Bringing back the memories...

"At the end of our lives, we shall be judged by love..."

YOUF ALPHA: The annual holy spirit saturday came and pass again. It was a little bit different this year, w/o seeing the usual music min perform. However, I'm juss glad that hoj was able to fill in and do the job. It seems like errone really liked them and so they were able to accomplish the job. It was a little bit more difficult this year then in previous years. Not a lot of them seemed to be going 'all out,' usually by the closing song they're all hyped up. I think many of them were still hesitant and holding back. Being in that hall brought back so many different memories, from my first lss, first youf alpha etc. etc. Crazy how so many things have changed over the year. I was asked to give a talk on 'wha does the holy spirit do.' So last nite I sat in the blessed sacarament preparing for this talk, trying to see if I can possibly change it up a bit. Then an idea came to mind to put together a slideshow of youf, kids frmo the youf min. I figured to show them their peers, people in action filled w/the Holy Spirit and how its affected their lives. Hopefully, I was able to convey some type of message.

OLD STUDENTS: A couple of my old students from last year are in youf alpha this year. They were in my eucharist II class last year. It was cool cuz that first day of class they had came into my classroom juss to say wassup. ANyway, so I was talking them today and seeing how the like it. Usually by thsi time, they seem to enjoy youf alpha and dont want to go back in the classroom. Well I got the opposite reaction this time, then again they're not real social people either. As the conversation progressed they were telling me how they liked it better last year. It kinda made my day and made me smile. Sometimes you dont know whether you're doing your job, or not, but hearing stuff like that inspires me to serve more. I told them next year, they can have me again in confirmation II.

BIRFDAY SHOUT OUT: Going out to my one and only mother. The wonderful caretaker who never ceases to provide for me. Always makes sure I have food in my stomach, a place to go to sleep at and errthang else. I remember not too long ago reading one of my kid's journal entries, describing who he sees Jesus through. He said he had met Jesus through his mom and how she always is there for him. He started to describe how his mom would cook him a seperate dinner sometimes cuz she knew wha he liked. Or how she always asks if he needs help w/his hw or with anything. He talked bout how much she sacrafices for him, example if he needed lunch $$, his mom would give it to him even if its the last dollar she has in her wallet. As I was reading this, it really reminded me of my own mother. Those are the same exact qualities and traits she has. ALways willing to go the extra mile to make me happy. Praise God for mothers who are always there for you to give you whatever you need.

SACRIFICE: Banne had a really good talk on wed. about sacrifice, and tying it all in w/lent. With the analogy of the purple heart and what it stands for. Makes you put a lot into persepctive about wha to give up for lent. I was sharing w/my thurs. kids how when I was younger I never knew much about lent. I juss knew I had to give something up, and then going to mass errday for the easter tridum. As you grow up and start to not only grow in your faith as well learn more about it, you come to have a deeper appreciation for the season. Same with advent, you prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus. This time through lent, you put yourself in that dessert w/Jesus. Doing what you can to give more to others and think less of yourself. In a sense lent and advent kinda go hand in hand, both seasons ask you to reflect more on others, and less of yourself.

NICE CHAT: Had a nice little chit chat w/a various people today. One of those catch up convos, talking with liz first about how youf alpha was going this year. Good to see new interesting characters join the cast this year. Cydi, was sharing w/me how she really enjoyed my talk, especially the slide show. I told her I've been active at holy family, helping out with the youf ministry over there. If there was something over at sPv that would help youf, I'd be all for it, but there isn't. She understood, and said thas great, you gotta go where you're comfortable. Afterwards, stopping by el captian catching up w/the tribe called king. You know it was nice seeing different people today, seeing faces who I havent seen in a while and juss catch up, ketchup.

ABORTION BAN: Ive been reading about the abortion case in south dakota. The house has passed a bill to ban abortion in that state. Which it looks like it will pass with the govenor inclined to sign it. Praise GOd for the sanctity of life. I guess things are starting to look up with this immoral country ha However, it seem that planned parenthood is going to fight it if the bill becomes a law. This bill would become a effective the new fiscal year, july 1. Under the legislation, doctors in South Dakota would face up to five years in prison for performing an abortion unless it was necessary to save the woman's life."I've indicated I'm pro-life, and I do believe abortion is wrong and that we should do everything we can to save lives," Rounds said before the vote Friday in the House. "If this bill accomplishes that, then I am inclined to sign the bill into law."

OUT OF CONTROL: On the other hand, I still believe going into iraq was a huge mistake. Now the sitaution over there has juss gotten even worse! After four days of violence and over 200 people killed. They keep saying it looks like as if a civil war is going to break out. I really wonder what the american peopel were thinking when they re-elected bush. Him and his corrupt administration. Then now with this new port deal, hijole! What is this guy thinking?! Honestly here! It's true, dubya really doesn't care about people in general ha Im really hoping that in november democrats take control of the house and senate or at least one chamber of the house. At least they'll make sure to keep the president accountable for his actions.

ENJOYING IT: WOrk at the skool has been cool. We celebrated happy 100th day of skool on wed. so it was nice taking a break from the norm. I do really enjoy working w/the new teacher they hired. We seem to get along really well together, which helps making my work day easy. The kids can be a handful sometimes, but I love them. Even though they can wear my patience real thin, they're so special. I think I juss have to remember that. The other day I was getting real frustrated, so I tilted my head up at the ceiling and I started to pray. Hail Mary, full of grace...then one of the kids asked me, 'Mr. Jason why are you putting your head up? Is your nose bleeding?' hahaha it was too cute. Thursday, I got invited to go out to lunch w/some of the other grade level teachers. USually thursdays, are 'lets go out to lunch day.' Im glad that I've gotten to know them better. I really do stand out, being the only male in the teachers lounge. I juss remember how in the beginning I would be eating lunch by myself. Now I feel much more comfortable.



Praise God for that Spirit

"You cried I'd wipe away all of my fears..."im done, im out GOd bless!