7 Quick Takes

-one-

Sunday before Mass, I went to confession and visited the chapel on campus since being back at school. I love these precious moments alone with Jesus where I all need to do is be present and let His love and grace transform me while I love Him in return.

-two-

I was actually introduced to Blessed is She a few months ago and recently started reading their daily devotions. Beginning my day by centering my soul on Jesus before or while walking to class has been an enormous blessing.

-three-

One of my sorority sisters began selling Scentsy last semester and now that the Christmas rushes are over, I was able to get my stuff this week. I got three bars of wax in Camu Camu (a fruity scent), White Tea and Cactus (it smells flowery and clean), and my favorite Shaka (it smells like men's deodorant.)  

                         -four-
Wednesday was the first day of the spring semester... my last spring semester too! I'm taking two finance classes, two management classes, and dropped my philosophy class until next semester when I'm less busy.

                                -five-

It's three weeks until Greek Retreat and I'm stoked! We had a meeting about it today and I can't wait. If you're a UL Greek you can sign up here! Not student but want to be involved? You can contribute to the programming costs of this excellent week by sponsoring students here!

-six and seven-

I'd be lying if I said I haven't been bingeing on the ten amazing seasons of FRIENDS for the few weeks. My favorite seasons are easily the third, fourth, and fifth. For the record, I'm officially pro-THEY WERE ON A BREAK; also Chandler is my spirit animal.

I've been back in Louisiana for a week and a half, but now that the semester has started I've finally been able to reconnect with my friends. On Tuesday night, I also joined my friends in Wisconsin via Google+ hangout to chat before

A Theme for 2015

This year I've decided to do something different and decided against a New Year's Resolution. Not that resolutions are bad but because I want something more. So this year I've decided on implementing a New Year's Theme, something that will encompass me for the year (and fingers crossed, for life.)

My theme for this year was easy: intentional. I think this is a word that gets thrown around a lot because it sounds good but then loses some of the gravity it deserves. What does it actually mean to be intentional?

According to my old pal the Internet, it's to have a purpose: to make decisions with true understanding of its consequences. I think the best way (which is not to say that it will be easy or painless) is to ask myself some important questions often.

• Will this action lead me to happiness? 
• And more importantly, will this action lead me to holiness?

 I have a feeling 2015 will be a very introspective and hopefully freeing year.

Happy (late) New Years!

Unexpected Lessons from Playing Puzzles

Fun Fact about me: I love playing puzzles; something about sitting down and turning a mess of pieces into a pretty picture rocks my Type A socks off. :) Fun Fact #2 about me: I love Elf. (Really it's my absolute favorite movie, I will watch it anytime of year.) And for Christmas this year I received a 750 piece Elf puzzle. #nice

About two thirds of the way done, I kept getting tripped up by one section and trying to put a piece in. And it was sooo close to fitting in that spot but one knob was just a tiny bit misshaped to actually fit so I'd set it aside. And yet every time I returned to that section I would put it in again, hoping this time it would actually work.

"If only I could just will this piece to fit here." 

I then sat back and realized something: how many times have I tried to do this with my life? Willing something to fit where it doesn't belong. Here's the thing, puzzles have a plan: make the picture on the box. And our lives have a plan, a plan more amazing than anything we could come up with, drafted by the One who knows our hearts better than we do.

And sometimes things don't fit into that plan. It doesn't mean that our plan is bad, it doesn't mean that thing is bad (although it certainly can!) It might be a timing thing, it might be a learning thing, but it is ALWAYS a something else fits better here... thing. You don't have to know what that is, you just need to keep working and it will come together. RUN, DON'T WALK to Jesus and He will make your paths straight.

I thought that was all that God was going to teach me about Him and myself but He's rather smart - a side effect of being God ;) - and snuck a few more realizations in there.

For example, I follow a pretty stringent method of solving puzzles. It involves a lot of separating. Step one is to separate the edges and the non-edges and put the frame together. This is akin to relationship with the Lord: going to Mass, saying grace before meals, etc., kindergarten stuff here.
Then comes sifting through colors or patterns and it requires a bit more effort: more structured daily prayer, maybe a trip to chapel, frequenting confession a bit more often, etc.
And now you're almost done and all that's left is the background or #ExtremeMode, a bunch of similarly colored pieces with a ton of potential arrangements. This is gonna take time, effort, and patience (I'm really bad at that last one.) This might mean seeing a spiritual director, or committing to Holy Hour more often, offering a Rosary or two or a ton, and generally asking Mama Mary and the Saints for lots of intercession.

