I know I feel like I am starting my posts with the same line every time lately - "Where did the time go?" "How is it already three weeks after my last post" etc. But HONESTLY - ITS ALREADY MARCH 6TH!
Alright, enough with that stuff. I write today to briefly update you on the wonderful parental visit last weekend and to share a story about my own life journey these last couple weeks.
Update: The parents were here for a wonderful extended weekend a couple weekends ago now...and boy was it fun to have them here! It truly is something unique to be able to share an experience like this with people you love. I remember being in ireland a couple years ago thinking man I really wish my parents could see this so they could "understand" a little better what I mean! For example, when I would tell my parents I'm going to Gallup to go to Walmart - they could guess what it was like to drive to Gallup to go to walmart but this time, they actually got to EXPERIENCE the drive to Gallup. Now,they know what I mean when I say I am going to school, or I am going to the church, or I am walking in my neighborhood, etc. How cool is that?
Anyways, it was a wonderful visit that included Launching rockets with the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade science classes, a dinner out in Gallup with 20 other peeps from here which was awesome, a couple hiking trips to Canyon De Chelly and Window Rock of course, breakfast at Dine restaurant, late night reading at the Desert House of Prayer where they stayed, a cookout with all of us volunteers in our backyard, and of course banana grams. Quite a weekend!
Needless to say, I am extremely grateful they had the opportunity to come and share in this experience with me. Love you mom and dad!
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| "Don't get too close to the edge" |
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| Just walking by some ruins at the bottom of a canyon... |
Now, in relation to the title of this post. Tonight, we had our weekly spirituality night which was led by my roommate Mary Rose this time. I don't think she could have chosen a better night to simply take some time and ask us to reflect on our worries, anxieties, angers, happinesses, fears, etc. It provided me with the opportunity that I have been yearning for all lent - time for myself to reflect. I still struggle with providing myself with this time of reflection and I have come to realize how much I need it. I feel like a million bucks right now because of that opportunity we had tonight. And even writing this post is amazing!!
Anyways, in regards to forgiveness - Last night, I had religious education class to teach. Well, this time only one of my second graders showed up. Therefore, it was just me and this one boy - and the theme for this week's Gospel - Forgiveness. This little 8 year old turned my life upside down last night as he spoke avidly about forgiveness and his experiences with forgiving others and asking people to forgive him. Several times throughout our lovely discussions, I simply smiled because I remembered where I was, what I was doing, and who I was doing it with! I was on the Navajo Reservation in Window Rock, AZ talking one on one with an 8 year old Navajo boy in an old gym that is part of a Franciscan Mission about the prodigal son and the theme of forgiveness - WOW! How cool is that? haha.
It certainly was cool and over the last couple days, this experience along with several others have truly helped me come to more and more realizations. In thinking about next year and moving forward, I have come to realize that first and foremost what I need to do is love myself for me. We as humans simply cannot expect to be able to give all that we can to our vocation and to those around us if we do not first love God and then love ourselves! I have realized I need to forgive myself and reconcile with myself for all that I feel I have done "wrong." As I have begun this process, I have already recognized a shift in my lens on life - seeing my students in a different manner even TODAY! We need to share with others our love - God's love - but in order to do that we must first accept God's love and express it within our own hearts for ourselves. Then, the outward door of love can be opened and shared with all.
Whew, wow that was more intense than I thought I was going to share...Thank you for reading anyways - and know that you don't ever need to agree with what I say - hahaha - just take it for what it is...a reflection! Love you all dearly and have a wonderful night.
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