Teacher, RCIA teen x 4, Teacher {my fiance], Teacher {me}

Every year it begins, we get a new group of RCIA teens. And every year, to be honest, I always am apprehensive about the new group. I’m attached to the teens getting ready to leave us {they decided to become baptized/confirmed}, they’ve been in class for some time & I don’t want to see them go. When the class above started the RCIA process, I complained… big time. “They talk through the entire class, they’re always goofing off, they’re not getting anything”…

Well, with my foot in my mouth 2 years later, these teens are stunning!! Many of the teens that come through our program are sure to leave {as in, never be seen again} shortly after the “on fire for God” stage has passed. Yet this group, I see each one of them at least 2 sundays a month {I hop masses}. They stand firm where they are, they are evangelizing through action and word, and they’re bringing more people into the church. And you know what? They do it through talking and cracking jokes. The Lord truly does bring joy to people’s lives - I just didn’t get it until now. I thought they weren’t learning, but they got it. They got all of it!

xo,

Kristina-Nicole 

{RCIA is Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, this particular program is adapted for teens. It is a ministry where non-catholics & catholics alike can come in every week to a classroom setting and learn about the Catholic Church, what we teach, what we believe, why we do what we do - right down to the stand, sit, kneel, stand, sit, kneel, or why a priest wears green on some days and red on others. Catholics can come into the class either to learn more about their own faith - and no one judges them because we all need to continue to learn more about our faith, no matter how much we think we know - or as a sponsor, just to support other people there. Non-catholics can come in -like I did 6 years ago - and just sat and asked questions and listen. Why this? Why that? Well that doesn’t make any sense, really? … It’s a beautiful ministry full of devoted teachers, who are, just like you and me. To find out more, look in any catholic church bulletin, or call any church. Here’s a good website, not for RCIA, but for asking questions about the church: http://www.catholicscomehome.org/} 

He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

I love, love, LOVE the animation for this song. I always love Matt Maher’s music, but the teen that drew up the animations is very talented. I had never really thought about what 40 days would be like. I mean, lent is “difficult” already, right? No candy, or starbucks…. but what Jesus had to endure for 40 days….. I’m so glad He’s my Lord & He actually knows what it’s like to go through temptation! xxoo

A pink thermometer just came in the mail. It, along with a huge box of all the necessary information for NFP. Chris & I had our first class this past Sunday. It was, well, VERY informative & very DETAILED. But, I guess if you want to scientifically figure this all out, you’ll need all the details. :) I’m very excited to begin & learn the natural family planning process!

Spent the evening at my cousins’ house. Pizza. Beer. Convo. It was great & relaxing. Man, is my little cousin growing up now! Above is a picture of her a few years back. Now: a cute little punk girl, err teen, with her funky style and purple streaks in her hair. Gee, I love her! 

Tomorrow… NFP class. 1st one. We’ll have to see how this goes. I’m very excited & nervous at the same time! Chris & I want to practice NFP as a married couple because of the beauty of it. No medicine, no side-effects, no plastic man-made contraptions to keep our intimacy blocked. Everyone seems to assume we are going to practice NFP because we are Catholic - and I guess you could say that is part of the reason. But you can be a morally-upholding catholic and still not use NFP for marriage. I just think it’s a more beautiful thing because, aside from being scientifically proven to be healthier & more accurate than birth control & contraceptives, it will improve our communication & boost intimacy in our future married life. Yippie! 

xo, Kristina-Nicole

I am a big fan of etsy. I even have a little store front of my own. I think I am deciding that I am going to start showing off my etsy finds. What should we call it? A find? A discovery? A sojourn? I mean, sometimes finding great stuff is really easy - sometimes you find great stuff tucked into the back woods of the etsy search engine. Hmmm… please give some suggestions.

But anyways, I wanted to show off my etsy finds this week: Catholic Items. 

These are some of my favorites!!

{Catholic Girl Button :: by unresigned}  Simple & sweet. Reminds me of my Carmelite girls!

{Mysteries of the Rosary Glass Art Hand Soldered Prayer Card :: seller TheRecycledCatholic} I think this is a unique piece. 

And below:

{Compass Rosary Vintage Charm Bracelet :: seller VeyCourtCottage} It’s very old world. I like it. 

It’s Lent. Chris made AMAZING tilapia tacos for dinner!! I’m so full I don’t think I’ll have to eat tomorrow. Later on tonight is date night. He & I are going to be planning out the readings and songs for our wedding mass. I’m soo excited! We’ve been talking a little bit about it & I think we’re going with the first reading from Tobit, the Epistle will be the long {and complete} version of Ephesians, and I don’t know about the Gospel yet. We’ll be getting married on the feast of St. Terese - Oct. 1st. And you know what is great? He discovered that we met for the first time, at the morning mass of the feast day of St. Terese 6 years ago, Oct. 1, 2004. Wow. I’m really impressed with the Lord. I mean, of course I always am - but He’s got impeccable timing.

xo,

Kristina-Nicole