How To Create Parchment

I learned how to do this craft while on retreat with the wonderful Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus last May. I have used it countless times since! I hope you enjoy it.

The INRI sign above, I painted the letters using acrylic black paint on 15" by 11" white watercolor paper.

Supplies:

A quote or design printed out on regular white printer paper.*

Candle

Lighter/matches

Regular (caffeinated) tea bags

Mug

Hot water

Cookie Sheet

Paper Towels

Contact paper

1. Choose your design. I've done this all sorts of way. The easiest way, which I use most often, is to print something out on regular white printer paper. Seriously! Find a quote and use Microsoft Word to change it to a pretty/cool font an desired size, and print it. Easy as can be. You can even print images if you so choose. Just format everything the way that YOU want it.

*Or, as I have done less often but highly enjoyed, write, draw, or paint (etc.) something yourself onto normal printer paper. I even used watercolor paper once, and it worked great, it was just different to work with in the following steps.

Also, if there is a huge amount of excess paper around your quote/design, you can trim it. But leave at least 2 inches or more, especially if this is your first time. If you do trim it, then only cut straight lines.

2. Crumple your design up. Yes, I know how painful this part is...but it is necessary. So crumple it up into a tight ball, and then carefully un-crumple it and smooth it out.

*When I used the watercolor paper (or a similarly stiff type), I skipped this step until after step 4. Stay tuned for further instruction.

3. Fold the paper accordion style, about an inch to 2 inches thick, depending on the size of your project.

*If using the watercolor paper, don't fold it.

4. GO OUTSIDE. Light the candle, and carefully burn the edges of the crumpled paper until they are all black and uneven. Be very cautious; a) don't burn yourself, and b) don't let the flame get too close to your quote/design, or you might end up missing part of it, and that can be pretty frustrating.

Note that as long as the burned part of the paper is still smoking, it is still burning. Especially in bright sunlight, it is hard to see the flame. But trust me, if it is still smoking, more of your paper is burning. Blow on it gently and steadily to make it stop burning completely if you are unsure.

Play with it! Once you get the hang of the burning process, learn to manipulate the flame to burn only where you want it to!  You can get some awesome edges that way. Also, try to scorch your paper if you want. Allow it to sit over the flame, but not enough to catch. It will have awesome black smudges.

Lastly, don't forget the shorter edges! Unfold the accordion, and refold it to burn those edges, or just do it carefully free hand.

5.Unfold the paper, and blow over all the edges to remove any ashes. Carefully smooth out your paper; be careful that you don't smear any leftover soot or ashes from the edges.

*When I used the watercolor, this was when I crumpled it a bit. I formed my right hand into a tight fist, bent the paper around it, and tried to create minor creases in the paper.

6. Drop 1-2 tea bags in a small amount of hot water. They don't need to steep, just get wet. Line a cookie sheet, cutting board, plate, or even kitchen counter with paper towels, enough that there is a 1" excess around the edges of your burned paper. Squeeze a teabag so that it doesn't drip, and dab it all over the burned paper. Dip it back in the hot water if it dries out, or use another tea bag. When the burned "parchment" paper is your desired shade, remove it to clean paper towels and allow it to dry thoroughly.

7. If desired, laminate your piece between two pieces of clear contact paper. If it is a gift and you want it to be very nicely finished, have it laminated at Staples. But otherwise, this works just fine.

God Bless!

(I will update this tutorial someday with photos of the process. I'm too tired and it is too late--and cold outside--for me to do them now.)

Reflections on a(nother) Powerful Retreat

This Lent, I am trying to focus on positive things to do. In the past, my typical Lenten "thing" was giving up sweets. That never did anything for me spiritually though. It just made me resent this lovely Season of Grace, and all I did was complain.

This year, I am focusing on upping my prayer life and other positive things instead, such as trying to be more charitable to people that I have trouble being patient with, and attending daily Mass more often, and increasing my Spiritual reading.

This retreat, however, became an opportunity for Sacrifice. It was not an easy retreat. There was quite a bit of tension, in many areas, for different reasons. All around, it was perhaps the most difficult retreat of my life. But those difficulties and tensions, I now realize, became a huge Lenten Sacrifice for me to offer my Lord. How beautiful! I love examples like this, of Our Lord taking that which seams so ugly to us, and giving it purpose like that!

