Haven't written in awhile, because I have been super busy.

Summer program has been taking up my days (8am-5pm basically), and leaves me super tired by the end of the day. But I love it, it is so much fun. My class is adorable. There are a few children who really test my patience, but I feel much less stressed about this group than my after-school group. Though I loved them as well. Must be because I am well prepared and well-equipped with supplies and donations from all the wonderful people in my life ;)


We had an immersion group here from Walsh Jesuit High School. It was my first immersion group that I planned all on my own. It went splendidly. I have become a master at planning. Okay, not really a master, but it's been a learning and growing process for me. I now know I am capable of planning a week long immersion, on my own. Go me! :)

I went to Sr. Maureen's house the other night for dinner. She is a lawyer and does amazing immigration law work. I met another dear woman, Sr. Genevieve while I was over. They are both so kind. Dinner was lovely. Today, I went to the beach and a movie (Monsters University-my choice) with Sr. Genevieve. Then we got some dinner. It was a lovely day of fun. I am so blessed to come to know such wonderful people, who live just one street over.

Tomorrow I am going to Ave Maria for breakfast and church with the wonderful family I met there. It will most likely be the last time I see them...so it's bittersweet. Monday I get to see Daniela (woot woot!) and hopefully get some ice cream if it works out. Unfortunately, pretty sure it will be my last time seeing her as well....Bittersweet. I hate goodbyes. But I guess I am considering it a 'see ya later', because I hope to return here some day for a visit.

I have a few weeks left here, but  the other day I finished my required 1700 volunteer hours. How crazy. In the beginning it seemed like SO many. But I did it. Finished early, too.
Again, go me! :)

I have been feeling all types of ways lately. Things have been SO good! SO so amazingly good. I am so happy with life. Things down here are great. Work is amazing. I've  made some pretty awesome friends. I am able to minister to people in the way that I have been wanting to all year. And it's all happening now...weeks before I leave.  Everything is coming together and is really really great for me...and I have to leave it soon. Part of me wants to complain and sulk because wahhhhh Why did it have to happen right as I'm leaving?!?! But the other half of me is so thankful and blessed that it's happening at all. I can leave on a good note. God answered my prayers and is giving me everything I yearned for. In His time. It will be a hard leave. A very hard leave. But, in everything, all glory needs to be given to God. He has blessed me with friends, special caring kind and generous people in my life, a ministry, a fulfilling job, and a stable living situation. I could not ask for more. There is a reason it's all happening now when it is. I'm sure it will all make sense some day. At the very least, it shows me that there are great rewards to follow after trials and hardship. Persevere, good people. God doesn't make us go through hardship for nothing. There is always something greater in store.

I would write more, but I need to further reflect on everything happening right now....

Peace and all good things. :)

Markers.

So, I take much delight in the fact that some of my deepest revelations come through the simplest things. Today, it came through markers.

Today was the first day of Guadalupe STAR Program. After days in the office preparing, training days, and preparing the room, we set in today ready to go. When I found out the materials and resources would be limited, I went to my wonderfully amazing support system of friends and family for assistance, and naturally, they came through. My room is becoming more and more full of supplies, and boxes keep coming. I went home for a lunch break today (a luxury, since I live only two minutes away from the school), and awaiting me were two packages.  A bit later, two more packages showed up.  I am SO appreciative of the kindness, generosity and support of all who helped out. Thank you. Thank you. A million times thank you.

Some of the supplies donated were from the school in Ave Maria. I've mentioned before the wonderful family I  have come to know there, and when I was over their house for breakfast one Sunday morning, I told them about the program and lack of supplies, and they were ready and willing to head up a supply drive at the school. I am so thankful for them, and all who donated to this cause. Naturally, as the year wound down, the kids gave a lot of their old supplies, including markers, crayons, glue, pencils, erasers, etc. (Thank you kids!)

When sorting out the boxes, and putting individual supplies into bags, I quickly noticed the amount of markers that were piling up. I realized a lot of them were lighter than others, meaning, they probably didn't work. I then thought back to my childhood, and the disappointment and frustration that came when I went to place my marker on my white paper to create a masterpiece, and it came out light and dull because, well, the marker was running out of juice. I then had the internal debate of: "Do I just take all the markers, because they were donated and that was really nice? The kids can get what they get." or "Do I go through the markers, one by one, test them out, and pitch the ones that don't work?" I thought about my situation. I had asked for help, people had responded. These kids needed supplies, now we had them. But it also made me think: Just because these children come from low-income families living in a low-income area, does that mean they are supposed to have lower quality things, or should they be able to have access to the same quality resources as the other kids? Yes, this even means having markers that work.

