Snippets

As a camera-happy traveler, I thought I'd share snippets of my adventures through my "Scenic" tab (above). Below is a brief slideshow with some of my recent favorites. More to come.

Longing

This prayer was written in the early twentieth century by Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity. My mother, whose heart after the Lord is unmatched, sent it to me. I pray that it will bless you as much as it did me. 

May God, as she requests, see in us only His beloved Son in whom He is well-pleased. Be encouraged. Be fruitful. Prioritize what will have lasting fruit. To be this close to God: what joy! what unmatched purpose!

O my God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to become utterly forgetful of myself so that I may establish myself in you, as changeless and calm as though my soul were already in eternity. Let nothing disturb my peace nor draw me forth from you, O my unchanging God, but at every moment may I penetrate more deeply into the depths of your mystery. Give peace to my soul; make it your heaven, your cherished dwelling-place and the place of your repose. Let me never leave you there alone, but keep me there, wholly attentive, wholly alert in my faith, wholly adoring and fully given up to your creative action. 

O my beloved Christ, crucified for love, I long to be the bride of your heart. I long to cover you with glory, to love you even unto death! Yet I sense my powerlessness and beg you to clothe me with yourself. Identify my soul with all the movements of your soul, submerge me, overwhelm me, substitute yourself for me, so that my life may become a reflection of your life. Come into me as Adorer, as Redeemer, and as Savior. 

O Eternal Word, utterance of my God, I want to spend my life listening to you, to become totally teachable so that I might learn all from you. Through all darkness, all emptiness, all powerlessness, I want to keep my eyes fixed on you and to remain under your great light. O my Beloved Star, so fascinate me that I may never be able to leave your radiance.

O Consuming Fire, Spirit of Love, overshadow me so that the Word may be, as it were incarnate again in my soul. May I be for him a new humanity in which he can renew all his mystery. 

And you, O Father, bend down towards your poor little creature. Cover her with your shadow, see in her only your beloved son in who you are well pleased. 

O my "Three," my All, my Beatitude, infinite Solitude, Immensity in which I lose myself, I surrender myself to you as your prey. Immerse yourself in me so that I may be immersed in you until I go to contemplate in your light the abyss of your splendor!

No-Bake Cocoa Truffles

Dear Friends,

I decided to try to avoid eating sugar this semester, because out of all the problematic food groups, a lifetime sweet tooth is one I succumb to the most. Personally, I subscribe to the belief that sugar isn't all that terrible for you compared to aspartame and other sweeteners, with the exception of plant-based Stevia and its derivatives, but it's been enjoyable experimenting with no-sugar-added recipes to satisfy my demanding sweet tooth (or teeth, in my case).

Here's one of my favorites, because it's easy, filling, and sweet. It's also healthy (everything in moderation). I adapted it from another amazing recipe on this blog: http://theshiksa.com/2012/10/19/peanut-butter-honey-truffles/, which I also recommend trying.

Ingredients:

1/2 c. raw crunchy almond butter (I get mine from Trader Joe's)
1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder (depending how chocolatey you want it)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons honey (depending how sweet you like it)
Sprinkling (or 1-2 drops) Stevia
Coating of your choice: cocoa beans, coconut, cocoa powder, powdered/brown/granulated sugar (if you want), crumbled nuts, ground oatmeal, sesame seeds, mini chocolate chips, or whatever you have on hand.

Directions:

Mix all ingredients, roll into balls, and roll each ball in a coating of your choice.  Leave in refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Store in refrigerator. Enjoy!

Note: if your almond butter is newly opened, you may need to refrigerate it first in order to make it easier to work with.

Let me know how yours turn out, and feel free to comment/post adaptions or results.

Then Face to Face

And the water pours
The droplets glistening blue, glimmering silver

Spiegel, mein Abglanz

Can you see yourself?

Open spirit

“Men should be what they seem.”

Tens, thousands, and yet

“I am at rest in God alone.”

Stretching immeasurably, indefinitely, fading into
Glorious washes of color

For I will ever worship Him.