One Year Down

 Landon and I just celebrated our 1st Wedding Anniversary, and I wanted to something special for him. Traditionally, the first anniversary gift is paper, so I scoured Pintrest for ideas. I love this Valentine Gift Idea by Tran-craft-intental, so I put my own spin on it, and couldn't be happier. :)


I love the idea of 52 items, one for each of the playing cards. But I decided to use 52 Memories for our first year together. Coming up with memories was the easy part....I ended up with a much bigger list, and had to choose my favorites. A good problem to have. 

Next, I gathered supplies. A nice new deck of cards, a hole punch, 

and Quick Links...only about $2!

Next, shuffled the cards. Just because. I punched holes in all the cards, using one of the jokers as a model. I was careful that they lined up perfectly! 

Next, I trimmed down the  list of memories. A few of my most favorites I set aside to make sure they would be towards the end.I glued all the memories onto the cards and laid them out so they could dry. I added a cover on the back of a joker, and used another Joker as a back cover. I included a little love note. 

I'm really happy with how it turned out, and was very pleased with how much Landon liked it. He said the best part was realizing how much time I had put into remembering so many details....we've had such an awesome year!

We celebrated our Anniversary at Niagara Falls. I painted up a "1st" sign in orange an purple, our wedding colors, and we brought along our wedding photo. Next year, we'll hold this photo. I'm excited about watching us change together. Here's to an even better second year together! 

Finally!

My new passport arrived! I needed to update it with my married name, and have been impatiently waiting for it to arrive since I mailed my application away. My new name looks pretty steller in there!  Now the countdown to our 1st Anniversary trip to Niaragara Falls begins! It's so close!! :)

I can’t help but miss my old one with all the stamps. Morocco, England, Germany, Israel, Spain, Honduras, Italy, etc, etc. I have been so blessed to see so much of the world. And now…a brand new passport with empty pages. Time will tell what countries this passport will see.

You do know you are allowed to use your passport as often as you want, don’t you?



Compassion

Three years ago, I spent a year in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, doing mission work with the organization, Heart's Home USA. So many memories came flooding back as I remembers all the people that made such an impact of my life. It was such a challenging, rewarding experience. Honestly, I sometimes am surpriesed by how much I miss my time there. So many simple, beautiful memories. I have been blessed.  

For as long as I can remember,  I knew I had wanted to serve and live among the poor in another part of the world. It was Sr. Regine who found my profile on a Catholic volunteer networking site.  I clicked on the information video in her simple e-mail, and just a few minutes into it I knew I had found what I was supposed to do. Through my time of formation, I found a community that spoke to my heart. A place where we were taught to love others not for what they can do, but simple because they are. Formation taught me that I was everything I needed to make a difference in this world through this time of mission. My only goal was to love. And I knew I would do that whole heartily.

My time of mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, was difficult as I adjusted to so many differences. Our home in La Colonia Trinidad was simple, and I learned to wash clothes by hand, take cold showers, and eat the simple foods day after day, just like our neighbors. I struggled to learn Spanish, and repeatedly felt that I was not able to live my mission fully because I had no idea what was going on around me. Slowly, however, I found myself more engaged in my mission because of my struggles. So many of our neighbors were bitterly poor. They struggled to get by with little education and little opportunities.  They worked as hard as they could, but were not able to change their circumstances. I was able to relate to them in ways I would not have expected. I too did not have a voice. I too was not able to change my circumstances. They needed someone to recognize their significance in this life, as we all do. I found that my simpleness allowed me to connect with them more closely than I could have imagines. 

Coming home, I have found that so many people here in America are suffering from other forms of poverty. Loneliness. Poor self-esteem. Hopelessness. We may try to pretend that everything is all right, but on some level each of us is poor. I have found that my time with Heart’s Home has opened up my heart to see and respond to the hurt around me. To family members and friends who are dealing with the challenges that come with deployment. To women who cannot have children. To young people who have been laid off and cannot find work. To a co-worker whose husband passes away after a sudden, unexpected illness. So many people are hurting and desperately need someone to take the time to show them that they are loved and valued. I am thankful that my time of services has taught me how to do that.

Leaving on a....oh, never mind...

I should be working, but my mind needs a break. I’m too distracted….too many wedding thoughts on my mind!

37 Days!!!

I’m especially excited for the weekend…I’m flying to VA tomorrow after work for all my pre-wedding parties! Saturday we’ll have my shower at a Tea shop, and that evening head into DC for Buca Di Beppo’s and my Bachelorette Party.

My list is starting to get shorter. All the big things are worked out now, which is a hug relief. Now it is time to start working through the DIY projects!

Happy. Tired. Excited. Impatient. :)

Living the Dream

Catching up

 Too much has happened...here is a photo recap!

La Semana Santa durante mi mision

Last year at this time I was celebrating “La Semana Santa” in Honduras, and with each special Mass and service, I find myself back at out parish of San José Obrero.

We began Holy Week with a mile long procession to remember Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem. Let by a dozen alter boys and our beloved paster, Padre Ricardo, we walked around the neighborhood with our large palms, singing and praying. The church was filled to over flowing and many of the little old ladies waved their palms for the majority of the Mass.