Spiritually, this retreat was incredible. Every retreat I go on brings me deeper and closer to my Lord. It makes me fall in love with Him all over again. It lifts the veil from my eyes, and is the slightest glimpse of Heaven. Retreats remind me of WHY I am Catholic, strongly, unabashedly, and passionately so.

Our Lord was so good to me during this retreat, giving me such incredible little reminders of His perfect Love and Mercy. He gave me so many consolations and gifts.

Here are the moments that stick out to me most as the beautiful parts of this retreat, the ones where out Lord touched my heart.

On Friday evening, Father Wolfe led those of us who wished to participate in Night Prayer, or Compline. Then, a few of us stayed in Chapel and prayed. I journalled and contemplated and had such an amazing time in  personal Adoration. Then some of us went downstairs and stayed up talking till 3:30 AM.

The next afternoon, during the period of scheduled silence, I went for a walk alone in the woods in the snow. It was so peaceful and easily contemplative. I love meditating on the glory of Our Lord through his Creation and especially the woods.

Around 7 PM, my good friend David and I began to lead Praise and Worship adoration. It went so beautifully. The Sisters have the most exquisite monstrance I have ever seen.

After finishing the Praise and Worship, I went to confession, and that was amazing as well. Confession is a very difficult thing for me. But Our Lord gave me such grace for this one, the humility and honesty I needed to be real with Him through Father Wolfe. And Father was so kind and gentle to me!

When I was saying my penance, I perceived a nearly tangible weight lift from my shoulders, and a black cloud cleared above me head. I was so at peace.

On Sunday, The most beautiful moment was when I read the letters my parents' had written me. My friend Jessie and I were sharing a room this weekend in the retreat center because there were more girls than rooms on our floor, and she went to our room to read her letters. I continued on to the Chapel, and I was the only one there.

As I read the notes, I wept. I cannot remember the last time that tears poured so heavily from my eyes, or sobs racked my body to that extent. These words from my beloved parents touched my soul; I cannot express how grateful I am to them.

The last thing I wish to touch on about this retreat was simply the people there, first and foremost the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. I have known these sisters since I was 8 years old I believe, and they are some of my dearest friends. I am so grateful to My Lord every time he gives me the chance to talk to them.

Secondly, I wish to thank Father Michael Wolfe and all the chaperones for what they did to prepare this for me and all the participants. I especially thank Maria, for the ways she opened up to all of us girls, and for our talk this afternoon. 

Then of course I must mention my dear fellow retreatants, who I loved getting to know better and more deeply. I thank them all for opening themselves up and being vulnerable to me, for allowing me in and crushing the facades.  

To every person who was on this retreat, I thank you for whatever you taught me, or perhaps what you allowed Christ to teach you through me. You are each a most Precious Gift to me and to our world, each with different talents and strengths, but ultimately the same vocation: to love Our Lord, and to bring souls to Him. Thank you.


Lastly, I wish to note that I was at the retreat center for 46 hours total. Of that time, less than 3 hours were spent asleep. I would not do it every time I went on retreat, but this time it was definitely worth it in order to spend as much time as possible with everyone. Thanks to my night owl friends! It was great!

We are His Passion

We are His Passion.

Those words came to me last night, a little after 2:00 a.m. I found them beautiful, and an amazing meditation for this season of Lent.

You understand the phrases, "Art is my passion." "Music is his passion." "Teaching is her passion." "Writing is their passion."  They mean that those things, art, music, teaching, and writing, or any other of a list of occupations, objects, or people that could be inserted there, mean a great deal to someone. In fact, they mean enough to be called a person's "passion" What they love, perhaps above all else. Something they are "passionate about."

Now consider these four simple words again.

We are HIS Passion.

We, the human race, each of us individually, are Christ's passion. We are what He cares most deeply about. We are what He loves above all else. We mean everything to Him.

And for us, His passion, he endured The Passion.

For us, the single most important things to him, he underwent more pain and suffering than anyone in human history.

Christ endured THE Passion, FOR His passion.

Working on ANOTHER paper...

So, I'm working on my Government research paper. I am writing a biography of Margaret Thatcher. Amazing woman.

It is not due until Monday BUT---Mike is coming home tonight, and I want my school to be as done as possible before he steps through the door. I've been freaking about writing this paper all week. But I found a really great bio article on her from the Biography Channel website: http://www.biography.com/print/profile/margaret-thatcher-9504796

Anyways, I am feeling much better now Pray that I can be productive.

