One of the many additions to facebook recently has been that the website inquires about its users feelings in the status box. Where I go to type in something to share with my facebook friends and the rest of the internet, facebook has a question: How are you feeling, Julia?
Right now, I'm feeling incredibly blessed. I'm in a healthy, happy, and productive routine, my students are taking personal responsibility for their work and are increasingly able to work independently during my classes, I actually know my way around the city, and I just had an INCREDIBLE meeting with our principal.
I could go on for pages about the amazing coworkers I have here at Cristo Rey Jesuit- they are so warm and supportive and wonderful, but our principal might take the cake. She has been nothing but a mentor and resource for me while I've been here, and she genuinely cares about my well-being. In our mid-year evaluation meeting, she offered to let me just come hang out in her house when I needed a break, because it's really big and she never uses it. She's awesome.
Not to mention that she is a great educator and really cares so much about the students... Anyway, I really could go on for hours, but I'll stop myself, because I have some great news! In our meeting, Katherine told me how much she wants me to play a more active role in CRJ Campus Ministry, beginning with: GOING ON KAIROS!
I'm so thrilled. I'm beyond thrilled. I'm ecstatic. I will be going on the boys Kairos retreat from March 20-23, but will have a bit of a different role than the other adult leaders. I'll be helping with logistics and in the kitchen (I mean, if I HAVE to cook...), and maybe will be giving a talk. Things are still in the works, but I'm so happy to be going!!
I will also be assisting with more Campus Ministry activities around the school throughout the year, including masses and helping with the planning of retreats. I am so happy to be able to do more of this kind of work!
I'll leave you with the words of Andrew Hoyt, an incredible teacher and human being in general, who I learned more from in 4 months than I could have even dreamed. He was at Cristo Rey from day one of its existence, and while he had to leave us because of family commitments halfway through this year, his presence is still felt here. He wrote a reflection for Catholic Schools week for the ACE program through Notre Dame, and it's so lovely that I thought I'd share:
"That’s it!” Steve flung his book on his desk in anger. “I’ve
had you for three years, and you never give me a straight answer. Every
time I ask you a question, you just answer with another question. Just
answer me!”
Murmurs of agreement fluttered through the classroom. Heads nodded in grave assent: It was true. He never answered your questions.
“Wow, Steve. Thanks for saying something. Why do you think I do that?”
***
As a part of the corporate work-study program at Cristo Rey Jesuit,
students spend one day a week working in Houston businesses. After
prayer each morning, a number of students pass back out the front doors,
tread across the school crest - the word "Magis" above a Christogram - and climb onto buses to go to work.
Four years ago, Andres had never been in an elevator before. Now, he
steps off the downtown bus once a week, straightens his tie, and
transcends realms. At the top of one of the highest buildings in
Houston, this young man from the barrio looks out the window toward the
sunrise and continues to his desk. He has work to do.
***
Late on a Friday night, the entire senior class sat together in the
chapel. The pews buzzed with the electricity of raw emotion and the late
hour. But when he stood up, the entire church went silent.
With 75 pairs of eyes tracing his uncertain steps, he stumbled toward
the lectern. Everyone had been pouring their hearts out tonight, but
what could he have to say? He almost never spoke in class, never said
hello in the hallway. He climbed up into the sanctuary and into
unfamiliar territory: He was the center of attention.
Somewhere in the darkness, someone clapped. And they began chanting his name.
A boy who'd hardly uttered a word to most of his classmates now stood in front of a chanting crowd. And he spoke.
"Thank you,” he said, “I know you’re all probably scared of me, but I love you.”
He told his classmates that even though they might not realize it,
they were his friends. They were his family. "You said hi to me every
day. I never felt like I belonged anywhere before here."
He leaned on the lectern, still anxious, and told them that he looked
forward to walking through the school doors every day because he knew
he would be safe. “No one really knew how important it was that the
school was there for me,” he said, “even if I didn’t act like it.”
"If you say good morning to me next week, I still might growl at
you," he finished, "but at least you'll know how much it means to me."
The chapel swelled with cheers and laughter, and he stepped back down, awkwardly enduring the barrage of hugs from his friends.
***
For three and a half years, I taught at Cristo Rey Jesuit in Houston,
Texas. Most of the students in this low-income Catholic school are
zoned to one of the three nearby public schools. In 2007, a Johns
Hopkins study labeled all three of these large, overcrowded schools as
"dropout factories," where more than 40% of the student body drops out
each year.
