An open letter to single people

It's been awhile fearless Catholics.......I have been praying for all of you and I hope the new year has been nothing but good to all of you. Today I am going to cover a very popular subject relationships especially those who are single and want to be in a relationship.

I don't know about you but ever since I was little I always dreamed about my future boyfriend. What he would look like, what he would talk like, what things made him laugh, and especially if he would be Catholic.

Years later and I'm 18 and still have no boyfriend. But it's OK and too be honest it's more than OK, it's great. Yeah it's not great all the time and even most of the time it's not great but for some reason I know that there's something more to this.

I used to be until recently very embarrassed that I hadn't had my first date yet or my first boyfriend. It seems weird to be eighteen and for you to still have had no boyfriend when your friends are on there third or second. They talk about their first kisses, their ex-boyfriends, the new boyfriends and it can kind of be...or ok really frustrating because it seems you can alone in your singleness.

A few weeks a little I was watching a live video by Catholic speaker Emily Wilson who I have mentioned before and she speaks about relationships and she was answering questions from a wide range of girls (and even boys) who said, "I haven't had my first kiss and I'm 18." or 19 and even 23.

I realized I'm not alone in this single hood.There are so MANY PEOPLE who have never been on dates, had their first kiss, or even dated anyone.

Again society has put this in our minds that there is something wrong with us if we haven't had our first kiss, boyfriend, or date by the time we're 16, 17, or 18. There is nothing wrong with you there are A Lot of things wrong with society.

Here is my letter to you: There is nothing wrong with you. You were made by the hands of God, the most perfect being there ever was and will be. You are not too loud, too quiet, too skinny, too heavy etc. You are amazing! You don't have too many freckles, moles, flaws, or quirks. You are beautifully and wonderfully made. God is not holding out a guy for you just because. God loves you and ultimately wants you to be happy, the happiest version of yourself like He intended you to be, like He created you to be. There's a reason for this waiting, there's a reason for this seeing all the cute couple posts on social media, there is a reason for all of this. Our significant other is coming and he is will great and he will treat us how we should be treated. Until then my reminder to you is that THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU. please remember this.

It's hard to see pictures of your friends with their boyfriends or girlfriends, it's hard to see friends getting married, it's hard for love to be working out for so many other people. It's hard to be 18 or older and not having the first kiss, the first date, the first boyfriend, I know. Let me tell you though there are hundreds of people who haven't had these things either.

We all want someone to love, we all want to be loved, we all want to know there is someone for us but some of us are lucky enough to wait and yes I mean lucky. We get to really understand and realize what we want in our significant other. We get to fall in love with ourselves and more importantly Christ before we fall in love with someone else.

So I leave you with this hope my friends, there is someone for you. You are worth the right kind of love, you are worth the best of love, you are Priceless.

And with Valentines Day coming up don't fret, loose hope, or loose faith. Party with your friends, love your family, love yourself and pray to the one who loves you. I'll be praying for all of you.

Until next time
Fearlessly,
Sammy

 Also check out my other blog Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Darker

Hey everyone! So excuse me if I get a bit angry in this blog because I had to write about this disgusting topic because I hate it with such a deep passion. By now I'm sure you have seen the promotions or the sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker.

The whole book/movie if you already didn't know is Porn. That's all it is, literally. Even the author proudly admitted it. Who proudly admits they write a book about pornography? sick people!

It's been promoted so much I can't even watch innocent youtube videos without it coming up as the trailer or "things you might like" (No, I don't like that you tube but thanks...) Whats even worse is that when I'm doing homework, listening to Spotify  and that trailer just comes up out of nowhere and it's not like the five second trailers it's like one minute.

The narrator of the trailer literally says, "Every Fairytale has a dark side." NO, NO THEY DO NOT! THIS ISN'T A FAIRY TALE THIS IS PORNOGRAPHY.  They are making Fifty Shades of Darker into a love story like, no it's not. Ella Enchanted, Another Cinderella Story, Valentines Day, those are love stories not a movie about Porn, not in any way shape or form is that a love story.

The worst part about the trailer is it;s rated PG-13. This made me so upset and angry. I will literally start an argument about any parents that think it's even the least bit OK for them to take their thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, forty year old child to see that! It's not ok for anyone to see this for so many reasons and I'll give you two.

One, it gives people (and little kids) a false representation of love. All this guy wants from the girl is her body. That is not true love, that is false love, that is gross love, that is toxic love. True love is keeping chastity, promising that for you and your partner. True love is falling in love with ones heart and personality. True love is anything but pleasure of sex.

Two, this movie is saying "Porn is great, so satsifying!" I don't even want to go into it just here, here is the link to Jason Evert :http://chastityproject.com 

Boycott Fifty Shades Darker, share this post, and please not under any circumstances go see this movie like I'll give you Disney movies instead that are love stories just don't watch this trash.

It comes out on Valentines Day when this movie should clearly not come out at all. No one should see this or read the book because it is killing your soul and ruining your perception of love. You deserve more than this movie, WAY WAY WAY more. You deserve true love. You deserve love that has to do with puppies, kittens, unicorns, and happy songs.

Fifty Shades Darker? No let me tell you about Fifty Shades of true love miss E.L. James. She is now speaking of letting out a forth Fifty Shades of Grey. So after writing this post I am going to pray for her. Pray that her writings lead people to God instead of further, pray that her writings show perceptions of true love and not false love, pray that her writings bring up a better generation, pray that her writings aren't about porn but about God's love He has for Her.

Until next time and thank you for reading.
Much Love to you guys!
Sammy 

PRICELESS: SHE'S WORTH FIGHTING FOR

"Do you want to go see that new christian movie, Priceless?" I would ask.

"Oh no thanks......" almost every one I asked muttered back.

"Why?"

"Well no offense but christian movies tend to be sort of, well.....lame...."

Is this a conversation you and your friend had? Were you the one that said Christian movies were lame? There is nothing to be ashamed of my friend. A lot of Christian movies tend to be stereotypical or the producers try and make it a goody good movie which makes Christians frown upon how Hollywood portrays us and only because we believe in Christ. Over the last couple of years Hollywood has started to acknowledge christian filmmakers and movies, for example; God's Not Dead (2014) Heaven is for Real (2014) Miracles from Heaven (2016) and one in particular religious film was so good they created a sequel bring us God's Not Dead 2 (2016) and now Priceless comes in with such a heavy problem being addressed, sex trafficking.

I wasn't sure even if I wanted to see this movie when I first heard about it but as soon as I found out who the main character was I was most definitely going to see this movie. Joel Smallbone plays James in Priceless, you may recognize him from the film, Like a Country Song where he starred alongside Billy Ray Cyrus or he may seem familiar because of his band, For King & Country which incorporates two very important things in his life; Our Father who is the inspiration for most if not all the songs they write and their hometown Nashville, Tennessee depending on the song you can probably catch  a little bit of twang in between the drums and guitar solos.

