Rachel Visits!!

So, in case you didn't know, Rachel, is one of my many many cousins.  She lives in Utah so I never get to see her.  Well, she came down this past weekend and I got the pleasure of having her stay in my house and be the first person to use the guest bedroom!!  I must say, it was so awesome to share my house for a night.  The night started off great with me and Josh meeting up with Matt, Lynn, Rachel, and Steven at Saketini, my favorite sushi restaurant.  I was rather proud of my cousin, Steven, for trying sushi.  He got the Who Dat roll which consisted of lobster, cream cheese, and some other things I can't remember.  It was really good.  After we ate, they came back to my house and I gave the grand tour.  Then the others left and Rachel and I stayed up until four in the morning talking and catching up!  Yes, 4 AM.  I was tired as hell the next day, but it was so worth it.  I have missed her so much and was so grateful for the time I had with her.

I have also found a cure for my blahness.  My faith.  I must say I haven't been the best Catholic in the past decade.  Josh was starting to come around with his faith again, and I guess he either prayed hard enough, or it rubbed off on me.  I like to think it was a little of both.  We started going to the church in Broussard, Sacred Heart.  It's a little different for me because there are three priests and a deacon who rotate saying mass.  I grew up where it was the same priest every week, so I'm still trying to adjust!  But the priests there are awesome.  The pastor is Fr. Louie.  He reminds me of someone, I just can't point a finger on it.  I love the simple fact that they are always in the front of church every mass and they shake your hand and make you feel so welcomed.  I adore Fr. Edward.  There is just something about his sermons that just touched my heart and really sparked my faith again.  This one simple sentence from him pretty much did me in:  "Faith is not a given, it is a gift."  I can't explain it, but after that night, the gift of faith returned to me.  About two weeks later I made an appointment with him for confession.  I hate to admit this, but it had been ten years since I went to confession.  I was waiting for him to start scolding me, but instead he just smiled and said, "Praise God, you're here.  Welcome home!"  I will never forget that moment.  He was not judging me at all.  He was simply happy in the fact that I had returned.  It really touched me.  And while I know I'm not perfect, I feel more at peace about things in my life.  I'm happier and calmer and ready to face the world!  I look forward to going to mass each week; especially the ones I know Fr. Edward will be saying!  It feels good to have this fire in my heart again.  I hope it never leaves me again!