Senior Year at Amate

The following is a reflection written by Lexie Purcell, one of this year's North House Volunteers.

Changing diapers, singling lullabies, living in community, moving away from all my family and friends and surviving the coldest winter of my life-these were things I never envisioned happening all in one year, let alone during what was supposed to be my senior year of college. As everyone I've ever gone to school with graduates this month, I've started to reflect on what my life with Amate House has meant to me during this time in my life. I was blessed with the opportunity and option to graduate with my Bachelor’s degree one year earlier than the majority of my classmates. When this option was presented to me, I felt I was ready to graduate, but I wanted to make sure I took advantage of this rare situation in a special and unique way. I decided to take my ‘senior year’ and perform a year of service with it. I wished to serve others in need, contribute to a vibrant community of volunteers and grow in my faith life. Little did I know, I would be changed forever by so much more by joining the Amate House community.

As my classmates started student teaching, writing their senior capstones or attending their last semesters of classes, I was moving to a much larger city with 11 strangers from across the country. I had little time to think about the life I had left behind because the Amate experience was already at work. I was now part of a household and family of young adults, I was a teacher to infants and toddlers and for the first time, I realized I had a vital role in how and where I was living my life. What I did and how I reacted to situations not only affected me, but my community at home and at work. I was finally part of a true community-something I deeply desired to be a part of during college.

There is no doubt I would have grown in college by completing another year with my classmates. Yet, I now can’t imagine my life without Amate. Living in an intentional community challenged me, it allowed me to look inward in order to know myself better. It also gave me the opportunity to build lasting relationships with people I would have never been able to meet otherwise. My fellow community members have been with me on this journey every step of the way. They have laughed and cried with me; they have discussed social justice issues, faith journeys, work experiences, hopes and dreams about the future with me. In college I would have never imagined I could grow this close to people in a few short months; but now, I can no longer look back without thinking about my Amate experience.

I decided to spend my ‘senior year’ of college dedicated to a service oriented experience. Instead, I gained a new appreciation for life, a new love for all the children at my work site, invaluable knowledge about myself and what I want for my future, a community of supportive, energetic and loving housemates, a great leap in my faith journey and memories and lessons that will last a lifetime. I wouldn't trade my ‘senior year’ for anything in the world.    

Preparing to be Unprepared

The following is a reflection written by Jackie Fielding, one of this year's North House Volunteers.

If you had spoken to me this time last year, I would have probably told you all about my passion for birth work. I studied pregnancy, birth, and infant parenting for both schoolwork and as a pastime in college. One summer I trained to become a birth doula, which is essentially a support person, knowledge base, and advocate for families during labor and delivery. Amate House fit my interests perfectly: a year of service, getting close with a community of other people who enjoy helping others, and most of all, working with teen moms and caring for small infants. I was goal-oriented, and after checking “graduate college” off of my list, Amate was next.

I imagined cradling babies, helping teen moms realize their potential, and putting my four years of college knowledge to good use. I envisioned myself reading baby books, learning about the stages of development, and discussing interesting alternative parenting methods with my coworkers and clients.

I had some ambivalence in the summer before Amate, particularly because I didn’t visit my worksite before accepting the position. I was also suffering from FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out on another position that might help me explore the legal field, another one of my interests. But I walked into Amate fairly confident, excited to meet my community, and anxious to get to my work placement site.

My worksite held several surprises for me. While there were teen moms who came to the daycare center, there were many more middle-class white community parents. Most of the teen moms already had mentors, and when one of them finally agreed to let me mentor her, she wanted nothing to do with me. Rocking babies turned out to be hard. Actually, everything with babies seemed hard: changing the diaper of a child who is constantly flipping over on the changing table, feeding a child who is looking around the room with such a circumference that they manage to get pureed food on their shoulders, (attempting to) rock a child who so badly doesn’t want to take a nap that they are willing to scream, cry, kick, slap, punch, pull hair, writhe in your arms, and poke you in the face.

Looking back, the biggest surprise for me was how completely unqualified and unprepared I was for the situation. I had just assumed that my interests and my degree gave me a level of ability in any place I tried to work, but that was not the case. Without any experience, I felt that I was useless in my position, a failure. I was convinced that I had chosen the wrong placement, that I was not helping my center at all, that none of the kids liked me, and that I was just in the way. I was like a city girl on a farm trying to milk a cow for the first time: no amount of reading or mental preparation can prepare you for the doing part.

