#Thirtyoneisfun

Friday was my birthday, hence the title.
I have a wonderful group of friends, family, and volunteers in youth ministry. Friday night some sweet friends took me to a new favorite in Detroit. Saturday a friend from out of town visited and we tried the most adorable coffee shop in downtown Northville, and that evening had dinner+drinks with my brother and parental units.

After our Sunday evening leadership team meeting, the youth leaders and adult volunteers surprised me with cake, flowers, and dinner.

So basically my Weight Watcher points were toast. Up a little but worth every sip of that dee-lic gin tonic ;)
It has been quite the year: getting a divorce, moving in with my parents, starting annulment process, and moving into my own new home. Amidst the pain and worry, I am really, really excited for this coming year. 
I just have a fresh hope and anticipation God is doing something mighty in me, and trusting in that feels very secure. I am so excited and peaceful about where God has me.
Another blogger friend Bonnie did a list of things she wanted to do in her birthday year, and I thought  it would be fun to crank my own out list too. Here it is:

Thirty-One Things
1- Get a second tattoo
2 - Attend Onething 2016 Young Adult Conference with Sarah
3 - Read more books on Merton and Dorothy Day
4 - Run more half marathons
5 - Run a full marathon
6 - Read my Bible every day
7 - Smile more at strangers
8 - Read lots more books
9 - Do a silent retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky (where Thomas Merton lived & is buried)
10 - Celebrate my godson's First Holy Communion
11 - Write more letters
12 - Intentionally mentor several teens in youth ministry
13 - Get a third tattoo (maybe)
14 - More silence every day
15 - Weekly social media Sabbath
16 - Host a traditional Jewish Sabbath or Passover meal for friends 
17 - Host Christmas Dinner in my apartment for family
18 - Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy each day during the hour of mercy (3pm)
19 - Read books & listen to podcasts of folks who see life and believe things different from me
20 - Ask for more of Holy Spirit each day
21 - Grow herbs in the spring on my balcony
22 - Give birthday cards to staff members
23 - Drink more lattes + find new coffee shops
24 - Eat at Ethiopian restaurant
25 - Buy espresso machine
26 - Go on family vacation to Mackinaw Island
27 - Plan mission trip for youth ministry
28 - More silence in the car
29 - Vacuum once a week
30 - Learn more about essential oils
31 - Be radically available to Holy Spirit...still praying on what that means ;)

Finding Calcutta in the Burbs.

#ohhappyday

To celebrate the canonization for this gal yesterday, a good friend and I went to the cathedral in our diocese for Mass honoring St. Teresa. It was awesome because in Detroit there is a community of Missionary of Charities and to see their joy and happiness in the celebration for such a happy day was beautiful.
As we were leaving the cathedral, a reporter from the Detroit News came up to us and asked us why we came today, what about Mother Teresa's life mattered to us. We had a really good conversation. 
The reporter made reference to a point in the Archbishop's homily where he asked us to reflect on what our Calcutta is in our own lives. So the news reporter asked each of us. I told him my Calcutta in life right now is young people: young people who know Jesus, don't know Jesus, or have no faith at all. My Calcutta is to love them and walk alongside them wherever they are.
I have fiercely loved Mother Teresa since I was a little girl. As a child who loved me some dress-up there are plenty of pictures of me playing dress-up as Mother Teresa. No I didn't have a sari, but it was complete with my blue baby blanket. I remember taking off all the clothes on my baby dolls and scooping them up in a basket like she picked up dying people off the street.
It is one of the most distinct memories of my early childhood.
As I got older, I was always so struck of Mother Teresa's challenge for people to "find Calcutta" in their own lives. While its a wonderful to go out, for many of us our mission field will be found in our own back yards, in the suburbs of downtown USA.
While I may never go on an international mission or make it to Calcutta, I know there are plenty of ways and places I can find Calcutta right here where God has me.
Yes Calcutta can be found in the burbs, prisons, hospitals, detox clinics, high schools, tantrums, and in changing poopy diapers. We find it anywhere. As long we open our eyes to the needs of others.

And wherever my Calcutta is at varying times in life, I hope I can reflect some of what St. Teresa's life was totally about....Jesus, always Jesus.

20 things every woman needs in her life

I've given up on the idea of "finding balance" in life, it really doesn't exist. Like the word normal. Normal only exists as a setting on the dryer. Rather, I am trying live my life in "healthy tensions." 
Healthy tensions meaning I know life is not perfect or as neat and tidy as I'd like, but there is still plenty of things to be grateful for and find joy.happiness.meaning.purpose in.  Throwing away balance for healthy tensions helps me live more in the present and less in the future.
I've compiled a list of sweet, little things every woman can benefit from in her life. Read through and see what is already a part of your life, or what you would add to it.

When we take time to notice the intricate details and choose to make time for them in our everyday life, we discover gratitude for what we already have. And then we are able to start to notice all the other many unnoticed beautiful blessings in our life.

1. A dress you love.
2. A beautiful mug that just makes your morning coffee or tea more enjoyable.
3. A signature perfume.
4. A few minutes each day of silence
5. A gratitude journal.
6. A relaxing scent in your home--essential oils, WoodWick candles, fresh flowers
7. A comfy, cute pair of slippers.
8. A bra that fits. Who knew this could be hard at times to find?
9. A red lipstick.
10. A good planner.
11. A trust worthy mechanic.
12. A monthly subscription service-clothes, magazine, makeup, essential oils, meal prep guide, etc.
13. A podcast you love. (Too many here to list them all!)
14. A beautiful piece of art in your home.
15. A real set of pearls.
16. A great pair of sunglasses.
17. A coloring book with markers.
18. A cute pair of lounge pants for home. 
19. A set of Mason jar glasses.
20. A bold patterned shower curtain.

What would you add to sweeten up your life?