Transitions and Changes

I am sitting in my room surrounded by a pile of things I am suppose to pack in only a few bags and boxes as I head out tomorrow to be a Jesuit Volunteer in Portland for a year. Of course I left packing to the last minute and of course I am finding any possible distraction to keep me away from the packing. I am so excited for this next phase of life but as I reflect on my procrastination I realize that packing makes everything seem so real. I am moving and starting a new life in Portland. Tonight will be last night in Spokane, my last night in my mom's house, my last night on the porch swing, and the last night of familiarity for a while.
Change is good, exciting, and so so scary. The past four years of my life have included so many changes and this summer was a wonderful break from constant instability and change. This summer has been so good and has gone by way too fast. I worked for my dad, spent time with family and good friends, studied and took the GRE, one of my best friends got married, and I tried to enjoy all that Spokane had to offer. And now it is all over, and it is time to look forward. It is harder than I thought it was going to be, I loved this summer and all the wonderful memories. Saying goodbye to my dad today brought unexpected tears as the reality of leaving started to set in.

Graduation

My Sister

Lauren's wedding with new and old friends

However this time of change is coming at the perfect time as my family is also going through many transitions. My sister is transferring to SPU. I graduated from college. OH and my mom is getting married in a month!!! I am getting three new step-siblings, a crazy and fun new family, a great step-father, but that also means my mom is moving out of our house on the South Hill and is starting a new life with Jerry. So much change, so much newness...However it is the perfect time for me to start a new phase of life as my sister and my mom are also beginning new and exciting adventures.
So next week I am going to be a Jesuit Volunteer working as a domestic violence advocate for Latina immigrants. I am actually going to get to use my degrees in Spanish and Peace Studies...my parents are pleased that I am putting that expensive education to use! However this job intimidates me-it is entirely in Spanish. I have not spoken Spanish in over two months! I am anticipating feeling inadequate quite often. Also I am 22, white, and single-how am I going to be able to support and advocate for Latinas who are older than me, are married and most likely have children-will they trust me or think that I am some silly girl with can't speak spanish? I know that I have to surrender my anxieties to God and have an open mind as to how God will use me this year. This is going to be a year full of growth and I am excited to see how I am stretched and challenged in my job.
The four pillars of JVC are simplicity, social justice, community, and spirituality. I love what the organization stands for and I am excited to be able to live out these principles in everyday life. However, I am not Catholic and I do not know much about the Catholic tradition. I have received several interesting responses when I tell people I am doing a Catholic program. My personal favorite was the question "you aren't going to become Catholic are you?" It was said in a tone of voice that implied they thought that would be a grave sin. I honestly don't know what I think about Catholicism but I am excited to have a lot of my misconceptions about Catholicism dismissed and learn from a practice that is so rich in tradition.
One of the fun aspects of JVC is that I have seven other roommates and we all signed a contract saying that we are committed to living lives of simplicity with a focus on social justice, community, and spirituality. I feel that these four components where very present in my living situation at Whitworth but I am so excited to see how my seven new roommates think about these four pillars.
So tomorrow I am off. Tonight will be spent attempting to pack and say goodbye to a few friends. And then this weekend my mom, sister and I will be spending a few days at Canon Beach with the Sittsers and then Monday they drop me off and the year of simplicity officially begins...