(Summary of the movie contains spoilers)

 

James has lost his wife, due to death, his little girl, due to his uncontrollable drinking habits, and his belief in God by nothing ever going his way. He can barley hold down a job so when a job offer comes up he can’t turn down he doesn’t ask any questions; he agrees to drive a storage truck with the faded words ‘Party Time’ painted on the side. Everything is fine until  James begins to grow tired which makes attention span weak.

A big rig, coming right for him forces James to drive his truck right into the embankment of the opposite side of the road. He does not get badly injured but worries that he is hallucinating when he hears soft cries coming from inside the storage unit in the back of his truck he breaks into the locked area and finds two girls (who we learn are sisters) in tattered clothes and tear stained faces in the corner of the truck.When he delivers them to where he was told to go he realizes he has just contributed to an unbearable disgusting crime, sex trafficking. After the buyers leave the Motel parking lot James knows he has to go on a mission to bring the girls back to safety but he knows he could die in the process. As the story goes on he realizes that the eldest sister, Antonia played by Bianca Santos lost her virginity in the most horrendous way possible he now understands he isn’t just saving Antonia and her sister, Maria but many other girls who are being sold to men who are just looking for one night pleasures.

James partners up with the manager of the motel, Dale who is aware from the beginning what is happening and what will happen if James doesn’t take action right away. James is able to safely save Antonia two times but she will not go without her sister, there is no way she can

leave her sister surrounded by the broken women who had given up their worthlessness. James defeats the odds and consequences but loses his friend Dale before he can understand his daughter gave up her virginity because of her brokenness. 

Priceless is one of the most enlightening movies I have ever watched. It has also been one of the biggest Christian films to be rated on Rotten Tomatoes, a movie rating site coming in at a satisfying audience acceptance score of ninety-four percent. This movie has an incredible message. We are incomparable, unmistakable, irreplaceable and no one can define worth because we are Priceless. 

I strongly encourage anyone to see this movie, not only because of the message but of the awareness it brings to something so many of us look past. It is still a problem that is going on and this movie shows that from a christian point of view which is amazing. If you haven't seen the movie, read the book, or even heard the song by Joel Smallbone and his brother Luke Smallbone's band, For King & Country please do so. You won't be disappointed.

Living Fearlessly,
Sammy

 
 

What Central Intelligence Taught Me About Our Generation

Over the weekend I watched Central Intelligence starring Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock and comedian Kevin Hart. If you know anything about these two guys you know that when you put them together in a film it is going to be a great movie but that is probably not all you'll know.

I don't know if you have watched Central Intelligence or not but even if you haven't you will probably guess you shouldn't sit your six year old in front of it.

Why is it that EVERY single movie out now a days that is placed in the genre of Comedy is rated PG for suggestive humor or sexual elements? Is that really the only thing that people in the movie making industry think will make their audiences laugh - when they talk about sex? - which is a private thing between a man and a women, more specifically a MARRIED man and woman to reproduce.

God created man and woman to hold this gift where they can reproduce children to multiply and be fruitful. He did not make it for comedy or to be laughed at. It is so sad that this is what our world has come to that Hollywood feels like they have to put a sexual innuendo in their movies or else it will be empty or there movie ratings will go down in views. When does it become funny where woman and man are justified or looked at just for their body parts? It's wrong and it's sinful. Where does pornography become funny? Where does it become funny about self esteem when it comes to our body image? When does it become funny to make fun of people? I'll tell you. Under ANY circumstances it never makes it funny.

Lots of people struggle with addiction to pornography on a daily basis and here Hollywood is trying to make it a comedic joke. It is not a joke. It's an issue that too many people may look past when we need to help our brothers and sisters in their time of needs, in the darkest times in their lives.

It also bothered me that at least in every line they said there was usage of profanity. I mean in every line they said. I have overheard people discussing this movie and someone brought up that there was so much language and the person replied, "Well it's Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, what do you expect?"

Don't get me wrong. I am not bashing on  The Rock or Kevin Hart but these two guys are being defined as being in raunchy movies and being inappropriate. Oh if it has Kevin Hart in it, that is going to be really dirty! If I were them I would feel so ashamed of myself and the kind of things I was promoting.

These things right now may seem minor to you with all the elections and presidential debates that we can't seem to get away from. Our world is being tested with two presidential candidates that won't do anything healthy for this country but what are we doing about it? Not much......We are discussing it on Facebook and fighting with people over political views but where is that getting us? By doing this, little by little arguing with people and not voting because we are voting for two evils either way is not helping with leading our world out of darkness.

I know movies are such a small portion of things that are getting worse with this world but they have such a HUGE impact on us as the younger generation that is growing up watching them with their parents.

I ask you to please pray four our country's leaders, now, and in the future. I ask you to pay for the darkness our world is in. I ask you to also step up with your talents and gifts the Lord has given you. It seems you can't get away from sexual songs, raunchy movies, or pornographic books. We need writers, singers, actors, filmmakers, and so many other people who make art to make art wonderful again and to step up and make this country better.

Living Fearlessly,
Sammy

Your voice DOES make a difference.

A Fearless Book Review: I Choose The Sky by Emily Wilson

You are in a bookstore, scoping the shelves filled with books. You are looking for a book that will make you feel good about yourself, wholesome, and stronger in your Catholic faith. You see a neon pink and blue book that immediately catches your eye. If I were with you at the moment I would encourage you to PICK IT UP AND BUY IT! Buy twenty of them and give them to the most important women in your life.

I have followed Emily Wilson's blogs for quite some time now. If you don't know who Emily Wilson is she is this awesome  Catholic woman who sings back up for Catholic artist Ike Ndolo,vlogs, and writes awesome books like the one I am going to tell you about.

 Every time I read them I feel empowered to live out my faith even more. I also feel better about who I am and who God made me to be. When I found out she was coming out with a devotional for women I thanked the Lord. I was so happy and ready to get my hands on it the minute she made the announcement.

I started the devotional on June 1st, coincidentally the same day I graduated high school. I opened up the devotional and let God speak to me and that He most certainly did.Talk about inspiring! This devotional can be used daily, weekly, or monthly but I suggest daily.

This book is a tissue, best friend, and chocolate bar wrapped into one. Through the two weeks it took me to read the book in it's entirety I was going through huge transitions with graduating from High school. I felt pretty far from God. I hadn't been keeping up with my prayer routine or visiting Christ in the blessed sacrament as much as I used to. This book was my wake up call! Each day I felt something inside me stir while reading and before I knew it in the morning I was on my knees giving thanks to God for creating another day and allowing me to wake up to enjoy it.

I was a little heartbroken when I had finished this devotional. I loved noticing that the women in the bible who we may have not payed much attention to can teach us some of the most important lessons. Some of the women in the bible are there for a mere two lines, some do not have any dialogue and some have much. Either way I was inspired by these women whom God sent to live life so that they may inspire.

I really urge you to buy this book. Not to only support Emily Wilson as she supports youth with her gift of singing and writing, helping them with any questions they may have on her vlog but to deepen your own faith and knowledge.

Everything I could have ever wanted in a devotional for myself is fulfilled in Emily's devotional for young women.

I hope you never settle for anything less than you are. I hope you choose to open your heart to God's forgiveness, love, and mercy. I hope that you feel in your heart you are called higher by Christ and I hope you choose the sky.

