So I’ve been thinking it’s about time I recommit myself to
my blog. I guess in part that’s because I had the chance to visit you all at
home and well, that’s basically the point of my blog! But, I’m back in Lima all
settled in and things are getting into a pretty good rhythm!
I have to say the visit was a good chance to step back from
everything I was doing here, reflect, and simply remember what brought me here
in the first place. Much of my understanding of my call is the context of my
life in Nebraska. Though I received several graces and learned and grew so much
in my first 5 months here, the dynamic of my life is just so much different
that it was difficult to understand my vocation in the same way.
That is not necessarily a bad thing, and it has certainly
led me to reexamine and purify my reasons for being here, and “get back to the
basics” of Christian life in several ways.
I was certainly excited to see everyone, though I must say I
didn’t anticipate needing to say goodbye to everyone again.
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| Steak Dinner at Home-with everyone! (My mom is taking the photo) |
Perhaps I can outline very practically a bit of my horizon
for the next several months as summer vacations are just finishing now. I’ll do
it bullet point style to try to remain faithful to my formation as an engineer!
·
Spanish Class 2 hours/day. I’ve decided to hire
a cheaper, private professor (not that my classes were to expensive before) and
one that lives closer by, and in general hopefully it will be a little easier
and more efficient. By “one that lives closer by” I mean to say that class
takes place in my room at my desk. If you haven’t guessed yet, I’m the
professor J.
Well, I find lessons online and read books can always can helped from the 10
people I live with that speak Spanish. And well, the listening exercise happens
all day long in everything else I do.
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| The group of altar boys. To kick of the year we hiked up a little mountain in Lima while praying the stations of the cross. |
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Altar Boys. We’ve had a group of altar servers
at the parish that for some time has always been led by a gringo (not sure how
that tradition started, not that its important). Anyways, we usually meet on
Saturday afternoons for a couple hours, and then there are masses most of the
day Sunday so I just accompany them a bit as they come and go.
·
Domini Architects. So I must admit in coming
down here I had pretty much no intent of using my engineering degree (other
than practical ways like critical thinking, objective thinking, etc). But, it
just so happens there is a Sodalit that started an architectural firm in Lima and
could use some help. Well, I have pretty much no experience as an engineer or
architect, but after thinking about it and talking with several people it seems
like a good opportunity. At least I will get a glance at what this kind of work
would look like as a Sodalit. So, the plan is to work there 3 days a week.
·
Aspirant Formation. I will meet probably twice a
week with a group of 5 aspirants (first step of the discernment). These
meetings can take on a variety of shapes, but basically we learn about the
Sodalit style and spirituality and each other and ourselves and how all those
relate. Some days are intense, some are more laid back, but I’m excited to get
started with these again. We also have mass once a week just for the aspirants
in Lima.
·
Religion Class. There is a school nearby call
“Roosevelt” (not kidding), and all the classes are in english (well, except
spanish class). I’m going to teach 11-12 year olds one day a week. If you have
any pointers I’m all ears!
·
Water the Lawn. This perhaps is not essential to
my formation, but some nonetheless that God as asked of me during my time here.
So, I spend about 45 min a day watering the lawn (its several small sections,
so sprinklers don’t work really well).
·
Half Marathon. Some of the other guys I live
with have invited my to run a marathon (well, uhm, half!) so we usually go
running in the mornings. Though I don’t much enjoy waking up early or running,
I have always found it to be very good for me. Also, the communal aspect of
pushing each other to offer the best of what you got and conquer your will is,
though in the moment far from pleasant, in deeper sense quite beautiful and
very fulfilling.
Of course there will be also time for prayer, for
intellectual reading, for talking with other Sodalits, other aspirants, etc.
which will also be essential, if not more important for my “unfolding” this
year.
I hope to continue sharing stories and reflections along the
way!