At Cristo Rey Jesuit, the standard is about more than staying in
school. It is a safe place, where students face more than homework,
grades, and lectures. In this Catholic school, students encounter
mystery, dignity, and love. They are invited to be more – to strive for
the magis – and to reach for something higher than they ever thought possible.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Updates Coming...
Updates to follow, but in the mean time, watch this. I've never been prouder to be a part of something in my whole life. Try not to cry.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The Celebrant Wore Sunglasses
I'm so happy to be back at school this morning, as tough as my morning was when the alarm went off bright and early. My retreat was really wonderful, and I enjoyed my day off yesterday, but it's always nice to get back into the swing of things.
On Wednesday morning, after a bit of confusion at the car-rental place, we began our trek to the HEB Foundation Camp, which is about 12 miles North of Leakey, TX. It was a five-hour drive, and once we got past the familiar drive to San Antonio, it was really quite beautiful. The landscape in the hill country was absolutely stunning, and I had never seen any place in the world that looked like Frio River Canyon, where our campsite was located. The water was so clear that we could see the catfish swimming along the bottom, and it lived up to its name. "Frio" is the Spanish word for cold... I might have jumped into the river one afternoon. I might have been FREEZING. But I might have also been exhilarated.
The retreat was based around the pastoral circle, and was led by a Jesuit, Fr. Fred Kammer. I really enjoyed his lectures and the opportunity to meet in small groups with other JVs in other cities. We were grouped by population, so I was with JVs who teach in other parts of the country- one in NOLA, one in Arizona, and one in South Dakota on a Lakota reservation. We all shared experiences with our students, and as the retreat went on we talked about social analysis and theological reflection, two parts of the pastoral circle. We then talked about advocacy and how we could look at the systemic changes that need to be made and what we can do about them as JVs.
It was a somewhat overwhelming experience, and it of course made us realize that our students struggles are linked to poverty, hunger, the criminal justice system, immigration, and the whole gamut of social problems that JVs work with as a whole. We realized that while not everyone works with our students, their work affects our students, or students like ours in their respective cities.
As much as I really enjoyed nerding out over Theological reflection and tracing social justice throughout Biblical History, it was also really nice to take some time to hang out with JVs! I bonded with the South Dakota community, and I'm trying to save up enough money to go visit them at some point during this year. It's three wonderful guys who work so hard on the reservation, and they feel very isolated a lot of the time, though they love their work. They spend some time as radio DJs, actually- you can check out the res' station website here, and sometimes you can live stream to listen to them!
We also made concrete plans for our first trip (hopefully not our last) to NOLA- for MARDI GRAS!!! I will be in New Orleans celebrating Mardi Gras the weekend before actual Fat Tuesday this year... and I can't wait. We'll stay at the NOLA JV house, and will have a whirlwind, most likely exhausting celebration before heading back in time to go to work on Monday. I think by now you all know how special New Orleans is to me, and I really can't wait to see it at Mardi Gras.
We had a really lovely mass at our retreat center, and I got to participate in a few ways more than I usually do. I was a part of our musical group, consisting of two guitars and five singers. It was fun to sing mass songs that I know and love and don't hear very often at mass here. I was also asked to give a reflection after the gospel instead of the priest saying a homily, along with Jimmy, a JV in South Dakota. I was honored to share my experiences with the other JVs, and it was a lovely mass. We had a re-commissioning ceremony as a part of it, where we anointed the hands of our other community members with Holy oil as we go out to continue our good works in the world.
Fr. Fred, our Jesuit-in-residence for the weekend, had misplaced his regular glasses along the trek out to us, and only had his prescription "aviator" style sunglasses with him for the weekend. He wore them during his talks, and in addition to his really cool JVC-inspired stole, plaid flannel shirt, and sweatervest, he wore them during mass.
The weekend allowed me to take a step back, reconsider my motivations for applying for JVC, and remember why I'm here. I learned a lot about myself, and I know that I'll be able to grow significantly over the course of the next six months.
On Wednesday morning, after a bit of confusion at the car-rental place, we began our trek to the HEB Foundation Camp, which is about 12 miles North of Leakey, TX. It was a five-hour drive, and once we got past the familiar drive to San Antonio, it was really quite beautiful. The landscape in the hill country was absolutely stunning, and I had never seen any place in the world that looked like Frio River Canyon, where our campsite was located. The water was so clear that we could see the catfish swimming along the bottom, and it lived up to its name. "Frio" is the Spanish word for cold... I might have jumped into the river one afternoon. I might have been FREEZING. But I might have also been exhilarated.
