How I Got Here, Where I'm Going, and What I'm Doing Now

To be honest, these past few months have been a whirlwind. I finished my summer classes, officially graduated from St. Edward's, moved out of my Austin apartment back home to Yoakum, and flew to New York; all in a very short amount of time. It seemed like college had flown by so quickly, and here I was at the very end of it. Within four years I had discovered a passion for many things, a passion for social work, passion for my faith, and the passion to be of service to others. Perhaps it was a combination of studying both social work and Catholic studies that would eventually lead me to where I am now.  But even more specifically, it was while I was in India during an International Immersion trip through the Spring Break Experience Program, when I'd decided that I wanted to do this. I remember sitting quietly, helping one of the most adorable boys color a picture, and in our silence, realizing that I could do this long term. It was the first spark that made me realize that I could be a missionary. Now I still had two years of college to finish, but I knew if God wanted me to do this, He'd help me find a way. Looking at it now, I'm glad someone snapped this picture, because it was somewhere around here when I realized what I was being called to do.

The Holy Spirit is definitely in this picture somewhere.

Before I knew it, I was on a flight to New York for a three week orientation in preparation for Cambodia. My orientation was a wonderful and amazing experience! My fellow Salesian Lay Missioners (SLMs) are lovely people and I'm so blessed to know them! My site partner, Maggie, is one of the coolest girls I've ever met and I'm really looking forward to spending this next year working with her. I even learned that two other SLMs, Sarah and Clare, will also be in Phnom Penh at a school nearby so I have all kinds of SLM support whenever I need! We accomplished so much in New York during those three weeks and I ended up learning a lot more about myself. I learned about what to expect when going to mission, as well as what to expect when we come back. We also did a week of service, switching between working at a soup kitchen and helping at a summer camp. During our final week we attended a retreat with the Salesian brothers, which I think we all really enjoyed. I had so much fun getting to know all of the brothers who had come from all over, yet share the same beautiful Salesian spirit. It was during the final week that we were commissioned as official SLMs, and to be honest I'd never felt so at peace. During mass, we stood in line and waited to receive our small wooden crosses- necklaces for us to take on mission. It was here, as I waited for mine, that I felt a very calming presence; a sort of affirmation that this was definitely what I was meant to do.
It was in this silence, just as I had felt in India, that gave me a great sense of joy and I realized this was my connection with the Holy Spirit. So of course, just as I’m receiving my cross, I start to tear up because my heart is just so happy and content and I am genuinely at peace. Genuine peace is a great feeling, y’all. 

My lovely SLM Family post commissioning ceremony!

So who are the SLMs and what will I be doing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for a year? The Salesian Lay Missioners is a Catholic organization run by the Salesian of Don Bosco, an order of the Roman Catholic Church. The SLMs have been around since the early 80's and have sent missionaries to various countries across the world and in the U.S. Some of the sites are orphanages, however, I will be teaching English to older girls (18-22) and, towards the end of the year, will help them find jobs in the city. The Don Bosco Skills Training Center for Girls, where I'll be working, is an all girls’ school that works with the poorest of the poor in Phnom Penh. A strong education is one of the most important things a child can receive and I hope to provide just that. I can't wait to meet my wonderful girls, the community of nuns I'll be staying with, and everyone else I cross paths with in Phnom Penh. I'm excited to see what God has in store for me this next year.

As of right now, I'm spending time with family and friends and preparing myself for this next year. I'm spending time subbing and just getting my feet wet in teaching, which has been really interesting. I never saw myself as a teacher, but then again, I never saw myself as a missionary either. I’m watching lots of Netflix and spending time with the most handsome baby I know, Liam. He makes me so happy, and it's a little weird to think that he'll be walking and talking the next time I see him! But for now, I get to watch him make the cutest faces possible, and I'm perfectly fine with that. 

My handsome-faced Liam Tate, aka Tatertot!

I've done a bit of reading on the similarities between Buddhism and Christianity, which I think is important, since I'll be in a country that is primarily Buddhist. I've always loved learning about other religions, as I think it's helpful when reaching out to people. I'm also trying to gauge how many books I can bring with me to Cambodia, which seems to be a popular question for us missionaries. I think I'm looking at a lot of C.S. Lewis and biographies, as well as some books I'd read in a class my freshman year. My professor had challenged us to come back to them later down the road, and I think now would be a good time. I'm looking forward to it all: a little Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, Pope Francis, and Flannery O'Connor- this year is looking great! 

So for my blog title, I wanted something that would remind me of Don Bosco all the time. Don Bosco is the patron saint of young people and he knew that in order for children to succeed, they needed to be educated and they needed to know that people cared for them. He often gave the boys advice and reflections at the end of the evening, which the Salesians call “The Goodnight.” Don Bosco once said, “Walk with your feet on the earth, and your heart in heaven.”  I like to think he said this to the boys during The Goodnight. I think that quote can speak to many people of different faiths. It is in this quote that I see a beautiful challenge of balance. It is a healthy challenge to not forget one for the other; a reminder that we must be fully present on earth, yet consciously aware of heaven, which I think is just beautiful. I am by no means expecting this year to be easy, but I think we all deserve some balance in our lives, however we may find it. Prayer, meditation, writing, whatever it may be, I hope I figure it out and utilize it. I hope that during this next year, that I can remind myself to find a sense of balance every day, if only for a moment.