Verso L'alto (Toward the top)

In the bible, there are stories of Jesus climbing to the top of mountains with his disciples so they can pray. Usually, it took them most of the day to climb up to the top, and then back down again after they had prayed. In Lawton, OK are some of the oldest range of mountains in the whole United States. The mountains have a similar region to those in Jerusalem, because of this, there is a nearby replica of the holy land, called the "Holy City" which is man made city depicting Jerusalem. So, yesterday I had the chance to climb up these mountains to experience a little bit of what it was like for Jesus and his disciples at the time. These mountains have huge rock faces that we had to climb up and over, sometimes under caves, or through brush, even jumping from one rock to another with a 30-50 foot drop beneath you. We were on our hands and knees pulling ourselves up, jumping from one rock to the next, even up and over rock walls. As my friends and I were climbing, the air started to get thinner, and by the time we knew it we were sucking wind and out of breathe. The only thing that kept us moving was because one, the adventure and excitement, and two, well, as Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati once said, "The higher we go, the better we shall hear the voice of Christ." So as I was climbing I tried to imagine Jesus in front of me leading me to the top. I tried to picture him climbing these huge rock faces, using all-fours and then turning around to help up his disciples if they had lost their footing. The whole time we were climbing, we had to use tactful skills of balance, hand-eye coordination, strength, and then jump. When we got to the top, I remember looking out for miles and seeing nothing but the region of rocks, nearby waters, and even more mountains! It was breathtaking, and exciting to see and realize once again that God created this. The thought of being on top of a mountain, made me feel the presence of God there with us. It was amazing. The three of us sat there on top of the mountain looking out, we prayed a rosary there in honor of God and all that he had done for us. For Blessed Pier Giorgio for being our inspiration and finally the Virgin Mary for being our great model of love, compassion and obedience.

Mission-Trip Oklahoma City

This past week I went on a mission trip with the Catholic Student Center to Oklahoma City. It was awesome, well It could of been better but missionary wise it was great. We stayed at a Catholic youth Camp on the outskirts of OKC about an hour away from the city. It was so beautiful out there, the stars were out every night. the trees blew with the fresh breeze, and the creatures churped almost with the sound of nature. Like a song that you already know the words. Our first night there I went outside to meditate a little bit. I remember looking up at the sky, watching the stars twinkle in the midnight blue. I remember saying,"Lord, I want to follow you, I wanna do what you want me to do. I trust you with all my heart. I just want you to allow your spirit flow through me like water, and reveal to me my calling." I said,"Lord I love you, I will go where you go, but If I end up on my knees I will crawl to you."and in that I ended my prayer and went inside to write in my journal, and I just started writing, I couldn't stop, for some reason those words just stuck to my head, so I wrote this song check it out...


If I end up on my knees, I will crawl, crawl to you.


This journeys so rough
One I can't seem to stand
I'd say I just about give it all up
But you hold me in the palm of your hand.


Lead me the way, through heated sun
Guide me to your sands of Endless love
God of mercy of grace show me the way
For its you I embrace, yea Its you I embrace!


Its you I will follow, You I will serve.
Anything you set, I'll do it for you
It's what I want, It's what you deserve
God my god, I will follow you.


This song, when I play it I get this since of peace and shadow of God. So throughout the whole mission trip I could not wait to go home only to play the song I had wrote through the holy spirit. Well as we went. We painted a pantry that this sister has started 10 years ago. "Sister BJs Pantry" we moved all the clothes put blue painters tape on the windows and trip, set up plastic. And started painting away. We used light blue, and dark blue. It took two whole days to paint the first and second coats. The second day also had us finish the gazebo in the garden. Stain it for the day to come. The day coming was the main part of the participation. We were to make sack lunches that had, water, chips, candy, a granola bar, and a sandwich. They were to be handed out to all homeless that got in line that morning. It was the butt crack of dawn but it was well worth it to see people who have no socks, no teeth. old clothes, but had smiles that ran across their faces from ear to ear. It was a trip I won't ever forget, One that will help me be what I wanna be; a missionary for Christ.