dona nobis pacem -- 2010

grant us peace Lord -- and you have.

this weekend was the winter retreat weekend. i went to forest home in ojai valley again and it was a trip down memory lane. everything was the same but it had a tinge of newness that was waiting to become one with the old.

whenever i went to retreat, i'd just cry and go with the flow but this one really had me in its grasp.

the adoration was unbelievable. it touched me for real this time and i could not stop crying due to ... everything. i thought about everything, especially about my relationship with God and that got the tears flowing. i realized that i'm only a sunday catholic and that thought just irritated and depressed me to no end because i know that i want to become more than an one-day worshiper. i've always been jealous of others who had God respond to their prayers and i know that if i want God to respond to my prayers, i had to start tinteracting to Him more. i had a talk with Father Pat and what he said just knocked some sense into me, he said that i was worrying too much about everything. i thought about that for a minute and it all made sense. for sure i'm turning to God more.

and those letters. the staff had our parents write us letters and when i read (or had frank teacher translate) what my mom wrote me, i realized that i sincerely have the best and caring mom ever. she believes in me and pushes me even when i feel like giving my 50%. i'm blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.

this winter retreat was far the best one i've experience so far.