Until next time,
Living Fearlessly in Christ,
Sammy

You are blessed. You are loved. You are enough.

Changeless

I graduate on June first. It is really surreal. It isn't going to hit me until the day of, or maybe it won't even hit me until the day after. All I know is that things are changing and that there will be so many amazing things coming up. There will be scary trials and tribulations too.

I am going to be eighteen, two months from now. That is really odd for me to say. I just got used to saying I was seventeen. Every day I am growing and maturing even though it feels like a slow process I am taking better care of myself and taking control of my life. Enjoying every second of what this life has to offer while I am still young. It is a scary but great thing to be growing up.

Are things changing for you too?

Do not be afraid. In Hebrews 13:8 it reads, "Jesus Christ is the same as yesterday, today, and forever." So what do we fear? In the words of Jon Foreman from the band Switchfoot, "Why do I worry? Why do I freak out? God knows what I need, He knows what I need."

Friends, Fear will control us if we don't control it. We do not have to handle it by ourselves, but together. God is always on our side and He will NEVER forsake us.

I am praying for you and please pray for me. God bless you in all you do.
Living Fearlessly,
Sammy

God is the only thing that is Changeless.

Walk by faith, not by sight

In my life I need to be assured. I need to be assured of everything I do. I need people to say "yeah you are doing that right " so I can just go on with my life. It's a good vice  when you are doing school so you can get good grades, or want to strengthen your voice to be able to reach the really high notes but when you are doing other things being assured kind of gets in the way.

For example I need to be assured of my friends and that's what brings a lot of drama into my life. I need to be assured I can trust them and I need to be assured I'll be friends with them for, well, ever. We both know that not all friendships last but God does bless you with some really good friends that will stick by you forever.

It's also hard to be assured we will see a new sun rise in the morning when we fall asleep at night. I don't know why I worry about this but I do and this is not assured. My life long dream is to get to heaven and to rejoice with my grandpa, great grandma and all those who have passed way too soon. But I just am a worried person and that's just my cross I have to carry,

It's interesting though. One morning I was feeding my farm of animals. The sun was shining gloriously, the sky was so blue, and the clouds perfectly floated across the sky. I was feeding my dad's homing pigeons when I realized something.

These pigeons depend on me and my family to take care of them. These pigeons aren't sure if I'll feed them that morning or check on their little babies to see if they are okay. But, I know that I will feed them every morning and take good care of the babies. I will always take care of them and never let anything bad happen to them because I love them. They are God's creatures who fly across oceans and return home. It's so incredible!

I depend on God to take care of me and my family. I am not sure if God will create a sunrise for tomorrow morning or if we will have safe travels and protection but God knows that He will create a beautiful sunrise tomorrow morning. God knows He will keep us safe and He will always take care of us and He would never let anything bad happen to us if it is not in His will because He loves us. We are God's children who are going out to explain the good news. It's so incredible!

Our faith is invisible. Our faith cannot be seen. But it can be felt and it cant be taught. Our faith does not resemble assurance. We are not assured of what Christ will do with us but we trust in Him and in Him we trust.

Breathe. You have a loving father looking at you with adoring eyes and He will take care of you. I promise.

Living Fearlessly through trust,
Sammy

My Princess.......

Daughters of Christ! Oh my gosh, that's such a beautiful thing to be called by. Don't you think so? Man, what a beautiful name we have been given! It's almost Easter where Jesus will rise again. He will rise from the dead conquering darkness, death, and the grave.

I am a Pintrest junkie! I have this obsession with pinning things because I love crafts, and all the DIYs they have on there. It keeps my mind busy and calm after I've done school all day. I have a board where I pin Psalms, and just daily reminders I serve an awesome God. I also found a bunch of daily devotions or notes and I guess there is a devotion called My Princess or every day starts off with that.

Since we're growing so close to the Resurrection of Our King I thought it might be nice to remind ourselves how much God loves us that He died for us.

My Princess, I LOVE YOU BEYOND DESCRIPTION.
There are no words to describe how much I love you. That is why I stretched out My arms of love and died for you. I know sometimes you don't feel lovable, but you don't have to earn My affection. I adore you. You are My creation. I never want you to doubt My commitment to you. I Am the Lover of your soul, so let Me meet your every need. I long to set you free from searching for false love and searching for love in the wrong places. Let Me hold onto your heart and fill you up with Eternal love. Then you will feel My Holy Presence and fall in love with Me.
Love your King. (Who can't stop loving you.)

A Prayer to end this blog with: Christ, Lord, my Father, my King. Let me be able to experience your love in me. Let me be put to Peace in it. Let me be consumed in it. Lord, grant me the desire to want your love and to the desire to love you right back. Grant me the desire to be the kind of women to start my day off with you before all the worldly things. God I praise and thank you for loving me so much you created me. Through you, I pray, Amen.

God bless you all may you have an amazing Holy Week.

Sammy 

Why do I worry? Why do I freak out? A book review of Live Original by S.R

When I think Ocean, I think shark.When I think plane, I think crash. When I think headache, I think brain cancer. When I think home alone, I think kidnapped. When I cough, I think asthma. When people are quiet, I think "they must not like me." when I think motorcycle, I think death. 

That is not my list, but it is right on the spot of how worried I am about everything. That list is from the book Live Original by Sadie Robertson. If you do not know who Sadie Robertson is, she

is the daughter of Willie and Korie Roberston from the A&E show, Duck Dynasty. I started following her on Instagram when I first got mine and when I saw how passionate she was about her friends, family, and faith I wanted to be the same way. I also followed Sadie's brother's wife, Mary Kate.

 Ok, so Duck Dynasty may not be your favorite show, you probably can't stand it but I watch it when I feel very nerved up because they are normal people.They don't try to be funny, they don't try to look rich, they don't try and act Christian, it's just the way they live. It's as real as it gets, Jack! It's a reality show, sure but the way they treat people on and off camera is not a reality show.

Man, I have learned so many things from Sadie and Mary Kate.  I have a daily devotion by the Robertson family and it's so inspirational. I also have Live Original, Sadie's very own book. Sadie has been a really big inspiration for me, she's eighteen and is so passionate about living her Faith not just telling about it. She is a young girl that is just like me and if she isn't afraid of exclaiming about God on national television why should I be afraid of sharing about God on my Facebook, Instagram, and blog?

Live Orignal is probably the best book I have ever purchased. Sadie deals with anxiety, and like many of you know, I, as well also struggle with it. I have never been so touched by a book before unless we are counting the bible. (The greatest of all books!)  I have put the chapter titles down below. You can get a glimpse of how amazing this book is just by the chapters.

Chapter 1: Think Happy, be Happy.
Chapter 2: Dream Big
Chapter 3: Never Give Up
Chapter 4: Confidence Is Key
Chapter 5: You Can Only Fix You
Chapter 6: Let Your Smile Change The World
Chapter 7: ARK: Acts of Random Kindness
Chapter 8: Shake The Hate
Chapter 9: A Friend's a Friend Forever
Chapter 10: Respect Relationships
Chapter 11: Five Seconds of Awkward
Chapter 12: Stress Causes A Mess
Chapter 13: Do Something
Chapter 14: Live Original
Chapter 15: A Quick Guide To Living Original 

My copy of Live Original has sticky notes hanging from every page and all the pages are highlighted. This has opened my eyes to how SO many people waste their lives worrying. I don't want to live my life like that. Neither does Sadie.

