5 Weekly Graces Vol. 5

Happy Thanksgiving week, everyone!

I hope all of your weeks and weekends were filled with joy and love. Below are a few highlights from mine.

But before that, can we just talk about the gnome shoes that Facebook suggested I might like? While I am thoroughly amused by them (I mean they're hilarious), I am mildly concerned that these are what search engines think I will buy... Too funny.

Here are my graces from this past week (other than the smile brought by the shoe recommendation).

1) Beauty.

I'm fairly certain I won't stay in California after graduating, but sunsets like these definitely cause me to think otherwise... (#nofilter)

2) Laughter.

The main focus of my job is to prepare our student leaders to guide their groups of peers on the different immersion trips that our office runs throughout the school year. We have weekly meetings to help cultivate their ability to lead and talk about specific issues of social justice and how it applies to our immersions.

Normally, at the end of each quarter we take the group out for a dinner to promote group bonding. This time, my boss asked us to look into something a little more fun. And so, my coworker and I decided we would take the students to an indoor trampoline park! It was a ton of fun and the students loved it. There's nothing quite like a group of young adults playing a competitive game of trampoline dodge ball, or diving into a giant foam pit. If there is a trampoline park near you, go! You won't regret it.

Also, those foam blocks are the hardest thing to get out of. I think the majority of our workout that night came from the laughter while we watched one another struggle to clime out of the pit. Hilarious.

3) Song.

My roommate's birthday was on Thursday, so on Friday night we had dinner and another karaoke party at our apartment. I love the joy and friendship that shamelessly singing to songs can bring about. At one point in the night, Whitney Houston's Dance With Somebody came on and the whole room got up and danced together. So much fun.

4) Food and Friends.

Apparently I have a lot of friends with November birthdays, because after the birthday party for my roommate on Friday, Saturday I went to a birthday dinner for another friend. There was great food, meaningful conversation and lots of love poured out that night.

I'm just so grateful for the beautiful community I have found during my time in California. It's hard to believe that my time in grad school is coming to an end.

5) Prayer.

And last on my list of graces for the week is that I have found a new spiritual director who I will start meeting with next month. In the interest of continuing to grow in my faith and spirituality, I have found a desire to seek out a new director and am very excited that the woman I was interested in directing me has some availability this year- she's normally booked solid and much sought after. Spiritual direction is something that I am still trying to get more comfortable with and I greatly look forward to growing toward Christ with a little extra love and guidance.

How were you graced this past week?

Peace,
Sarah

***PS This week I am linking up with Emily from Ember Grey in her Grateful Heart series.

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Review: Rent the Runway

On Friday I was given the opportunity to help table at a young alumni fundraiser for the office of the university that I work for. The theme was Great Gatsby, which I love, but I knew right off the bat that there wasn't really anything in my closet that fit the bill.

So, I began searching the internet... Google, Polyvore, Shopstyle, basically any search engine that I thought might lead me to a 20's-ish dress at a low price number. You know the drill.

When I told my roommate about the party, she instantly mentioned Rent the Runway. Why didn't I think of that?! I've known about the site and their beautiful selection of designer dresses for a while now, but have never had any occasion to try them out. Until now!

I ended up finding this great gold, Erin Fetherston sequin dress that even had review photos of other women wearing it at Gatsby themed weddings and parties.

My only hesitation was in the sizing. In dresses I range from wearing anything from a 0 to a 10 (I wish I was joking) so it's very hard for me to guess what size I should rent. Luckily, Rent the Runway sends you two sizes of the dress you want! And so I guestimated what sizing I would need in the gold dress and ordered.

Unfortunately for me, one of the sizes of the dress wasn't returned on time and RtR had to send me another dress for one of the sizes. They chose a silver sequin dress by Milly which was very beautiful, but even from the photos I knew it was not something I would have selected for my body type.

The dresses arrived and the gold was at least a size to big causing a bit of fabric bulging in the back and sides, but it was far better than the silver, which fit, but as I suspected, was not flattering on my hourglass figure. Such a bummer.

I ended up wearing the gold because at that point I really didn't have another option, but it also wasn't super noticeable that it was too big. I could feel it based on how the fabric hung and where the waist fell, but the sequins definitely helped to hide the issues.

Overall, I am pleased with my RtR experience. I do wish that they would have let me choose an alternative dress rather than just guessing what I might like, but I am thankful that they sent an alternative. A friend of mine who was going to the event ended up wearing the silver, so it all worked out.

If you ever have a need for a fancy dress and don't want to spend hundreds of dollars, they are a great option with quick and easy shipping and returns.

Peace,
Sarah

**linking up with PumpsandPushups, StyleElixir, ThePleatedPoppy, SydneyFashionHunter, CraftyCurlyMom, Mix&Match Fashion

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5 Weekly Graces Vol. 4

1.) This weekend was our immersion retreat for those students going on a winter break immersion this year. I am constantly in awe with how insightful and profound my students can be and this weekend was no exception. They never cease to give me hope in the world when I begin to feel jaded and pessimistic. Words cannot express how grateful I am for each and every one of them.

2.) Great Gatsby! As I mentioned in the last 5 Graces, on Friday I was given the opportunity to attend a fundraiser for one of my offices programs. The party was a ton of fun and it was so neat to see everyone all dapper in their 1920's attire. At the very end of the night, the 6 of us who were volunteering snuck up to the roof of the building to look out onto the city. We were smack dab in the middle of San Francisco, so the view was pretty spectacular.

