11 Things About d*

p a x 

I recently discovered Kendra over at Catholic All Year.  I just love finding other Catholic women out there who are loving and living their vocations as wives, mothers, single ladies, discerning, etc... It makes me appreciate the Body of Christ that much more.   Thank you for your witness ladies (and gentlemen!).  

Kendra had a lovely little link-up I thought I'd try out... we'll call it much needed break from thesis writing/a way to keep blogging without thinking too hard :)  

1. Where do you live? And why do you live there?

Dodge City, Kansas.  Don't know where that is?  Basically the middle of no where in the southwest corner of the state.  It's really not that bad... but who knew Dodge City was a REAL PLACE and not just the location of Gunsmoke?

Why am I here?  Short answer: Because God has a sense of humor.

Longer Answer: Because after I finished my second year of mission/volunteer work I saw an ad for a youth ministry position at a parish in a far off land called Kansas.  I got a call 2 weeks later from the Pastor telling me that the YM position was filled, but he wanted to create a position for me, which happened to be my dream job.  Almost 4 years later and I'm still here.  :)

2. What are you currently watching and/or reading?

I'm working on my thesis so I'm currently balancing several books with short breaks of Netflix and YouTube.  My favorite books from my research are:

by Dr. Pia de Solenni 

And 

Sexuality & Authority in the Catholic Church

by Dr. Monica Miller

On Netflix, I'm watching Arrested Development.  How is it 2014 and I am JUST NOW learning about this show?!  The episodes are just short enough that I don't feel bad when I take a break from reading and need something mindless and humorous.  

Life after the thesis....and I'm almost ashamed to say it... I intend on having a weekend marathon of Game of Thrones Seasons 2-3.  It's bad.. but it's so good....

3. What kind of Catholic are you: cradle, or convert? (Or considering?)

I am a cradle Catholic, but my parents didn't actually start attending Mass until we moved to Memphis when I was in the first grade.  My mom converted to Catholicism a short while later, and then my Dad was ordained to the permanent diaconate in the year 2000.  Since the early 1990s my family has been actively involved in Church life, and that's a big part of why I work for a parish today.   The older I get the more I appreciate my parents and their faith journeys and that they have given us the courage to be Catholic!  

4. Can you point to one moment or experience that made you a practicing Catholic? (Or want to be?)

In January 2001 my high school led the March for Life in D.C.  The night before the march after the vigil Mass we went back to the gym at Catholic University of America, and before going to bed on the gym floor they announced that confession and adoration would be available.  For some reason I felt compelled to go, and this was a HUGE game changer for me.  I already had a love for my faith, but that night at adoration something happened.  The Eucharist was really Jesus (I mean it always has been and always will be but this was the first time I GOT that) and somehow, on the floor of a racquetball court, Jesus became real to me in a very intimate and personal way.  That was the moment something "clicked" and I've never been the same!

5. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

That I actually wear or that are sitting in a box waiting to be thrown/given away?  Next question please?

6. Are you a good dancer?

Wedding reception = The Best Time of my LIFE!

Y'all the Cupid shuffle is my jam.  I love dancing.  Am I good at it?  Doesn't matter.  But I love to dance.  Zumba and wedding receptions (sometimes at the same time) are my FAVORITE.  In fact, do yourself a favor and go have a dance party to this song right now.  

Go ahead.  I'll wait.  

7. Who usually drives, you or your husband?

Depends.  If I promise my husband Promised Land chocolate milk or back scratches, he drives.  

8. What's your favorite holiday and how do you celebrate it?

Christmas is hands down my favorite holiday.  The music. The decorations.  The atmosphere... It's just the most wonderful time of the year!  Being newlyweds, this is one of those holidays we're still trying to figure out.  This past Christmas was our first one together, and it was also the first time we'd ever spent Christmas away from our families.  It was still special, but ideally I'd like to spend Christmas with family, food, and movie marathons in our pajamas with the fireplace going.  

9. Which is correct? Left or right?

What sort of question is this... LEFT of course.  There is no other way.  

10. Do you have any scars?

July 31, 2003* I tore my ACL and meniscus cartilage in my left knee during a tournament at the beginning of volleyball season.  It was my Senior year, and it was a rude awakening to the fact that I wouldn't get to play volleyball in college as I had planned.  But something amazing happened.  God's plans turned out to be so.much.better. than any of my plans for college or playing for the USA Women's team.  I can look at my scar and honestly thank God for it.  Without this scar I wouldn't have studied Spanish and I probably wouldn't have gone to Costa Rica. I wouldn't have ended up in Mexico doing mission work for a year, which means I wouldn't have gone to Texas the following year, which means I wouldn't have met my husband, which means I wouldn't be married and living in southwest Kansas.  Or at least that's how I see it :)


*This is St. Ignatius of Loyola's feast day, who also incurred a knee injury that changed his life.

11. What's the most famous thing you've ever done?

Best wedding present we received.  Hands down.

Well that was a fun break!  

Head over to Kendra's page for other excitement... and maybe even join in on the Answer Me This Link Up on Sunday!  

be at peace

walk on water

be not afraid

d*