----------------------------------

Later:

Have 4 page outline so far. Things are looking up.

Research paper---Gone---Forever!

I turned it in! I mean, I actually walked up to my professor and handed it to him, without imploding or disintegrating or losing myself to a total mental breakdown!!!!

I'm so proud of myself.

Then I stayed and helped a classmate edit her paper.

Also, I've been working on knitting wristlets for a secret santa gift. Unfortunately, they took forever to start, because I kept changing my mind on the color scheme (Thus ripping it out and starting over) and then I decided the needles I had were too big (Thereby ripping out again.). Anyways, I ripped out alot. This morning I finally finished one, only to realize that I was wrong and the pattern was right. I should've suck with the larger needles. SO I laid that one aside and began another, larger one. Also, I didn;t like part of the pattern, so I fiddled with it. When they are done, I will put up some pictures.

I paced Michaels for at least 1 and 1/2 hours today, searching for inspiration for other secret santa gifts. Yeah. That was a BRILLIANT use of my time.

Now I am starving, procrastinating, and avoiding my other schoolwork like the plague.

1. Process Essay
2. Government Exam
3. Government research paper on Margaret Thatcher.

Boy I'm hungry.

Favorite Comic of the Day

Done!!!

I...Hope....

See, I finished. FINALLY. But I'm just so uncertain about it. However, I cannot stomach looking at it for one more moment right now.

So, Next Friday is my last day of school!!! YAYYY!!

Next week I still need intense prayers. After I turn this paper and a to-do list assignment in tomorrow, I still have another essay for composition, a Test for Government, and a Research paper (That I have not yet begun) for Government.

Oh, Dear Jesus, help me to survive, to do my best, and let it go quickly!!!

Plugging along

Soooo.....
My paper is nearing its completion. All I have left is to finish the outline (I have about half or so done) and find citations for about 4 or five paraphrases. (I know they came from somewhere...just not where!) Well, and a final run through for minor editing, etc. God is Good!

I worked slowly this afternoon and evening, finishing the paper body, revising the citations, and doing general editing. Thanks for any and all who prayed!

I will have to finish the rest tomorrow, as I am feeling absolutely no motivation this evening. Instead I'm working on a pair of pastel blue and green wristlets for a secret santa gift at a Christmas party that I was so graciously invited to! I can't wait!

Peace and Good!
EBSD

A-L-M-O-S-T- .....DONE!!!

Please, if any internet people actually are out there reading this right now, please pray for me this weekend. I'm finishing my paper, and I'm thoroughly really to be done with it. It is beginning to shape up nicely, though.

On Being Studious and Diligent

So. I've been working (actually, mostly stressing) on this research paper. As of this moment, I have nearly 5 full pages! Yahoo! I started it this afternoon with only one nearly full page, so I'm very proud of myself for adding nearly 4 more since 12:30 this afternoon.

I'm sure all the credit goes to my closest and dearest friend, Abby Roy, now Sister Mary Magdalene, Sister Servant of the Sacred Heart (aka my favorite religious order on the planet. No kidding. If I was a nun, I'd join them.) I got to see her for a few moments today while I helped Sister Maria decorate their retreat house convent for Christmas, and she gave me the most glorious hug. (Amazing the way she hugs....she's absolutely tiny, but squeezes harder and sweeter than anyone I know...other than perhaps her mom.....or my Grandma...)

Anyways, When she was going back upstairs to say her afternoon prayers, I asked her to pray for my paper. And look! After over a month of giving myself an stomach ulcer over it, and the most horrid week, brimming with severe mentel anxious breakdowns, I was able to calmly sit and choke out nearly four pages. I'm so grateful.

This leads me to a realization. An awful realization, in fact. I was at the convent/retreat center for over 3 hours, and I did not stop by the chapel to greet our Lord! I am truly grieved by this. Not being fake. I love the chapel there. It is so lovely. I have spent many a late late night praying and journaling there while on one of the 7 (8?) retreats I have made there.

Well, in about 2 hours I'm heading to adoration at my local perpetual adoration chapel. My same Lord is there, and he will be just as happy to see me as if I had visited him at the convent. I'm still sad that I didn't while there. Sigh.