I don't want worrying to stop me from living my life to the fullest, or to stop me from enjoying everything God has created for me. I want my dreams to come true and I want to help others dreams come true and I can't do when I am worrying. In chapter 2 it says, "Whatever your dream is, decide right now that you will not be denied. Don't let the haters talk you out of it, and don't let a bad attitude make you give up on it. When someone or something starts telling you no, stand up and shout, "Yes!" if you want your dream to come true.

Not only is this book an easy read but it is so encouraging. It is hard to find good books out there that are healthy for the eyes, heart, and mind. I encourage you all to buy this book and to follow Sadie and Mary Kate on Instagram.

Have a blessed February, until next month Live Fearlessly
Sammy

You can't set sail with you anchor down- Kacey Musgraves

Hungry, I Come To You..........

I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me, Jesus you're all this heart is living for, broken I can come to you for your arms are open wide, I am weary but I know your touch restores my life.  

This is my all time favorite mass/adoration song. My heart instantly goes in to the most vulnerable place and that's when I just give everything to Jesus.

I've been to adoration/XLT more times than I can count. Ever since I barley knew what it was. My sister played guitar in the band and my parents were the ones putting it on for Lifeteen. So when I was six years old I was very used to sitting still in the dark church staring at the pretty, gold, fancy contraption that held Jesus. I was used to people crying and holding their hands up even though I didn't know why they were. I just sat and listened to my sister playing guitar. That's all I knew, I didn't know any different.

The most recent adoration I went to was last Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. I was sitting down and when I go to adoration I bring a journal and if I feel God tugging at my heart I write whats on my mind. (Thats the way I get my feelings out is through writing stories, books, songs, and poems, and blogs like this one. ) I was sitting there and not once did i pick up my journal which was weird because I always do but for some reason I just stayed kneeling even though some stood, sat, and laid on the floor.

If you've never been to Sacred Heart, above the alter is a gigantic crucifix. The lights were dimmed and in the position I was kneeling at you could see the monstrance but behind the monstrance was the shadow of the crucifix. I saw Jesus's hands and feet and his body. It was then I truly believed and had no doubt that Jesus was there, before my eyes, right there listening to whatever I had to say. I could ask him things, tell him things even if it was as simple as how my day was. I could talk to him but most importantly He could talk to me.

It was beautiful and something I wish I could have experienced sooner. But God always sets things to happen when he wants them to happen. That moment, God wanted me to see that he was there listening to everyone in the Church, listening to me. The band wasn't singing just the same old songs, they were singing songs to their King, Our King. I wasn't telling my sufferings to God inside my heart, I was telling him my sufferings at his feet.

Hurt and weight had gotten lifted off of me. I had always told myself that right there.... He is Jesus. He is right there. He is here. I have had such a hard time believing it though. Doubt and Fear have always been struggles for me. What if I am just kneeling in front of a piece of bread? What if Im singing to a piece of bread?

It's not a piece of bread. Its a piece of Body. It' not just body, it's His body. My encounter, could really, not be turned in to words because God is indescribable and everything he does is.  Through this year instead of setting resolutions, I am setting targets for my Faith walk and my first challenge will be to let God ruin me and then to build me in to something beautiful. I want to trust in His plan even if it leads me on my knees, crying out for help.

He is the designer, He is Our Lord. Our Dad, Our Savior. He is God. He is the plan.

Fearlessly,
Sammy

I'm not lucky, you don't know how much I've prayed

17 years & Counting

Happy New Year everyone! Wow, how amazing this past year has been. Some pains, some struggles, some amazing nights, some great memories, some broken friendships, some new friendships, some trials, some blessings. I look back at 2015 like a scrapbook, even though I didn't capture everything I would have liked.

This past year was so awesome. I am going to sum up some events that have happened that were highlights for me instead of putting them in those Facebook videos. I got CONFIRMED and it was amazing!! I am now officially apart of God's family and I chose to take that vow for myself. I am saying yes to God. Yes I am your daughter. I was always his daughter but its so great that I could proclaim it. I am Catholic, I am a daughter of God.

I interviewed Jeremy and Ryan, the Catholic rock band I am always talking about. It was so cool. I always imagined interviewing famous people and Jeremy and Ryan are sure getting up there. Me and my friend Lucas did everything. I came up with the questions and the game and Lucas did all the hard work. He rented equipment, cleaned up the slides, edited the whole video, and made it the 15 minute video you can see right here: 

I went to my first Taylor Swift concert: The 1989 World Tour with two of my favorite people in the whole wide world. It was a great night and what made it even better was going with people who inspired me to be the best person I can be. It wasn't only in the arena when we had fun but we had fun in the car on the way there and on the way home blasting 1989 and singing (and screaming) every word. You can read about the whole experience right here on this blog under the August archive of the site.

I self published my very own book titled BLOGGED. It's about becoming Fearlessly Catholic in today's world knowing other people are beside you, and most of all God. He is always there for you. If you would like to purchase this (non-profit) book you can buy it here: BLOGGED

God has truly blessed me this year. He has set on my heart to be more active at both parishes I go to. Helping out with EDGE, starting a Bible Study, participating in Bible Study, singing in Choir, and going to Lifeteen more and more. I've met the most amazing EDGE kids and friends through church and if you aren't active in your parish I encourage you to do so. I was such a stubborn kid when it came to making friends at my church but when God wants to do make a change in your life, he does.

There were struggles this year. Some major struggles but I believe that not a year passes without struggle. I've learned to thank God for the battles I have fought and those I have won. I know God sometimes calms the storm but sometimes He lets the storm rage on, and calms His child. I found this quote, pray when it is hardest to pray two years ago. I always wanted to put it in to words but whenever those times came when it was difficult to pray through a situation I never would. This year I am more than happy to say that I have followed through with what the quote has said. It's such a lesson to learn but when  you do learn it, it will make you stronger.

Almost nothing can sum up this fantastic year, I've had. Thank you to all those at Sacred Heart and St. Marys for making my year truly a blessing. Thank you to my wonderful family that has encouraged me, loved me, and has done more than I can imagine for me this year. Thank you to my friends who are the most amazing bunch of people ever.

Even though I said I probably couldn't sum this year up. I found a song that I can relate to my year perfectly. God bless Fearless Catholics, lets make 2016 awesome!

You are blessed. You are loved. You are Enough.
Living Fearlessly through another year,
Sammy

Song stars at 1:43 part

How Adele's (song) When We Were Young taught me about the Year Of Mercy

Adele's newest album 25 has been on the top of billboards best selling albums for three weeks since it has come out. This has been such an anticipated album since she let out her CD 21. I am not that big of an Adele fan but she does have a fantastic voice and has such a talent to write her own music. 

