When I came to college I had just left a youth group that was like family, I knew that i had 30 brothers & sisters that would do anything for me, literally anything. I knew that I could depend on them for whatever i needed, if it was a What a burger run at 2 am somebody would volunteer to go. I sought that same thing when I started my new adventure at Troy. I found my spiritual home in a church that had been around for 100+ years, the Catholic ministry on campus was fairly new and not very large, averaging 10-15 people. This was a total different atmosphere than what I was accustomed to. The youth group was small but I loved it, the first night there we had "Stump the Priest" and I of course asked Father Den if he would consecrate a doughnut for me. (he said no) I love it, plus my RA was in the ministry and I lived 3 doors down from the meeting place, so if I was ever asleep before bible study (I always was) somebody would run in and wake me up off of the couch.
The FOCUS ministries were some of the nicest people I'd met so far, their whole job's was to talk to us and help us grow spiritually. The first two months were great! I went to Bible study every Tuesday and Small Group every Wednesday; plus I still managed to make it to mass on Sunday, either on campus at night of off campus in the mornings. It was great. Then I had a falling out with one of my roommates and moved away from my faith based dorm, I stopped going to bible studies and mass. The FOCUS missionaries still texted me to see how I was but I never replied, I got the weekly texts of what was going on with the ministry but never made an effort to go to any events. I started to avoid everybody that I knew from the Newman Ministry when I'd see them on campus because I was embarrassed about my faith life.
I left Fall semester feeling empty, like I had purposefully let myself fall away. I came back into my Spring semester hoping for the best, I started going to mass more and to Bible study, I went to Washington DC with the University of Alabama Students for Life group which is partnered with their FOCUS team. It was all great, my faith was restored. Then I fell again, I was praying for this sign to come, it finally did in the opportunity to go on a retreat that was talked so highly about, but school and my anxiety got in the way and I backed out, letting myself and the missionaries down. After that I was ashamed that I had fallen so far from what I loved so much.
March came and the missionaries still reached out, I ignored and went about my life. Everything with my Dad started to go downhill in March, and looking back I should have let these people in to help comfort me when my times were tough.
April 10, 2016 I posted on the Facebook group asking for help. My dad had just been placed into an in home hospice program, I knew things were ending but hoped for the best.
"hey guys!
I'm asking for some serious prayers right now, my dad (73) has been in and out of the hospital and rehab facilities the past month and we just recently signed a DNR. Yesterday we took some enormous steps with his care and started in home hospice.
If you know anything about me you'd know that I hate asking for prayers because there are so many others in need. I'm just asking that you keep my mom and me in your thoughts for the next few weeks as we encounter the Lord's plan.
Thank you so much for the support that some of you have already given me it's greatly appreciated!
Have a wonderful week and go make a difference in the lives around you!"
I'd love to tell you that this simple post was easy but it wasn't, I struggle asking for help.
Two days later this was posted:
"Update on Dad:
last night he was transported to West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, FL by ambulance and placed in their short term hospice facility. Thank you tremendously for all of the prayers but right now things aren't looking too great. A few very close friends and family members are traveling to see his this week. I will be going home (hopefully) this Saturday as I am very sick also and haven't kept food down for over a week.
Please pray for my mom, she's a strong woman and has been very patient with all of this. She loved hearing that y'all were praying for her. Please also keep my dad in your prayers, I'm the only Catholic in my family and my dad has not been to a church in over 20 years so I'm very concerned for his spiritual life.
Please don't go out of your way to pray for us but if you remember try to send positive thoughts our way."
Two days later was the day my world changed.
I honestly didn't expect much for what I posted, these people had no reason to care for me after I changed sidewalks to avoid them because of my own embarrassment.
They chose to love me, take this broken girl and just love her. Thats all I could have asked for.
Here's what I have to say to you Troy Newman Ministries:
Thank you.
Thank you for loving a girl who didn't deserve the love that you gave her.
Thank you for allowing me to be a person that I am ashamed of but still welcoming me with open arms.
Thank you for always letting me wear patterned shorts even in December because that's my thing.
Thank you for being the family I didn't know I had.
I wish I had more profound things to say to you but rather I'd just like to say thank you. these 10-15 people and 4 missionaries cared more for me that the "Best Friends" that I had thought would be there for me.
I don't know why I felt the need to write this eternally long blog post just to say thank you but for some reason I felt the need to
I guess the lesson that we can learn here is that no matter what happens to you the right people will always be there for you, even if you aren't there for them.
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