Speaking of Sister Mary Magdalene and of retreats, the songs for today are:

Restless by Audrey Assad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0B2ybZpDeM

Sparrow by Audrey Assad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMSkKGZ9r14

My Only Love by Matt Maher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB8iQBapeGs

Hero by Abandon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyv1jUDLY3s


Quote of the day:

"One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other."
 ~Jane Austen



Last thoughts: A most lovely picture of Sr. Mary Magdalene's and my confirmation saints: Hers, Saint Therese, Mine, Saint Joan. They are co-patronesses of France.

Saint Therese playing Saint Joan, who she had a great devotion to, in a convent play

                                             
            And, the two of us now, myself and Dear Sr. Mary Magdalene.

Advent thoughts

My parish priest, well, I love him to death. Really, I do. But he began, once again, the first Sunday of Advent with a rather penitential and perhaps (just a smidge) depressing outlook on Advent. I do understand his point. Advent is indeed meant to be a time of penance, similar to Lent. But I decided to do something different this year. Rather than ignore the idea of Advent as a time for spiritual renewal, which is my usual response to this homily (he gives a very similar one every year during Advent) I decided this year that I would prepare for the coming of the Child Jesus joyfully, lovingly, and with purpose (purpose other than trying to buy gifts, decide on my wishlist, and clean and decorate my house before Christmas Eve.). Therefore, this Advent, I am simply going to try to scoop up as many opportunities for grace as possible. I will fail. I realize and accept this fact. But I want to increase my Eucharistic adoration to hopefully twice per week, but no less than once. Also, I want to aim for daily Mass twice, but no less than one, per week (Other than Sunday.) And, I want to be much more aware of being charitable to people, especially when it is difficult. I really want to focuz on my family in the realm for this Advent. I can and have been quite awful to them all, and I love them all so dearly. I want to make it more of a priorit to show them this, and to be patient with them.

Also, I'm missing my grandmother right now excruciatingly. I wish she was here. I want to be sitting on her couch in her home right now. We would be watching NCIS and White Collar together, as it is Tuesday night. (And she would be going on and on about "Marie, JUST look at Neil's blue EYES!") She would be baking cookies, and we would be knitting together, and some soup would be smelling heavenly on the stove, and a card table would be set up, taking up way too much space, with a puzzle on it, sitting in the puzzle boxes that Beeba handcrafted. Right now, all our favorite shows would be over, and we would have snuggled into bed. She had the warmest, coziest bed. I miss her so dearly. Both of them, Beeba too.

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual Light shine upon them. May their souls, and all the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace."

I love you both.

Something that cheered me greatly today

In need of prayers

I'm working on (what seems like but actually isn't) a massive research paper. And well, I need prayers. It is requiring a horrid amount of diligence and hard work, neither of which are my best virtues. So please pray that our Lord grants me enough grace to work hard on this and to actually do MY BEST and then be satisfied with whatever grade I recieve. Thanks.

P.S. Song most dear to my heart right now is "Hold On To What You Believe" by Mumford & Sons. It was the theme song of the retreat (You remember, the one I promised to write about, and didn't? That one. Great retreat. I'll have to tell you about it some day in depth. Just not tonight...rather...this morning...its after midnight...sigh.)

Anyways, it completely reflects my battles right now. How hard it is to cling to my beliefs, when everything about me is countercultural, and therefore attacked. It would be so much easier to just let go. Sometimes, being stubborn is such a gift.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VI8-6aXsFA
(Just in case anyone wants to know what I'm talking about.)

Oh, also, I may have stated this before, but I have a title. I am The Evil Baroness of the State of Denial. (Ask Calvin.)

So, I lied.

Well, not quite. I did honestly mean to do a series of posts about my retreat. I still hope to do that one day. But, well, frankly this is the only place where I can make promises and not keep them. Not that that is a good thing; it isn't. But, I have so many commitments and responsibilities, that I don't feel very bound to fulfill goals I set for myself about a blog that, most likely, no one reads. This blog, I have decided, is purely for my writing amusement, whenever the fancy takes me. Thus, today I have decided it pleases me to provide links to my favorite blogs. Here they are:


She Learns As She Goes
http://www.shelearnsasshegoes.com/

How Sweet It Is
http://www.howsweeteats.com/

Regina Doman's Notebook
http://reginadoman.blogspot.com/

Elenatintil
http://elenatintil.blogspot.com/

Confessions of a Seamstress
http://seamstressconfessions.blogspot.com/

John Paul 2 High Blog
http://johnpaul2high.blogspot.com/

Just Give Me Cake
http://justgivemecake.blogspot.com/

The Shadow of the Bear
http://theshadowofthebear.blogspot.com/


These are all blogs I check frequently.


