Gay Jeans Day?

Walking around the Portland campus of USM today, signs were seen that read:

Today,

Tuesday April 24 is

GAY JEANS DAY

wear jeans today if you support the

Lesbian

Gay

Bisexual

Transgender

Questioning

Intersex

Allied

Community

Thanks for your support!

There are so many things that I find troubling with this that I don't even know where to start. First of all, there was no previous mention of this for students to know that when deciding their outfit this morning, they may in fact look as though they support something that they are opposed to. I can understand wearing a ribbon or something, but jeans? So many people wear them that it turns into such a deceiving idea. Just being at such a socially liberal university makes it seem as though I must follow the crowd as it is. I have so many things to stand up for that walking onto campus wearing the designated clothing of the day is ridiculous.

Beautiful Weather

After months of snow, rain storms, and everything else that comes with winters in Maine, spring is finally making it's appearance. This has always been my favorite season; watching the flowers bloom and feeling the warmth from the sun. On these beautiful days, I usually find time to take a walk and contemplate all that God has given me. Today as I walked across campus, I realized how very different my life is compared to two years ago. At that point, I had not met the many wonderful people that I know consider family across the country. I had yet to really understand how to make God the focus of my life, although I'm still learning that. Most importantly, I didn't really know what I felt called to do with this life that God has entrusted me with. I still have many unanswered questions, but I finally feel as though I am on the right path.

I will be graduating in one year (plus a few weeks) and beginning an entirely new chapter in my life. Although I have always felt drawn to teach music, I feel as though my calling will be slightly different than the typical school setting. This is an unanswered question in my life, but placing it in God's hands is all that I'm concerned about. About a year ago, I began to realize that God has called me to be a wife and mother. I continually pray for the graces that I will need in order to do His will, but I smile every time I think of raising a family. Perhaps this is all the grace one needs; to know in your heart that you are doing the Lord's will.

Jesus Christ is Risen!! ALLELUIA!!!

Good Friday

O Holy God! O Holy Mighty One! O Holy Immortal One,

have mercy on us.

Holy Thursday

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well." Jesus said to him, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all." For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean." So when he had washed their feet (and) put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, 'The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.' From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." John 13:1-20

The Passion

Since it's Holy Week, a bunch of us decided to get together and watch "The Passion of the Christ." Although the majority of us had seen it before, it always leaves such a lasting impression. Just seeing Christ's love for us is absolutely incredible! Following the movie, there was a silence in the room. No one really knew how to break the silence, so we prayed the rosary. It was obvious that we would say the sorrow mysteries, but we were able to see them in such a different view having just seen them in the movie. This is definitely a tradition that I will keep for many years to come.