Pilgrims on the Journey

In this course I learned about the hookup culture. I learned all about how our culture has shifted to not dating but hooking u with people. So I am going to try and stay out of that culture. A major lesson I have learned is to really build relationships with people. Really get to know people before kissing them or anything. Not that I didn't before, but as I go into college be aware of the culture we live in. When we watched the women's lecture about her thoughts on how people should approach dating, I realized how the new way of dating is so much different then the old way of dating.

When we watched the movies on the camino, it taught me to open up to people. Sometimes we go through life blissfully unaware of the people around us and their stories, but we needed to learn about the people around us and maybe we will learn about ourselves. Walk with strangers, walk in solidarity. The world around us and the people around us can reach us so much if we just give them the chance.

IVF

The major obvious pro to IVF is that people can have children who previous to this medical advancement could not. When you are told you can't have children, that most be one of the hardest things to hear and now with IVF they can help a lot of people with this problem. The major con is that there has to be a third party involved in contraception. That is the part the church has a problem with, the third party. They suggest other forms of treatments such as "the use of drugs to increase the number of eggs produced, surgery to eliminate blockages in the husband’s or wife’s body, and gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT), which is similar to in vitro fertilization but not as efficient. In GIFT the wife’s eggs and husband’s sperm are injected together into the woman’s fallopian tubes in the hope that an embryo will result." I think it is very expensive! But honestly, I don't think that effects the morality of it. The idea is still scary that you pay all this money and nothing is guaranteed. Maybe that's were the morality is brought into question, when these people pay a lot of money with no promise of success. 

Abortion: Why isn't this a national outrage?

I did not know anything about this trial before reading it in class. I think it is the most disgusting  crime I`ve ever heard of and it is ridiculous. This should be making headlines every where. This should be a household story that everyone knows about. This should be one of those stories they make lifetime movies about and has as much attention as possible. this should go down in history as one of the most gruesome crimes of this century. Maybe if it was more vocal and known there could be something more  could be done. this man is a psychopath and should forever be know for his crimes. He is a disgusting person and he should be known forever for what he has done.

The Changing Face of Marriage

The domestic church, seems to me, all about making children and procreation. However, in today's society that is most definitely not the main concern. I feel like today, a lot of people are together because they don't want to be alone. They know they aren't made for each other, they don't want to spend the rest of their lives together. They are afraid they will never find that person that completes them. We can't be afraid. I believe our soul mate is out there and all the people along the way just prepare us for that one person who we are so drawn to their is no denying them. There is a song i love called Bless the Broken road by Rascal Flatts some lyrics are: 
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That what I think about our soul mates every person along the way changes us and shapes into the person we are meant to be and shapes us to be ready for the love of our lives. I personally believe the reason people who graduate college have a less rate of divorce is because most people meant their soul mates in college. There are so many people i know who found their significant other in college, my aunt and uncle being one of them. The structure and composition of a family is different for different people. There is no set way, there should be no norm. Man and man with adoptive children, or woman and woman, man and woman wit no children. Every family is different because every person is dfferent. I don't believe there should be any structure, there is no way to know how your life is going to go. You love who you love, God deals you a hand. My grandma told me that God never gives us anything we aren't able to handle. I don't now what my marriage or my life will entail but I know it will be full of laughter and fun. Spontaneity will be so important and there will be nothing but light. If there isn't then I am not where I am meant to be. I am not going to be afraid of being alone. I am going to find that person who makes me happy. I will fall and stumble along the way, I know. But in the end I will find my soul mate. 

Papal conclave

The topics important for the next pope to address is the many sex scandals that have been in the church not only in recent years but the many years before that. It's important to help everyone see the true purpose of the church again and not get distracted from the true meaning of church. I think that abortion, contraceptives and gay marriage are important topics that can not be ignored by the future pope. There is also a change in society, a modernization that need to be addressed but the next pope, the church almost needs to get with the times. The challenges the pope will face are the same as the important topics the pope needs to address. Modernization is an important thing that the church as a whole needs to address. There is also an important group of people that are not being represented, women. They have no power, no authority and no voice even though they make up about half of the lay people. I think that is one important thing that needs to change, women should be given the opportunity to hold places of authority. Though, to be honest, I do not believe that the church should have any authority. I do not believe in anything the church says, I don't not believe that anyone, or anything can govern my relationship with God. I don't believe that anything or anyone can govern my opinions, I do not appreciate the church trying to tell their followers what to believe. Though they do try, and they do effect the views of millions of people, that is a huge responsibility and we can all just pray the next pope will be ready for the challenge. 

