Waiting for Patience

Plans Don't Always Turn Out Like You Want... Everyone is now shaking their heads in agreement and thinking, what in the world could you write that would be insightful. I'm thinking the same things. I think this a lot when I read articles on Verily one of my favorite online magazines. The topics about the single life on this quick google search make me always think, "now the secret to embracing being single, the secret to understanding why God has me in this place of being in between." This is just a sampling of the last year or so: 8 Secrets to Savoring the Single Life Single and 30: How I Stopped Waiting for a Ring and Started Living a Great Life The Advice I wish I could have Given to my Single Self You're Only Single Once, So Embrace it while it Lasts Get a Healthier Attitude Toward Being Single with a... Things Happily Coupled People Say to their Single Friends Being Single is What you Make of it, to Make it Positive 5 Reasons I'd Rather Be Sin...

I've been dragging my feet about linking up with Morgan and Jen and the Not Alone Series, but I saw the topics for the next few weeks and feel like it's time to join in on this community.  After all of the support from Cindy a few weeks ago, I've decided I need to do this!  So, my first jaunt into the group... Favorite Mom Blogs Well, I have SO many that I think this post could be a series in and of itself, so here goes (as I look at my BlogLovin' subscriptions - of which I have 218 unread posts): 1. Camp Patton : Grace is amazing - she someone keeps it together and still has the cutest little kiddos ever  (no offense to the rest of the mom bloggers below, but her Theo looks like a cabbage patch doll!)!! 2. Carrots for Michaelmas : I stumbled upon Haley with the Women Speak on NFP Series  post that someone who I cannot remember guest posted for a while ago.  I love that she is trying to be a Catholic Urban Homesteader (or something like that) ...

I've been home from Brazil for 10 days now, and I'm not certain what it is, but something has changed in me.  It's hard to explain or define, but after World Youth Day I'm not the same.  It's difficult to define or pin-point; I only have the evidence of what I can see and how I feel now.  This weekend we had a visiting priest, Fr. Emmanual, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  I was the one to pick him up at the bus station and I believe my life was changed by the conversation I had in the car ride to his host family's house. I don't mean dramatically changed to the point where I am going to sell my stuff, leave everything, and begin mission work; but as I type that, it doesn't seem like the most terrible idea.  I think I mean an even more radical change than that - what if I had my life in perspective all the time?  How could I do that?  What do I even mean by that? Well, I don't know how - but what I mean is the 22,000 parishioners he ha...

...seems to take a while.  Figuring out if I'm called to marriage, who I'm called to marry, looking to find him in this crazy mixed up world.  It all seems to take awhile.  I know as you read it you're probably shaking your head saying, "It took you 28 years to figure that out, things do seem to take you a while."  Well, I'm smart, but a little slow on the uptake at times. So while I'm discerning, looking, and trying to figure it all out, I see character flaws and weaknesses that need to be worked out before I can ever think about being the other half of a couple.  One of them has always been comparing myself, life, weaknesses, strengths, and more to other people.  Not that I've really been working on it.  I think the turning point was this past lent in confession.  I had gone to my Spiritual Director during a Penance Service at my parish (he's the pastor somewhere else).  So there wasn't an hour to work on things before confession...

For More Quick Takes, visit  Conversion Diary ! - 1 - What a week - I feel like I say this each week; I'm not sure why my life is so dramatic sounding when nothing great really happens.  I mean, seriously - how can this be?  I think that I create drama wherever I go ... like Pig Pen a little bit:   I am trying to remove this aspect of my life, but it's super difficult, so I will press on and try to remove the crown (ie: drama queen crown). - 2 - I think that Spiritual Direction can help me with this and will discuss it with Monsignor when we meet later today. ... I'm really done, just tired - so I'm going to just post some memes they did at Faithful Servant today while I wasn't there! - 3 -  Well this one is from Francis ... but now... - 4 - This one is from my small group - about me: - 5 - This is the cutest little girl: - 6 - This guy is GREAT ! - 7 - And this kid has the cutest little face: Go to Je...

Saw this post as I was trying to get my bloglovin' feed back down to 0 ... or -1 like it was last week! How sweet was that?  Super caught up - today we're at 60!  Oh, how these blogs I follow love to write - and, let's be serious, I love to read 'em! Anyway, Mary Is My Homegirl posted this and I cannot help but re-post it in it's entirety because it is just what I feel many times throughout the day, week, months, years...well you get the point: When Bad Things Happen IF MY FIRST REACTION IS TO SAY TO GOD AND IT OFTEN IS, I CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER IF MY OPERATIVE SPIRITUALITY BOILS DOWN TO Step one of getting out of a “The Lord and I have an understanding” spiritual mentality: recognizing that you have a problem. And moving forward with the knowledge that a relationship with God which encompasses more than a tit-for-tat spiritual bargain is far more fulfilling and far less anxiety-producing when things (eventually, inevitably) go wrong. Because God ...

