I gotta feeling...

Bienvenido a mi blog!

After much consideration, I have finally decided that writing a blog would be the best way to document my life and many adventures while away this year in Ecuador....However, I must warn all of you: I am not a writer. I am going to try my best to make these reflections as exciting and entertaining as I possibly can, but there may be times when me speaking from the heart may bore you all to tears. I apologize in advance, and will do my best!...So on that note, let me get started.

For those of you who don't know, starting on Monday, I will be traveling to Duran, Ecuador where I will be volunteering for one uninterupted year at a program called Rostro de Cristo. This program is based on pillars of community, simplicity, spirituality, hospitality, and service. I'll try to make a long story short by saying that everything about this program just "made sense" to me. So....after many, MANY days of discernment, I finally decided that this is where I need to be.

These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of emotion, literally. I don't think i've laughed or cried as much in my entire life. Leaving home was one of the hardest things I've had to do, and I still don't even know if the enormity of it has really even hit me yet. For right now, I just have to take things day by day, and keep focusing on all of the new exciting things that await me!

Right now, I'm in Ohio training with my fellow Rostro community (there are 11 of us), and also the international Jesuit Volunteers. We've been having a ton of fun! And yet our days are so PACKED with different sessions ranging from safety, spirituality, health, justice, teaching, discernment, conflict resolution, and my favorite thus far...the Enneagram. Anyone who does not know about the enneagram, I strongly urge you to check it out....For those of you who do---isn't it so great! I am a type One and after figuring this out, I feel like my entire life can be explained! So look it up, and get back to me with your type.

Another interesting point to note: today we got back from a three day silent retreat. Very interesting. Honestly, I didn't think I was going to make it (and i'm sure a lot of you might be thinking the same) But surprisingly, the silence was exactly what I needed to sort out my chaotic head and organize my thoughts. The place was kinda creepy though, and one night I woke up at 3:30am and had to pee, and all I kept thinking was, "oh jeeze, this place is too much like the shining"...needless to say I was just waiting to see little girls riding on tricycles...

Alright, this is getting far too long...And I need to go to bed. I just want you all to know, that I am thinking about you daily, and praying for you constantly...Trust me, I'm doing a lot of praying here....This year is going to be tough, that's inevitable, but there's something inside of me that's saying...it's all gonna be okay....Call me corny, but..."I gotta feelin"...

I am going to try as hard as I can to update this frequently, but if you have specific questions, please email me, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Sending you lots of love, and many hugs! xoxo
Jamie