One last thing, be in the right condition. We typically do puzzles in our nicer living room, it's less busy, less cluttered, and has a large coffee table perfect for laying out pieces; the downside is the lighting is pretty bad. After sundown it's pretty hard to tell similarly colored pieces apart. In the same way when we are in a state of mortal sin, we can't tell what we are doing because our soul and relationship with God has been damaged. Again, RUN, DON'T WALK to confession, prepare yourself to be healed with His transforming love, to be fortified with the graces to resist temptation next time, and be in the closest state of union with Him this side of Heaven by receiving Him in the Eucharist.

Some pretty heavy stuff for just playing puzzles for awhile. Have you ever had the Lord lay something on you in an unexpected but profound way?

21 Before 22

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear Alleyyyy, happy birthday to me! If you haven't guessed today is my birthday, my 21st birthday to be precise. ;) This year I've decided to pick 21 things I want to accomplish before I turn 22.

1. Learn to crochet

2. Journal daily

3. KARAOKE

4. Give 10%

5. Read 12 leisure books

6. Go to a drive-in movie

7. Save 20%

8. Study Scripture daily 

9. Make plans to take the GMAT

10. Learn to {properly} fold fitted sheets

11. Take a solo trip

12. Have a special day with each of my family members

13. Learn to cook chicken on the stovetop

14. Run a 5k

15. Get a {small, conspicuous; i.e. don't freak Mom and Dad} tattoo

16. Go hiking

17. Have a no spend week 

18. Do the splits

19. Pray daily

20. Take a wine tasting class

21. Inspire someone to make their own list :)

Well I've got 365 day to cross everything off! 

Reviewsday Tuesday: Julep Maven

The other day while stalking browsing Facebook, I notice an ad from Julep about an offer for a free Welcome box. I'm not one for being super into make up or nails but for free why not?

What's neat about Julep Maven is it's a personalized subscription. To start, you take a quiz to determine your style profile (I got Classic with a Twist) and head to checkout. From there you'll fill out the usual shipping and billing addresses and pay for your box. Pay? Alley, I thought this was a FREE box. Don't worry m'dears it is… shipping however is not. Don't worry it was about $3 and comes through the U.S.  Postal Service. (And very quickly at that!)

Now the best part: what's in it!

This box came with a little welcome pamphlet and a promo code for 50% off your next purchase. But the really fun stuff was the two Classic with a Twist nail polishes. Maddy, a raspberry sorbet shimmer polish, and Madison, a tropical coral crème polish. It also came with their Mighty Nail & Cuticle Serum. Which is like it sounds, a serum to repair dry, damaged cuticles for stronger, smoother nails. I also received two nail sponges/buffers. For only $3 this was a great deal and for $25 (the usual month price) or $20 (the monthly price if you buy a 3-month prepaid subscription) this a good deal as well. To buy the nail polishes and serum alone from their site would be $56 before shipping! 

Not only do you get a monthly box catered to your style, Mavens get other perks as well! The first is a 20% discount on all of their other products as well as free shipping on those orders. On the 1st of each month, The Secret Store opens with exclusive deals for a few days; because I just ordered my Welcome Box the few days I haven't personally seen this yet but I can't wait to check it out! Then from the 20th-24th of each month, you can preview and customize your box and on the 27th the boxes start shipping.

Another cool perk is Jules or reward points. Each box you receive earns you Jules, as well as points from referring others, on your birthday (and during your anniversary month), even just signing up today earns you a few!  

Take the style quiz and sign up yourself.

Use the promo code FREEBOX at checkout!

*DISCLAIMER* 

I was not paid or sponsored by Julep for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own! The referral link above does grant me some of those lovely Jules points I talked about earlier. ;)  

Reviewsday Tuesday: Drink Mixes

I have always been a big water drinker; my Camelbak travels with me almost everywhere! Now that summer's thankfully arrived, I've been wanting to mix it up a little (pun fully intended!) So here's a short review of my favorites.

Starbucks VIA Refreshers

This mix is probably my favorite although it's no match its in-store counterpart. The only down side is that it's 70 calories per packet and most mixes are about 10.

Lipton Tea and Honey

I'm not a huge fan of iced tea but Lipton's Tea and Honey mixes are great! I think because they're mostly fruit flavored green teas they're a bit more palatable. We also have some of the liquid kinds that I've yet to try.  

