Mexico 2008 + SSD + Bday

I'm back from Mexico and Steubenville San Diego tireder, with more stories, and a year older. Going from event to event makes it hard to really process everything, but I think both trips were good. They were growth and growing experiences - received and given, if that makes sense. In one sense, the Mexico trip was a little harder this year because it's frustrating to see institutional poverty rather than just situational poverty. With a lot more Econ knowledge under my belt (hey, I finished my degree) this year, I just kept thinking of the ways in which the country could/should change things to promote growth. I felt more like a bandaid rather than a developer this year, if that makes sense.

Steubenville as well was different this year. It seemed less intense in many ways and at the same time more personal. I do these trips for the teens, but I really felt like I'd be a better witness (pun on the name of the SSD this year not intended, though very cool) by allowing myself to lean into the conference rather than being distracted with every detail of the teens' experience. That's not to say my focus wasn't on them, but that I prayed and sang as hard as I could w/o constantly worrying about how the teens were praying, etc. It was a good experience for me and I think really helped bond or open up our small group Saturday night more than if I hadn't leaned in.

Most of all, I received a huge blessing of feeling very loved with all of the little and big things that the leaders and teens, family, and friends did for me on Sunday for my birthday. They really helped a 10 hour bus ride on a smelly bus be fun. Gifts aren't my love language, but it was the thought and energy they put into the surprise balloons, banner, cake, ice cream sundae, card, and the list goes on that was pretty overwhelming. A lot of the time I wasn't even sure how to take it all in.

God is amazing, through the good and the bad (or difficulties).

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Reminiscing About Mexico

Last Summer around this time I began gearing up to go to Tijuana with the Diocesan High School Immersion trip as a leader and now I'm doing the same. Last year's experience was amazing, especially after having just finished "Popular Hispanic Religiosity" at SCU. I really can't describe the poverty adequately though to set the stage for the experience. I tried to take pictures (below) but they still don't do it justice:

But what was amazing was how humbling the experience was because you really got to practice solidarity and just be overwhelmed by the generosity of these amazing people that had less than what we would consider nothing.


I'm excited to go back again, but I hope I'm not jaded and that I am able to set aside my confidence and expectations enough to let God's presence throughout the trip wow me and move me to be a more compassionate person.

I have Steubenville San Diego right after so I probably won't be able to get pictures up until about the 1st of August, but I'll try and write some stories to go with the photos of the experience. Please keep the whole team, especially the teens and the people in Tijuana in your prayers. :) --we leave Monday.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Dear God

What is it that people are seeking in this life? What do people want in their core being?

I heard this song on Channel 104.9 today that is old school: Dear God by XTC (though I think they improved the sound quality? maybe it was a remake? Didn't sound quite so 80's). Anywho, the song frustrated me. The song, if you've never heard it, is basically this kid/guy writing a letter to God and saying that because bad stuff happens I don't believe in you, you suck, basically. And the letter is kind of saying, you make bad things happen, but if you're real, do this and that to make life better, easier, and nicer.

And this is what frustrates me: too many people have this mentality! I've been there so I understand the temptation...God becomes a scapegoat. But you have to decide your theology: is God in control of everything? If so, if you think God makes bad things happen, you have to give Him credit for the good things as well. You can't just say God does bad things and that's it. The problem is that we don't want to take responsibility. We overlook all of the great things God does and all of the ways He is active in this world. We turn a blind eye to grace.

It's hard to understand suffering and sin in a world view that believes in a loving God, but that's a good thing...we were made for more, we were made for love, we were made for God. We were given a share in this thing called life, we were given power over our lives. That's why Jesus says that to gain life we must give it up.

Do you want to be filled with peace and fulfillment despite the wars and violence and abuse and degradation of humanity that fills our TV and Computer screens? Do you want your suffering to find meaning rather than seeming pointless and unbearable? Then you have to grab God's outstretched hand. You have a loving Father here, but you can't be lazy and just expect everything to be given to you like God is your servant. He already has done that gig through Jesus Christ on earth and every Mass in the Eucharist. See, it's not in receiving love that we are fulfilled. It is in giving love, to God, to others, it's when we become the servant, that we find true peace and joy, we accept grace, and we live out our design in the image and likeness of God.

I guess the point of my ranting and raving here, is that if you happen to be reading this and relate to the song I'm talking about, if you're bitter at God, at life, I just want you to know that God loves you. Unconditionally. But you have to accept that love and that requires action on your part. I'll be praying for you.

Be His.

Friday, July 4, 2008