Youth ministry

We just finished a three-year diocesan training course for youth ministers (see fancy diplomas below... we're in the top left corner... except for our baby of course..she's the center of attention as always). I didn't learn much, except for that being in youth ministry is hard, working with others as part of the Church is hard, but both are incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. So maybe that was learning something.

So as not to put all this magnificent training to waste... :/ ... we've accepted our parish priest's request to lead the youth group again. It started up this week and up until the last minute I was having a mental breakdown and trying to quit, thinking what did we get ourselves into. But then that rewarding/fulfilling thing happened again and it all came together (REALLY last minute) and the meeting turned out alright. I have a feeling this will be an INTENSE year.

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The best, easiest and healthiest salad dressing ever

I have come to terms about not having ranch dressing in Portugal. I have since become addicted to another really easy dressing that makes any salad better and makes you really sad when there is no more salad. THAT is the sign of a good dressing. Plus, it's really easy because there is no chopping involved!

*Based on IGE's Black and Blue Salad

 

 

 

Step one:

Put 1-2 cups of blackberries or blueberries in the blender. Add 4 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, salt and pepper.

 

Step two:

Blend and ENJOY!

 

 

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Motherhood is awful

It's ripping me apart. I now see why it's so difficult to have children. Not the actually having children part. Pregnancy was exciting, (okay childbirth was awful), watching the baby grow is thrilling and taking care of her is wonderful. She's adorable and makes our lives a million bajillion times better.

 

It's the not-wanting-to-leave-her-ever and wanting-to-build-my-life-around-her but not being able to and that not being good for me and finding the right balance that's killing me. This terrible, do I work? do I do this? do I do that? No one seems to understand that here in Portugal!

 

When I say it's awful I mean sanctifying/makes you a better person and all that. The baby is quite sweet, just to clarify. I just happen to be in the most heart-wrenching, confusing and IMPORTANT decision-making process of my life.

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Jaaaaazz

This was our date night two weeks ago. Unfortunately the baby crashed it. It's hard to find babysitters... I guess I should ask more often but it just seems like so much work.

 

Last week we went on a dancing date sans baby and that was fabulous. This week with baby. Next week without. Date nights are hard to put energy into, but it's definitely well-spent. I look forward to them all week.

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Hiking trails and backyards

There is this place in Lisbon that my husband (at the time fiancee) and I happened to stumble upon a few years ago. It is a little neighborhood in the middle of Lisbon's forest. It is my DREAM to live there. Unfortunately houses are not for sale or rent. And that little neighborhood is social housing and belongs to the state. Bummer.

 

So we continue to live in our overpriced 6th-storey apartment that overlooks a highway and I sometimes go to the other place to hike the wonderful hiking trails. Can you imagine having this as your backyard?

Unfortunately, God doesn't seem to be answering prayers the way I WANT Him to. (Imagine that?) Yesterday I heard a little video of Scott Hahn saying, do you pray to change God's mind? I confess, I do. What a struggle.

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