Crystal Lite

I recently picked up a box of Crystal Lite with Caffeine on-the-go packets, I got the Wild Strawberry flavor and it was pretty good.I'm also a fan of their original Lemonade flavor and can't wait to try some more.

Does anyone have suggestions for their favorite brands or flavors? 

Has anyone tried the liquid the kinds, how are they?

Disclaimer: I am not receiving any reimbursement from these reviews (though if they'd like to send me money I'd be cool with it!) 

Almost Everything You Wanted to Know about Prayer Journals…Almost ;)

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life  many years and bring you prosperity. - Proverbs 3: 1-2

For the past few weeks I've added something new to my prayer life and time with the Lord. It's inexpensive, portable, adaptable, and honestly something I wish I had started a long time ago. By this post's title you can probably guess what it is. ;) A prayer journal. 

You may be sitting there thinking "Um, no. I'm not a writer, I'm not a journal-er," or maybe "I tried that and got nothing out of it." Yep, I feel you because I thought those things as well. But after some gentle nudging (so gentle I'm sure they didn't even realize they were) by a friend I decided to give it another shot. And boy is it good, and let me elaborate why.

A sample page from my journal.
Sidenotes: the "summary, questions, insights, etc. are actually from Matthew 12 not 11.
Also the PostIts are to cover up prayer requests for the sake of privacy. Sorry.

- A Way to Look Back and Reflect

I'm nostalgic about pretty much everything. In the short time I've had this journal I already love reading previous entries. It's funny to see what was on my heart a few days or the week before, and how Jesus has come into my life with those answers, encouragement, and love. I can't wait to look back months or years from now and smile (or shake my head) at what past Alley was thinking.   

- Getting Things Down

I find that actually writing out a concern or prayer usually I makes me think about it more deeply. This is especially helpful in cases where I feel overwhelmed. This is also great when I'm talking with others about something that's been rough or hard to deal with; instead of saying "not good" or "I don't know" (which are perfectly honest answers, just not helpful) when asked "what's wrong?" I can at least have a starting point to explain. 

- Remembering Scripture

I highlight, underline, and sometimes use Washi tape in my Bible, but simply highlighting isn't enough to help us remember. The act of writing/rewriting is what really helps commit stuff to memory.  Even if all I do write a brief summary of the Bible chapter or section of the chapter I've just read, I can better recall it when I need to.

- Processing Scripture

Again, writing things down tends to make me think more deeply about them. An epiphany or question about what I've just read can be easily added to a summary.

    Some sample questions to ask yourself.

    - The 5W's. Who wrote this book? Were they writing it to someone? Why?

    - What does this even mean? Is there a major lesson I can take away from this book, chapter, or       verse? Such as a command to obey, a sin to avoid, a promise to rejoice in, etc.? 

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Maybe you're thinking ok, sounds good, what do I need? Four things and you're set.

A page of my Bible, naturally covered in washi tape and highlighting.

An open heart. This is arguably the most important thing. Simply let the Lord come into your heart, be open to His Spirit, and enjoy your fellowship and communion with Him. :)

 Something to write in. It doesn't have to be fancy, a simple notebook will do. But if you prefer a leather-bound and locked diary go for it.

Something to write with. Pens, pencils, markers, it's all good

A Bible. If you're new to studying the Bible I suggest a) a study Bible -they tend to have lots of nice "extras" and explanations to help process what's going on and b) an easier to understand translation, I have the NIV translation and like it well enough.

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Some additional recommendations. 

 A plan. This doesn't have to be anything super complicated. If you are new to studying the Bible, I recommend the following method. (I say this as a 20-year-old girl who has found it works well for me, and not as a professional theologian.) Start with the New Testament: one of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), then one of the letters of St. Paul (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, or Philemon), then an Old Testament book like Psalms or Proverbs. I find that one or two chapters a day is good (though three or four Psalms is manageable due to their shorter length.) 

A routine. This is two-fold; one part is setting aside a specific time each day to study, journal, and pray. I find that most people either do this after waking up or before bedtime, but if you are certain you'll be too tired at either of these times, the middle of the day is good too. The other part is for the actual time in the Word and a nice method is to Pray that you will be open to what Lord will teach you. Read and Write any summaries, 5W's, questions, or applications, etc. Pray again in thanksgiving for what you've learned, asking for clarity if you don't understand something, or both. Tell someone, this could be asking advice from a spiritual adviser, shared in a small group, or giving someone else advice.

This was super long but I really hope it helped or inspired you to add to your prayer life! 

Another page from my Bible.

Do you have any other journaling, Bible study, or prayer life tips?