TCAP Promo 2013

To promote TCAP excellence at The Academy, we created a couple of videos this year. As always, thanks to everyone who participated! Can't wait to start brainstorming ideas for next year...

Mila's Daydreams

Grandpa Fred and Thankfulness

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, a little perspective and thanksgiving is in need on this little blog of mine. On October 31, 2010 my Grandpa Fred went to join God's party up in heaven, and as difficult as it's been to lose him, there were some pretty beautiful things that happened with his passing.

Through this whole process of getting older, it has really opened my eyes to how important it is to stay close to your family. I mean, I'm someone who is already very close to my family (both immediate and extended), and I realized that without this closeness, the death of my grandpa would have felt like an impossible "part of life" without the rest of my family. Moreover, had I not invested my time with my family, I wouldn't have all of these wonderful memories of my grandpa to hold onto now that he's gone. I am so grateful that I didn't skip out on Sunday mornings with them because they were almost always spent telling stories, scratching lotto tickets, and enjoying each other over breakfast. I do not regret the time spent caring for any of their needs--when I could be out doing my "own thing" instead. The idea of investing time in others is so crucial, and I am glad I have not taken that for granted.

In addition to family, my faith has been so vital. To have peace and know that my grandpa trusted in God so much--in everything he did. I have no doubt that he is being taken care of by the King of Kings. I also love the beauty of the mass and how when I take communion, I am sharing in the same meal of all those who have passed and are with the Lord. It's really quite amazing when you think about it.

So, to sum it all up, I am grateful for the many blessings I have received--even within my sorrow and loss. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Clouds Galore

2-05-10 from Kelly DeLay on Vimeo.

I think this site is really cool! I love watching clouds...so this site is perfect.

Thankfully Surprised

In the spirit of the holiday, Thanksgiving that is, I decided to compile a list of things I'm thankful from this year. After reflecting, I realized a lot of things have been amazing this year...and despite the tragedies, I continue to thank the Lord for His tremendous blessings.

The List Begins...I am so thankful for:
1. The Lord Jesus Christ for giving me life, for loving me, for saving me.

2. My family, not only my parents (Bob &; Janette) and sister (Amanda), but my grandparents (Emma & Fred), aunts and uncles (Paula & Frank,  Abe & Cris, Geno & Susan), first cousins (Victoria & Joe, Victor, Sam, Nick, and Andrew), second cousins (Isaiah, Jacob, and Isabel). Each and everyone one of these people are near and dear to my heart. They make up the fabric of who I am and where I've come from, and for this I give thanks.

(This is Isaiah's First Holy Communion!)

3. Friends near and far who I've met during the various stages of my life. Without each of them, I would not see the world with such wide-open eyes.

4. Being able to travel so much this year. Some of the trips were planned, others were spur of the moment! This year I got to go to the following locations:

• Washington, D.C. in January for the Inauguration

• Atlanta, GA in March for Sarah's Birthday and a FeRVOR concert. I had to leave Denver in a blizzard...it was scary, but made it okay!

• Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica in June for a vacation 

• Washington, D.C. in September for the Eucharistic Congress. I met so many amazing women during this retreat!

Each of these trips gave me moments of joys and great memories for which I am very grateful.

5. Being able to walk alongside some of the coolest teens this year. We've done several studies including Theology of the Body, Blue Like Jazz, and Epic Church History. We've done community service, attended Steubenville of the Rockies, and prayed across the local high schools. They all continue to teach me so much, and I pray that I am doing the same for them. I hope to be a reflection of Christ to each of them--to love them as He sees them and loves them. A shot out to: MF, EF, ES, MS, ES, and MB--you all ROCK!

6. The opportunity to start up new endeavors such as a photo-a-day blog with my good friend Sarah. We call it Resplendent Awakening. It has been really cool to start documenting my life daily in a way through this blog. It has given me a new perspective and for this, I am thankful.

7. Getting to go to some very cool performances this year:

• Denver Pops Orchestra-my sister's in this orchestra, and they impress me every time I see them! 

• Star Wars in Concert-I didn't realize how much of a fan I was! While I was there, I saw so many people I knew--it was hysterical! 

• Wicked the Musical-again, another thing to give me tremendous perspective on how to not judge something by its outward appearance.

8. Being able to help others via community service, monetary donations, and even hair donations! Locks of Love received a 10 inch pile of my hair this year!

9. Being able to work at The Academy. Not only am I thankful for a job in general, I am thankful for all of the fun people I work with--as well as my students. Teaching 7th graders this year has been new and an absolute blessing!

(Here's some of us playing scooter basketball!)

10. Getting to continue this journey known as LIFE. This year, we lost those we love very dearly and they are not forgotten. But even more than that, I carry on with hope--knowing that God will continue to place us in the palm of His Mighty Hand to carry us on this journey. He makes us strong when in reality, we are weak. He fills us with the Breath of Life that can only come from Him. In Christ Jesus, I remain...Joyful!

A New Project

After seeing a couple of fun blogs (Don't Wiggle and Minty Forest) my friend Sarah and I decided to take on a new project.  We are each living on opposites sides of the world and taking a picture a day. Without disclosing the content of the day's image, we each post a picture independently.

The combination of the two pictures are proving to be incredible, and I hope the year will continue to be interesting!

Follow along!

My Brain Just Might Explode

That's right...after last weekend of Eucharistic Congress amazingness, I felt like my brain was going to explode after taking in so much good stuff.

Here's a little slide show of my experience.

On the Spiritual Side of Things

On September 11th, I will be flying into Washington, D.C. for a Eucharistic Congress held by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious. The theme of the Congress is Sacrifice of Enduring Love. The Congress will draw participants to the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of enduring love, the way of all communion between God and His people.

Speakers will focus upon priesthood, religious life and marriage as:

• an irrevocable commitment;

• an identification with Christ in his submission to the Will of the Father; and

• a complete gift of self in love.

I'm so excited to go to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which is also known as America's Catholic Church. It is the largest Catholic Church in the United States and in North America. It's actually one of ten largest churches in the world.
This trip is a pilgrimage of sorts for me. The retreats, trainings, and other events I've attended of the last several years have been primarily focused on teens, or the service to teens in ministry. Don't get me wrong, these types of events are great and I do get to spend a lot of time in prayer with the Lord. However, they have not been focused on the discernment of my personal vocation--nor do I take time to allow Christ to fill my cup completely in order to serve.

The last three, four, five times I've been to adoration, I've felt this calling and overwhelming love of Jesus Christ. I have just wanted to stay there and sing, "I love you," to my Savior over and over again. It is this stirring that has lead me to go on this trip.

Also, I want to share with you a book I'm reading...it's called "Climbing the Mountain" by Anne, a Lay Apostle. This beautiful book has provided a link between myself and the messages of Jesus. Reading this book, I have realized I should not ask whether I am called to serve--because we are all called--but rather, I should ask the where, how, what questions with respect to service. It is in this place I begin. With the inklings of the Holy Spirit, I move forward.

O the beauty He has in store for me and for us all!

Whoa...coolness II

lost in a moment from dennis wheatley on Vimeo.

Whoa...coolness

Amena Brown, One Amazing Poet!