College and Adulthood Begin...

Tomorrow will mark the end of my first week in college, and the day after completes my first week of adulthood.  There are a lot of big changes going on; life is very different now.  My family is not around me to support me, or to be a constant comfort.  The area is strange and unknown, the terrain totally different from home.  I'm responsible for myself and all of my actions- it is up to me alone to make sure I'm out the door, dressed, ready, at class on time, eating well, keeping deadlines, and honoring appointments.  It's a whole new world, and it is teaching me so much.

The amount of friends and family who have taken time to drop me a message, e-mail, or card expressing their support and love is incredibly heart-warming, and has led me to realize how truly blessed I am.  It is such a comfort to know that even when I'm far away, I will never be forgotten or unloved.  But being out on my own has also led my spiritual life to take on a whole new meaning- because for the first time in my life, Jesus is all that I have.  In the past, when I had a bad day or needed an extra hug, my family was always there.  But now- though I can call anytime- I cannot simply escape the weary world by coming home, I have to continue living in it.  This experience, I believe, is going to bring my relationship with Christ to a deeper level- for now I rely completely upon Him.

Thanks to everyone for their patience and support as I wait for my new life to settle down, and start figuring out how I am going to fit everything into my schedule. 

May God bless all those also starting new adventures, and may He bless all of you!



Not Alone: Resources

This week's topic is a fun one: "Are there any books, songs, prayers, etc that have helped you during this time of your life? Sharing is caring!".  Be sure to check out "Follow and Believe" for the wonderful suggestions of other lovely ladies struggling along the same path.

All right, here we go!

SONGS:

• "Haven't Met You Yet"- Michael Bublè
• I have written about this song repeatedly.  It is full of happiness and joyful anticipation as Michael sings about how wonderful it will be when he meets his future wife.  It is filled hope and patience: "I might have to wait, I'll never give up, I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck"- or, as Catholic would call it- Providence.
• "For Love of You"- Audrey Assad 
• In this song Audrey sings about how God's love courses through her, and flows like a current throughout her life.  This song expresses love for God, and His love's for God, so beautifully it helps me set dreams of romance aside for the proper time, in order to focus on growing in my love for Him.
• "Love Song for a Savior" - Jars of Clay
• This song is beautiful and fills me with the same desire to love as Audrey's song.  It paints a picture of the loveliness of a deep relationship with God, and the romance that is found within it, and helps bring excitement and joy to a spiritual life that is struggling.

BOOKS:

• Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love -Edward Sri
• This examines friendships, relationships, and the proper way to view the opposite sex in light of Blessed John Paul II's encyclical Love and Responsibility.  It is eye-opening and written very well.
• How to Find Your Soulmate without Losing Your Soul- Jason and Crystalina Evert
• Though the first half of this book goes into how to break away from sinful and detrimental lifestyles that many reading this series have not experienced, it is a wonderful resource for those who are stuck in a dark hole and do not know how to climb out, or for people like me how have yet to enter the dating scene, but want to be prepared to do so when the time comes.  The couple reaffirms each woman's worth, and teaches her how to value herself, thus saving herself from abuse and heartbreak.
• Any kind of good, spiritual reading is a wonderful idea for this time, when focusing on a relationship with God will help make waiting for Mr. Right a little easier.

PRAYERS:

• 54-Day Rosary Novena
• Novena to St. Joseph
• Prayers to Mary for purity and patience (these are all covered in-depth in my Not Alone post on prayer)

I cannot think of any movies that help me with waiting patiently or with discerning my vocation.  Are there any movies you all have found helped you wait for your future husbands, anticipate him virtuously, or discern your vocation?  And what resources have helped you all?