We ended up renting this monstrosity, since it was the only rental car left in Houston- I secretly loved it. I ended up driving my own car, but we put my name on the drivers list so that I could take it from the rental place to the house.
The retreat was based around the pastoral circle, and was led by a Jesuit, Fr. Fred Kammer. I really enjoyed his lectures and the opportunity to meet in small groups with other JVs in other cities. We were grouped by population, so I was with JVs who teach in other parts of the country- one in NOLA, one in Arizona, and one in South Dakota on a Lakota reservation. We all shared experiences with our students, and as the retreat went on we talked about social analysis and theological reflection, two parts of the pastoral circle. We then talked about advocacy and how we could look at the systemic changes that need to be made and what we can do about them as JVs.
You can see down to the bottom of the river there- it's hard to tell where the edge of the water starts... it was so beautiful!
It was a somewhat overwhelming experience, and it of course made us realize that our students struggles are linked to poverty, hunger, the criminal justice system, immigration, and the whole gamut of social problems that JVs work with as a whole. We realized that while not everyone works with our students, their work affects our students, or students like ours in their respective cities.
As much as I really enjoyed nerding out over Theological reflection and tracing social justice throughout Biblical History, it was also really nice to take some time to hang out with JVs! I bonded with the South Dakota community, and I'm trying to save up enough money to go visit them at some point during this year. It's three wonderful guys who work so hard on the reservation, and they feel very isolated a lot of the time, though they love their work. They spend some time as radio DJs, actually- you can check out the res' station website here, and sometimes you can live stream to listen to them!
We also made concrete plans for our first trip (hopefully not our last) to NOLA- for MARDI GRAS!!! I will be in New Orleans celebrating Mardi Gras the weekend before actual Fat Tuesday this year... and I can't wait. We'll stay at the NOLA JV house, and will have a whirlwind, most likely exhausting celebration before heading back in time to go to work on Monday. I think by now you all know how special New Orleans is to me, and I really can't wait to see it at Mardi Gras.
We had a really lovely mass at our retreat center, and I got to participate in a few ways more than I usually do. I was a part of our musical group, consisting of two guitars and five singers. It was fun to sing mass songs that I know and love and don't hear very often at mass here. I was also asked to give a reflection after the gospel instead of the priest saying a homily, along with Jimmy, a JV in South Dakota. I was honored to share my experiences with the other JVs, and it was a lovely mass. We had a re-commissioning ceremony as a part of it, where we anointed the hands of our other community members with Holy oil as we go out to continue our good works in the world.
Fr. Fred, our Jesuit-in-residence for the weekend, had misplaced his regular glasses along the trek out to us, and only had his prescription "aviator" style sunglasses with him for the weekend. He wore them during his talks, and in addition to his really cool JVC-inspired stole, plaid flannel shirt, and sweatervest, he wore them during mass.
The weekend allowed me to take a step back, reconsider my motivations for applying for JVC, and remember why I'm here. I learned a lot about myself, and I know that I'll be able to grow significantly over the course of the next six months.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Into the Wild
Tomorrow morning, I begin my trek into what I'm calling "real Texas," for our JVC "Re-Orientation." It's a winter retreat focused around social justice with all of the JVs in the south, and I'm really looking forward to it!
The JVs from New Orleans and Mobile are on their way here and are staying at the other Houston house for the evening, and we'll see them for brunch tomorrow. We will then drive to Leakey, TX, the county seat of Real County (I just googled Leakey and found that out...for real. I can't make this up. It really is real Texas!), a land where cell phone towers don't even reach.
I'm off the grid until Sunday, folks, and into the wild. Wish me luck. This Yankee doesn't quite know what she's getting herself into. Stories to follow! xo
The JVs from New Orleans and Mobile are on their way here and are staying at the other Houston house for the evening, and we'll see them for brunch tomorrow. We will then drive to Leakey, TX, the county seat of Real County (I just googled Leakey and found that out...for real. I can't make this up. It really is real Texas!), a land where cell phone towers don't even reach.
I'm off the grid until Sunday, folks, and into the wild. Wish me luck. This Yankee doesn't quite know what she's getting herself into. Stories to follow! xo
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Contemplative in Action
Today, a group of PC students are traveling to New Orleans to embark
on an incredible week of service, community, and solidarity. I was one
of those students a year ago, and it's because of that trip that I am a
JV.