It made me think back to when I was younger, and my mom would have me go through my clothes, find things I didn't wear, and put them in a bag for Goodwill or Salvation Army. I remember hating this process, and though I knew I was doing a good thing, I didn't really understand it. I found clothes that I never wore because of a rip or a stain, and I bagged those up. I remember my mom saying that wasn't right, and questioned why I was giving away clothes that were ruined. I obviously wouldn't wear them, why should I expect someone else to? In my naivety, I thought that well, if they needed the clothes so bad, they would take them, stains, holes, and all. Shame on my young self.

I get it now.


Just because people come from a financially disadvantaged place, doesn't mean they should be given the scraps and the leftovers that no one wants. I, by no means,  want this to sound like I am ungrateful for those markers. I AM IMMENSELY GRATEFUL! But the markers made me think much more grand-scale, and about how I have viewed things in the past. People shopping at the thrift stores want nice clothes, too. (I would know, anything I have bought while in Immokalee has been from the local Goodwill. And thankfully, people have been nicer than the younger me, and have donated cute, good-quality clothes). And, well,  kids want good markers! :)

My kids and I are more than willing to take donated supplies. We welcome it. We appreciate it. We love it. But at the same time, I want them to keep their dignity and not feel like they are getting the scraps. So, does this mean I went through over 300 markers and tested each one out??

Of course I did.

I am so grateful for these little lessons I learn each and every day...through the smallest things. I have been having so many of these beautiful "little moments" here...and I love it. The great part about these moments are they happen every day, in all of our lives. We don't need to be doing anything huge. We don't need to be on a volunteer year. We don't need to be away from home. They are happening every day, everywhere. We just have to notice them.

We are SO thankful for all donations, all supplies, and all materials. This poster hangs in our room, in the middle of the kids' "About Me" pages. We are so thankful for all the help we have received.

life updates

I haven't posted in forever. That is because I have been SUPER busy. Time is just flying by! We are already in June! I WILL BE HOME NEXT MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finished up after-school three Fridays ago, and finished up at Pace two Fridays ago. It was really hard for me to leave Pace because I love it so much there, and it really has become my home here in Immokalee. When things are hard and everything is chaotic here, that was my the one constant place that made me want to get up every morning. I was honored the day I left by being named Employee of the Month. I started to cry as I was walking out. The executive director as well as some faculty and staff took me out to lunch and it was really nice. I loved being there and it will forever be in my heart. 

I've been working at Guadalupe Center in the office preparing for summer program. Tons of copying, binder assembling, supply gathering, nametag making, etc. etc.  It's cool doing the behind-the-scenes work...never knew how much work really went into preparing for it. 

We had two days of orientation, and tomorrow we set up our classroom. Wednesday we start :) I have 22 kids in my class, and 4 of them are ones I had in after-school program so I am excited :) I am also excited about all my new materials and supplies people have so kindly sent me. The kids will benefit so much from them and I feel so blessed. I have some more packages being sent as well and I am just so grateful for the support I am receiving from family and friends. :) 

My dear friend/soro sister Laura came to visit last weekend, I love her she is just the best. Some highlights of the visit were our trip to the beach and getting some delicious pizza. Mmmm mmm mmmm. And buying melons at the side of the road. :) It was so nice seeing her and catching up. Her visits mean so much to me. This weekend my program director Sr. Mary and my dear friend Carrie came. It was so nice having them here. We explored the town, they went to different organizations and met with people, we had a cook-in (was supposed to be a cook-out, but it rained) and had some HM alums over as well. We went to church, brunch and beach on Sunday for a bit before we got rained on. And we played a three hour game of cards. We watched Sister Act 1 AND 2, and had ice cream. We went to the market. And we got locked out of my car, and had 3 strangers help us get it open. They turned down the money I offered them, and it re-affirmed something I already knew. There are BEAUTIFUL people here in Immokalee, and in the world. I love the moments like those. I will also mention, that, in total, it took three  hours to get that car open. And these three people came to help us, literally one minute after Carrie and I decided to pray. God is good. :)

Got 38 days left here...which just seems crazy. My year is almost over. I'm ready for home but will miss Immokalee a lot. It's changed me. I've grown so much. And I've fallen in love with the people here. There are two immersion groups coming down soon---one this weekend! Eeek! I hope everything goes smoothly. Immokalee is a beautiful place and I want their experiences to echo that. 

Anyways...I'm super tired as I type this, so I am going to wrap it up. :) Thanks for reading, I will write more soon. :)