before that had taught at a Catholic school in Central America. He was currently just stepping out of his class so his students could do their semester evals and appreciated a chance to hear a "beautiful story." It was so encouraging to both Teia and I, not only to know there are awesome Catholic professors on this campus, but also to hear how awesome he thought it was that we took the time to read Scripture.

Dan went back to class and Teia and I proceeded with discipleship, talking about Christmas and her bible study she will be starting next semester.Yet, I couldn't get over how awesome it was that he joined us for prayer!

One last thing to share... which I haven't yet done for all you blog readers... I'm going to Guyana next summer for a mission trip with FOCUS! I found out about 2 weeks ago and have been so excited! To hear Dan talk about his experience in Central America was awesome in light of this new opportunity I have been given to travel and do mission work abroad. It's so beautiful how things work out sometimes....

God at Work

Hm, been a while since I've written a post. It's hard to even know what to write about these past two weeks. Being a missionary allows me to witness so much beauty, so many amazing stories and conversions.

First of all, I get to hear and see how God is transforming lives here at UMD. Just this past week, I was blessed to hear that a student I've met has radically reoriented her priorities throughout the semester, to the point of moving out of her current not good living situation and coming with us to SEEK. I also got to hear multiple testimonies from our student leaders on Friday, including the full story of Christ's pursuit of my disciple Shannon. She has a beautiful story of discovering that true happiness comes from God and nowhere else.

Secondly, I get to work for the Kingdom that never ends. I recently read the book "The Way" by St. Josemaria Escriva (a gift from my wonderful friend Kelsey). In it, he points out that if you are on mission for Jesus, then you are working for a Kingdom with no end. That's a pretty awesome thing to strive for... to build up the Kingdom of God. And I get to be an "instrument for seeking instruments." God works through me to find others to also work for that never-ending Kingdom. That Kingdom has grown so much here at UMD this year, we have over 30 students in discipleship, over 30 bible studies on campus, and over 70 students going to SEEK2013 over break. Our chapel keeps overflowing at Thursday Mass n Meal. And it's all because Jesus is King....

Finally, I have realized in a profound way that God is working hard to mold me into a saint, into the best version of myself, through my yes to being a missionary. He wants me to be His. Wow. I belong to the King of the Kingdom. Despite all my past mistakes and all the times I ran away from Him, He has never given up on me. His love never would allow Him to. As great as it is to see Him working in the lives of others, sometimes it blows me away just considering how much He is working in my own life.

On a final, fun note, I recently had another of my "this is my job?!?!" moments. Friday night, I went with some students to Bentleyville, a large display of Christmas lights here in Duluth. When I say large, I mean largest in the Midwest. It was crazy. We walked by all the lights, spent time around a bonfire, and enjoyed free hot chocolate. As we were leaving, I realized that just spending time with these students, having fun, and sharing our faith in Christ... that's my job. What a blessing! God did not need me to be a missionary. He could have called me to pursue teaching right away after graduation. But, instead He chose to need me in the New Evangelization through FOCUS. He placed a burning desire within me to be a missionary and to serve Him in this way. And I am so glad He did.

at Bentleyville