I'm exhausted. Fall Outreach - our biggest push of the semester to find students, get them involved, and start our weekly activities - is just winding its way down. The last almost two weeks have been spent in prayer with and for our student leaders, giving talks to those leaders, moving students into the two dormitories, meeting international students, taking surveys at club fairs, hosting a day-long workshop for student leaders, baking cookies for students in the dorms, making appearances at the dry parties on campus, going with students to free bbqs and concerts, and being as present in the dorms and cafeteria as possible. This week we've had a big bbq after Sunday Mass, a kickball game, four large-group Bible studies (in two days), a weekday Mass with a fun event after, and a volleyball event. After the volleyball on Thursday, we call Fall Outreach finito and move on to the weekly Bible studies, mentorships, "hot hours", and really pushing our National Conference coming up in December. This is gonna be big! ;)

I've had so many amazing opportunities. The Lord has blessed amazingly these past two weeks with consolation after consolation after so much desolation and hunger last year. He's showing us that patience is the way - His way. The spirit of indomitability, that I've had to learn time after time after time, is such a vital virtue in ministry, and such a hard virtue to practice. However, that's all part of trusting the Lord; is it not? Trusting that He truly is omnipotent breeds this practice of indomitability. Last year I was wearing a t-shirt that said, "Ask me about my Ashes" on Ash Wednesday to spur both conversation and questions about when and where Mass was. Well, while there was some conversation, the best came from a man who worked the information desk. He asked some questions, but basically told me his story - he left the Catholic Church. I heard him say he worked the desk certain days and certain times - the same days and times every week. I came back once a week to invite him to Mass we had every Thursday on campus. He said maybe every time, but never came. May came, and I knew he was graduating. I thought I'd never see him again. I was walking down campus late last week with my teammate Pam, when I came across his path. I introduced them to each other, and he introduced me to his friend - a freshman he was showing around the campus. As we were leaving, he turned over his shoulder and shouted, "Oh, Manda? I'm coming back to Catholic Church!" I was amazed. Some people come back into your life so you can truly know the Lord's timing in all things.

There are so many other amazing things, and I'm sure I'll be given the grace to tell you it all in the beatific vision of eternal life. Some day, I hope to write many stories down! The Lord is good. Amen. Alleluia. Goodnight!