After a few weeks of struggling to stay out of everyone’s way, searching for any small task I could do that would seem helpful, and being upset with myself for choosing a placement that wasn't a good match, I spoke with my supervisor about making a change. The day I had started happened to be the day that the previous office manager quit. The center was struggling to get by without someone in that administrative role, and with my business degree, I knew how to do many basic office tasks.

It was a great fall. I got ten hours a week of classroom time, then the rest of my time I was working on improving the center behind the scenes, where I was comfortable: accounting, PR, and general organizational work. I got to spend much more time with my wonderful supervisor, who was also new to her position, and we learned so much side by side. Many challenges arose from the fact that the previous office manager left without training me, but I did the best that I could, and felt I was really making a positive impact on the center. God had really put me there for a reason.

Then, I got a message that AmeriCorps found out I’d completely switched my position, and did not approve. I would have to completely give up my eligibility for the AmeriCorps $5,000+ education grant if I continued working in the office instead of doing my original position description. I was heartbroken; I’d finally found where I was meant to be, where I could thrive and help out and feel fulfilled, and now I had to give it up.

Going back to the classroom was not easy, especially because it took months for the center to find a new office manager, so I was doing some administrative tasks on the side. The office may have felt occasionally lonely, but being in a room with sixteen other people for eight hours a day often feels overwhelming. And while my housemates had the entire fall season to learn about their jobs and get into the groove of things, I had been learning a completely different position, and now had to figure out my job all over again.

Fast-forward about six months, to where I am today. I absolutely, without a doubt, adore my kids. I have watched four kids learn to walk, nine learn to crawl, heard them stutter out their first words, helped them learn colors and animals. I have learned their habits, how to convince them to eat vegetables, what to do when they’re screaming for no reason, how to hold three babies in my lap as I read a story to them. I’ve learned the names and stories of forty-six kids, and built relationships with them. But more important than learning the fastest way to change a diaper and the cleanest way to open baby food, I’ve learned to live life past the goals. Caring for children is not a checklist, but a journey, a day-to-day encounter with the good, the bad, the messy, and the wonderful. And what I feared would be a monotonous, never-ending task without any “destination” in the end, has become a fulfillment in a deep-rooted desire for caring for others that I didn't even realize I had.

In the end, I think God did want me at my placement site. I learned and grew more than I might have in a different site that seemed “easier” at first. From day one of Amate I had been thinking about doing another year of service, and I recently (excitedly!) committed to my second year. I am so anxious and excited to see what kind of challenges God places before me. This time around, I’m prepared to feel completely unprepared for my new position!

I am so thankful for the supportive community, for my co-workers, and of course, my wonderful kids. Thank you for teaching me how to live each day as a learning, growing, changing person. I will definitely take the lessons and the memories learned this year with me for the rest of my life!

Mentoring: Learning from Each Other

The following is a reflection written by Paul Obbagy, one of our North House Volunteers. This article originally appeared in a newsletter for the Refugee and Immigrant Community Services (RICS) office of Heartland Human Care Services. Learn more about RICS at www.heartlandalliance.org/rics.


Last January marked the one year anniversary of the start of our youth mentoring program. In this program, volunteers are paired with a refugee youth to be a guide, a resource, and a source of support. Since it started, we have had over 35 matches, and many successful stories from both the volunteers and the youth!  One such story is of Habib and his mentor, Marco Spinelli. Their match only began six months ago, but Marco said, “It seems like I’ve known Habib for years...we definitely had an immediate connection.”

So far, they’ve done a lot together. Marco mentioned that, at times, it can feel a little stressful trying to find fun things to do, but Habib is so open and has such a warm personality that if nothing is planned, they normally end up doing a lot of talking. Habib also really enjoys playing video games, so they sometime just end up playing games. Habib is very inquisitive and interested in the life of his mentor, but is also comfortable sharing things about himself. Habib often goes to Marco for advice on different subjects, such as school, getting a job, and, as is common for boys his age, girls. Habib truly appreciates Marco’s willingness to help out, saying, “Whenever I need him or have a question, I can just call and talk to him and he’ll answer me…even if it’s a personal issue unrelated to mentoring.”

Habib has many goals for his future, and he says that Marco has helped him find the strength to continue towards those goals. Marco has connected Habib to different resources that will help him to eventually realize these long-term goals. Habib also said that Marco inspires him and has taught him how to be more independent, how to face difficulties in a different way, and keep working hard. He appreciates Marco for setting forth a positive example and for being a role model in showing how Habib should live his life.

