Student Postings
Posted Dec. 21, 2009
Chantelle Ferrari
Hi Y’all!
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to Thee O Israel!” It’s Advent!!! I am so excited! Come, Lord Jesus! I’m really hoping I can truly prepare my heart for the coming of the Lord this Advent. I love the joyful expectation that is found in the season of Advent. There is so much to rejoice over! Including all my papers being finished and only having one more final to go, praise God!
This past week has been intense, trying to cram every last bit of information I’ve learned this semester into my brain. Stress levels are high and late nights are normal. The atmosphere of finals pervades the library, the dorms, and even the caf—books and notes spread everywhere with either looks of deep thought or intense spacing out on almost every face. In striving to stay joyful in the midst of all the madness, I’ve been trying to remember that what is most important is
making sure that all that I’ve been studying sinks not only into my brain but into my heart, so that my whole person will continue to be formed and transformed. Study breaks of playing music with friends always helps too.
Thankfully the atmosphere of Advent and Christmas are also pervading campus now, another source of remaining joyful—with Christmas trees and Christmas lights and even snow. The snow I honestly could do without, being from Louisiana and loving the warm temperatures, but I must admit that it does make it seem more like Christmas.
Events haven’t stopped at Franciscan, even with the closing of the semester. Winter formal occurred a few weekends ago too, a fun night before finals rushed in. And just this past Saturday we had our last Festival of Praise, a great way to enter into Advent, preparing the way of the Lord through praise.
My web postings, though, are coming to a close. Because of spending next semester in Austria, this is the last time I will be writing to you. It has been such a blessing to be able to share with you my Franciscan experience. I hope you have enjoyed reading about the University from a student’s point of view, and I pray that the Holy Spirit was able to somehow use my words to draw you closer to Him. Know that I will be praying for you, especially during this grace-filled time of Advent! May Our Lady lead you deeply into the mystery of the Incarnation, and may she bring about the coming of Jesus in your soul this Christmas!
God bless you and have a very Merry Christmas! Peace to your hearts!
In the Love of Our Lady,
Chantelle