For More Quick Takes, visit  Conversion Diary ! - 1 - Today is World-Wide Pray for Our Priests Day ... so I helped our Immaculata Prayer Ministry made a little bulletin board earlier this week.  An excellent addition to our Narthex! I captured some great photos of both Fr. Winslow and Fr. Kauth.  I hope people like what we showcased. - 2 - I get a smile on my face everyday when I read this blog .  The other day, this was one ... and I just hope that I have a little special someone who will say that to me one morning.  Let's call off today and just hang out with each other! - 3 - Is it technically called a blog if it's on tumblr? I don't really know - although I just noticed that in my blogger compose the word tumblr doesn't come up as misspelled.  Although most of the time my name does and other super  common words in my vocabulary.  I listen to the podcast Stuff Mom Never Told You and they are always inviting people to 'tumble w...

Ever have one of those days when life is just a mess? My bedroom is a mess of clothes left over from an amazing weekend away at the beach... My living room is a mess with laundry that needs doing from the sheets and towels from the trip... My kitchen is a mess from the dishes I just despise doing... My sunroom is a mess from the air mattress and blankets that are still there (and even messier because the Time Warner Cable guy was here) from when my parents stayed this weekend... My car is a mess with glitter from some fairy wings that got dumped on my from the youth conference I chaperoned a few week's ago... My office is a mess from, well, just me being me and the fact that I'm moving offices later this week or early next... My eating habits are a mess because I was away all weekend and ate out at every meal and now I have no source of protein in my fridge or freezer to cook with because I just went to the Farmer's Market instead of the actual store... This...

For More Quick Takes, visit  Conversion Diary ! - 1 - My life has become full and blogging has apparently taken a back seat.  Not a bad thing, except that the things that have been filling my life up include cleaning the bathroom and assuring the kitchen is looking good!  I really dislike the big cleaning jobs, I should really be better at the regular cleaning up.  I purchased a swiffer wet for this purpose, but am terrible at following up!  So, this week cleaning the apartment had to literally be put on the calendar and one major clean down: bathroom (and subsequently the bedroom was vacuumed)! - 2 - How Cindy knows exactly what to write, I will never know.  But this week's post about Fantasy Relationships really hit home.  Last weekend I was with the teens on retreat and we were just having this conversation late Saturday night when we should have been sleeping.  They think they are in these amazing relationships with boys that have nev...

I think this question to myself a lot.  I've been trying to grow in this area of virtue, but it's really difficult - as you can probably guess since the name of this blog is about patience!  It doesn't take a genius to figure out that I have some trouble with this area of my Spiritual Life. Throughout my short life I've had the blessing of avoiding major tragedies, extreme suffering, and many heart aches that my peers have experienced.  I feel truly blessed that this is the case - and yet, why can't I get it through my head that being blessed is enough? So often I forget, like at lunch today with two amazing ladies.  They are wonderful women, but some of the things they struggle with are the same that I struggle with - being patient with people at work, trying to have their personal lives on track, working on their own weight issues.  I only get frustrated with patience in these areas because I see these beautiful women who, in my mind, have everything put t...

This morning I was listening to The Catholic Guy  with Lino Rulli on my way to drive Ash to school and back.  It was the episode from January 2nd, their first one back on the air in 2013 after the Christmas Holiday.  He speaks many times about people who have claimed to come back to the Catholic Church after listening to the show, but never claims all of the credit on him.  In his words, yes - takes the compliment, but really recognizes that Jesus Christ is the real reason they are coming back, not his silly antics about the Church. The reason - because we are all really just a mess.  We are trying to live the Spiritual Life, trying to be humble, meek, patient - but really, we are just fighting our own ego, selfish-desires, pride, etc...  Although it's hard to admit we are just a mess - honestly, we've got a long, long way to go! Like this kid, just trying to get back to the farm.  Yes, I can see it in the distance, but there's no way to tell if th...

I tend to be an All or Nothing kind of girl.  A few examples to illustrate... ~ I've had a headache almost every day for a week - I must have a brain tumor. ~ A first date means we're getting married. ~ No boyfriend means I'll be single my entire life. ~ I gained two pounds, I haven't gotten any healthier at all. ~ A small fight with a friend - we'll never speak again. ~ A parent hates our program, everyone thinks I suck at ministry. ~ I have a dry moment of prayer, the Lord has forgotten about me and I'll never make it to sainthood in Heaven! And I could go on and on and on... forever! I have a tendency for the over dramatic - and if you know me, you're probably thinking, "Katie, how long did it take you to see that?  Have you heard of that river in Egypt, de-Nile ?"  Yeah, I know I can be a little over dramatic.  This does have it's benefits.  I'm certain you're asking what they can be. 1. When I make a decision to...

For More Quick Takes, visit  Conversion Diary ! - 1 -  First, many prayers for Jennifer who is in the hospital with a bilateral pulmonary embolism.  They are not operating because of the complications with her pregnancy.  Offering up my suffering today for a complete healing. - 2 - Second, speaking of woman who are pregnant!  So many around me, many prayers for them, their husbands, the kids in their family, and the unborn.  A friend in England, three here in Charlotte, one on Long Island, and a cousin back home - I think that's all!  But new news every week!  It's so exciting for them and the fact hat I am able to witness the new life coming into the world is a real treat! - 3 - Lately I've been reading a lot of posts from Cindy's blog The Veil of Chastity  and it's been really good comfort for me (the seemingly perpetual single woman).  She is dissecting Myths about the Single Life: 1.  Setting the Stage 2. ...

