LinaSt.Cecilia2772 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Okay Pham, For a while now I've been in a big funk about my life and where it is going. This thread is not sad. It's very happy and joy filled. This past weekend, I was blessed with the opportunity to be a Youth Animator for my Diocese's annual Catholic Youth Conference. Over 2500 teens and chaperones were in attendance. I've been going to DCYC ever since high school began, and I must say that this year's was the best. Being a youth animator is different than being a participant. It requires an application, youth minister recommendations, etc. I didn't think I was going to be selected, but I was. Months of preparation goes into the conference and being an animator. Animators perform skits, introduce the keynote speakers and workshops, lead prayer services, lead praise and worship, and a whole bunch of other stuff. We are a youth animator family that doesn't come with our youth groups like the participants do. Words can't even begin to describe the experience I had this weekend. I feel as if God washed me clean of everything that has been keeping me from Him. I have so many new people in my "Faith Family", we have all grown so close to one another Through Christ. It was one of the scariest things ever being on stage in front of 2500 people, but it was absolutely amazing leading the youth in worship for our Lord. I was so scared, but Jesus followed through on my prayers. I felt Christ working in me to help lead teens closer to Him. My animator family and I had so many wonderful moments, moments where we laughed until we cried, held one another in prayer, held one another while we cried in Adoration, got into crazy fun shenanigans and games with participants, and soooooooo much more. Over the weekend I pretty much blew up Instagram and Facebook with pictures of everything. The best part of it all is that Jesus freed me this weekend. With the many Christ filled animators and leaders around me I found who I am and who I feel like Jesus wants be to become. Everything that kept me doubting has left, I've come to peace with so many things in my life that it feels unreal to me. It's been hard leaving my animator family, but we've been talking nonstop. We have a prayer thing going, and we are seeing each other all the time in the Eucharist. Goodbye is never really a goodbye with the Eucharist. I also saw many of my old friends from past diocesan retreats, and It's amazing how God can bring old friendships together again like they were never apart. As a Phatmass Pham, we share our joys, triumphs, struggles, and even argue with one another like a phamily would. I wanted to share this with all of you, because I prayed for everyone on PM this past weekend. Even though y'all are online, we are united in the Eucharist, and I value the Eucharist more than I ever have before after this weekend. (Not that I didn't value it before, cause I did very much) I hope that Christ continues to be with all of you on your faith journeys. Thank you for the examples of being Catholics on here. I value it immensely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 This is an awesome post. Makes me happy. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I am so very happy to hear you had one of those amazing experiences which brings you closer to God. As well thank-you for your prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debra Little Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 wow very cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinaSt.Cecilia2772 Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 I've been so happy recently, I hope and pray that this new found amount of faith stays with me. We're planning to have a get together this weekend at the Texas March for Life. Hopefully it will happen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 God has been busy this week... VEEERRRRRYYYY busy! So happy for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinaSt.Cecilia2772 Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 God has been busy this week... VEEERRRRRYYYY busy! So happy for you! Yep He sure has!!!! Thank you soooo much!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel's angel Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Please don't take this post the wrong way, but... Be careful with experiences like this. Events like the one you described are not the norm for every-day discipleship. When people go to these events, a lot of effort is put into making them extraordinary (and certainly that is no bad thing), but you will find that this current 'high' will wear off. You will not continue to feel this sense of elation each and every day. Never forget that God's hand is in the ordinary just as much as the extraordinary. I hope that when the high does wear off, your foundations will indeed have been strengthened by your experience and you will leave each ordinary but blessed day as a faithful disciple of Christ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinaSt.Cecilia2772 Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 Please don't take this post the wrong way, but... Be careful with experiences like this. Events like the one you described are not the norm for every-day discipleship. When people go to these events, a lot of effort is put into making them extraordinary (and certainly that is no bad thing), but you will find that this current 'high' will wear off. You will not continue to feel this sense of elation each and every day. Never forget that God's hand is in the ordinary just as much as the extraordinary. I hope that when the high does wear off, your foundations will indeed have been strengthened by your experience and you will leave each ordinary but blessed day as a faithful disciple of Christ. I completely understand what you are saying, and that has happened before where the high has worn off. This time I feel like my faith has been strengthened immensely, not just from the experience, but also who I surround myself with. I have a clearer vision of who are my true friends and who I value more in my life. Does that make sense?? I have a different sense of identity through the faith family I have then I ever have before with other friends. I have started recognizing God more in the ordinary things, and you are right about He is present in both ordinary and extraordinary. I've been going to this same diocesan conference throughout high school, this year was the last one since I'm a senior and will be graduating. The high has worn off from several retreats over the past four years, but each one has strengthened something in me a long the way. I truly appreciate your post though, because you are right. It's time to take what I've learned at the conference and take it into the world and everyday discipleship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I'd rather be the Youth Re-Animator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinaSt.Cecilia2772 Posted January 26, 2013 Author Share Posted January 26, 2013 You're cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 You're cool. You're observant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinaSt.Cecilia2772 Posted January 26, 2013 Author Share Posted January 26, 2013 You're observant. Thanks, I try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysisterisalittlesister Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Such an awesome post, Lina :) So happy for you :woot: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inunionwithrome Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Very nice. It is so exciting to be on fire with the Holy Spirit not only for ourselves, but also for the youth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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