Also, if anyone is interested, these two websites have a couple free song downloads for iTunes every month. They are all Christian Contemporary/Praise. Right now they are all Christmas themed. Perfectly legal, in case you were worried.


Air1
http://www.air1.com/music/free-songs.aspx

Klove
http://www.klove.com/music/store.aspx


P.S. If anyone actually does read this, please leave a comment if you don't mind. It would be nice to hear from you. 


P.P.S. Book recommendations for the day: 

The Shadow of the Bear by Regina Doman

Catholic Philosopher Chick Makes Her Debut by Rebecca Bratten Weiss & Regina Doman


P.P.P.S. I Really love this quote from Ronald Reagan. It reflects all the battles I've been waging in my American Gov class all semester. I don't get why so many people DON'T GET this!  

This leads me to my movie recommendation for the day:  October Baby


Perhaps some day soon I will share my essay about playing Saint Mary Magdalene in the Living Stations this year.

 

More Thoughts

So, now the official "blogging/journaling" assignment is finished, and I'm grateful to my professor for making me do it. :) Yes, I have to admit it was a tiny bit stressful,  so I am glad it is over. However, I did truly enjoy this assignment, and it was a good experience for me. Also, I always had aspirations of keeping a diary/journal, and have kept them off and on (mostly off through my teen years) since I was probably 6. (When I was ages 6-10, I thought having a diary was the COOLEST thing ever!!!)

Anyways, now that the official part of the assignment is over, I am challenging myself to blog once a week. And if that doesn't work, I might push it back further to two weeks, or a month. I have too many things on my plate right now that take priority, so I refuse to beat myself up over something like blogging.

This blog post doesn't count. Ok, it does count, but I hope to post again later this week about some of the incredible things that happened to me spiritually over the weekend.

Now I must go study for a government class exam today at 11:30 that I am COMPLETELY unprepared for. (That is also an exaggeration. I am prepared, just not as prepared as I would like to, and should, be.) PRAY FOR ME!

Sunday, 10-21-12

Today's journal entry will be short, as I am falling asleep as I try to write, and it is only 10:00p.m.

The retreat ended today at 2:00 p.m. The weekend was exactly what I'd hoped it would be; the retreat introduced me to 29 other amazing people who are genuinely trying to live out their Faith, andit also gave me the spiritual renewal I so desperately needed.

I have been on many other retreats. Usually, I leave feeling an enormous "spiritual high." Today, however, was different. I left feeling true and residing peace. It was a new feeling, but a very beautiful one, and a much more genuine feeling than the "highs" usually are. Christ revealed himself to me this weekend in ways he never had before. At some points, I could almost see him sitting in Heaven, chuckling at the practical joke he had just pulled on me. This happened specifically twice. Mostly, however, I felt his love, and I knew he was there, holding me, guiding me, and granting me peace. I'm so glad that I finally decided to go, even though the decision was a difficult one. I'm also extremely grateful for all the new friends I made this week; I hope to continue in our friendships, and grow in our spirituality together.

Saturday, 10-20-12

Today was very enjoyable and uplifting. Our first activity was morning prayer and stretches at 7:30 a.m. After that we ate breakfast, and then hikes to the location of the first talk of the day. While we hiked, we played a game called camouflage, which included hiding in dead leaves, corn, and soybeans. I did enjoy it, but it will never rank as a preferred activity for me.

The talk was given by one of the group leaders, Jacob. It was all about hope in times of darkness, and it was very well done. Afterwards, we had small group discussions, silent time, and Holy Mass, followed by lunch.

When lunch was finished, we had free time until almost 5:00 p.m. At this point, we had an activity where we were all randomly paired with someone else, and had a one-on-one, personal discussion with that person. This activity was very powerful. Following this , we ate dinner, then had Eucharistic Adoration and confessions. Confession was very moving, as it always is.

The scheduled events of the day ended around 9:30. At this time we were free to do whatever we pleased. I chose to play games with a large group of people. The games were fun, but I would've preferred simply talking to someone.

Friday, 10-19-12

Today was a mixture of good and bad moments, but the good overwhelmingly conquerred. Both my government and composition classes went well.

When I returned home, I went shopping with my mother and older brother. We were searching for fabric and notions for an Indian costume. I will wear this costume next weekend when I play St. Kateri Tekakwitha. I will perform this role as part of the Candlelight Saints Tour in Loretto, PA.

