Support and Strengths

The past two days were spent on retreat with other volunteers from the Philly area. It was crazy how many people were from the Rochester area! It was also funny, when I got there I saw my friend who I studied abroad with in Germany and now she in volunteering in Philly this year. Such a small world we live in. We spent a majority of the time focusing on the strengths finder test that we took before we arrived. There are 34 different strengths. After taking the test my top five were 1. Empathy 2. Positivity 3. Includer 4. WOO (Winning others over) and 5. Consistency. These strengths describe me perfectly. We talked within our communities about our different strengths and how each of our strengths will contribute to our community. It was helpful to see what my roommates got so I knew their strengths and where they will excel. It was also very nice and refreshing to meet the other volunteers. Its nice to know that there are other young people out there wanting to make a difference in our world and some are just right down the street. It’s a larger support system, something that I need. Its good to know I have friends outside of my community.

This past week was my first week of work. We basically just got the school ready for students. School officially starts on September 5^th and I am so excited! I can’t wait to meet and work with the students. Not only did I make friends with the other volunteers in Philly but as well as the teachers at my worksite. Support was one thing I was worried about, that I wouldn’t have enough support, but now I know there are many people who would help me and be there for me if I needed anything.

I was on the phone with Austin the other day and I was frustrated because I feel so trapped and isolated once it becomes nighttime. I know that it’s not safe to go out in Kensington at dark but it’s not something I’m not use to. It’s a completely different world out there but yet we’re still in the US. Then Austin said that I needed to remember why I’m here. I’m here to help my “dear neighbors” as the SSJ’s say. It’s true; I need to remember as to why I am here. It’s not to go out every night. I’m here to help and serve the neighborhood in which I belong to now. 

"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work."

            -Mother Teresa

  

peace and love

Katie

At the Beginning of the Day

This is a prayer that my Dad sent me and has helped me so much so far. Thank you dad, I love you!

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY

O God, I find myself at the beginning of another day,

I do not know what it will bring,

Please help me to be ready for whatever it may be.

If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.

If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.

If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.

If I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.

I pray just for today, for these 24 hours.

For the ability to cooperate with others

according to the way Jesus taught us to live.

"Your Kingdom Come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

May these words that he taught us become

More than words.

Please free my thinking and feelings

And the thinking and feelings of others,

From all forms of self-will,

Self-centeredness,

Dishonesty,

and deception.

Along with my brothers and sisters, I need this freedom

To make my choices today according to your desires.

Send your Spirit to inspire me in time of doubt and Indecision

So that, in cooperation with them,

I can walk along your path.

First two weeks

Sorry for the delay in posting but we finally have Internet!!

So its been almost two weeks since I started this adventure. It's been two weeks filled with it's ups and downs. I'm excited to see what the year has in store for me. At the beginning, I questioned why I was here, basically what did I just get myself into. I froze, I didn't know what I was doing or what was to happen. But then I thought to myself, "There is a reason why I am here, God wants me here for a reason and he will share that reason with me at some point I just have to wait to find out." I know I am here to help and serve the people of Kensington but I feel there is a deeper meaning as to why I am here, which I am hoping I will find out with time. As a was questioning why I was here I received a letter from my Big Emily. Last year Emily did a year of service in St. Louis. She understands what I'm going through and is supporting me 100% and its exactly what I needed to hear. Its refreshing to know that there is someone else there who understands what you are experiencing and is willing to help.

Living in Kensington has definitely been an eye opening experience, just ask my parents. Before they dropped me off we had the brilliant idea of driving by and seeing my house....well that just scared me even more! But now that I have moved in, its starting to feel more like home. What's been really hard for me has been not being able to go out once its dark out, safety reasons I understand but I feel so trapped. But it is nice being able to go out during the day. Today we decided to go down into center city and do some touristy things around there. It was nice to know I'm not just trapped in my house all day and I can't go out. Philadelphia is such an amazing city and I can't wait to experience all it has to offer.

My first full day of work begins on Monday August 27th and I couldn't be happier! I visited La Salle the other day and I was just so excited! It's such a positive environment and each child has their own story and experiences that make them who they are and I can't wait to get to know them.

These past two weeks has allowed me to reflect on myself and what I am called to do. This is a time where I am depending on God to show me the way and to help me as I make this adventure. I want to grow more in my faith and build a better and stronger relationship with God.

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to take the whole staircase, just take the first step" - Martin Luther King Jr

peace and love
Katie

And the next chapter begins...

Well I guess it only makes sense to start at the beginning. For those of you who don't know I have been thinking for a while about what I wanted to do after I graduated from UD. I really was deciding between two things, whether to go to grad school or doing a year of service. After praying about it for a while I decided that I was called to do a year of service with the Sister of St. Joseph Mission Corps in Philadelphia.

So what exactly is a year of service you may ask. Well what I will be doing for the next 11 months is working in inner city Philly at La Salle Academy, a Catholic school grades 3-8. I will be the new Physical Education teacher...yep you read that correctly I will be teaching gym. Its comical to think of me teaching kids physical education. But along with that I will also be doing a hand full of other things. I will also be working with the social worker at the school, which i am extremely excited about. The kids at the school are the poorest of the poor  and come from broken homes. These kids have experienced things that I could never imagine dealing with.

A few weeks ago I visited where I will be calling home for the next 11 months. I visited La Salle Academy and saw the kids I will be working with. Each kid greeted me, they shook my hand and welcomed me to the school. I knew I was going to love it from there on out. Everyone at the school was so welcoming and excited about me volunteering there for the next year.

Visiting where I will be working and calling home for the next 11 months reassured me that I am doing what I am called to do. Helping those in need is a huge part of my life and I am so excited to be doing this.

I will be departing for my new adventure tomorrow. I am full of emotions at the moment and I ask for prayers and support as I start this next chapter of my life.

"If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."

peace and love

Katie