Lately my life has been a pretty big roller coaster ride.  This week alone has been 'booked' (literally) from 3pm on Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening when I arrive in Pennsylvania at my folks.  I'm excited to be going home for Christmas and seeing this crazy gang of folks. Although, I'm even a little overwhelmed by the amount of work that still needs doing between now and then.  This includes packing (and laundry beforehand), cookie making (well, part 3 of 3 tonight), reading the book for book club on Friday, an Ornament & Cookie Exchange (which earlier cookies are for), and of course work and sleep (although too much work & not enough sleep). I've been in the new position now for 13 days and feel like I am settling in quite nicely.  Most people have been extra-ordinarily accepting of me in this position - and those that weren't so much, I'm not taken aback and can manage.  I was speaking with someone on staff who was speaking with...

For More Quick Takes, visit  Conversion Diary ! - 1 -   Well, my first item is my new quick takes template - I was trying to create my only way in this world.  Not a super exciting take, but I'm happy to make my way in this little blog world.  I'll be adapting it over the course of the next few weeks to understand the HTML a little more. - 2 -   Today I did a 5K  - on the bike at the gym!  I'm not sure this was actually 3 miles - in 12 minutes?  Am I actually that good?  Let's be real, probably not! straight from the gym to you - 3 -   Operation Christmas Child  occupied most of our time at youth group on Sunday evening after the big announcement .  We collected stuff, compiled boxes, and then dropped off 100 shoe boxes at the local place.  So glad this project went well, just about 2 weeks ago I had enough items for about 5 boxes - and then we also donated a HUGE box of extra toys, hygiene products, ...

As a single young Catholic, my friends I discuss marriage a lot - what do we want from our future marriages (or current marriages for those of my friends who are married), how can we prepare for marriage, what kind of man (or woman, but I don't discuss this a lot with my male friends) do we want to marry, are there things we need to change about ourselves before we get married, do we want to get married, what would we do with ourselves if we don't ever get married (single forever, UGH, religious life, eek, ...) One of the biggest problems with the idea of marriage in our culture is that young people see all of these couples who seem happy but later on are getting divorced - 3 years in, the 7 year itch, or the bigger shocker - after 20 or 30 years of marriage getting divorced. Side note for a second: if you think that your marriage should look the same at 55 after kids, grand-kids  25 years of marriage (probably 30 years of knowing each other), aging, etc... then you are CR...

Yes, it is true.  I'm leaving Youth Ministry (as a paid job at my parish).  Yes, you read that correctly, the rumor is true, and here's the reason... Over the last 6 weeks our parish staff has been looking at our organizational chart trying to figure out how we can become more efficient, provide more for our parish, and basically direct the staff and in turn ministries.  After much prayer, my pastor discerned that I would be his number one choice for this position because of skills and gifts he's seen in me.  I took it to prayer, my mother, my spiritual director, and trusted friends to get their opinions about my skills, the ministry that I already do, etc... I decided I would take it! 6 weeks ago I would never imagine myself moving from one aspect of Church ministry - the youth - to basically helping to direct the entire parish.  Yeah - unbelievable, directing the goings and comings of the entire parish!  As Father put it last night, the hub in the c...

--- 1 --- I've been watching less tv lately and it's been awesome for my life at home on weekends and evenings! I thought it would be hard to give up tv but its actually been really great!. --- 2 --- December 3rd is the beginning of Advent, the new Church year, and my new life! Can't wait until I can share! --- 3 --- I rearranged my living room on Sunday and it looks awesome! I'm sitting in it right now! --- 4 --- I also learned how and actually executed the making of crepes on Monday night! Check it out! Some serious delicious stuffing too: chicken, spinach, and mushrooms. Chipotle Gouda, Chicken, Mushrooms, & Spinach Berries for the 'sweet' crepes, and the batter in my trusty blender! Savory Crepes ready to eat! sweet ones were too delicious to photo before eating! --- 5 --- My teens gave me this really beautiful tribute at the end of our dinner theater on Saturday night. And some awesome flowers!  There's even a...

After Training for over 3 months - today was the day!!!  We started at 9am and ran, ran, ran away! (and walked just a little bit) Lisa, Me, & MG before the race MG & Me 42 minutes later! My teens came to cheer us on - super SURPRISING!!! 2 core team members + 5 teens = AWESOME!  Erica ran in honor of a friend (they had a team of 5) who is suffering right now from TTS - many, many prayers for Amy, her husband, and the two babies!  She's 28 weeks as of yesterday and would love  to make it to 33 weeks, if possible!  Many, many prayers going up for them as she sits on bed-rest in the Hospital! Check out their team! Team Andrade Squared  In honor of: Amy, J, Jack & Will Our 2nd Run over the Finish Line! Running... Running... Finishing!!! It was such a great event!  Running was definitely difficult, but with some walking in between we definitely ran a majority (almost all).  It was so...