I got the CD as a present to my sister for Christmas this year and to be honest I have been listening to it a lot. Adele has such raw emotion in her songs and in her voice. It's like free therapy with Adele, and who doesn't want that?

There's a particular song I want to point out, It's called When We Were Young. In the beginning the lyrics are, "Everybody loves the things you do, from the way you talk to the way you move, everybody here is watching you." When hearing this song after the twentieth time, I realized this can help me within my own Faith.

Like I've said in many blog posts before. We were put on earth to proclaim God's gospel and to help other people get to Heaven no matter who it may be. I don't know about you, but I strive to be friendly to everyone I meet, I strive to help people, I want people to look at me and see Christ. I want people to know I am Catholic by the way I speak. I won't lie maybe sometimes by the way I dress or the way I talk. I wouldn't be surprised if people who didn't know me knew I believed in Christ and tried to live it out. I don't think they would guess I wrote a book on how to become Fearlessly Catholic, they wouldn't know I choose to use my gift of singing for God, they wouldn't know I have this blog where I exclaim the gospel and God's love.

Like in Adele's song I want people to love the way I speak because I speak of kindness, care, love, and joy. Not profanity, hatred, or nastiness. I don't want people to know of me as someone who would rather put on a Taylor Swift shirt than wear a scapular. If you have ever thought of me this way, I am trying to change. If you maybe even have some things you would like to change of your outer appearance please join me in doing this.

Not only should we take care and respect of our outer appearance but we have something indescribable inside of us that we should be taking care of. We have the Holy Spirit living in us. Do we ever care about whats going inside of our bodies? Our minds, our mouths, our eyes. We, as Catholics have to watch what see, look at, and read. We have to pay attention and ask ourselves would Jesus look at this? Would Jesus turn his head and look the other way?  I know, I know I am using the old  WWJD but as maybe silly as it is, it does help. We have to cleanse our mouths of the language we might use. Instead of cussing when we stub our toe or get cut off while driving, how about saying a Hail Mary? We need not to only take care of our eyes and mouths but our minds. Its almost impossible not to see some nasty things in our world. It's all over T.V., in the music industry, on magazines when we're checking out at the grocery store, and on billboards. I mean I would really rather be looking at a McDonalds ad than a trashy promotion for a wine or perfume.

Pope Francis said this is the Year Of Mercy. We are supposed to be showing compassion to others, love to others, mercy to others. The best way to do that sometimes is using our tongues to teach about God's teachings. We weren't put here to roll our eyes at those inappropriate things, we were put here to change those things. Instead of saying oh yeah it's the year of Mercy I am going to totally change myself and surprise others but I'll do it tomorrow because today I am going to probably watch this show I know is kind of trashy but it's ok because compared to the other stuff it's not that bad. Especially when it comes to our faith I hear a lot of people, including myself say I am going to read the Summa, learn more about my Faith, show compassion to the person who hurt me, show forgiveness. We don't do it and then it's already next year and slowly if we stop going to Confession, don't forgive, push people out of our lives, stop going to mass, or stop being nice and smiling we could become bitter and another person that has strayed away from God.

How hard is a smile? It's not hard. Be nice to one another and slowly but surley we can change our world and be the light of God. (Oh and listen to Adele, not only does she have a rockin voice but her messages are good too.)

Fearlessly Living Catholic and Merciful,
Sammy

P.S. YOU ARE LOVED. YOU ARE BLESSED. YOU ARE ENOUGH. praying for you my fearless Catholics.

"There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives - the pain, the loneliness. We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor you may have right in your own family. Find them. Love them."
-Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Limitless

Happy Friday Everybody! 

In our lives we will deal with anger, sadness, failed relationships, doubt, and anxiety. We deal with these horrible, but beautiful emotions. As humans, we are as fragile as glass and sometimes the world is very harsh to us. We wonder why our creator God would let these disappointments come to our hearts and why he would let us battle with depression and unhappiness?

Sometimes, we tend to get mad at God for these things. We yell, shake our firsts in the air, and turn our backs on Him. If God is goodness why would he let us feel like a mess? Why would he let terrible thing after terrible thing knock us down? I go to mass on Sundays, I go to Lifeteen, I pray, I try and follow him, and day after day he never once lets things let up. Why would I want to serve a God like that? Why would anyone?

 

 I’ve been where you are before. I sometimes do feel these feelings time again too because I’m still a teen and a human, but I’ve learned something. I’ve learned that God doesn’t give us these things. My explanation goes all the way back to Genesis in the bible, the beginning of this world. When God created Adam and Eve he told them they could eat from every bush, plant, and tree in the garden except one. And I know, you know, what they did. They ate from that one tree because they were tempted and that’s when our parents brought sin into the world.

Sin is evil and evil leads to sin. Since there is evil in the world that’s when we have these heart wrenching doubts. Where are you God? Why aren’t you here for me? Some Father you are letting this happen to me? God doesn’t let this happen to you. God absolutely does not let bad things happen to you. He does not create these things to happen to you. Our world is broken. You see all these shootings on the news, all the suicides taking place within your hometown or globally like when Robin Williams took his life. 

When the horrible shootings happened in Paris leaving people dead and injured, where was God? He was there. When the terrifying shooting happened in San Bernadino on Wednesday leaving 14 dead and some injured, where was God? He was there. Where is God who took our place on the cross so we wouldn’t have to deal with the pain when people are being martyred for believing in him? He is there. He is with them. Being nailed and nailed to that cross again and again. 

Our country is not perfect. Our president is not perfect and does not have Catholic morals. But us as Catholics, can change that. But why would we help others when I can’t help myself? I am praying for all these things. Peace, Comfort, Health, Protection, and none of these prayers are being answered.

Those nights when you can’t sleep. There is always a reason for everything and those sleepless nights, even though they are irritating and hated, they are something much bigger. Maybe that’s when God wants to talk to us but we push him away because we’d rather sleep and I won’t lie. Yes, I want to sleep because I’m tired and I can’t go to bed. But maybe the blessings we have been asking for us come to us in disguise. Maybe our hearts breaking our something much bigger, because God is here. He is here and we can’t believe it sometimes. It’s hard and God knows that, we’re human and he made us. He knows our doubts  in this life when we’re suffering but we need to remember God is here and the only thing he wants is to heal us. When we cry maybe that’s God. When we feel empty maybe that’s when God says He will make us full. Everything that happens in this life, God promises he will use it for His goodness.

Our world is broken, torn, and dark and God knew all this would happen. He knew we wouldn't know where to go, who to go to, what to do but behold our life instructions...... The Bible. Matthew 5:14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. I don't know about you but sometimes it can be terrifying and scary to be a light of God. We see on the news people being killed for saying they believe in the one true God. Jesus never said it would be easy to follow Him, but He said it would be worth it. 

I don't really have reasons or answers for the cause of the terrorist attack in Paris or the one that happened in San Bernadino taking lives of 14 people. The only answer and reason I have is God. Not everyone will take this answer but it is truth. God is doing something so much bigger right now. It's hard to understand when a father of 6 was killed, the principal's husband of Sacred Heart school getting killed, and loved ones getting shot on a day when we thought it was a regular day and we didn't tell them how much we loved them or appreciated them. 