I first went on the NOLA immersion program in January 2010, where I was introduced to JVC, New Orelans, and a future career in service. I made some amazing friends, gained some mentors, and fell in love with a city and an idea. I returned in 2012 with another incredible group, including my boyfriend and some of my best friends. Our relationships only grew stronger, and it solidified the idea that I wanted to be a JV.
Today, I was on retreat with my colleagues at Cristo Rey Jesuit, learning and reflecting upon what it means to be "contemplatives in action," something that is a motto of the Jesuit order. My first NOLA trip was organized through a group called Contemplatives in Action, and I loved realizing how appropriate it was that these two worlds would come together today, in my newest service experience.
We reflected on other Jesuit mottos- "men and women for others," and Ad Memoriam Dei Glorium, "for the greater glory of God." Fr. Brian Reidy, SJ, our retreat director for the day, mentioned how those two things might seem contradictory- that we are supposed to be working for others and for God simultaneously, but that in reality, those two things are the same.
We practiced prayer in the style of contemplative imagination, and while I had read much about this Jesuit tradition, I hadn't ever practiced it. I'm very happy to say that I really enjoyed it, and I think I learned a lot about prayer and myself. I read a passage from scripture, and tried to imagine myself IN the story.
I chose the passage where Jesus encounters the woman who is an adulterer, with the famous line "let he among you without sin be the first to condemn." I imagined the passage from the perspective of the woman, of the guards, and of the people in the crowd. I struggled at first to bat the distractions of other thoughts out of my head, but I was eventually able to focus and journal a lot.
We also discussed what it meant to be a contemplative in ACTION- that we have a call to pray and have a close relationship to God, but also to do His work. This year is all about me as a contemplative in action, and I am realizing that it's all rooted in my time in NOLA.
I realized today that while I'm not getting on a plane for a week of life-changing fun in New Orleans, I'm doing the things that NOLA taught me. I'm serving with my whole heart, and I'm becoming a better person for it.
I first went on the NOLA immersion program in January 2010, where I was introduced to JVC, New Orelans, and a future career in service. I made some amazing friends, gained some mentors, and fell in love with a city and an idea. I returned in 2012 with another incredible group, including my boyfriend and some of my best friends. Our relationships only grew stronger, and it solidified the idea that I wanted to be a JV.
Today, I was on retreat with my colleagues at Cristo Rey Jesuit, learning and reflecting upon what it means to be "contemplatives in action," something that is a motto of the Jesuit order. My first NOLA trip was organized through a group called Contemplatives in Action, and I loved realizing how appropriate it was that these two worlds would come together today, in my newest service experience.
We reflected on other Jesuit mottos- "men and women for others," and Ad Memoriam Dei Glorium, "for the greater glory of God." Fr. Brian Reidy, SJ, our retreat director for the day, mentioned how those two things might seem contradictory- that we are supposed to be working for others and for God simultaneously, but that in reality, those two things are the same.
We practiced prayer in the style of contemplative imagination, and while I had read much about this Jesuit tradition, I hadn't ever practiced it. I'm very happy to say that I really enjoyed it, and I think I learned a lot about prayer and myself. I read a passage from scripture, and tried to imagine myself IN the story.
I chose the passage where Jesus encounters the woman who is an adulterer, with the famous line "let he among you without sin be the first to condemn." I imagined the passage from the perspective of the woman, of the guards, and of the people in the crowd. I struggled at first to bat the distractions of other thoughts out of my head, but I was eventually able to focus and journal a lot.
We also discussed what it meant to be a contemplative in ACTION- that we have a call to pray and have a close relationship to God, but also to do His work. This year is all about me as a contemplative in action, and I am realizing that it's all rooted in my time in NOLA.
I realized today that while I'm not getting on a plane for a week of life-changing fun in New Orleans, I'm doing the things that NOLA taught me. I'm serving with my whole heart, and I'm becoming a better person for it.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
One Word
As the New Year has begun, I have read countless articles about resolutions. People resolve to finally lose weight, get that promotion, save money, go on a trip, etc, but one of the articles I read had a different suggestion. For 2013, pick one word.
