ThirstyFountains

Again I felt as if I couldn't breathe when I realized it has been more than a year without you... That I'll turn 18 without you... That I'll go to college without you. No longer are we inseparable, for there are more miles and light years between us than I ever imagined possible. Everything goes on without you. Without me. The leaves change colour, the temperature drops, the winter chill begins to set in. All creation quietly screams to move on, let go. But what if I can't? What will happen to me? Will I never be open to love again? Will I continue to push people away until they finally give up fighting for me? I wish you were here, even if I can't have you for my own. Just knowing you were alive... How do I move on from what we had? I still feel it, feel you. Ach, you haunt me. My every waking moment, you hover in the shadows of my mind. In the night, I feel you... just out of my reach.         *OMADG*

   "Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him." (Psalm 103:13)       Where does the word "compassion" come from? What is its origin? In the mid-14th century, compassion literally meant "suffering with another." Isn't that so true? God suffers with us; He doesn't leave us alone. Too often, however, we feel like He does. Our minds tell us He has left us, abandoned us, forsaken us... How come we do this to ourselves? Is it that we are afraid of love or be loved? Or we just don't fully comprehend what love is?      I just came back from a conference that Matt Lozano spoke at. He was talking about the Heart of God our Father. Something he said that resonated with me was this: "We all have questions that can be answered by God only. These questions include 'Daddy, do you love me?' 'Am I beautiful?' and 'Do I have what it takes?' "      Have you ever as...

Happy Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima!!!        I began this post with a determination to capture Mary's beauty, life, and purity. However, as soon as I started typing, I realized that I could not do her justice... (Then, my friend reminded me that no one on earth really can either so I felt better:) She cannot be labeled or defined by mere words from our dictionary. Phrases and words cannot or even come close to describing her very essence. Rather, she is so much more.     A word continues to reappear in my head and it is this: captivating. Mary is captivating . She is a mystery . ... and aren't all mysteries an intrigue?      Some people think of Mary as a gentle, humble, selfless, and perfect human. This is most definitely true; however, the thoughts may progress to something along the lines of "she didn't have fun." Personally, I cannot imagine a life with Mary that would not have at least some fun...

Hey guys! I have not posted in a while. So, before I forget, I want to share a little something about an amazing retreat coming up! (p.s. DYC was incredible).  I will be posting tomorrow, but wanted to tell you all about this:) (see bottom to learn more...) What is Faithful Servant? Faithful Servant Catholic Leadership Institute is designed for high school aged youth and adults who work with them.  It combines a wide variety of learning modalities, including visual, verbal, logical, physical, and aural.  Regardless of participants’ ultimate vocational call, Faithful Servant provides a foundation of insight into discipleship coupled with proven life skills.  Some of the topics covered during the week include: Christian Leadership and Leadership Styles Communication Skills Negotiation and Consensus Building Morality – Natural Law Group Dynamics The New Evangelization Eucharist – Our Source and Summit The History of Faithf...

  The Annual Diocesan Youth Conference is a weekend-long event for high-school youth. DYC brings together high school youth from around the Diocese for a theme-centered weekend of workshops, led by youth and adults alike, keynote speakers, entertainment, daily Mass, Adoration of Our Eucharistic Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and Confession, all time to grow in the Catholic faith.   Mission Statement We, the youth of the Diocese of Charlotte, commune together amidst spiritual warfare, trusting that God will redeem our brokenness and bring us from darkness into light. We choose to pursue a life purposefully for Christ by endeavoring to bring hope to the despair of present day reality. By partaking in this conference, we will seek with fortitude, prudence, and love to bring joy into the world by Enlightening the Darkness. Registration and Cost Information For DYC

Who would you have been when Jesus was arrested and killed? Judas? The man so lost and confused that he believed that by handing over Jesus, his truest friend, he would be helping him. The man who thought Jesus would defend himself, prove he was innocent... The man who believed that this would cease all accusations against Jesus. The man who was devastated to see that Jesus did the opposite. The man who was so filled with shame and brokenness that he decided that he was not worthy of God's relentless mercy. The man who swallowed his tears and vowed that he would kill himself. The man who decided that he was a waste of oxygen. Peter? The man who believed he would give his very life for his best friend. The man who fell asleep at the hour of Our Lord's agony. The man who never heard the cry of his best friend as he suffered. The man who was not there to comfort Jesus while he sweat His Precious Blood. The man who, filled with passion and trying to defend Christ, sli...

