Day 30

I am thankful for the end of the semester being in sight, and the fact that I don't have any assigned readings after next week so my homework will just be research and or writing. It seems a lot more manageable with all but 3 readings behind me. :)

Day 29

I am thankful for no classes today, a good night of sleep (the first one this week), and free lunch today! Off to the library for crazy fun reading times. :)

Things Standing Between Me and Freedom

Things standing between me and freedom, or what I have to have completed by 2 weeks from tomorrow:

• Work 8 - 4 on Saturday and 3 - 11:30 on Sunday (which means I am not getting home 'til almost 1)
• Read ~30 page for Fundamental Theology by Monday
• Read ~100 pages for Doctrine of God and write a 1 page paper by Monday at Noon
• Write a 250 word response paper for 3 Doctors of the Church by Wednesday
• Read 84 pages for Fundamental Moral on Friday
• Answer 3 Questions, 1000 words each for my exam in Fundamental Theology by 9 AM on Monday, Dec. 10
• Read ~60 pages to finish the Johnson book, read the USCCB's statement and her response
• Write 2 papers about the above (10 and 5 pages) by Noon, Tuesday, Dec. 11
• Write a 20 page paper of Natural Law and Freedom by Noon, on Tuesday Dec. 11 (yes, at the same time as the other one!!)
• Write a 15 page paper about Hildegard of Bingen and her music by Noon, Thursday Dec. 13
• Plus work the weekend of Dec 8 and 9, well hopefully not on the 9th, I asked for that off.

I am gonna be a busy girl the next two weeks. Please pray for me to stay focused so I can get all this done. 

Day 28

I am thankful that the end is in sight. 2 weeks from tomorrow all my work will be turned in and I'll be on my way home!

Day 27

I am thankful for this joy I feel, despite of all that is on my plate and the lack of time to complete it. well, it's either joy or I have finally officially lost my mind and gone into a state of delirium, either way, I am grateful for it! :)

Day 26

I am thankful for the chance to find beauty in nature. Like today when I was walking home from campus, I noticed how blue the sky was especially in contrast to the few big white fluffy clouds. This picture doesn't really do it justice.

Day 25

I am thankful for new friends. Some of the great people I have met up here have certainly helped me feel more at home being so far from home. But, I am also super excited that I'll be home in less than 3 weeks. I can't wait for Mexican food!!!!

Day 24

I am thankful for my alarm clock(s) without it (them), Id' never be anywhere on time in the morning. Especially if I have to get up at 6 and it is still dark out. :(

Day 23

I am thankful for taking yesterday off of work, even if it means I have more to do today than I have time for. I really needed the break. 

Day 22

I am thankful for having somewhere to go today. I was a bit worried I'd have to spend Thanksgiving all by myself. 

Day 21

I am thankful for Mo taking care of my Augie. I am having a lot easier time up here knowing my baby is safe and well cared for instead of in some shelter. 

Day 20

I am thankful for free bagel Tuesdays! Especially days like today when there is cream cheese and strawberry jam. Thank STM.

Day 19

I am thankful for Advil PM! 2 days on my feet for several hours in a row reeked havoc on my lower back and legs. Couple that with a half mile walk after said standing and the pain was pretty intense. So I am thankful for the Advil PM I took last night. I feel so much better today! :)

Day 18

I am thankful for finding a parish here in Boston that could truly rival St Laurence in Sugar Land. Having a place to worship where I really feel in place is a huge comfort being so far from all my family and friends. Of course I realize as a Catholic, the Mass is the same everywhere, but I can just put so much more of myself into the Mass when I am enjoying my surroundings and when others participate too. 

Day 17

I am thankful for a nice bed to sleep in. I am so exhausted . . . zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Day 16

I am thankful for the way God loves me. He loves me just as I am but still leads me to be better, to be truly free. He calls me to be the best I can be, but loves me and accompanies me on my journey. 

Day 15

I am thankful that I can write my essays in the first person in grad school. It is so much easier to say we or us that one or they. :)

Also I am thankful we get total choice of topics for our research papers. It makes research so much more exciting.

Day 14

I am thankful for doing this I am thankful exercise, it is really helping develop an attitude of gratitude. Also, I am surprised at how hard it is to come up with things for which to be thankful. 

