Papa Bob

Many of you know, but for those who do not, my grandfather is in the hospital. He has been so for the past week and is a fighter. Most likely he suffered a heart attack at some point unknowingly and is therefore suffering from several repercussions and other factors. There have been ups and downs, but prayers throughout. I just ask that you each pray for my grandfather and my family that God's will be done and that we find peace within it.

Though a difficult time, my grandpa's sense of humor and faith has been there throughout, whether through him or family. We have had several great laughs and several beautiful prayers.

I mean when else do you hear the Our Father sung in Latin when you ask him to pray with you?

We love you grandpa!

Tuesdays at the Boulevard

For over a year now I have attended a monthly young adult event called Tuesdays at the Boulevard. The young adults of Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri come together the third Tuesday of the Month and attend Mass and then walk over to the Boulevard Brewery, home of Kansas city's beer. We enjoy the environment of the top floor of the brewery for pizza, beer, live music, and a view of the city at night. It is a great event and a great time to catch up with nearly 100 other Catholic young adults in the area. Here are a few pics from this summer. When mom was in town in the middle of June, I brought her along! Though she may have felt a little out of place, my friends loved meeting her!

Inside the Church

Our view of the Church from the Boulevard

Katie Roth, my friend from college with our view of downtown KC in the background.

Mom and I having our second beer together. Our first one was a year ago to date!

Anne Marie and I

Look to the left of the Boulevard sign on the building. The glass windows to the right host our group on these evenings. The venue is indoor and outdoor. It's quite a view of the city.

The view of the Boulevard from Church

Adrienne and Greg's Wedding

This past weekend I went to my friend Adrienne Hynek's wedding. I met Adrienne at KU through the St. Lawrence Center. We have continued our friendship in KC through the young adult group and a small group. She is so sweet and was simply beautiful at her wedding. I have had the privilege to know her now-husband through her, the young adult group, and a book club. They are an awesome couple and will be a beautiful witness to the marriage vocation!

Here are some pics of my friends and I and our fun before, during, and after the wedding!

The Trifecta trying to take a picture...

Michelle, Sarah, and me

finally success!

Resa and Sarah

Sarah and Kasia

Michelle with the Bride!

wedding cake!

Sarah and me

Brett and Jean

Me trying to dance!

Ultimate Frisbee!

Here are a few pics from the Ultimate Frisbee league I was in. It was a lot of fun and brought back the memories from high school pick up games my friends and I would play at the park.

Small Group

First I should make mention that I have a new/old roommate. Anne Marie, my roommate for college moved in this past weekend! It is great to have her here and continue our friendship!

On Tuesday, we hosted our small group. We decided to have a festive evening so we had dessert fondue along with our time of prayer and fellowship. Anne Marie was inspired to have fresh coconut, and so we did!

Our spread of fruit and grahams for chocolate fondue...

Mom aren't you proud? I am using the fondue pot!!!

Ah and yes, a "momlette"...I'll have to explain...

But wait we were not all gazing in each others eyes...

Ben,Emily, and Katie this one is for you!

I am realizing more and more how blessed I am to be in KC with the young adult group that is here and devoted to their faith. In fact the blessings are so great that it is difficult to get to know people better when the large events are taking place. So the book club I was in turned into a small women's group where we can check in on each other, share insights and meditations, and ask for prayers throughout the month.

Theme of the night: JUST BE....

“Offer him your very self in simple wholeness, all that you are and just as you are, without concentrating on any particular aspect of your being. In this way your attention will not be scattered nor your affection entangled, for this would spoil your singleness of heart and consequently your union with God.”

P. 155, The Book of Privy Counseling

A New Way to Look at a Deck of Cards

It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn't been heard. The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week. As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk. Just then an army sergeant came in and said, 'Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?' The soldier replied, 'I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord.' The sergeant said, 'Looks to me like you're going to play cards.' The soldier said, 'No, sir. You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.' The sergeant asked in disbelief, 'How will you do that?'

'You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me that there is only one God.

The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments

The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Five is for the five virgins there were ten but only five of them were glorified.

The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives -- the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth.

The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.

The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.

The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year. There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week - 52 weeks in a year. The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Each suit has thirteen cards -- there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.

So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.' The sergeant just stood there. After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, 'Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?'

Please let this be a reminder and take time to pray for all of our soldiers who are being sent away, putting their lives on the line fighting.

Prayer for the Military:

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them. Bless them and their families. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our servicemen and women all around the world. There is nothing attached, but this can be very powerful. Of all the gifts you could give a Soldier, prayer is the very best one.