I like the idea of a one word resolution. Instead of choosing to lose weight or spend less time in front of screens (both things I'd like to do in 2013), I have chosen one word that encompasses both of those things, but also calls me to a greater ideal. Instead of basing my resolution "on last year's regrets," as fellow blogger Don McAllister writes here, I have a word that will challenge me and uplift me, and (hopefully) bring things in my life together. I like to feel in control of things, though I know that I'm actually never really in control of anything but my own reaction to any given event. So here's my feeble attempt at controlling this new year, that will certainly be filled with a lot of amazing things, and a lot of change, something I know is good but I'm still grappling with.
Oh, you want to know my word?
Simplify.
Yes, as a JV, simplicity is an ideal that I'm supposed to be striving toward every day, but sometimes it's just a lot easier to take a disposable plastic spoon for my yogurt in the morning that I won't have to think about when my breakfast is finished instead of a silverware one. It's small things like that, and big things like spending less time in front of my computer/iPhone/iPad/TV and instead in prayer, conversation, or activity.
I have big plans for 2013- Mardi Gras in New Orleans, moving home, and finding a new job and starting my "big girl life," possibly traveling to visit friends living abroad (after I find that new job...), and a lot that I have yet to discover. While I will be busy, I hope to have a simple spirit, and simple possessions. I'm planning to cut down on the things that I own, and while the move back from Texas will certainly help with that, I need to spend several hours in the basement and attic of my parents' house, as well as find a way to curb my shopping. Earning $100 a week was one way to do it, but when I returned home, out of the JV world, it was like I'd never left.
I also plan to simplify what I eat- something that is hard since I usually only cook one night per week, and people bring food for us all the time, but I'm going to be disciplined about how much processed food I'm taking in and taking care of my body.
My spirit, possessions, and appearance are all going to simplify in 2013, in hopes that my mind and faith will grow.
What's your word?
I like the idea of a one word resolution. Instead of choosing to lose weight or spend less time in front of screens (both things I'd like to do in 2013), I have chosen one word that encompasses both of those things, but also calls me to a greater ideal. Instead of basing my resolution "on last year's regrets," as fellow blogger Don McAllister writes here, I have a word that will challenge me and uplift me, and (hopefully) bring things in my life together. I like to feel in control of things, though I know that I'm actually never really in control of anything but my own reaction to any given event. So here's my feeble attempt at controlling this new year, that will certainly be filled with a lot of amazing things, and a lot of change, something I know is good but I'm still grappling with.
Oh, you want to know my word?
Simplify.
Yes, as a JV, simplicity is an ideal that I'm supposed to be striving toward every day, but sometimes it's just a lot easier to take a disposable plastic spoon for my yogurt in the morning that I won't have to think about when my breakfast is finished instead of a silverware one. It's small things like that, and big things like spending less time in front of my computer/iPhone/iPad/TV and instead in prayer, conversation, or activity.
I have big plans for 2013- Mardi Gras in New Orleans, moving home, and finding a new job and starting my "big girl life," possibly traveling to visit friends living abroad (after I find that new job...), and a lot that I have yet to discover. While I will be busy, I hope to have a simple spirit, and simple possessions. I'm planning to cut down on the things that I own, and while the move back from Texas will certainly help with that, I need to spend several hours in the basement and attic of my parents' house, as well as find a way to curb my shopping. Earning $100 a week was one way to do it, but when I returned home, out of the JV world, it was like I'd never left.
I also plan to simplify what I eat- something that is hard since I usually only cook one night per week, and people bring food for us all the time, but I'm going to be disciplined about how much processed food I'm taking in and taking care of my body.
My spirit, possessions, and appearance are all going to simplify in 2013, in hopes that my mind and faith will grow.
What's your word?
Monday, January 7, 2013
And She's Back.
Hi all,
I know it's been forever since I've posted, and for that I am sorry! Between end of the semester exams, internet problems, and being HOME for two weeks, I simply had no time to do anything else but sleep. But here I am!
I'm back in action and ready to go... one class down already! Leaving home was not easy... in fact, there were many tears, MANY tears, but I knew that once I returned to Houston, I'd be okay. I didn't want to leave my home, and after having spent so much time in Philadelphia, I didn't really want to come back to Houston, but alas, here I am.
It was so wonderful to see my housemates again last night, even if I wasn't completely thrilled about my geographic location. We were immediately laughing (and eating) again, and all was well. I am still missing one of my checked bags (PLEASE say a prayer that it gets to me- all of my favorite clothes are in it), but other than that, I had a relatively smooth transition once I hit the ground in Texas.