We need to pray, do charity, do good works, go to mass, appreciate people, and be nice to everyone we meet, go to confession often, and participate in the gift of the mass. This glorious Advent season we learn about the second coming of our Lord and we prepare our hearts for when He comes. I don't know about you but when He comes, don't you want to be ready and don't you want to know you did everything you could on earth to get to Heaven? I do. 

We're human and we're not perfect. We are far from perfect and sometimes we are far from great. I just feel like I am blessed to be surrounded by people whose goal is to get to heaven. My family, my church family, and my friends. Tell those who you love, you love them. It is absolutely heart wrenching when shootings aren't a big deal anymore on the news, let us be the light of God so we can stop these shootings and make this world a better place until Christ comes again to bring us home.

Don't limit God because he is Limitless. 

Live Fearlessly and Be God's light.

Sammy

The confirmation minister at my church whom is a shining light of God posted this song on Facebook today and it inspired me to right this post. Please take a listen. 

Even when my strength is lost, I'll praise You Even when I have no song, I'll praise You, Even when it's hard to find the words, Louder then I'll sing Your praise Even when the fight seems lost I'll praise You
Even when it hurts like hell I'll praise You Even when it makes no sense to sing Louder then I'll sing Your praise- Hillsong United 

Keep Calm And Carry Your Cross

It's been awhile since I have posted. I've been very busy these past couple of weeks as I am sure you have been busy too. I would like to say a few things before I start this month's blogs.

Thank you for all the immense compliments and support you have given me with the release of BLOGGED. It all means so much to me. I could have never imagined all of these amazing comments from you guys. You're the best! Although we all need compliments from time to time I cannot take credit for these writings because I truly believe that God put these writings on my heart and that the words that are in the book are not mine, but His.

My blog will be a little different from now on. I will still being doing blogs but it will now be two blogs every other month. My blogs will also be shorter so you don't get too bored. The last thing I want you guys to do is zone out and stop reading because the only reason I started this blog is to keep you guys entertained and to see what God has put on my heart to say.

Let's start, shall we?

I bet we all know Simon of Cyrene from the Bible. We don't know a whole lot about him but we know he is the man that helped Jesus, carry His cross. Although he was forced by the Romans to help Jesus carry the cross we believe that the further he helped Jesus carry His cross he actually wanted to help Jesus.

It's such an amazing story as I'm sure all Christians would agree. How many of us would want to help this man bloody, tired, and weak carry his cross to the hill after being demanded to help him? Simon was probably tired, he was probably hungry and could go for a delicious Deli sandwich right about that time. All kidding aside though, if we knew who Jesus was but didn't know he was the Son of God would we have found in our hearts they we would want to help him?   

We have the bible and tradition to tell us about Jesus. We know that this is the truth and we know that Jesus was not a hypocrite or lunatic. But those people that lived in Jesus's time didn't know that. All they had was immense faith. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

In today's world religious people use the phrase, "I'm carrying a cross" when they are struggling with something. We can never imagine what a burden the cross was to Jesus but we have such a small portion of it here, on Earth, when we go through hard trials.

Every person on this world deals and struggles. There isn't one person who hasn't struggled or will not struggle. That's just life and it is how we earn our rewards in Heaven. But do we ever want to help people carry their crosses while still carrying ours?

Would we really do that? Be honest with yourself. I have my own struggles why would I want to help someone with their struggles? I have enough on my back right now.

For me, I don't think I would help someone with their cross and when I say this I almost feel guilty. Jesus wants us to help each other get to Heaven. That is why we were put here. Because we are helping each other get to Heaven. This is our task.

We have our fun busy lives. We have midterms, we have our jobs, we have our family life, we want to hang out with our friends, we have to help out at Church so how can I help out someone when I can barley help myself?

It's hard. Like I've said a million times before, Jesus never said following Him was going to be easy, but he did say it would be worth it. Don't go around putting people's problems on your shoulders. That isn't what I am implying.

How many times do we smile at total strangers during the day? We just go on with our lives not caring about what the people at the grocery store or mall think. They have their own lives why would we care? Because those are our brothers and sisters in Christ. How many times do we help our siblings with homework without grumbling or wanting something in return? How many times do we say we'll pray for people and not do it? How many times do we send a nice to text to our friends saying, 'hey how are you? I miss seeing you.'

This isn't no where near as much as the cross Jesus had to carry. But we need to help people carry their cross and be like Simon. Fr. Christopher once wrote, "Whether Simon marched the whole way in bitter inner protest or received the grace of joy and understanding as he went along is a matter of surmise. He and his family were fully rewarded in due time by the gift of the Christian faith."

My friends our goal is to get ourselves and others to Heaven. That is why we are on earth.  Help your family members, friends, or even classmates carry their cross. No matter if it's a subject they are struggling with in school or something that may be much bigger. God knows what he is doing, my friends and all God will ever do is good.

Living Fearlessly,
Sammy 


We're all dry bones longing for a Savior waiting for the God of life to put us back together -Ike Ndolo, Memorial 

Do you dare to be fearlessly Catholic? (BLOGGED)

 The reason I haven't been blogging lately is because I am working on writing and publishing a book that I've written. A lot of you know this and the book is titled, BLOGGED and I'm super excited about it. I know I haven't given you any information either on how to purchase this book or to read it online.

First of all my friend Lucas Hamilton is photographing the book for me. I am so blessed he is agreeing to share his gifts and talents with you and me for the Glory of God and to be so kind as to not charge me anything for this non-profit book.

Secondly, I am not writing this book for me. I am not writing it trying to get compliments on the book or my writings. It is all for my readers and for God. I know my readers struggle with different kinds of battles in their lives and so do I so I figured I could help others within my writings. When I say MY writings I do mean God's writings. He has put this amazing opportunity in front of me to share with all of you his love, forgiveness, mercy, and greatness.

If you would like to order one of these books or read it online for free (because it is nonprofit) please DM me or comment on this post and I will send you the link. As for any Sacred Heart parishioners you can read a copy over at the Lifeteen library very soon.

Book prices will be listed as soon as possible 

Thank you for supporting me.

 Live Fearlessly,
Sammy

Welcome to the 1989 World Tour!

It was magical, it was something I'll remember forever. The words, "Hello I'm Taylor, and welcome to the 1989 world tour!" stick in my head. Taylor Swift is a global pop star who took the world by storm. She is known for singing about real life experiences the trials, tribulations, and hardships of love and what a breathtaking, beautiful thing love can be when you find the one.

It is still so unreal I saw Taylor Swift up on stage with two of my favorite people who really made me have such a fun experience. The whole concert situation doesn't matter who you're going to see I truly believe it's with the people that you go with. You have to go with people who are going to jump up and down, who will scream the lyrics back to the singer as they scream to you. You have to go with friends who will enjoy the experience as much as you will, who will smile so much you think you'll never frown again.

This is my story of how I experienced Taylor Swift the first time and hopefully not the last. I took lots of pictures! I'll try and make this post short but it's hard to write something short when what you lived through was something truly extraordinary. 

