Advent: The Gift of Self

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” 

(Is. 9:1)

As I reflect on that moment where in the silence and darkness of the night, the light became Word- my heart is filled with peace and joy.  Advent is a time of sacred memories where our trust in a redemptive love is reaffirmed and reborn. Every year this story takes on new meaning and causes me to relive the atmosphere of expectation, hope, awe, and joy which is definitive of Christmas.

Never has this season therefore been so special to me!! In addition to the outpour of blessings from my beloved friends here in CA, my older brother just got engaged!! Our whole family couldn’t be happier!!! It was so humbling to have seen Robert kneel before Olivia and ask for her hand in marriage. 

Prior to this moment, myself, my younger sister and best friend Kara were hunched in a closet waiting to photograph the moment when they entered the chapel. There was so much excitement, anticipation, and lots of muffled laughter which filled our small space. As the clock ticked down we decided to say a simple prayer in the dark asking Christ to guide and shape their love so that one day Robert and Olivia could fully share their hearts with each other. The moment Robert and Olivia entered the chapel, it was as if the whole space was enveloped in peace. What pure joy!

After some time to reflect on this beautiful moment, I see how there is such fittingness to this joy. Thinking again on Advent, I see with great clarity the ways in which Robert and Olivia so evidently radiate the message of hope at the heart of Christ’s birth! If you think about it, throughout the Advent season we are constantly being oriented towards light. Often in this reflection we are reminded of the many difficulties which may cause those words of light and hope to seem distant or even out of reach. That is precisely the beauty of sharing in this time of celebration with Robert and Olivia. The reverence which Robert and Olivia exhibited to each other is so revealing of our own deposit of faith in which, we experience ourselves as wrapped in a sweet, tender love of God and in the same experience become commitment to a practical love of God.

In this experience, the preparation attached to this engagement for both Robert and Olivia has been so clear. One of my favorite excerpts from Bl. JPII on this type of preparation has always been: “The greater the feeling of responsibility for the person the more true love there is” (Love & Responsibility). All the little details of the engagement on both parts were such perfect examples of the sacrificial acts which often go unnoticed but undeniably increase and perfect our ability to love. The unyielding mercy in times of trial, celebrating life together, cherishing moments of peace in daily routines, and always seeking that redeeming unity becomes our irrevocable responsibility to love!

Even thinking about Olivia’s name, the perfect expression of peace, I see the tremendous blessing that has been given to our family! A new daughter, sister, and future wife for Robert! How incredible! God is good! What an amazing encounter of light and life! Nevermore has this season been such a feast of light.

Our dearest Olivia and beloved Robert, thank you for this Advent gift!!

We will be holding you in the heart of our prayers as you begin to prepare for this most beautiful vocation!!

“Fill us with your gifts, you who did not hesitate to begin human life like us. Make us children of God, you who for our sake desired to become a son of man.” 

(St. Augustine)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deep in the Heart of Texas!!

It has been so long since I last posted to this blog and for this I am terribly sorry! I hope to somewhat make up for it with a thorough update on all that God has been working in my life. I know word gets around pretty fast in our neck of the woods but here it is….I made the move to California!!

After having interviewed with Childrens Hospital Los Angeles last week I was hired and within a couple of days’ notice I packed up, am in the process of looking for an apartment, and will begin my first official work day next week!!

And like any love story- there is always a great adventure story about the nomadic wanderings which take us into new horizons. I was able to make the drive from TX to CA with one of my best friends Kara. In the span of 1,600 miles we experienced: rain, sleet, mud, hail, tornadoes, and of course the pleasant snow storm! Eeeeek! Hahaha, but God was surly watching over our crazy selves because we made it in one piece (and with all the junk food & all you can eat buffet stops…maybe even in a bigger piece than when we left TX! Hahaha). I couldn’t have asked for a better co-pilot! Even within the mentioned little spurts of chaos, both of us shared in such amazing moments of awe as we took in the vast deserts, unbounded prairies, breathtaking sunrise in the plateau, winding rivers, and mountains illuminated by a sunset.

In these moments, I felt my Texas family and friends so close! There was so much peace and joy attached to reflecting on all of the beautiful memories and experiences shared deep in the “heart of Texas.” I couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up than surrounded by the people God placed in my life. I wanted to share a little letter with all of my beloved Texans which I will forever hold in my heart and continue to allow transform my life!!

My dearest Texans!!

Even though I never grew fond of the 100 degree summers, occasional tornado afternoons, winter ice days, or sticky humidity….I have come to love Texas the way I love my fried food: Rich in flavor with the power to move me to tears and feel that much closer to heaven! Hahaha, what a feeling of home I will always have in Texas!!

Sharing my time with you has allowed me to grow deeper in my faith, appreciate simplicity, and live out my desire to celebrate life. It was in Texas, my home, where my inner most wonderings were awakened. One of my favorite things to do in TX was watch the sunrise/sunset. There is nothing like a Texas sky!! During my little escapes out into the country side of TX I found it so easy to become lost in the rich colors and open land. I remember thinking once that it was the perfect outward expression of that inner life that we should all strive for. I truly believe that it is our ardent desire for truth and peace that reflects this desire to experience such color and freedom. I am fortunate to have examples of this color and freedom in my life. My family, friends, mentors, and complete strangers were such lights in my life which led me to see with clarity that God was the source of these intimate impressions of my heart.

How funny that out of all the places in the world, Texas became the grounds for my unremitting quest for God! The quirks, traditions, land, and characters became the underlying structure to the story of my life. God is so creative!!! It will forever remain a consoling retrospect in all of the new beginnings in my life.

Thank you for your role in my life, sweet and dear Texans!! I see Paul’s words with more clarity because of your presence in my life: “I beg you brothers to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1). This pressing invitation to give my life to God has taken on special meaning as I begin to live out my vocation in my profession and the new relationship I have been blessed with. It was in Texas that I discovered the power of silence which moves one to humbly listen. It was also in Texas that I learned to give passionate witness of a life formed and protected in the Gospel. I think the unity of these two, silence and evangelization, will be what allows me to give myself fully in every experience I encounter in my life.

The Lord has tireless sowed his message of mercy and love in the soil of my heart through you, my friends and family. Because of this, I know that the roots of memory and experience will continue to grow as I seek to bring my heart daily to the light of God and the life giving waters of Christ.

My dear Texans- I hold you near, I feel your presence in my life, and I love you!

May peace always be with you,

Teresa :) 

 Alright...now brace yourself for my awesome Texas photo montage...... :) Love ya'll!!!