My 5:30 AM alarm was simply rude this morning, but after I realized that it was in fact an alarm that meant I had to wake up and not some silly mistake, I wasn't too grumpy. I'm tired but happy to be back at school. I'd be lying if I told you that I didn't miss my kids- they bring me so much joy! I'm slowly settling into my routine again, and I'm happy about it. Once my sleep cycle gets reset and everything gets flowing as regular again, I'll be back to my happy self!
A cup of tea in my new LaSalle coffee cup (thanks Leenie!) helped me to begin my day, and helping a new teacher get settled in to his classroom was a good distraction from the fact that it was so very dark out when I arrived at school. When I arrived home last night, after a DELICIOUS dinner involving authentic tacos cooked by Eva; Cassie, Rachel and I watched the season premiere of Downton Abbey! It was simply lovely to see our favorite characters back in action, and we of course enjoyed a lovely cup of tea alongside the Crawley family.
I think part of what made leaving so hard was that for once in my adult life, everything and everyone that I really loved was in one place, except for me! My family, friends, and boyfriend are all in the same city- not to mention that the city is Philadelphia. It seemed odd to be leaving it, but I know that I'm in Houston for a good reason- to do God's work with these awesome kids.
I won't launch into a full description of Christmas Break, because I could be writing that post until 2014, but here are some highlights:
-Tom surprising me at the airport
-Christmas Eve Mass in our home
-SNOW on Christmas Eve!!
-Christmas Day
-visiting the Philadelphia JV house
-lots of food with my ND ladies
-New Year's Eve with family and PC friends
-visiting Cristo Rey Philadelphia
-sleeping
-eating meat (though I now feel the need to detox)
-taking a cooking class with my mom
-breakfasts in the city
-visiting family from Dallas
-knitting
-sleeping
-wawa
-sleeping
Great things are on their way... so sorry for the disorganized post... there will be many more structured ones to follow!
I know it's been forever since I've posted, and for that I am sorry! Between end of the semester exams, internet problems, and being HOME for two weeks, I simply had no time to do anything else but sleep. But here I am!
I'm back in action and ready to go... one class down already! Leaving home was not easy... in fact, there were many tears, MANY tears, but I knew that once I returned to Houston, I'd be okay. I didn't want to leave my home, and after having spent so much time in Philadelphia, I didn't really want to come back to Houston, but alas, here I am.
It was so wonderful to see my housemates again last night, even if I wasn't completely thrilled about my geographic location. We were immediately laughing (and eating) again, and all was well. I am still missing one of my checked bags (PLEASE say a prayer that it gets to me- all of my favorite clothes are in it), but other than that, I had a relatively smooth transition once I hit the ground in Texas.
My 5:30 AM alarm was simply rude this morning, but after I realized that it was in fact an alarm that meant I had to wake up and not some silly mistake, I wasn't too grumpy. I'm tired but happy to be back at school. I'd be lying if I told you that I didn't miss my kids- they bring me so much joy! I'm slowly settling into my routine again, and I'm happy about it. Once my sleep cycle gets reset and everything gets flowing as regular again, I'll be back to my happy self!
A cup of tea in my new LaSalle coffee cup (thanks Leenie!) helped me to begin my day, and helping a new teacher get settled in to his classroom was a good distraction from the fact that it was so very dark out when I arrived at school. When I arrived home last night, after a DELICIOUS dinner involving authentic tacos cooked by Eva; Cassie, Rachel and I watched the season premiere of Downton Abbey! It was simply lovely to see our favorite characters back in action, and we of course enjoyed a lovely cup of tea alongside the Crawley family.
I think part of what made leaving so hard was that for once in my adult life, everything and everyone that I really loved was in one place, except for me! My family, friends, and boyfriend are all in the same city- not to mention that the city is Philadelphia. It seemed odd to be leaving it, but I know that I'm in Houston for a good reason- to do God's work with these awesome kids.
I won't launch into a full description of Christmas Break, because I could be writing that post until 2014, but here are some highlights:
-Tom surprising me at the airport
-Christmas Eve Mass in our home
-SNOW on Christmas Eve!!
-Christmas Day
-visiting the Philadelphia JV house
-lots of food with my ND ladies
-New Year's Eve with family and PC friends
-visiting Cristo Rey Philadelphia
-sleeping
-eating meat (though I now feel the need to detox)
-taking a cooking class with my mom
-breakfasts in the city
-visiting family from Dallas
-knitting
-sleeping
-wawa
-sleeping
Great things are on their way... so sorry for the disorganized post... there will be many more structured ones to follow!
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