Setlist:

Welcome To New York
New Romantics
Blank Space (Written with Max Martin & Shellback.)
I Knew You Were Trouble
I Wish You Would
How You Get The Girl
I Know Places (Written with Ryan Tedder Of One Republic)
All You Had To Do Was Stay
Mean
Clean (Taylor flies around the arena for this song. And no not with fairy wings, she's on a balcony.)
Love Story
Style
Bad Blood (my favorite song!)
We Are Never Ever Getting back Together (Electric Guitar version.)
Enchanted & Wildest Dreams Mash up
 Out Of The Woods (Written with Jack Antonoff from the band Fun.
 .........and then we got to Shake It Off (Which was the encore.)

In between songs we got to see Selena Gomez sing 'Good For You,' Lisa Kudrow from friends sing, 'Smelly Cat.' and Justin Timberlake, 'Mirrors.'

I was immensely blessed to meet Taylor's brother, Austin Swift. He was so sweet and told me that Taylor works so hard to make sure every show is special for her fans whom she calls family and he let me know his family including himself hope I enjoy the show.

(Swift Tip: If you are going to an upcoming show I would encourage you to pre-order your Merchandise online before you go to the arena if you have the opportunity to do so. The merchandise lines were extremely long and sometimes they run out of items.)

Taylor's opening acts were Vance Joy who sang, 'Georgia,' 'Mess Is Mine,' 'Fire In The Flood,' and, 'Riptides.' Next Taylor's best friends HAIM opened for her. Three sisters who are such a great act. They really got the crowd hyped up for Taylor. The genre of their music falls into R&B/Soft rock and roll. I was also super blessed to meet bassist of the band, Este. She was sitting in one of the seats next to me after playing and she graciously stopped for a picture.
Taylor came up out of the stage after her back up dancers for the first song, 'Welcome To New York,' the crowd was taken to the streets of New York. The stage was set up with benches, signs, and light poles. As always Taylor is very enthusiastic and has such a girly fashion sense. She wore a black sparkly crop top and a sparkly purple skirt with black pumps which as well were sparkly.

My favorite performance would have to be her number one hit song from the album, Blank Space. We all know this song as Taylor speaking of herself as a crazy, psycho girlfriend who is enthralled with her boyfriend one minute and wants to kill him the next. At the end of Blank Space Taylor takes a golf club and runs two of her dancers off stage screaming at them as the crowd cheers her on.



Taylor has this amazing song called Clean. One of my favorite songs on 1989. It's about becoming (finally.) clean after you were in a bad relationship or free of a breakup or free of an addiction. Before Taylor sung she reminded us we are not damaged goods. We are human and we make mistakes because what human being doesn't? A mistake is called a mistake to learn from it. In Taylor's words, "It's horrible because no one can see your face when they comment hateful things or why do you bother? No one can see how much it hurts you, you just have to live with it and I just wanted to let you know that I think that's unfair and I don't know how to fix it but can I just tell you I love you and I'm sorry if that's ever happened to you."  

Taylor Swift concerts are the best concerts. It's where you go for the music, to see a girl that truly believes in your dreams because you believed in hers. It's where you go to be surrounded by the nicest people, it's where you go to jump up and down. It's where you go to treat everyone like what they are worth and that's a lot. It's where you go though to feel better to cheer up because Taylor is such a comfort to so many people. If your mad just know you can let all your anger out with Bad Blood, If someone has hurt you sing to Mean, and if you have a broken heart Taylor has it covered ;)

I hope all of you get a chance to see Miss Taylor live because not only was she named most charitable person of 2014, not only was she named entertainer of the year three times in a row, but she is a friend, she's your friend.

If you would have any questions about this show please feel free to ask in the comments below. I'd love to answer even if it is just to rate the show over all or ask questions about the set.

May God bless you!

-Sammy

Sugar (Analyzation of Maroon 5's hit song.)

Hello you, fearless Catholics! What a week it's been! I feel like it's been non-stop there has always been some kind of errand or commitment that has kept me on my feet and busy. I've been so thankful when I can just go to sleep and rest for a couple hours.

Since I've been running around all this week I've spent a lot of time in the car listening to the radio. The top three songs that I couldn't get away from have been Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran, Bad Blood by Taylor Swift and Sugar by Maroon 5.

It was cool at first. Okay these are songs I like. Good job, radio! But after the fifth time they played I was really getting pretty irritated. There is only so many times I can hear, 'cuz baby now we got bad blood HEY.' in one day.

Anyways, so like I said Sugar plays on the radio about half the day on one radio station or another and there is no way you have not heard it by now. When you listen to this song the first or even thirtieth time it comes off as sort of a sexual lustful song and there's this trigger in my heart that say's, 'You probably shouldn't be listening to this song.' What if I told you this is a sweet innocent song that talks about true love? You'd be surprised. I took time analyzing this song to come up with this blog post and it wasn't hard to listen to it because Maroon 5 is a talented (and handsome) band.

I'm hurting baby I'm broken down,
I need your lovin, lovin' I need it now
When I'm without ya I'm something
weak you got me beggin beggin I'm
on my knees.

Meaning: Whenever this man is away from his soul mate he feels like 
his strength is gone. He loves this girl with his heart, mind, and soul and could not or would not move onto another women. He shows commitment in these lyrics. Commitment, Honesty, and Loyalty. 

I don't wanna be needing your love, I just wanna be deep in your love
It's killin me when you're away oh baby because I really don't
care where you are I just wanna be there where you are and I
gotta get one little taste.

Meaning: Many people see this as lustful lyric, because it is. If you look at it deeper though he is saying He wants to be with her all the time so he can give her unconditional love. It can also be seen as protection so he wants to protect her to be by her side because he will not risk her getting hurt. 

Sugar, yes please won't you come and pour it down on me?
I'm right here, cause I need little love and little sympathy
yeah you show me good lovin' make it alright
need a little sweetness in my life Sugar, yes please
won't you come and put it down on me?

Meaning: The chorus is hard to see past. You hear it as a sexual innuendo but it is all in the way you view it and look at it. Sugar is used as care, love, happiness etc... Their happiness is full of joy and if the relationship you are in is built on sex and lust you won't be happy, overall you will not be happy or you will not have joy. In his relationship with the girl he is fully happy because the relationship is built on loyalty, care, trust, and real love. 

My broken peices, you pick them up
don't leave me hangin, hanging come give me some
when I'm without ya, so insecure you are the one thing
one thing I'm living for

Meaning: Whenever he falls down and gets low she is always there to pick him up. She never leaves him suffering. When you are in a relationship you suffer together not apart. You are in a union with God and will not leave that union. He loves this women so much he is living for her and doing anything he can to have her be happy because he is happy with her. 

REPEAT OF THE CHORUS.  

I want that red velvet, I want that sugar sweet
don't let nobody touch it, unless that somebody is me
I gotta be your man there is no other way cause girl
you're hotter than the southern California bay

Meaning: He compares her to the sweetness of red velvet cake. He also tells her that she may not be lustful with any other guy unless it is him, her husband. Notice he also compares her to the beach where it is always beautiful and warm.

