Dearest Prayer Warriors,
I am writing today to thank you so much for your prayers this year! I apologize for not sending out one sooner this year, as I love sharing how God is working in the little stories throughout the year. The "new to FOCUS campus" life has been challenging, and yet very wonderful for me to continue to learn how to reach out in faith! One of the stories that I was able to garner up by the end of the year is an amazing blessing for me to see, knowing that just being present is HUGE, even when I can't answer all questions about the faith. I have witnessed some pretty awesome miracles- students going to confession after several years, road trips with spiritual discussions on the way to celebrating Thanksgiving in Florida, girls opening up in Bible study, and people coming to our FOCUS conference that I wasn't sure would come, but this is a simple story that just fills me with simple joy!
Stacey is a student at Georgia Southern who wanted to meet with someone from St. Matthew's church, and in my humanity, I had forgotten to get in contact with her. I was reminded by my ever diligent priest, Fr. Tim, when he asked in an email if I had gotten in contact with her. Guiltily, before I had emailed him back, I called her, and left a message. When I met her the week of Thanksgiving, I realized the greatest gift I could have missed out on: sharing the Catholic faith with a hungry child of God, raised in an empty Jehovah's Witness background. We talked for a couple hours, and decided to get together after the Thanksgiving break, to go to Mass together. Just before we finished, I taught her the simplest prayer: the Sign of the Cross. We went to Mass twice together before the Christmas break, she joined us one night in making rosaries (cords that are knotted) asking questions about Mary, and she continues to ask questions that are difficult for me to answer (some I can, some I can't- THAT'S EXCITING!), and I look forward to seeing if we can get her into RCIA this next semester, and continue building a friendship, and relationship in Christ.
The really exciting thing about this particular girl that I want to share with you, is that she will be celebrating Christmas for the FIRST time this year. Can you imagine seeing Christmas with celebrating the coming of the Christ child for the FIRST time? Incredible. I will be praying for her, that she may see this as a time of great hope, and invite you to pray for her, and for the students at Georgia Southern to see Christmas with new eyes.
I myself want to continue seeing Christmas with new eyes, in adoration of the Christ Child and His Holy Family. In fact, I have been trying these past few weeks to prepare my heart to receive Christ in a special way this Christmas. I want to prepare my heart to be able to give it to Him. I know that all that I do in FOCUS is nothing; if it is good, it is because He is. God is the one who works in the hearts of my brothers and sisters that I am privileged to be with.
I have been so blessed to be partnered with you this past year. May God bless this Christmas in your families. You are prayed for, especially this Christmas Mass. You will be offered up in my prayers as we worship our Lord. Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
