Photos, Commitment, and Email Request

I wanted to bring a personal touch back to the blog, after two weeks for information.  Here are some photos from my first six weeks of orientation and reflections.

 

We got some snow!  I am trying to soak the cold into my bones to release once living in 100 degree weather... That works, right?

 

This is Team Cambodia!  We are the newest recruits.  Hang is the woman with me and Wallace is the bear.  After much deliberation on whether or not to bring Wallace, it was decided he should come.  Hopefully, he won't become infested with something.  Hang is a Chemical Engineer turned Public Health Professional with a focus in nutrition - hopefully, she doesn't get infested with anything either ;).

 

This was our Dia De Los Muertos altar for prayer on Halloween.  You can take the girl out of the Mexican culture, but you can't take the Mexican Culture out of the girl.  It was a lovely way to share one of my favorite traditions with my community and a great way to reflect as a group on those who have helped to inspire and guide us all to this place.

 

Just as Coco the Dog so enjoys watching life fly by the window, I feel like the last six weeks of training have flown by me.  We have talked a lot about transitioning to a new culture and taking the time to sit back and observe first - a skill I think Coco definitely possesses (Coco will not be coming to Cambodia but will continue to live in her happy home in DC).

 

For those who don't know, these are my former-housemates Sara and Kari.  We lived together in El Paso, 3 year ago.  We lucked out and were both in DC last weekend.  It was a great reminder to me that true friendships can continue despite distance and years of not seeing one another in person.  All of you fabulous folks in my life currently, will soon be in the years-between-hugs-crowd and seeing these two was reassuring that the Universe always brings friends back together.

 

These are my newest friends. AKA Maryknoll Lay Missioner Class of 2013.  From the Left: Joe (El Salvador), Michael and Ashley (Tanzania), Peter and Melissa with their kids Evey and Eli (El Salvador), Hang (Cambodia), Some Crazy lady with bare ankles in the cold (Cambodia), Kristle (Tanzania), and Caitlin (Bolivia).  This has been an amazing group to be trained alongside.  Each comes from such a different background and with such great insights.  I am very excited to follow where their paths lead.

 

We have fun together, too... We all just went through our commitment retreat this week - discernment is officially over and now it is just preparation.  The MKLM folks have verbally said they think we are a good fit for mission and we have agreed we still feel called there.  Ya, Commitment! (I practiced saying I Do for weeks ;))

 

As I proceed down this path in life, unsure where it will lead or what waits at the other side of the bridge, I have a request.  As I get settled, especially through my first year, I know there will be challenging times.  One of my classmates mentioned having a support email group.  If you are willing, to commit to emailing me on a certain date next year.  There is a spread sheet found at this link.  You can either put your name or Taken by the date you will email me.  Knowing how I deal with transitions and the 'honey moon' time, these are times I thought I may need a pick me up so wanted to be pro-active in ensuring I will have that support.  Emails can be about anything, the weather works, just to provide that connection.  Feel free to sign up as often as you like, add dates, or have multiple folks sign up for the same date.  AND, THANK YOU, in advance for your support.