2 Corinthians 3:17 (part one of two)

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom 

                  I want to serve a greater purpose. I was told I was given free will to choose any decision or choice that is placed before me. I've been set to believe, that there is a Lord that loves me, and who has made me to be His child. He knew me, even before I was formed in the womb. He gave me this life, this body, these surroundings, all set for His plans for me. He tells me He has many plans for me, prosperous ones, that will not give me harm so I may be hopeful for the future. When I seek Him, I know that there is nothing to be worried about. In whole-heartened prayer He will always listen to me calling out to Him, and that's where I find Him. I was told by the Lord to love more, not only His Divine Self but the people around me. To give my undivided attention, an open mind, a loving heart and a helping hand to those who need it most. I've been touched by the people whom He's worked through, and I was told that I am free to choose to love. I want to be a better listener. I want to help those who have no one to talk to, or who feel helpless and weak or confused. Whether it be through my writing or my actions, I want to empathize with people by sharing my failures/struggles or my joys/victories.
            Dear No One in Particular,
I don't know if that was as intense for me to read as it was for you. I wrote that one night I was just thinking to myself, because going through my mind has been a lot of thoughts about the future, my vocation, and what do I want to do with my life. Those are some pretty broad things to be thinking about for someone my age since I have plenty of time to decide... But have you ever had that feeling that you just want to go out and do things, to get that sense of fulfillment? I have so many aspirations and it's crazy to think that the Lord has placed all these hopes for me to accomplish (if that's His will). I'm so motivated by His graces and sustained by His love that I know He always stands with me. Discovery Camp was such an amazing experience and quite a refresher to Camp Exalted. It's been over a year and to think of how fruitful my life has been since truly finding the Lord right where I was at that point in my life. I know that none of this can be solely credited to me, or if it could be at all, because if it wasn't for the Lord, then I don't know how I'd be right now. God's opened up so many opportunities to me, has shown me through His love, what He is capable of, and what He's made me to be capable of too.
It's now been probably a month or two after starting to write this post. To be honest with you it was always in the back of my mind, every time I opened a blog post or read an article even. I didn't know how to end it off or how my summer would turn out. It looks like this post is going to be two parts, just because I don't want to bore you with such a long post, and second, because I feel called to so much reflection that it's just not big enough for this post and it's good to separate my thoughts.
Until the next time I finish writing this,
Sincerely the Lord's,
Patricia

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"My Lord, My God!"

Dear no one in particular, 
on the long weekend of May 15 and 16th, I was able to experience such an amazing, Christ-radiating event at our CFC-YOUTH Annual RYC (or for those of you who don't know, Regional Youth Conference).
I don't wanna spoil anything for those of you who aren't in CFC-Youth yet, but it's something you truly have to witness yourself. 

This year's RYC was only the second one that I've attended, but the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to lead my chapter's Junior Band (shout-out to Francis Trans and The Surrey 2 Boots & Cats) as well as to be able to serve Set-Design for the event. Preparing for the conference took countless days and multiples hours of work and dedication. At the end, it was worth it all to go through so much energy and even stress throughout preparations, because along the way, I was able to become so much close to some of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and do it all for the joy of the Lord! One of my favorite things of RYC itself, is the preparations for it because it just makes me so excited upon anticipating the event.

As a small part of the service team, I was invited to attend the event's Recollection which was a few days before the event (2 days before to be precise). And after helping out with set design, I made my way to the Church where the Recollection took place. Just so I don't spoil it for those who may serve in the future, I will briefly explain how it effected me!

The Recollection really opened my eyes throughout RYC because through it, the Lord reminded me to offer up all my stress and any suffering up to Him for His greater glory. Not only that, but it gave me the strength to remain humble in preparation for the event whether it be within the service team or with junior band. 

How great is our God, for I was set and ready to take part in such an incredible event.

Day one of RYC was filled with Junior Band performances, and little did I know service and the band would consume pretty much all of day one for me, which I didn't mind at all!