We celebrated Holy Thursday with many of the children at our house. Rita and Regina read from the bible and explained what happened on Holy Thursday, then Memo washed the feet of each child as I led the singing. It was a beautiful blend of shyness, joy, and giggling.

  

Good Friday was amazing. It was already blisteringly hot as we left our house around 9:30 to the starting point of Via Crucis, the Way of the Cross. With several hundred people we made our way through the streets, climbing to a high point of the city. Dozens of adults from the church were dressed as Christ, Mary, Roman Guards, and the sorrowful woman. As we came to each station, one of the priests read the scriptures and spoke about the station, as we watched it depicted before us. (By “Us,” I mean those taller than me, or quicker. I missed most of it, too sun sick to push my way through the crowds until the very end!) The most beautiful moment was the crucifixion…Christ hung above the whole city as we watched on in tears. It was truly beautiful.

The Easter Vigil was awe-inspiring. The entire band from “El Camino” (a catholic movement incredibly popular in Latin America) was there with over a dozen guitars and as many other instruments….the church was overflowing with people singing and dancing in their seats and I loved every minute of the nearly 4 hour Mass!!

What a blessing to have celebrated such an important aspect of my faith in an entirely different culture. The Catholic Church is Universal!! How cool is that?? Happy Good Friday, everyone. :)

Weekend Update

I am behind…here are the cliff notes of the past week.

1. I’ve gotten involved in planning a woman’s CRHP Retreat at St. Pats next winter. Getting back to my YAM roots! I love it!
2. I found out this past week that my sister-in-law and a dear friend are both pregnant! Yaaaay!!! Loving babies. God is good.
3. My sister-in-law and brother are also moving to Hawaii….Thank you Army. Good excuse for a vaca!! ;)
4. Spent a few days with my fabulous Aunt Rita. That little trip will get its own post one of these days. 
5. I bought a few dresses, shirts, and two suits this week. Finally, I have a work ready wardrobe that will hopefully go into affect after….
6.  My interview Wednesday!! Prayers at 3:15pm, please.
7. My man’s birthday is Wednesday…surprises are being planned! :)
8. I should be asleep by now. Why don’t I get enough sleep??

Sunshine Bath Time

Today my 7 minute round trip walk to the post office turned into a nearly 30 minute jaunt. My plan was to leave by the back of the building to dispose of the week's garbage before continuing on the the normal, direct route up Main Street and up a block more to the post office. But the sun!! Warmth!! There is nothing like the need to unbutton your coat in the middle of winter because spring is finally tring to creep up, even if it is still weeks away. It was wonderful to soak in the sunshine as I walked along listening to the birds. Once I had to laugh….I looked to my left and caught sight of a huge field behind the row of houses. It is easy to forget how close I am to the “edge of town” when “town” consists of one main street and 3 stoplights!

I found myself thinking about my trip to Bath a few years ago. Through a series of events that made sense at the time, I spent a day wandering around Bath, England, alone. I arrived by train early, even before most shops were open. It was March: cool and drizzly. But as the morning wore on, the sun came out brilliantly and I spend a few hours window shopping and church hopping before settling down at a picnic bench next to the River Avon to catch up on postcards.

I live for moments like these…perfect contentment, control, peace and freedom. The sun makes everything better.

Spoiled

My mom sent me a surprise care package today including...

A Cuisinart Coffee Grinder....my first one!!

A bag of whole bean Mahogany coffee from Carabou Coffee:

A big box of Maira Cookies (I had them for the first time in Spain almost 10 years ago....crazy!!)

And Hot Coco!!!

Ohh.....happy surprises. :) You are never too old for presents!! Pass it on.....

Back!

What a fun weekend! Yay for days off. I'm glad Landon gave them to me. We had a fun visit with Aunt Rita on the way to VA, and spend a great weekend with my family.


The snow followed me to VA. Then back to OH. 2 inches last night. I'm ticked. ;)

Lisa is having a girl!! I'm so excited. Baby kicked me once...I was really glad I got to feel it. I'm so sad I am missing my sisters pregnancy. I really wish I could be there more.

Still nothing from the job....It looks like my search continues. Boo. Sigh. God knows. Patience.

Chocolate Chip Pancakes for dinner. Life is very good. <3

Homeward Bound 1

In roughly 2 hours (depending on when Landon gets off work, we eat and get the car ready) I leave for HOME via Aunt Rita's and PA.

It is strange...going home to Mom and Dad's is a nice 8 hour road trip. Never saw that coming. But living so far away is giving me a strange and happily happy view point on family and family relationships. It is a little strange that this is sinking in now. A year in Honduras should have triggered some of it, I suppose, and in a way it did. But now I am in control of my own time and schedule and direction, and it is kind of nice to be setting my sights on VA. Appreciating home is normal for anyone with a good relationship with their parents and sibs, I think. But it is different when you need to really work, plan, and save money (er....spend money) to make it happen.

Yay, home.

And yay Landon for making it happen. He needed to use up some vacation time up from work and asked me if I wanted to go home for John's Birthday. Um....YES!! Happy.

Ok. I'm leaving in about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Depending.

And thank you Pandora.com. Why have I not gotten the new One Republic CD yet?? Oh yeah. I don't spend money. Boo.

I'm pretty excited about this!

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