Maundy Thursday

So since I wrote a blog about Valentine's day I thought it would only make sense for me to write about Maundy Thursday too. Not many people know about Maundy Thursday. So here are some quick facts

• Obviously it's the Thursday before Easter
• Has a lot of other names that I'm not gonna list. :)
• Commemorates the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover with the disciples.
• The Last Supper happened the night before He was crucified, hence why we celebrate it Thursday, the day before Good Friday-when He was crucified.
• Maundy Thursday's pretty solemn
• We remember His betrayal, the washing of the disciples feet, the breaking of Christ body (the bread) & sharing of His blood (the wine).

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."-Luke 22:19-20

• So at our church because we are remembering the Last Supper we usually have one last communion service before Easter. It also prepares us for the sad day ahead on Good Friday. Our church service is really cool and after communion we strip the alter and cover everything with black cloth. Then on Good Friday the pastors dress only in black instead of their white robes. Then we read the story of Christ's crucifixion and dim the lights, but then we light a candle in His tomb to remember that there is hope & then the bell tolls & everybody leaves in silence. No greetings. Nothing. It sounds really depressing but I love Holy Week. It's so...beautiful & thought-provoking.
• Maundy comes from the Latin word-mandatum which means-commandment. Maundy Thursday is in reference to Jesus' commands for the disciples at the Last Supper to love and serve one another & to remember Him & what He did for us.

Footage from The Passion of  the Christ.

So I hope you guys learned something and set aside time today to remember Christ & what He did. I know some of you will be busy with family or if you're like me studying for finals next week. Remember what's most important!!!

Collin McCarty

I think this dude is some kind of writer but I found this poem that I really love and really wanted to share it.

"Your presence is a present to the world. You're unique and one of a kind. Your life can be what you want it to be. Take the days just one at a time. Count your blessings, not your troubles. You'll make it through whatever comes along. Within you are so many answers. Understand, have courage, be strong. Don't put limits on yourself. So many dream are waiting to be realized. Decisions are too important to leave to chance. Reach for your peak, your goal, your prize. Nothing wastes more energy than worrying. The longer one carries a problem the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously. Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets. Remember that a little love goes a long way. Remember that a lot...goes forever. Remember that friendship is a wise investment. Life's treasures are people...together. Realize that it's never too late. Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Have health and hope and happiness. Take the time to wish upon a star. And don't ever forget...for even a day...how very special you are."

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

True Confessions

Only two days left of finals and I'll be finished as a college  sophomore! It's crazy how fast time flies. It feels like only yesterday I was at my high school graduation and I was so excited about getting away from home and I had my life all planned out. Ha...that was a joke!
Something I learned a while ago that for some reason I keep forgetting is that my plans don't ever work out. But God's plans are perfect.
It's so hard not to rely on your own plans though. Sometimes, when you're waiting for God to tell you what to do it's like, "Come on what's taking so long." You get frustrated and you wonder if God's actually talking to you. If He's actually hearing your worries and concerns. This has probably been my biggest struggle this year.
This year has been so different from my freshman year at MacMurray. I'm still trying to figure out if it's a good different. Last year I mostly struggled with homesickness because of the non-Christian environment and working on my self-love. One thing I never questioned though was God's plan. I felt connected and in control. It got even better when I found Bethel and could feel God telling me that this was where I was supposed to be.
But now, I'm here at Bethel and I don't feel that connection. I sort of feel like I've drawn away from God. I don't feel in control and I feel completely alone. Which I find very strange because I'm in a Christian environment. I'm in that environment that I so desperately craved last year at MacMurray. The professors and students are awesome. I like that professors always make time for prayer in the classroom. I like chapel. I like that my professors know my name. MacMurray had about 600 students and not all of my professors knew my name. That's kind of sad considering Bethel has around 2000 and my professors know my name. Last year my advisor didn't even know who I was! CRAZY!!! But my advisor last year was also very encouraging about my decision to be an interpreting and social work major. Here at Bethel they look at you like you're crazy if you want to do interpreting and psychology and don't really recommend it. Despite all this...it still feels like something is missing. I like it here at Bethel. There's just something...different I guess going on.

Since I don't want to leave this on a sad note I'm going to make a list (I love lists) of the things I have learned and enjoyed from this year.
1. I've learned the importance of family. And not just my mom, but EVERYBODY!
2. I've learned the many differences of Lutherans & everybody else. What our strengths are & what we lack. This kind of explains some of my feelings listed above.
3. I now appreciate the concept of a clean house/bedroom/whatever.
4. Last year at MacMurray really wasn't so bad, but I still would not go back there.
5. People care more than you think they do. There are times where you wonder if your efforts & thoughts are even considered.
6. I'm kind of ignorant.
7. Writing is so beneficial to one's health, but having to write a lot for school kind of diminishes that desire to write.
8. Baths are very beneficial to one's health too.
9. It really does help to have connections.
10. Growing up is hard! Figuring out what's really worth putting in effort is even harder.

But in the words of e.e. cummings-"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."

In case you can't read the picture it says there's always hope.

I had to add this for a little humor. :)

Pictures

As I promised...
Here are some pictures of Grace's baptism. Though I'm sure most of you have seen them, but I'm gonna post them anyway.

Proud Grampy and parents

Her baptism outfit

"I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

Getting ready

Her new sunglasses from Aunt Tina

Putting on her sweater.

Me and my Love.

I love the look on her face.

She looks bored in this one.

Some fun.

Edited one of GiGi Troup

Oh I miss my Gracie so much! I can't wait to see more of her this summer. I can't believe she's already 4 months old! I probably sound like a broken record but I cannot believe how much I love her. So far she has been my greatest blessing.

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers, in speech, in love, in faith, and in purity."-1 Timothy 4:12

I already see this in her. :)