Throughout the entire event, I took what I learned from the Recollection and the workshops, and sessions, to truly develop the meaning and theme of this year's RYCON. 

I learned to truly offer up all of the preparations that were made before and during the event, all the competitions I took part in, and any other feelings I had of doubt, stress, or joy!

I was able to glorify to the Lord in all that I did, and remember that it was all for Him, and for the glory of Him! AMDG, hehe.

The songs of praise were amazing, Adoration was beautiful and Morning Mass was very joyful!

To gather my thoughts, I was truly reassured by the love of our Lord and could rely in trusting Him throughout it all. I have never felt so loved by Pacific Region until the final praise-fest of the night, and you could feel Christ's presence and His essence of love. 

("Love is itself, the fulfillment of all our works")

Honestly, this specific event, was the most I've ever cried consecutively ever in my life, and it was pretty significant! Praise the Lord for the victory of Junior Band, I can't thank Him and Junior Band enough. I'm so proud of them, and thankful I was able to serve the band members, and that I was able to allow the Lord to work through me.

RYCON 2015 Believe was such a breath-taking (literally) event, and dear friend, I hope one day you can attend an event similar to this one that can ignite your heart to be ablaze for the Lord.

Until next time.

Sincerely the Lord's,

Patricia 

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Amor Vincit Omnia

"Amor Vincit Omnia" or in other words... love conquers all.
There may be times in our lives when we face love with doubt. And more times than that, we doubt in the greatest love of them all, The Lord.
Dear No One in Particular, it seems as though many things can happen in a matter of months, even in a matter of days or hours. Although it takes a while for us to realize it, you slowly mature more everyday with everything you encounter, whether it be a hardship or a good challenge. We must always remain focused on our purpose and excel in all that we do, for the benefit of not only ourselves but of those around us. In a movie I just recently watched, there was a quote that said "nothing is too hard if it's for the people you love" and that's so true. Not only do should we do things for the people we love like our family, our friends but for the one we must love with all our heart and all our mind, our most Heavenly Father the Lord.
Lenten season is a good time to think about purifying our hearts and that was truly my goal for this year's Lent. I never reflected on my New Years Resolutions for this year, but just know that I've been trying my best haha. Not just for this Lent, but for this whole year and however long, I decided to ask our Blessed Mother, Mama Mary for her intercession. She is honestly one of the most greatest women in our lives that we could look up to and imitate and after all, "blessed are those who imitate our lady, for in imitating her, we imitate Christ." I'm excited to not only learn more about our Lord this year, but the proper lady etiquette of our Blessed Mother. In my last post I wrote about being stressed though that has not changed, inevitably other hardships have come and many other joyful graces. I guess it's just a matter of how you look at things, but drawing the time of  my camp anniversary, I believe it is a good time for me to start reflecting about life. It's been a struggle alone just trying to guard my heart, but you should know dear stranger, I am trying my hardest to guard it, and trying even harder to keep my priorities straight.  A year ago from today, things were absolutely different. And 2014, was a very eventful, unexpected and fruitful year that I was very blessed to live through. I am truly reassured that this year, will be just the same to me.  And I should honestly just trust in the Lord more because my own understanding has been getting me nowhere but more confused. It is a good thing to have ambitions, but it's an even better accomplishment to achieve them. 
The Lord is above all my hopes and fears and His love should be enough to reassure and affirm me on that. The journey has been long and will continue to last, but I know I am not alone.
With the sacraments He has given us, like Reconciliation, I can renew my mind and renew my heart. There's no room in my life for burdens because there must be room to trust more, to love more and to glorify and honor Him more. 
I must strive to be a good leader and good example to those who I love and encounter in my life. 
No one deserves to be mistreated or abused in any way. Let the Lord be the one to use us, as His servants and instruments of peace. 
Pray for me whoever you are, and I will be praying for you.
All the Angels and Saints please pray and intercede for us.
Sincerely the Lord's, 
Patricia. 

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