Feeling like a Newbie

First Post.

The nervousness hits as I begin banging on the keys just waiting for some brilliant thought to hit me, and thinking of every phrase as a writing on my soul. I am very new to this blogging thing! The reality? In the next week or two the only people who will most likely see this will be my family and close friends. Either way! I am going to begin by introducing myself.

My name is Kileen Willis and I am a young Catholic girl trying to get a handle on being a sister, aunt, daughter, girlfriend, student, and friend. I am a Colorado native and have enjoyed growing up with a family of three older sisters and an inspiring Mom and Dad. My story is pretty simple. I am your typical cradle Catholic. Grew up in the faith and have always been surrounded by it. 

I went to a private elementary and middle school but made the transition to a public school when switching to high school. The transition from private to public school was an awkward one. It was full of standing at the beginning of class only to remember that prayer to start was not a regular practice, it was the awkwardness in conversation while trying to understand references to "gettin' some", or "they hooked up" that I was unaware of. As a fourteen year old I could remember just the year before as I was kneeling in front of Our Lord in Adoration for third period. Adoration for third period! If only... IF ONLY... I could have appreciated those times more. 

Because very soon I realized that I was walking into a world where many didn't want our Lord to exist.... high school.

All of the things in high school were so new and as a freshman I loved them! For once I could wear earrings that dangled, dress in whatever clothes I wanted, chew gum, and even wear makeup. What freedom I felt! The thing was... as I got older I realized more and more the lovely life I had while at my private school. I could enjoy the bountiful love of Jesus in the Eucharist every Friday, along with every Thursday I could sit and meditate with Him in Adoration. I could be safe in the comfort of never having to defend my Catholic faith because everyone around me was Catholic. High School offered the world, but as I furthered myself in this world I realized how much I wanted that which could give me Heaven instead... Jesus. 

Do you want to talk about something 'new'? 

Loving and following Jesus in the midst of the world. 

This lifestyle was and continues to be so new and radical in schools today. So I urge that if you want to do something 'radical' with your life? Love Jesus and follow Him. He was a radical dude that when asked how often we should forgive our brothers He said, "Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times."

This gets to my next point...

If you want to follow Our Lord but you are nervous about feeling 'too far gone', please don't. God wants you wherever you are at. The reality is that He has been waiting for twenty one centuries in a Tabernacle for you to come back to Him. Receive the joy, love, and mercy that is found in the Sacraments. 

Go to Confession.

You know the best feeling I have found in relation to feeling new? After I have gone to confession.

Our Lord creates in you a new soul. A new creation. A new love. And a new purpose.

Go out and seek Him.

See! Being new at something is always worth it...