However, there are also some challenges that come along with mentoring. Those issues can be as simple as timing and trying to find when would be good to meet up. At other times, though, the challenges are deeper. Habib is a refugee teenager who has been through a lot, and Marco, as an empathetic person, sometimes finds it hard. As he puts it, “when you care about someone, their problems are going to affect you too.” However, Marco encourages Habib to speak out more about how he’s feeling and what he’s going through, which proves for deeper discussions and new perspectives. Each has learned a lot from the other, and these emotional struggles are ones that they are happy to face and live up to.

When asked why they think the mentor match works so well, they both credit it to each other’s personalities. Marco was afraid, at first, that Habib would be hesitant and take a while to open up. However, Habib was immediately open to the experience and willing to jump right in! Habib also accredited the ease of the match to Marco’s positive, uplifting, and encouraging attitude. He said that due to Marco’s goal-focused outlook, Habib has learned how to be more goal-focused, persistent, and hardworking himself.

Marco and Habib are just one of our many mentor/mentee matches, and without this program, they would never have met each other. They both see it as a privilege to be able to share this experience. Now, they meet at least every other week and have bonded, created a solid support system between the both of them. Both hope that this mentor relationship will last longer than just the next year. As Marco puts it, “I am really excited to see what the future holds for him and being a part of that is a privilege.”

Station 6: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

The following is a reflection written by Chris Provost, one of this year's South 

House Volunteers, for his community's Stations of the Cross Reflections.

As tradition tells us, Veronica, not being able to offer too much to take away the pain and suffering Jesus is going through, takes a cloth and wipes his face. Imprinted on the cloth was the face of Jesus. Now, the way I view the message in this station is that Veronica will be able to have something tangible, and every time she looks at this stained cloth she can think, “Now that’s the man who saved us all.” In many reflections we’ve participated in, we talk about where we see Jesus in our everyday lives and how we can model our actions after his, but, what about those who surround and support us? What about the Veronicas in our life?


Just like how we can see Jesus in many different areas of our lives, Veronica exists through various people. My parents, who literally gave me life and support me in every facet of my being, my friends who, on more than one occasion have saved my life, and Merrimack College for instilling my passion for service and social justice. A combination of these has led me to Amate House, and my service site at Cabrini Green Legal Aid. My job as Intake Specialist provides me with the opportunity to screen potential clients to see if they meet our guidelines for free legal representation, interview said potential clients, and present cases to our staff of attorneys, social workers, interns, and the like. After listening to the story of Veronica, and how she wanted to help any way she could, I couldn’t help but relate to her situation. My experience in the legal field is next to nothing. I took a Sociology of Law class two years ago, but I got a B in the class so clearly I’m not super knowledgeable on the subject. As clients started asking me questions about their specific cases, I felt myself saying “I don’t know” quite a lot.


What I couldn’t offer in legal knowledge, I make up for in compassion, patience, and attempting to make them smile. One client in particular stands out in my mind. She came to us for a housing case where she was being evicted for circumstances in her life that were out of her control. Upon meeting her, you could see defeat written all over her face. I knew there wasn’t much I was going to be able to do in terms of relieving her of her legal case, but I just wanted to make her smile. So, when we went to meet, I accidentally tripped right in front of her and tried to play it off professionally, but she exploded with laughter. We joked a little bit about my inability to walk that day, and then continued our discussion about her legal case. As she was leaving, she turned to give me a hug and said “Even if you can’t help me, I just want to thank you so much for making me laugh. It’s been a while since that happened. You’re the first person to make me laugh in months.”

Hearing clients’ stories of struggle and injustice made me want to do whatever I had in my power to help. What I can do is present their cases and advocate on their behalf, and I am very proud to say many cases I presented have been accepted. Not saying it was all 100% my doing, but it still makes me happy. Now I have clients calling me to thank me for my help, clients giving me hugs as they cry from happiness, and I was even added to a prayer list. In a way, I hope I can be Veronica to these people. I may not have something tangible like a cloth with all of their faces imprinted on it, but what I did gain from them is something no physical object could ever amount to. Hope. They’ve inspired me that no matter how bad things get, we can’t give up the hope that we can make it better, and that there will be people around to guide us.


