The Way of Trust and Love

Those who know me well know that I'm easily reading at least five books at any one time, and right now it's closer to ten. Some of them I've been  slowly working my way through, on and off, for years, while others I read through at a much faster pace.

I started reading Jacques Philippe's book, The Way of Trust and Love: A Retreat Guided by St. Therese of Lisieux, back in September, intending to read it in the week leading up to the feast of St. Therese as a sort of mini-retreat. The six chapters are short enough that reading one every day should easily be possible. I really enjoyed this short book. It was filled with insights from St. Therese herself, and Philippe's interpretations and expansions of those insights were helpful and easy. For anyone who is looking for an introduction to the writings of St. Therese, I highly recommend this book. I would also recommend it for anyone who is struggling to trust God or who would like good, practical suggestions for how to trust God in daily life.

Philippe discusses the importance of daily prayer, particularly daily reading of Scripture. He treats St. Therese in a very human way, showing her weaknesses and how she persevered to overcome those weaknesses. Philippe does not shy away from the fact that life is often difficult, or the harsh realities of our own defects and struggles. What he does is offer practical solutions to overcoming those hardships, looking to St. Therese as our example to follow.

Searching for and Maintaining Peace

I just finished reading Jacques Philippe's book Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart. Even though it is a short book, with just over 100 pages, it packed quite a punch!

Some highlights:
"God abides in peace and it is in peace that He accomplishes great things"

"When the Lord affirms that He gives peace, that He gives us peace, these words are divine words, words which have the same creative force as the words that brought the sky and the earth from the void, they carry the same weight as the words that quieted the storm, the words that healed the sick and brought the dead back to life. Since Jesus tells us, even twice, that He gives us His peace, we believe that this peace is never taken away."

"How many young people...hesitate to give their lives entirely to God because they do not have confidence that God is capable of making them completely happy."

"[God] desires our salvation more than we ourselves desire it."

It took me a few months to read through the whole book, even though it was short, because of how much material on which there was to meditate. More than anything else, it taught me how little peace I truly have, but how much peace I would like to have!

Seven Quick Takes, Vol. 9

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Spring Break starts today and I've got a full week ahead of me! First up is Nottingham, PN for a FOCUS "Spiritual Bootcamp" retreat. I'm excited to participate, and to see many of the east coast missionaries that I haven't seen in awhile. Next stop is Virginia Beach for the annual CCM Beach Retreat! Finally, I'll be flying back home to WI to see my parents!

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Although it will be a lot of travelling, I'm looking forward to it all. Spring break seems really early this year, but even so, I'm looking forward to a change of pace. I always enjoyed retreats in college, and the same goes for being a missionary. I've heard so many good things about the FOCUS Spiritual Bootcamp, and I'm excited to attend a retreat that will deal specifically with some of the issues that can occur in missionary life, like over-working, team life, and how to maintain zeal for the mission.

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I'm excited to spend a few days at the beach as well. I have seen the ocean before, but it was when I was two years old, so I'm not sure it counts. For the retreat, the CCM rents a beach house for a few days. One of the rec rooms will be turned into a chapel where Father will celebrate Mass every day. Although it won't be quite as warm as it will be in the summer, we're hoping for nice weather. If it is chilly though, our polar plunge will be that much more exciting!

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Going from the beach to Wisconsin will definitely be a change in scenery, but I do hope there's still snow on the ground when I get back home. We had a bit of a heat wave hit in Virginia this January, and it was so strange to be walking around in shorts and flip flops right after New Years. I don't think native Virginians realize how cold it is back home on a daily basis. Sure, it has gotten chilly here, and some days have even been downright cold, but the day-in-and-day-out experience is much more temperate. I brought back a bunch of my sweaters with me over Christmas in anticipation of some colder weather, but so far they've mostly just stayed in my closet.

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Although I am looking forward to spring break, life on campus is going well! I am leading three small group Bible studies and mentoring six women. When we get back from break, four of them will be starting their own small groups! It's been so exciting to see the growth this semester. It's amazing to see the courage and dedication these women have had in pursuing Christ, and desiring His joy and peace for those in their lives.

--- 6 ---

Of the six women that I mentor, three of them attended SEEK2013 over Winter break. Two of them are starting small group Bible studies in a few weeks, and the third, Danielle, is hoping to lead a freshman small group next fall. It's so uplifting to know that she found small group important enough to desire to lead next year's freshmen closer to Christ through a small group Bible study.

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Please pray for all the women I disciple, as they start their Bible studies!  It's easy to become discouraged when people turn down their invitations to join a small group, so pray that God gives them the perseverance to continue despite any set backs!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!