SLS2020

"Trust and trust alone should lead us to love." -St. Therese of Lisieux

The acronym "SLS" was nothing more than a sound that found its way into Bible study conversations and UCC encounters during the fall semester of 2019, and although it was shrouded in mystery, my heart urged me to express interest. There appeared to be an excitement and wonder in the eyes of the people who spoke about it that was unbeknownst to me. It was at this time that I was experiencing an unfamiliar desire to serve, yet had no action plan as to how I would go about it. I prayed that this would be my first step, and He far exceeded my expectations.

Fast forward to our dinner before the opening mass. As my lovely roommate and I walked to the basement of St. Mary's Basilica, I was greeted with smiles from familiar faces and was immediately filled with comfort. With our school flag in hand, we made our way through the convention center and into a room larger than life. It was here that the majority of conference festivities would take place. My breath ceased suddenly, and my eyes filled with tears that I would not let fall. The sight was beautiful: thousands of university students, flags waving, worship music playing, and the illuminated altar in all its glory.

The week that followed was filled with a miraculous amount of healing and discovery. Attempting to narrate my entire spiritual journey would be a poor attempt at recounting the indescribable, so I have decided to look back on the night of New Year's Eve. This day was especially significant for me. It was on this day, the day that seemingly lasted an eternity, that I was blessed enough to experience God's healing grace in a way that I had never thought possible. I decided that I could not treat Him like an option anymore. In the words of Fr. Mike Schmidt, "I am not fine, He is good, and I need Him." I prayed that I might eternally fall in love with Christ, that I might joyously run into His open arms and be Held against his heart. It was on this day that I realized I was loved by The One True King, and I had to celebrate!

Ringing in the New Year with Matt Maher was God's love in action. With my parents watching the livestream online, my beautiful sorority sisters beside me, my incredible boyfriend in my heart, thousands of college students praising His name, and His presence in the Blessed Sacrament, I can confidently say that this was a moment of pure and absolute joy.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/b471d3_8f648b0176ac4266b8eb61ddcb911366/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Finally, I would like to thank the courageous women that God brought me to in my small group. Our conversations on God's love and beauty opened my eyes to His wonder, and our shared laughter made me appreciate the beauty that He created each and every one of you with. You are gifts to this world that is in need of your loving light. I admire all of you.

St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us.

("do small things with great love" -mother teresa ♡)