Breathe Deep, Breathe Clear

{{Through the prayer of St. Francis, "Lord, make me a channel of Your peace."}}

The beauty in this world never fails to inspire me. All throughout nature, inside others and inside ourselves beauty shines forth. Every day I find beauty in small occurances, short conversations or little detours. I have felt beyond blessed for the environment that I have been in for the past three weeks. Beauty is literally everywhere here, as it is in any place in the world. For me, this campus is different to what I have experienced, but such a wonderful expeierence of beauty. From the personalized conference at the end of the first week of classes, all the wonderful people I have encountered, the laughter I have shared with new friends, and in the joy of the Holy Spirit present: there is an overwhelming amount of beauty and love here. 

The atmosphere here is more than just welcoming, more than just loving, more than just beautiful, more than just accepting; it's my home. Truly, its crazy how sometimes the workings of God can be physically experienced. I am loving that I start out every class with prayer, I have classes with sisters and priests, I have priests for professors, but mostly the love everyone has for the Eucharist. It truly changes the mood felt on this campus, which lifts me up when I have moments of homesickness. Honestly, I am in awe of the power of prayer on this campus, from prayers getting answered to really feeling the prayers from others. I have been blessed with roommates and floormates that I can go to Mass with (not only on Sunday, but also during the week), go to The Port to pray together for 30 minutes, pray before our meals together, and praise God throughout the day. The environment here is so beautiful and wonderful; I am bursting with the joy of the Holy Spirit! 

Through all the change that has happened in the past year from changing my major, changing my school, participating in Totus Tuus, moving over 500 miles away from what I had known as home for 19 years, to switching my major a second time, I have placed so much trust in God. Through Him, all things are possible. ((You make all things work together for my good!)) Trust and prayer are what have gotten me through this transition into a new and exciting environment, but also daunting and stressful. I am loving it here beyond what I had ever originally thought, but I still have to step back and breathe it all in; breathe in the Spirit to work in me and allow the Spirit to work in me. 

Cheers to life, my friends. Livin' la vida impresionante.

Some little photo memories from these past few weeks:

((I'm a Franny, this is my new home, and I am not ashamed to proclaim it!!))

((Proof of beauty in the simplicity of nature and how grateful to be for all the beauty around))

((The Port is a little bit of Heaven on Earth))

((Just a wonderful view as I walked down the hill after class))

((Cup of Green Tea and a little bit of Magisterium reading last weekend))

((After coming to Franciscan, I realized how much I love a good smoothie and Sandella's satisfies that craving))

((This is what happens when you tie dye without gloves, but it looked pretty so of course I had to take a picture. Great time meeting new people, hanging out with friends and tons of laughter))

((Sunset watching with the roomies after learning about a camping trip with the Outdoors Club!!))

((Philosophy reading, chai tea, yogurt parfait and sunshine outside Egan Hall))

Totus Tuus Maria!!