This past weekend, I was waiting in the car for Sean to pick me up from Sara's apartment to go grocery shopping. I didn't have a book (a surprise, I know), so I started praying. I asked God to open my eyes. Daily in Nashville, I ponder my role in life, the lives of my students and the people my community serves, how I can overcome any stereotypes or misconceptions I hold, and many more things. In my hour to and hour from school, I have time to stare out the window and really take time and think. Before JVC, I thought about these things, but I certaintly didn't ponder life and it's joys and challenges for hours everyday. I was afraid that returning to Peoria would cause me to fall into a comfort zone where I put on shades and ignore things that I have been seeing in Nashville.
Luckily, God threw my eyes wide open. I looked around downtown Peoria and saw all of the homeless gentlemen. I didn't do anything different, but I felt "ruined." I couldn't sit there and say, "Oh, that is too bad." Instead, I began wondering how those men became homeless. I prayed for their warmth and safety. My brain refused to return to it's prior state.
Again, when we went to Chicago to see "White Christmas," I was drawn to the homeless. Because I was with my sisters, I didn't talk with any person very long, but I really wanted to grab a spot on the sidewalk and have a chat. The one guy I met called himself Napoleon Bonaparte. Pray for Napoleon in Chicago.
During the winter, I often tell people to stay warm. Rather, pray for those without heat or without homes to stay warm.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Dreaming of Christmas
Sorry that I haven't written in so long. School has been crazy and then I got a little break for Thanksgiving. I'll break my life into different areas so I can catch you all up on the happenings in Nashville.
FAMILY-My parents visited for 4 days over Thanksgiving break and it was incredibly nice. We went thrift and vintage shopping, say Belmont Mansion and the Hermitage went to a Predators game, ate out, and watched a movie. They let me crash at the hotel, which was a nice change. The first night I was glued to the television. I didn't care what I was watching. I just wanted to see what type of TV shows was on. We ended up watching Cash Cab. It is amazing how easily I can be entertained. At Goodwill, we picked up some clothes, movies, and Christmas decorations. I'm happy that I was able to spend some time with my parents. Even when living at home, I saw them a lot but most of my time was with friends, working, school, etc.
SCHOOL-School is rough. Some days I make it through with energy to go to the gym and "get ripped" as Scott likes to say. Other days, I'm lucky to make it home...and then back to school the next day. I've realized that this school is not the right place for me. I can do good things here and will continue to thrive on my little successes. A co-worker described it as culture shock when she was talking about her experience at SCA last year. After she explained, I think I completely agree. I'm working in a culture where disrespect and defiance towards adults is commonplace. I'm trying to be nurturing within an environment of yelling, bullying, and fighting. I'm shocked by it all and frustrated that I have to accept things as they are. Every day, I look at the 6 of 26 who listen, treat myself and others with respect, and are goofy and I am thankful. I am thankful that they are with me every day to make things a little more tolerable.
HAITI-My church's sister parish has fallen out of contact with us so the trip is on hold. Fr. Carre is trying to find another parish that I can help when they go for mission trips later in the year. Cross your fingers! Going to Haiti is really important to me.
LIFE-Life is good. I might really dislike my job, but my community, family, and friends have been incredibly supportive. I really enjoy my little church more and more. Celebrating the holidays with my JVC community has been really nice. Our Thanksgiving dinner was a mixture of donations from the employees of Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement. The turkey came out perfectly as did our decorations and Christmas card. If you've seen the picture, you are probably asking yourself, "Is Scott wearing a skirt?" In truth, he is. Jimbo wanted us to dress up for Thanksgiving dinner, something that Scott rarely does. Jimbo suggested that Scott find something without holes (Scott did Habitat for Humanity last year so a lot of his things have holes). In retaliation in the funniest way, Scott wore clothes donated to the homeless center that he works at. So, our lovely Scott Newhouse IS wearing the hottest ladies' fashions! That Christmas picture perfectly represents the community. It is beautiful!
HOME- I know feel like I have 2 homes, but I am coming back to Peoria on December 16th. I’m SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED! I’m going salsa dancing on December 17th, which will probably be the highlight of my year. I miss salsa so much. I’ll also be visiting the Penguin Project, taking Joe out, seeing friends, and spending time with family. If you want to meet up, just shoot me an email (cswanson@mail.bradley.edu) or call.
FAMILY-My parents visited for 4 days over Thanksgiving break and it was incredibly nice. We went thrift and vintage shopping, say Belmont Mansion and the Hermitage went to a Predators game, ate out, and watched a movie. They let me crash at the hotel, which was a nice change. The first night I was glued to the television. I didn't care what I was watching. I just wanted to see what type of TV shows was on. We ended up watching Cash Cab. It is amazing how easily I can be entertained. At Goodwill, we picked up some clothes, movies, and Christmas decorations. I'm happy that I was able to spend some time with my parents. Even when living at home, I saw them a lot but most of my time was with friends, working, school, etc.
SCHOOL-School is rough. Some days I make it through with energy to go to the gym and "get ripped" as Scott likes to say. Other days, I'm lucky to make it home...and then back to school the next day. I've realized that this school is not the right place for me. I can do good things here and will continue to thrive on my little successes. A co-worker described it as culture shock when she was talking about her experience at SCA last year. After she explained, I think I completely agree. I'm working in a culture where disrespect and defiance towards adults is commonplace. I'm trying to be nurturing within an environment of yelling, bullying, and fighting. I'm shocked by it all and frustrated that I have to accept things as they are. Every day, I look at the 6 of 26 who listen, treat myself and others with respect, and are goofy and I am thankful. I am thankful that they are with me every day to make things a little more tolerable.
HAITI-My church's sister parish has fallen out of contact with us so the trip is on hold. Fr. Carre is trying to find another parish that I can help when they go for mission trips later in the year. Cross your fingers! Going to Haiti is really important to me.
LIFE-Life is good. I might really dislike my job, but my community, family, and friends have been incredibly supportive. I really enjoy my little church more and more. Celebrating the holidays with my JVC community has been really nice. Our Thanksgiving dinner was a mixture of donations from the employees of Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement. The turkey came out perfectly as did our decorations and Christmas card. If you've seen the picture, you are probably asking yourself, "Is Scott wearing a skirt?" In truth, he is. Jimbo wanted us to dress up for Thanksgiving dinner, something that Scott rarely does. Jimbo suggested that Scott find something without holes (Scott did Habitat for Humanity last year so a lot of his things have holes). In retaliation in the funniest way, Scott wore clothes donated to the homeless center that he works at. So, our lovely Scott Newhouse IS wearing the hottest ladies' fashions! That Christmas picture perfectly represents the community. It is beautiful!
HOME- I know feel like I have 2 homes, but I am coming back to Peoria on December 16th. I’m SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED! I’m going salsa dancing on December 17th, which will probably be the highlight of my year. I miss salsa so much. I’ll also be visiting the Penguin Project, taking Joe out, seeing friends, and spending time with family. If you want to meet up, just shoot me an email (cswanson@mail.bradley.edu) or call.
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