Marching Along

Once again, it has been nearly two weeks since I have last written.  I’ve been so busy with school that it’s ridiculous.  And it’s only going to get worse before Spring Break.  I had a French midterm yesterday and I have a book review due today.  After today, in the next 10 days, I have 4 tests, 3 papers, and a book discussion.  And then I get a week off from school, which I am much looking forward to.  I only hope that I don’t have the same problem I had last year at spring break, which was a migraine to end all migraines.  (It was the first one I ever had and it lasted for 10 days and included a trip to the hospital)  Luckily, this year I have migraine medicine prescribed to me by my doctor to take at the first sign of a problem.

But aside from all of the business, amazing things have been happening to me.  I started attending Mass on Sundays.  I also went on Tuesday.   And I went to an Ash Wednesday service.  Then there was an amazing Bible Study (more about that later) on Thursday.  As you can see, I’ve been spending a lot of time with God and God’s people and it has had an amazing effect on me!  I have been much calmer about school and life in general.  I’ve been reacting to things rationally.  God has even afforded me some time off from school where I can relax, even if just for a couple of hours.

Last week’s Bible Study was wonderful.  It was just the pastor, another girl, and me.  We ate with the couple that cooked dinner for us.  They were really nice and asked questions about our lives and it was just great.  The food was also really good.  (Interesting to note, I have not yet had something that I didn’t like at Bible Study dinners, even though I have been a little bit leery of trying some of the food)  After dessert, the three of us adjourned to the study while the couple cleaned up.  The pastor said we could discuss the next Sunday’s reading or we could talk about something else.  I had a suggestion.  My Bible has a chart about the Beatitudes that includes Old Testament verses about it, worldly values that get in the way, and the way to cultivate that Beatitude.  We went through the chart and sometimes discussed what each verse said and made connections to our lives.  It was great.  I feel like I got a lot out of it.

When it came time to pray, since it was such a small group, the other girl and I opened up about some of the problems we’ve been having and discussed them amongst ourselves and then prayed about them.  It was delightful to be on such an intimate level with someone.  And it was nice to have some reaffirming feedback regarding my thoughts and reactions.

I feel like I found a new friend in the girl that was there with me.  She says she’s used to having her friends come to her with their problems.  But I really hope that she can open up to me about her problems.  That’s something that always makes me a little sad.  People will ask me for advice on shoes or something equally unimportant, but never about serious things.  (Note: That’s an open invitation for any of you to email me about anything you’re going through and I will try to help you)

Aside from this spiritual experience, I’ve started having another.  I’ve decided to wake up a half hour earlier each morning to do yoga.  It’s just a quick little routine that varies each day.  But I’ve already noticed a change in the way I feel and think.  It’s a very special time for me because everything is quiet and I can feel God’s presence even though I’m not saying a word.  I’m just concentrating on my breathing (and a little bit on getting the poses right).  It’s so rare for me to have that stillness of mind, but I know that it’s a gift from God.

All in all, I’m trooping along as we travel from February to March.  I may be a little out of step with the world, but I feel that I’m in step with God and that’s the important thing.

Have a blessed day!