We returned home from our shopping spree around 4:00 p.m. I then began packing for the weekend retreat that I am currently attending. I ate dinner with my family, quickly finished packing, then my mom drove me to UPJ, where I was meeting the other attendees.

The retreat has been wonderful so far. We began with two ice-breakers in order to get to know each other. After we finished these activities, we went on a candlelight prayer walk through the woods. This was very powerful and moving. When we had reached our destination, the prayers ceased, and the first talk commenced in a tiny ourdoor grotto.

After the talk, we had small group discussion, then night prayer, and now it is bed time so I will sign off.

Thursday, 10-18-12

Today was rather uneventful. My day began with a dentist appointment, which went much more quickly and smoothly than they usually do. I am very grateful for this, because I'm not overly fond of dentists, or doctors in general. After the appointment, I went home and watched the movie Salt with my brothers. The movie was bizarre; I don't think I followed the storyline well.

At noon, I attended the second practice for the Shakespeare production. I am very pleased with how the show is forming. It should be highly enjoyable. Practice today was very humorous, and it was nice to finally meet most of my fellow cast members. I look forward to working with them more.

When I returned home from practice, my elder brother Mike and I watched the beginning of a NCIS episode. Then I took a short power nap. When I woke up, I worked on homework, ate dinner with my family, and studied for my upcoming government exam.

At 8:30, Mike and I went to Valley Dairy for ice cream sundaes. Mike also helped me study while we were eating. After returning home, Mike and I joined our mother and younger brother for a round of Masterpiece. Now I will finish this, run a load of laundry, and dive into bed.


Favorite poem of the day: "Sonnet 19" by William Shakespeare


Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion's paws,
And make the earth devour her own sweet brood;
Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws,
And burn the long-lived phoenix in her blood;
Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleets,
And do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed Time,
To the wide world and all her fading sweets;
But I forbid thee one most heinous crime:
O, carve not with thy hours my love's fair brow,
Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen;
Him in thy course untainted do allow
For beauty's pattern to succeeding men.
    Yet, do thy worst, old Time: despite thy wrong,
    My love shall in my verse ever live young.

Wednesday, 10-17-12

This morning, I experienced firsthand the movie Groundhog Day. By experience, I do not mean that I watched the movie; I mean that I underwent a very similar sequence of events as the main character in that movie.

I awoke around 8:00 a.m, and realized that I needed to prepare for school. I got dressed, did my hair, etc., and then glanced at a clock as I left the house. To my horror, I found that I had lost track of time, and was running dreadfully late. I began to panic! Then I woke up.

Thank goodness, this was only a dream! So, for seemingly the second time today, I got up, got dressed, and glanced at the clock as I let my house. Yet again, I panicked, for just as in the dream, I was running very late. Then I woke up.

This whole process repeated one last time, before my phone vibrating on my desk finally roused me, this time to reality. Therefore, I had a total of three dreams, all in a row, before finally awakening and beginning my day. The whole experience was incredibly stressful, yet equally humorous.




Government class was much much more relaxed that usual, since I did not watch or listen to any part of the presidential debate last night. (I was adoring the Holy Eucharist instead.) Composition class was also quite enjoyable. At 2:45, I began my piano lesson. It went surprisingly well, as I had not practiced nearly enough this past week. My piano teacher is truly inspiring, and handles difficult students such as myself magnificently. I hope to be more diligent with practicing this week.

From 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., I attended my younger brother's eagle scout fundraiser at Five Guys Restaurant. Many friends and acquaintances came, and the event seemed to be quite a sucess.

Today, I also experienced a beautiful proof of Faith from our Lord. After dinner, my family noticed that we were missing $40. Everyone became very upset, and the atmosphere was chaotic. After searching for more than fifteen minutes, we decided the money was gone for good, and retreated to our cars; we were all in foul moods. When I entered my car, I offered a simple prayer that our Lord would find the money. I explained that I did not ask this because of the value of the money, but because I knew that some of us would remain in dreadful moods if the money was not found. Mere seconds after this prayer drifted from my thoughts, my father announced that he had found the money.

The last event of my day consisted in watching the movie, Trouble with the Curve, with my mother, brothers, and Fr. Michael Wolfe at Richland Cinemas. The movie was very enjoyable; it was a pleasant end a lovely day.