7 quick takes {v. 11} - it is well

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What a wonderful couple of weeks it's been! I finished helping out at my church's summer CCD and it's been a really wonderful, surprisingly humbling experience. These kids were so open to the Gospel and had such great questions. For example: "Why can't God just snap His fingers and make all the bad things stop?" And that's from a 10 year old, ladies and gentlemen.

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Blessed are the men whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the roads to Zion. - Psalm 84:5

 I'm coming out of a somewhat difficult season in my life and have become very contented with the various quiet, daily routines that we take for granted. Maybe it sounds silly but looking out the window and seeing green all around me, pine trees, even the mailman, have been balms for my soul. I guess you never know how much you love home until you leave for a time.

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On a lighter note, Austenland is coming to theaters soon. I love all things Austen and am excited to see what this movie is all about. Seems like a cute summer rom-com. Also, where exactly does one find a life-size cutout of Colin Firth/Darcy?



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The new Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist CD came out this week, too. It's a beautiful order of sisters and the CD is amazing. It's so relaxing to just turn on the hymns and let them wash over you. It's even been a big help for me to get into the right stillness before prayer.

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Another neat ministry I read about this week was the relatively new brewery of the Benedictine Monks at St. Benedict's Monastery of Norcia, Italy. Not only is their beer (Belgian style) supposed to be amazing, but they've found it's been a great way to "preach the Gospel without preaching the Gospel".  Interesting, right?

-6
There's been so much evil in the news this week that it's hard to take in. Some of these articles I couldn't even get through because of the depth of evil. I'll never understand how a human heart can become so dark. The only thing I can think to do now is pray. Let's keep these intentions in our prayers this week.

-7
I'm starting the 33 Days to Morning Glory consecration program at my church this week and, really, I don't think it could've come at a better time. Have you any of you done this? I've heard so many good things. Pray for me, if you can, and share any intentions you want me to pray for too!

7 quick takes {v. 10}: lobsters, gungors, & harry potter

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What a week! World Youth Day came to an end and we were all left to read and ponder and pray over Pope Francis' messages. If you can read Spanish, here's a handy little compendium of all his messages from World Youth Day. If not, please do yourself a favour and read them. All of them. Chew on them for a while. I promise, it'll change you. I mean, come on, 3 million+ young people, on a beach, in Eucharistic adoration? Listening to a pope say Mass? That is nothing short of a miracle.

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On a similar note, I've been seeing people really trying to understand his supposed comment to "make a mess", given to his impromptu meeting with the Argentinian youth. As an Argentinian youth myself, I want to put it out there that this is a MIStranslation. The phrase in Spanish is, "¡Hagan lío!" It's hard to directly translate into English but it really comes closer to "stir the pot" or "make trouble" or "cause a ruckus". I love having a papa Argentino!

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In other, less global news, it was my birthday last Friday. I celebrated by heading up to Maine for some lobstah and coastline. There is nothing like fresh, seasonal Maine lobster! It was so wonderful to just relax with my family and hang out by the water. I don't think I could ever live anywhere away from the ocean again...

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As part of this awesome birthday, my parents got me tickets to a New England Christian music festival where I had front row spots to see Hillsong Live and Gungor! In case you don't know, I'm an all-things-Hillsong superfan. It was so awesome not just being close enough to touch the main singers, but just because there's nothing like a live music experience. Check these bands out if you haven't already!

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 On top of all the other cool things happening, this month is the 15th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I don't think I'll ever get tired of Harry Potter! Scholastic debuted some new covers for the books; what do you think? I personally like the originals better, but that's probably because those are the ones we grew up with. There's also a list of 28 things that happened after the series ended, according to good old J.K. (or Robert Galbraith, if you please) herself. (Thanks for the link, Julie!)

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 If you were watching the Saturday night vigil at World Youth Day, you may have spotted Matt Maher, Catholic music extraordinaire playing for El Papa himself!

 
His song, "Lord, I Need You" is a beautiful take on an old hymn. Here's Matt talking about it: 

 

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"I hope that a UK buyer comes forward so this simple but elegant ring can be saved for the nation." 

Once upon a time, Kelly Clarkson anonymously purchased a rare piece of jewelry owned by Queen Jane Austen herself. After a quick Wikipedia search, the British auctioneers/Austenites realized this Clarkson character was an American(!) and was trying to pull a Wickham and run away with the family goods! If only there was a gallant, British Darcy out there to save the day....

Have a good weekend, everybody!