It's Great To Be Back!

I love being back in Champaign! After an intensely long move-in process to my new apartment (which I also really like), I got the opportunity to return to Newman after long last. It was exactly what I needed. I love being surrounded by the positive atmosphere of people who share my faith. I've noticed in the past few years of my life that the friendships I have that are built on or around Christ are the strongest friendships I've had. And for good reason.

This summer, through Totus Tuus, we taught the older kids what a virtuous friend is. It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a relationship whose ultimate goal is to achieve heaven for both parties. Pretty sweet. 'Virtuous friends' are definitely the people that I feel I am most connecting with at present, and I have no doubt that they will be an important part of my future faith journey.

As an extreme people-person, a huge part of my discernment process has been that of figuring out where I could use my talents to help people. Through some great conversation tonight with a great friend of mine, I'm struck with thought about how appealing a life of evangelization truly is. Upon telling him of my experiences this summer, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of joy at the thought of a room full of fully attentive junior high and high schoolers listening to you talk about God--and then asking questions! Seeing that light go on in someone's mind is an experience I cannot begin to explain, but it's certainly one that I wouldn't mind dedicating my life to. More often, I find myself thinking: "We are the Church Militant, let us be soldiers for Christ."

What have we done on the battlefield lately?

Senior year is going to be one of the most rewardingly challenging and enjoyable years of my life thus far. Godspeed to all, and let's take the world by storm.