Before starting school this year, I was in a rough place. I had lost my faith in God and within myself. I had almost given up on God completely. I did not realize how far I had strayed until it was affecting my grades and my relationships with friends and family. Finally, a friend who I am extremely grateful for reached out to me and told me about Campus Ministry. At first, I was reluctant, but then I finally gave in and it was the best thing that has happened in my life thus far. Campus Ministry has been a blessing to me.

I have recently gone on the SEARCH Retreat this past February. It was life changing. I’m not going to push anyone to go on the retreat, but I highly recommend it to anyone that is trying to find themselves. Distancing yourself from the world of social media and other negative influences changes your outlook on life. The retreat opens your eyes to a different perspective on life and other peoples’ lives. The retreat helped me find a little bit of myself and I am finding myself a little more every single day. Sometimes I have set backs, but that’s the way of life.

Campus Ministry introduced me to the San Damiano Program. This summer I will be traveling to Guatemala with six other members of the Neumann University community. Together we will be working with children who do not have the luxuries that we have in every day life. Even though we are only there for a short period of time, I hope that they can influence me in some type of way. It may sound a bit stereotypical to say, but I think the person who will be learning the most is myself. I am open to discovering a new culture and way of life. I hope they can teach and humble me into being a better person. I believe this is something that will change my life for the better. As a group, I am looking to build relationships and rebuild my own faith. In this week's Gospel, one line resonates with me “for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” I believe that wanting to fill my heart with love from God and others, I threw myself into a service trip. I needed to embrace God and others to form new relationships.

With the Lenten season here, I plan on not giving something up but adding little acts of kindness to my daily life. This could be holding the door open for someone, paying for a coffee for the person behind you in line, or even just telling someone how much they mean to you. There is a line in this week's readings that has stuck with me, “Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life.” I challenge everyone to be the light in someone else’s life. Be the reason someone wants to get out of bed and enjoy the life God has given them.