Day 13

I am thankful for getting 3 days off class next week so I have time to read and do research for my final papers that are due in less than a month. Sort of freaking out!

Day 12

I am thankful for life. It really is one of the greatest gifts we are given. So I am thankful I woke up today, and I have the chance to live before me! :)

Day 11

I am thankful to all those who stepped up and volunteered to serve their country. Happy(?) Veterans' Day!

Day 10

I am thankful for signs that confirm I am following the right path. Like getting home to a letter yesterday that said most of my fellowship came from a fund set up to support and recognize talented women studying theology at the STM. I am grateful that to receive that at a time when I was doubting my choice.

Day 9

I am thankful for finally getting a job. Not sure when I am starting, waiting to hear from the manager about my background check. Not sure how I am going to find time to get everything done, but God will provide.

Day 8

I'm thankful for music. The effect music has on me both singing and listening to it, is indescribable. Saint Augustine said, "When you sing you pray twice." I totally agree because music lifts the soul in unimaginable ways. It amazes me how a song can comfort me when I am sad, calm me when I am angry, lift my spirits when I am depressed, express the deepest desires of my heart, or validate my life choices. Music is just amazing. In a lot of ways I really feel music is God's language because it is not just heard, it is lived, experienced, felt, and it moves us.

Day 7

I am thankful for my Grandmother Persch. If she was still living today would be her 101st birthday! It has been 17 years (on this coming Sunday) since she passed away, and while she is not a canonized saint I am confident she is living in glory with our Eternal Father, and so I can gladly consider her my patron saint, after all she is my namesake. My middle name is Grace and so was hers, except unlike me, she went by her middle name. My first day teaching was November 7, 2005 and I am pretty sure she had her hand on that. As well as many other things that seem to happen on the 7th or 11th of November for me. I was just lamenting yesterday that if it was going to be this cold it should snow, and today, SNOW! :)

Day 6

I am thankful that we get to choose our leaders in this country, and I am thankful that since today is election day after today political propaganda is going away for a while.

While I have no idea who won, I already know I am not happy with the results. But that being said, 4 years is a short time.

Election season is a strange thing when you are living in a place and registered to vote somewhere else. I've seen tons of ads for things which aren't on my ballot, but if I was a Massachusetts voter, one thing I know for sure is that I would vote no on questions 2. Suicide is never dignified, and coercing those in the medical field to go along with it is unjust, so if you are in MA, please vote no on Question 2.

Day 5

I am thankful for warm clothes because it's cold outside folks. With all the struggles I am facing lately, at least I have food to eat, shelter over my head, and warm clothes to wear. Praying for those who don't have these things.

I am really enjoying this activity. It is allowing me to actually carry out rather well what Fr. Anthony advised me years ago: "Be attentive to blessings."

On another note, prayers at 2 PM for my interview will be very much appreciated. I really need a job.

Day 4

I am thankful for my faith. After reading the chapters from Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins, I am glad I have something bigger than me, something other than me to put my hope and trust in. I can't imagine how scary an existence belief in nothing would be. But to have confidence that unconditional love itself is taking an interest in me is a valuable source of hope and security.

Day 3

I am thankful for God who blesses me in ways I could never imagine and never fails to answer my prayers. My trust in God has brought me a lot in life and His blessings continue to shower down on me (I love it when how is unexpected).

Last night at "Open Mic Night" I heard this song, and I really feel like it describes how I want to live my life:

Day 2 . . .

Today I am thankful for real friends, my family, and those people who really care about me. The ones who I talk to and feel uplifted, not the people I talk to and start questioning all my decisions.

On another note, I'd appreciate prayers for a very special personal intention. God knows what it is.

Day 1

I see a lot of people updating Facebook statuses, starting today posting for what they are thankful. In the interest of procrastinating (how's that for honesty), I am going to write a blog post with something I want to give thanks for each day.

So, without further ado, Day 1:

I am thankful for being born in this time, place, and culture. Being born a female in 1980's America has offered me opportunities that would not otherwise be available to me. Prior to this time I would not be sitting her in a graduate theology library while I procrastinate on doing my homework. With all of its imperfections and pitfalls as a woman, this really is the best time and culture in which to be living. Other times I would not be allowed to pursue higher education, and at my age I'd be an old spinster.