I just thought that I'd throw up a random post to see if anyone is paying attention.
First thing of note: Today is the Thursday after Ash Wednesday. For more information on how the 40 days are counted, check out Shouts in the Piazza for the details. H/T to Ray at Stella Borealis for posting the link!
Second thing...Confession is necessary for the soul for all sinners out there. I went tonight, so since my committment this Lent is to be a Saint in 40 days, I've decided I'm no longer a sinner. I'm done. I'm giving up sin for Lent. I figured that if I give up sin, then I'll by definition become closer to God. So we'll see how long this lasts.....
Thirdly; the piece of bread, or manna from heaven, or whatever we want to call it is still nestled in the skeletal branches of the bush outside my door. I'm trying to think of a name for it because it doesn't seem to want to go anywhere. Or maybe I'll just sit outside in the snowstorm this weekend and contemplate the mysterious crust of bread and what spiritual lessons it could possibly hold for this lenten season.
And last of all, I'm not too far along in my reading for class. Shame on you all for reading my blog when I should be studying. The next time I go to Confession I'm going to tell on all of you! You're a bad influence!
But alas, I'm not giving up blogging for Lent.
In all seriousness, though, I'm intimidated and as I understand it, this is a common reaction from first-time Grad students, especially those of us who have been out of school for 10 years. For 10 years, I've been reading for pleasure, mostly, and no one has been around to hold me accountable for the heavier stuff I've read. Now I'm in a panic as I wade through deeply Theological and relevant Encyclicles of JPII. I've never had test anxiety before, but now, I think I have PAPER anxiety! Who woulda thunk it?
I thank GOD in all His wisdom for not allowing me to return to school full-time. For those who have been reading for awhile, you are aware of my disappointment when UST accepted me last November as a non-degree seeking student, which quashed my hopes for beginning this semester. Then Ave Maria University came along with a 1 credit course and here I am! Panicking!
Don't worry, I'll get over it, and if I don't, well, then I guess that'll be God's way of telling me to not even CONSIDER further studies until...well, until either the time is right or, maybe never.
I've decided I don't like discernment. Can I give that up for Lent, too? Must discern....
14 comments:
Hey, Leviticus, don't sit outside and freeze to death while you are meditating on the bread crust. Take a cold shower instead-oh wait you already did that this month!
You can DO it. Don't panic.
Cathy Leviticus.
Cathy ~ So you want me to bring the bread crust inside and meditate on it in the shower?
No, I prefer to sit in the snow and meditate. Besides, the branches are much prettier outside than they are inside my bathroom.
And oy, vey, that water heater! Glad I have a new one now. Glad that's done. Just need to make it very clear the REASON I was taking a cold shower!
LMAO Adoro - re: cold showers.
I hear you about school BTW...25 years since I went and I am terrified I have allowed my brain to "mushify" and will never be able to do anything but what I am currently doing (and hating) Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I trust in You.
I hope to go to confession this Saturday, and several times during lent. I intend firmly to give up being a sinful, stupid idiot. Sainthood is for God to confer, but I need to be free of various personal forms of stupidity, at least. How's that for an intention?
Warren
I'm really getting intrigued by that "crust of bread." Is it possible to post a photo of it on your blog, Adoro?
My first confession of Lent will probably be a "General Confession" next week.
When I returned to the Church after 21 years or so, I know that my sins were forgiven. But I neglected to mention most of them. And the confessor didn't ask me to elaborate.
I need to clean that up.
We don't even have confession in my town! We have to travel to another Parish 30 miles away and it is only from 4:15-5:00 on Saturdays. We are a mission Parish, so a priest comes in but he doesn't get here before Mass early enough to hear confessions--we can schedule by appointment but I think that is wrong--it should be anonymous. But, we still go at least once a month. I'm hoping we can go every other week during Lent. Could that be a penance?
Adoro, my husband is going through the same thing. He teaches English at a junior college (comp I, comp II, Intro to Lit. and Survey of British Lit.) Well, he decided to start his PHd. It seems to be quite taxing on his brain and here he is teaching English! This is definitely God's will, however. It is amazing all of the miracles that have occurred with my husband getting this job and his working on the PHd. I guess we are dumb, so we need miracles to help us see clearly God's will! I would elaborate on the miracles, but I have written too much already!
Glad you are not giving up blogging for Lent.
Number of days for lent...I often let slip out '30 days' rather than the correct number. I do it every year!You'd think by now I'd get it right!
This year I am giving up mistakenly saying '30'.
As for the crust...are there bird feeders in your neighbothood? If I were a bird and had a choice, I think I'd go for the seed buffet.
Thanks for this blog, Adoro.
I like that - giving up sin.
I don't know what a theology program is like, but the amxiety burns away for most folks after the first quarter/semester or so. At least that is how it was with me.
I like your last line on discernement. I just wish I could finish - of course, I don't think that actually happens. :)
I have just started my paper in NZ fauna and it looks great. Having done another paper in 2005, it is not quite such a shock this time, and it looks like the workload is a bit more straightforward for this paper. You probably won't have time to look.... but I have put an intro to the paper on my blog: http://kiwinomad06.blogspot.com/
Give up blogging for Lent? And make all of us suffer? Hmm, that would suck...
I'm here and paying attention though (trying to catch up on those couple hundred posts I missed this week while I was anti-computer)...
You'll get back in the groove. My hubby was really overwhelmed his first quarter back, but it served to increase his confidence and now he jets along like a pro. He's a better student than I ever was...does all the homework, studies intently, pays attention in class...
Hi, everyone! Thanks for all the comments. Lots to respond to.
Lots of good wishes, thank you, all. It seems that the first time back has been scary for lots of people...good to know that. It helps.
suzanne, I prefer anonymous confession, too, although sometimes I do go face to face. For those who are coming back after a long time away from Confession, though, I do recommend face to face as a general confession is needed and that can take awhile! And then some good advice from the priest is needed, too. But that's really hard.
Ray, it's a nice crust of bread, but no, I can't add a photo of it. I have a digital camera my bro gave me,but I'm not sure how to download stuff, too technical for me. I'm really a lost cause.
Teresa, there are bird feeders, a little, and my neighbors throw bread out, too, which gets eaten by all the little critters around here. I'm sure that's wehre the bread came from...but how it go to its current location is still a bit of a mystery!
robk - nice to "see" you again. I hope this anxiety burns away! Academic anxiety has never hit me before and I've decided I don't like it.
kiwi, I will go check out your intro. Thanks for the link!
sara ~ you are such a dear! No, I wouldn't want to deprive you. I hope I can do what your hubby is doing...back to pro-dome.... :-)
Re: Adoro's guilty confession she can't download a digital pic onto her computer.
GET A MAC! .... No, really! (Wait till after lent, and your job situation are better, but next time it comes time to get a PC, don't get a PC, Mkay?)
If my mom can do it, so can YOU.
Warren
Hey now, Ultra, don't be gettin' snarky on me and all Mac-elitist.
I just BOUGHT my new computer, and Dude, I got a DELL and I LOVE this machine! :-)
My failings are more my failings with using the digital camera...I'm sure there's a drive in back under the desk where I keep the PC unit that will plug into the camera, but I both lost the camera and the cord...it's around here somewhere.
That, and I have other things to worry about that are FAR more interesting and exciting than reding technical manuals about digital cameras which are already obsolete.
So! :-)
Too bad you live all the way over in minneSNOWta. I would come and give you a lesson if you were closer!
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