3.) I'm super grateful for the grace of new friends. Between the young adult retreat last weekend and some new blogging pals, I've definitely been recognizing the warmth of good companionship in my life lately. Feeling very loved and cared for. Y'all are the best!

4.) One of my old roommates came into town to defend his master's thesis at the end of last week. It was so great to see him and catch up - even if it was only for a moment because of the retreat...

5.) Today marks the 26th anniversary of the martyrdom of 6 Jesuits, their housekeeper Elba and her daughter Selena at the UCA in El Salvador (learn more here).

(photo via Fr. James Martin, SJ's Facebook)

Today and everyday I am graced with their example of courage and commitment to fight for justice.

Today and always, I continue to pray for peace in our world especially in light of the recent events in Lebanon, Paris, Kenya, and any other community where tragedy has struck.

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - Mother Teresa

Much love for all of you.

Peace,
Sarah

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The Grace of Remembrance

I have a brief activity for you. I invite you to close your eyes and think of a specific moment from your past that you remember feeling very happy and very loved. As you're thinking of this moment, try to remember what you were sensing at that time...

What do you see?

What noises do you hear?

What do you smell?

Try to soak in the environment around you...

What is the space like?

Who is there with you?

What are you doing?

How do you feel?

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Sweater Weather

 Happy Wednesday friends! I hope your weeks are off to a great start. We're at that rough halfway point, but I know we can push right through to the weekend!

One of my favorite ways to dress in cooler weather is to toss a sweater over thick leggings with riding boots. It's incredibly simple, and depending on the sweater and boots you choose, also very chic.

These Old Navy ponte-knit leggings are the first thing I wear in the fall time. They are very thick which means they are very warm and there is no undergarments showing through - it's a win-win. I splurged on the boots at the end of last year (inspired by Fran) and couldn't be happier with the purchase. They're by far the most worn fall/winter shoe in my closet.

Do you ever have a color that you have to keep yourself from buying because it's all you've purchased lately? Wine/burgundy/oxblood, whatever you want to call it, is that color for me right now. It's my favorite color and since it's only really warn this time of year, I'm definitely getting my wear out of it.

 Sweater: Gap (similar)

Leggings: Old Navy (this year's)

Boots: Vince Camuto (very similar)

Purse: From Florence (similar)

Watch: Michael Kors (similar)

Bracelet: Alex and Ani (very similar)

Ring: Gorjana (exact)

Earrings: Anthropologie (another option)

As much as I miss the beautiful leaves in Ohio, I do have to admit that all of the sunshine we have here for fall is pretty nice.

What's your favorite easy, cosy fall outfit?

Peace,
Sarah

**linking up with SydneyFashion Hunter, Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Pumps and Push Ups, CraftyCurlyMom , Mix & Match Fashion

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5 Weekly Graces Vol. 3

Well y'all, it's already Monday, which means it's time for another volume of 5 Weekly Graces.

During one of my student meetings we shared "highs and lows" of the week and I couldn't think of any lows! I don't know that that has ever happened to me before! My week was jam packed with joy and blessing and I can't wait to share some of them with you!

1. Rain! Not nearly enough, but Sunday night through a good chunk of Monday we had rain in Berkeley! Not only is rain my favorite, but I also got to wear my bright red Hunter Boots for the first time (you can read my post about it here)!

2. On Monday, my house hosted the Berkeley Jesuit Volunteers over for a delicious soup dinner full of good conversation and laughter.

For those who are unfamiliar, JV's are young adults who decide to spend a year of service working with marginalized populations both in the US and abroad. It's similar to the Peace Corp, except that these volunteers also commit to living in a house together while striving to live out the pillars of simplicity, social justice, spirituality and community. The Washington Post wrote a pretty good article about the program if you're interested in learning a little more.

I was a JV in Alaska for my first year out of undergrad and cannot put into words how formative that time was for me.

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#26 Visit Yosemite

Last week was reading week at my school, which loosely translates to fall break. The past two years I have gone home to Ohio to be with friends and family, but this year I decided to stay, not make any specific plans, and just see what happened.

So when my roommate asked if I would want to go with her and two other friends to Yosemite, the answer was clear: YES!!! I have been wanting to visit this beautiful park since moving out to California and was so happy to have someone to go with me.

Half Dome is the mountain Yosemite is most famous for. If you've ever seen the logo for North Face jackets, it's based on this mountain. Climbing to the top of it is definitely on my to-do list. I'll just need to train a lot more to get there.

We decided to hike the Upper Falls trail, but because we were off to a later start, we made it around 3/4 of the way up and then turned back so we wouldn't loose the daylight. The views were breathtaking on the part of the trail we did finish, so I can't wait to head back sometime and do the rest.

Yosemite Falls was spectacular. We were super fortunate that there had been rain the previous weekend because this time of year they aren't always running (especially in the drought).

It's the tallest waterfall I have ever been to so I was super excited the whole time. There may or may not have been some singing of TLC involved...

And look! There was a rainbow in the falls as we hiked. It was too perfect!

There wasn't a lot of "fall" in the park, but if you look closely, there are a couple of trees with changing leaves. Sure they're all brown, but it's a start.

When we cam back from the Upper Falls trail, there was just enough time to go see the Lower Falls. If you aren't a hiker and want to get fairly close to the falls, this is the path for you. Just don't do what we did and climb the boulders to get right to the base of the falls. That was not so easy and my roommate lost a pair of pants in the process...

More often than I would like to admit I am moved to tears just by taking in the magnificence of creation. It is when I am in nature that I feel the deepest connection to God.

What's your favorite place to hike? Does anyone in the Bay Area have suggestions of places to go?

Peace,
Sarah

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