I don't play no games, I don't gotta be afraid
no makeup on that's my sugar

Meaning: This is the last verse of the song before going back to the chorus and the song ending. He isn't playing games with her, this relationship isn't a joke. He wants her to know he takes the relationship seriously and seriously enough to work through the hardchips. It is also a point that he says she looks better without makeup on, he loves her without makeup on, he loves her through the bad days, bad moods, and hardships. 

I hope you guys liked this post. It is easy to see the lustful and sexual things on the surface but once you dig deeper into the lyrics and dig deeper into your faith is where you'll find the real meanings. You can think what you want about this song but you need to find God everywhere and any situation.

God Bless,

Fearlessly Living Catholic.

Sammy 

Jeremy and Ryan

Hey all! Hoping that your summer is going great. I had the incredible opportunity to interview Jeremy & Ryan last month. It was amazing and they are so funny!

I'd like to thank Lucas who recorded the whole interview. Thank you so much Lucas! Please go and look at his website LH Photography http://lucas-hamilton.smugmug.com He takes the best photos and is super talented.

I would also like to thank Mary Arkfeld who photographed the interview. Capturing awesome pictures and who is always so sweet!

Last but not least it's my pleasure to thank Jeremy & Ryan who are such talented guys. God has blessed them with many gifts! It was such a major blessing to interview you guys and thank you for being so genuine and kind.

Jeremy & Ryan's website: http://www.jeremyandryan.com Tell your youth ministers about them and get them for your church, festivals, and retreats! You won't regret it they put on an amazing show

Enjoy the interview :)

Stand Up And Follow Me

Oh don't you dare look back just keep your eyes on me, I said I'm holding back he said, 'stand up and follow me,' my savior is my destiny he said, 'ooo stand up and follow me.'

Hey everyone! it's already July and if you're like me you can't believe it Summer is flying bye. I hope your summer has started off well with plenty of blessings and adventures. I'll start by saying the start of my official summer at the end of June was incredible and I wouldn't think of starting it off any other way.

Every year in Costa Mesa, California our Catholic Homeschooling group puts on a conference with talks, vendors, and you can also buy books for your upcoming semester of school. It's always been something I look forward too since we've had Teen Track which is simply what my parents have put together to keep us teens busy all day while the parents are listening to awesome speakers.

For the past two years we have had the Christian rock band Jeremy & Ryan who you have heard me talk about many times before. God has abundantly blessed us with them for the last two years because every year it's obvious that us teens have taken something from the day.

This year Jeremy and Ryan made a parody of the famous pop song Shut Up And Dance With Me by Walk The Moon. There version is called Stand Up and Follow Me and if you haven't heard it, you need too.

There have been a lot of things going on in our country lately. As Catholics we have to try and fight back on some of the things that have become legal. Gay Marriage has become one of the things our country has legalized and on my facebook I've seen so many mixed feelings. I wanted to post something on it the day it was legalized but then I realized that someone may not agree with my views on it and would start an argument over our different beliefs so I didn't post. A few days passed and our country was put to the test again by voting on Assisted Suicide which made me so mad and so sad so I decided to take action on it and the power of the Holy Spirit burned inside of me.

I was thinking of things I could do to help this country from legalizing Assisted Suicide and nothing came to mind. It was by the Grace Of God that I was listening to my Ipod when Stand Up And Follow Me came on. I then knew what I needed to do. That night I sat on my bed with my rosary and prayed. I prayed so hard on that rosary and told God to use me to help this country and to tell other people who may have different views on this subject about my opinion and may it enlighten them.

I knew that the only person who could stop Assisted Suicide from becoming legal was God. I also knew I could put my trust in God that he would use me. I prayed one of the most strongest prayers The Hail Mary over and over again. I ended up saying the rosary.

I woke up the next morning and I was filled with so much joy finding out Assisted Suicide had been taken down from the agenda was was not legalized in California. God was working so hard in congress that day. St. Michael I felt was fighting for us.

As Catholics in this time and era our faith is being attacked in  the worst way possible. What are we doing about it? We can't just say prayers and hope for the best. Prayers are amazing, don't think prayer isn't helping because it is but what else can we do to save the weak ones and  fight with our brothers and sisters?

The Devil is not dead in today's world he is so very active and it's such a scary thing to think about but what's even scarier is we aren't doing anything to fight him back. We need to put our God armor on, grab our swords, do the sign of the cross and fight.

I'm not implying that you should physically/verbally fight people who have different views and who don't understand but we need to start acting and not just saying we are going to take action because usually when we say we  will, we don't.

Take one step at a time because we weren't put here to do nothing. We were put here to spread the good news of God and to teach the lost people about Him. In Matthew 5:14-15 it says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Do not be afraid of going out though. Psalm 91:11 says, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." God wants you to fight, he wants you to put on your armor. Your guardian angel is equipped with everything they will need to protect you either while you are preaching God's word or helping the homeless.

It takes time and it takes effort and strength so tonight before you fall asleep instead of thinking about the next day ahead of you, school, or work, unwind by asking God to give you strength to do his will tomorrow, the next day, and this year. You'll not be disappointed in how God uses you.

People very close to me are out doing God's will. One of my great youth ministers is out in Georgia helping kids find their calling in the Catholic church. A very close family friend of our family is in Thailand right now helping kids. It doesn't matter if you are in Georgia, Thailand, or your hometown. There are people who need to hear about God everywhere in this world.

Be the salt and light of the world! Take a deep breath, do the sign of the cross, ask God to use you today because I asked God to use me one day and he did but I was too afraid to share about God's glory to this person who wanted to talk about church. It did happen though that God used me and of all places at the mall with one of the sales clerks. I didn't even expect it to happen. It just goes to show you the power of God is nothing to overlook.

A couple words from me about the choices our country is making right now: I don't hate gay people, I don't hate people who are homosexual, I don't hate those who try and fight my beliefs. I simply pray for them because they don't know how gracious our God is. People get confused. They think God will not judge them any less then God will judge us on judgment day. They don't think they are any different. God still loves them, yes. After all they are his children but what they fail to understand is God made marriage for men and women. I saw a post on Facebook that said God made marriage for Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve. God made a person for you, and they are coming but it may take time. Men and men should be kept as being friends (Same with women and women) because God did not make gay marriage, people did and that should scream louder than anything I can write. I know tons of people will find some way to fight this because I've seen so many but hear me out before you state your opinion just because you put a rainbow filter on your profile picture of facebook think for a second. The rainbow was made by God. It was the sign of his promise not a statement to represent equality. Catholics needs to understand we don't need to hate these people who are gay we just need to stand by our Faith because a lot of people think, 'oh yes lets get married because we are so happy.' Happiness doesn't mean to get married. God's plan will make you much more happier than any marriage. Gay marriage is such an argument right now and please hear me out just because Catholics aren't screaming doesn't mean your argument is any more right just because your louder.

May the peace of God be with you and may you have strength to stand up for these things as I need strength too. Pray for people who are getting married to the same sex. It's not marriage, it is not even a celebration it is pleasure of the evil of the world.

Fearlessly,
Sammy