This is a story of repentance and true contrition... The Repentant Lord SONGS TO LISTEN TO: The Sacrifice - Bob Fitts He's My Son - Mark Shultz My Jesus - Todd Agnew Why - Michael Card You Love Me Anyway - Sidewalk Prophets Perfect Love - (Mary's Song) Making All Things New - The Passion of Christ Reminder: The Divine Mercy Novena begins today. (I'll be posting more tomorrow) *OMADG*

Woah.  That is really  intense to think about. Christ, Lover of our souls, the complete embodiment of all that is beautiful and true, cherishes us. Webster's dictionary defines cherish as the following: a) to hold dear; to feel or show affection for           b) to keep or cultivate with care or affection: nurture to entertain or hold harbor in the mind deeply and resolutely It then states the word's synonyms which include "appreciate," "value," "prize," and "treasure."  (Now, I know this may seem like a lot of useless information, but stay with me...) The Latin root of the word "cherish" is carcus, meaning "dear, costly, beloved ."       Have you ever thought yourself as beloved by Christ? Have you ever felt priceless to Him? Have you ever accepted the truth behind this: "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give ...

     The word "lent" comes from the Germanic root meaning "spring." This is shocking to me because I thought its meaning would be defined as penance or sacrifice. However, this is not the case (as far as I know). This makes me wonder if Christ is telling us something by the origin of this word. It is almost as if He is re-emphasizing that "joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).      Although Lent is a time of meditation on the Passion of Christ, it is not only meant to stir in us feelings of remorse but deep gratitude as well. We should be thankful that a beautiful, perfect, selfless Being would offer his  life  for sinners.      I mean, look at us. I am not trying to say that we are miserable, no-dignity creatures... but  look at us.  We are so broken, lost, confused, hurt, anxious, stressed, calloused... Yes; we are undeserving of God's love but He gives it  freely.  Let that thought caress your wound...

         I was scrolling down my FB feed while I was in class (very irresponsible of me) and I happened upon an old friend's baby gender reveal video. I had seen certain pictures of her belly growing and was delighted that the time had come to see the gender of the baby. As I watched the video (in silence) I saw my friend and her husband run up to the little soccer ball and kick it. Hot pink dust flew into the air and spread like water hitting the shore on a windy day. I saw her face light up and the mass of people begin to circulate her and her husband to congratulate them.      The amount of people celebrating, hugging, and smiling for the coming of a beautiful little girl was tear jerking. I saw the joy in her grandma's eyes, in the soon-to-be uncle and her closest friends. All these people waiting cheering for the little princess. And I realize, how valuable this little person is.      There’s a reason why most lo...

Word. How often do we speak the truth and feel the need to defend ourselves? I, for one, do it often. It is as if fear whispers that truth is overrated so I must have a good defense case. Next time you speak the truth, do not defend yourself (unless absolutely necessary). God knows your heart, and the truth for that matter. Do not worry... "...we would either take charge or stop the whole process." Do these words awaken an awe-filled feeling within you? They awaken it it me, I know that for certain. Something incredible must be taking place- so amazing that we would either be bold (and prideful) and try to work it out on our own or fear would consume us... Not the kind of fear that comes at night when you're alone and hear scary noises... but the fear that we will become something so amazing that we will need to depend on Someone Else to help us. We seem to fear dependency. If we are honest with ourselves, which we always should be, we need to realize t...

     Split Person J. N. Cloutier      The next day, Nicole was going through her phone contacts. "Oh! Nate? Maybe I'll text him," she thought happily. "But, wait. I should let him text me first. I'll call Therese!" As soon as she decided to let the boys chase her, and not the other way around, a text came in. hey, it's Nate😃 hey! I was just thinking ab u😏 Oh, ya? yeeaahh...😊 so... u wanna do something 2gether tnt? yes! definitely:) give me a min so I can ask my father... ok😎      She padded softly down the hallway. Stepping into her father's room, she hesitated. Even though it was only 5:30pm, her father came in, smelling of smoke and alcohol. He stumbled in his room as soon as he entered the house and had stayed sleeping ever since. She prayed that would continue. Her keen eyes noted a partly burned newspaper in the trash can by his bed (it sat right next to the nightstand).  Quietly, ...