Who's on your sidewalk?

Last week, I received an email from my Mom saying my home parish’s priest, Rev. Kate, would be mentioning me in her sermon on Sunday. There were no more details. I wasn’t worried, more intrigued. Fortunately for me, St. James’ uploads audio recordings of every sermon.

I recommend to everyone to take 12 minutes and listen here. Rev. Kate makes the point that the church is not simply a building but it’s the people and community. The church is us, but not only all of us in the global community in all places but also throughout time. Rev. Kate reminds us that God is the God of the living, which means those who have come before us are still alive. And those living now and throughout time, the people of the church, our community are supporting us.

{image via}

Weekend Reading

TGIF!

I don't know about you all but I've had a crazy, busy week! We've been catching up after the long, holiday weekend and preparing for visitors next week. The staff was supposed to plant trees tomorrow as part of a development project but it seems as though one last Typhoon is going to hit the Philippines. Hopefully, it is the last for the season!

Communicating through Laughter

Language barrier is currently the biggest hurdle I have to jump over. There is no substitution to a long, in-depth conversation in your first language. It’s icing on the cake when it’s with someone from your generation because you share common slang, pop culture.

This doesn’t mean I cannot communicate with those around me. Fortunately, most people speak or understand enough English. Merely different vocabulary is utilized, changes in intonation and pronunciation are made, and the speed is greatly slowed down.

I’ve been writing how much I laugh and smile in the Philippines. It’s true their joy and laughter is contagious.

Making a Difference

Last week, I went with Jocelyn, Maritess, Tessa, and Sir Junior to run a few errands for the Foundation. One of them was inspecting an applicant, Sheryl’s, Internet and copy shop. As with most inspections, every last chair available was found for us to sit comfortably as we asked every last question about their business, personal life, current finances, and future plans. This time as Sheryl hospitably passed me a bottle of Pepsi from her sister’s adjacent sari-sari store she said, “I’m so happy you are here with us.”

The words left me speechless until I finally fumbled over, “thank you. I’m happy to be here too.” A woman, who I just met who I was basically interrogating in her second or third language, offered me the kindest words. She’ll never truly know what those words meant to me. I will also never know what impact I had on her by simply showing up, being present and taking an interest in her.

Lately, I have been asking myself some hard questions:
Why am I here? 
People are saying they are so proud of me but I feel like I haven’t actually done anything? 
Am I really making a difference? 

I shared these concerns with fellow YASCers and a few others. I received some wonderful advice and encouraging words in response.

FOMO

Missing these lovely ladies like crazy!

FOMO. Or the Fear of Missing Out.

I’ve never been one to fall victim to FOMO. I usually chose which activities I wanted to do in college or with my friends and didn’t regret it later. Now, sometimes I would cave in to doing something because I was worried I was going to miss something epic. Most of the time, I didn’t. It made me realize that I need to do what makes me happy and not worry about missing out on something else.

I had my first test yesterday. Pictures of my friends from the weekend were posted on Facebook. They all got together and it turned into a mini, Mary Wash reunion. It was hard for me to look at the photos and not miss them. And not think about what I missed out on by being here. I thought, they’re not supposed to have fun without me. It’s a ridiculous thought because of course their lives will go on while I’m away.

Differences

Before leaving for the Philippines, I had the opportunity to get together with the Rev. June Hardy Dorsey, who was a missionary in the Philippines before her days as a priest. One piece of advice she shared which was given to her before she started as a missionary was, "in the beginning write down all the different, weird, or strange things you see because soon enough they will become normal to you."

And so I began my list the minute I touched down in the Philippines. It's surprising, however, how many similarities there are; people still want the best for their children, hope to accomplish their dreams, work hard to put food on the table. While the Filipino culture is different, I hate to use that word because it divides us as people or makes one inferior to the other. I should call it unique, one of kind, or distinct.

Little Things

I had one crazy night this past Friday, I watched The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants! One of my favorite movies which I decided to bring on DVD for nights like this past Friday to help past the time. No matter how many times I watch it, I always cry! Anyways, my point is towards the end of the movie one of the characters, Tibby, finds a tape of her 12 year-old friend, Bailey, who just died of Leukemia (one of the parts where I cry). On the tape Bailey says,

"Being happy isn't having everything in your life be perfect. Maybe it's about stringing together all the little things like wearing these pants or getting to a new level of Dragon's Lair - making those count for more than the bad stuff. Maybe we just get through it... and that's all we can ask for."

She's right. Not everything in life is perfect. However, if we enjoy all the little things, add up the simple moments and take them for more than the annoying, frustrating, or bad things we sometimes deal with, then our life will seem that much better. 

I'm starting a new weekly series on the blog called, "The Little Things" where I will feature pictures of small moments or items that made me smile or happy. Because while there will be major events or adventures that happen throughout my YASC year, it will also be shaped by little things. 

{I woke up especially early this morning and witnessed this beautiful sunrise from out my window}