Dating: what's the point?

It seems today that I know more marriages that turn to divorce then marriages that last. That seems backwards to me. Dating today, especially the relationships closest to me, seems to be more physical then emotional. No relationship I know claim to be heading for marriage. Isn't that supposed to be the purpose of dating, to find the person you want to marry. So why do we now stay with people we know that we aren't going to marry? Or better question, why do people get married with the thought if it doesn't work out we can just get a divorce? That's not how it's supposed to be. Especially in kids my age, some people catagorize hooking up as being in a relationship. I am not naive, I know that is a huge part of a relationship. But sharing your life and mind, your thoughts and dreams is if not just as important more important. Then you have other people who stay together because they are afraid of being alone. I understand this feel, everyone needs the feeling of being wanted. However, we can't be afraid of being alone. You can not build a marriage on that. Further, with that mentality you not going to wind up with the person you belong with. You could miss out on your true love because you are afraid. People are so afraid of being alone they turn to physical interaction 'hooking up' to feel close to people. However you define it, it seems to have a negative connotation today. You hardly ever hear people on a committed relationship say they hooked up with each other. Hooking up breads this culture of almost excessive sexual intimacy with multiple people, and that being "cool." 

Becoming Who Your Are

Vocation has many different means to different people. Vocation is about who you are, every vocation is different for every person. We are all unique so we are called to do different things. To find our vocation we need to know who we are. We are called to do what we love, we are called to change the world in our own unique way. We are going to lose sight of what we are supposed to do, and what makes us happy. We lose of path and lose our way. That is when we need to take time and ask questions like who we are and who we want to be. the question is not who I am supposed to be or what people think i should be. But who we really are inside. Who am I by nature? Who was I born to be?

I do not know the answers to these questions for myself. I have my mission statement that helps guide me through my life now but i have no idea what I am called to do. I don't really know who I am. How can I? I am still growing and maturing. I know I am called to what makes me happy, I am called to what will change people in a positive way. I am called to save lives, either physically or emotionally. We can save some one's life with one kind word, and never know it. When I realize my true vocation, I will be happy and love life. I will see the world with different eyes, I will know who I truly am and I can be truly happy.

Mission Statement

My main goal in life is to smile and make the people around me smile. Which should be easy because i am told all the time that I am funny. I strive to be selfless. I want to be a mom and care for people. I love my family, and I can't wait to have my own. I spend any free time that I can get at my Dad's house with my sisters. I want to be gentle and caring. I want to love live, and wake up everyday happy where I am.

Sources of my Identity

One huge part of my life that has changed me, forever, is my sisters Bridgid and Riley. The twin sisters were born on May 26, 2010 and my life has never been the same. The countless nights of crying and no sleep, the smiles, the hugs and the kisses will forever gives my girls a place in my heart. Watching them learn and grow is the best part of my life. Seeing them smile and laugh, playing countless games of soccer and ring around the Rosie make me smile almost everyday. My sisters are my biggest inspiration to do better with my life. Through the college process, I had to think about what was best for not just me but for the girls to. They inspire me to keep going even though the temptation of senior slide keeps getting stronger. I find myself being more caring and understanding. I find myself living everyday to the fullest and living happier. I find myself being stronger against challenges and growing as a person, or finding who I really am. Everyone always gasps when i say i have twin sisters who are two, they must be such a challenge in your life and yes, i take care of them , but they take care of me to.

Another thing that made who I am was coming to the mount. I know that sounds very typical but I have met life long friends here. There are a handful of people this school that i will love forever. my sisters go to this school. Some of the people i love most, and have changed my life forever are because I choose this school. I am more confident, not only academically but socially. Everyday comes with a challenge, but I feel so loved here. I feel so independent and strong. I feel smart and capable, and I don't believe any other high school could have done that for me. Academically almost everything I have learned here I will use in college and in my future career.

Along with school, crew has changed me forever. I put these two things together because I wouldn't be rowing if I didn't go to the Mount. Crew makes me feel strong and in control. I get those endorphin highs after some of the practices,which can make my day. Crew is stressful and challenging and physically draining, but it also the most gorgeous sport I've ever seen. I will always have crew as a part of my life, because I can't imagine life without it.