The South House community and the amazing staff at CGLA are also there to wipe my face when I am struggling along this journey in Chicago. There’s something special about these people, about my Veronicas. My roommates are on this journey with me, and provide me with a sense of security. I’m not very good with words or at telling people how I genuinely feel about them, but my community has helped me more than they know. CGLA has also taken this kid from a small town in Vermont and helped me to be more confident in my job performance, and show me that I am a truly valued member of the CGLA family.


To conclude, I ask you all to do something very simple. First, please keep all of the clients at Cabrini Green Legal Aid in your prayers. Second, take a moment and reflect on the Veronicas you have in your life. There are moments in everyone’s lives and personal journeys where we struggle, where we think that what we’re doing isn’t helping, but you have abilities that make you special. You have people in your lives that notice them. These people, these Veronicas do exist. All you have to do is look hard enough.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

The following is a reflection written by Rachael Brugman, one of this year's Little Village House Volunteers.

I have always had trouble making decisions in my life. From deciding what to do on the weekends to what my future endeavors will be, I would always rather someone else make the decisions for me. Because of my indecisiveness, I would get anxious and worry about the various possibilities. If I decide option A, what would I miss out on from option B? Will this decision make me happy or cause me more stress in the future Am I following God's plan for me or am I headed in the complete opposite direction? I could never stop worrying about the future and what I was supposed to be doing next.

Making any kind of decisions in my life always came with stress and worry until I actively started putting my trust in God. During my last year of college, I was extremely overwhelmed and worried about what I was to do after graduation. Instead of constantly worrying about my future, I started praying for an answer. After learning about and applying for Amate House I kept thinking, "yes, this is exactly where I am supposed to go", a feeling that is very foreign to me. I had never felt so sure about my decision for my future. Accepting this call to Amate House has been one of the easiest and best decision I have ever made.

During my time with Amate I have learned to let go and take one day at a time. I have learned to trust that God will provide for me and show me where I am supposed to be. I have also learned to be open and accepting of whatever He gives me. Now, as our Amate year draws to a close, I feel myself once again worried about my future and where I should be. What if I choose the wrong path? Which is the right decision for me? As I've continued to pray and ask for God's help in my decisions I have realized there may be no "right" or "wrong" paths; just endless opportunities to learn and grow from. As I am deciding on what to do after my year of service, I continue to pray for God's direction and remind myself to remain open and willing to wherever I am called next.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

                               Philippians 4:6-7

Winter Olympics, Amate-style!

The following is a reflection by Matt Schultz, one of this year's South House Volunteers.

Hey there, Amate Universe! If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately (or have had the privilege of living in this arctic paradise) then you’ve noticed that in the last few months the cold, windy nights and cloudy days of the imminent Chicago winter have transformed into the frozen “polar vortexes” that now, unfortunately, seem all too familiar to the Amate volunteers and… well, normal. As a Los Angeles native I’d have never expected to be admitting this, but yes, it’s normal to feel the hairs in my nostrils literally start to freeze and the bite of the -20 degree wind-chill smack me awake every morning as I walk to the train for work. So normal that 30 degree weather now brings back the same sensations I remember from spending summers on the beaches of Long Beach. But enough about the weather, as my grandpa likes to remind me, “It’s Chicago! What the hell were you expecting?” Oh grandpa, so wise!

As a college student, like many of the current volunteers, I was heavily involved and often found myself spending more time working on large student events for my residents and peers than working on actual course work (sorry Mom). Don’t get me wrong, I loved class, but I soon discovered I was even more passionate about creating fun and engaging experiences that allowed me and my peers to deepen our relationships and, dare I say it, build community! Waaah? No way!  I know, crazy right? Well, it’s true and my Amate experience has been no different. So all this weather, all this snow and ice and frost, it hasn’t prevented me from enjoying this post-graduate service adventure. Instead it gave me an idea, an opportunity to take advantage of the sub-zero serenity that is Chicago while bringing the Amate volunteers together. So on January 25th, 2014, a new tradition was born as Amate athletes traveled from all corners of Chicagoland to McKinley Park to compete for the Gold in the inaugural 2014 Amate Winter Olympic Games!

Per Olympic tradition, the games opened up with a Parade of Champions as 26 volunteers, each representing our home nations (our houses), marched from South House (this year’s host country) to the neighborhood park dressed in our national uniforms and waving the flags of our homeland. Next was the National Anthem, led by South House’s very own Angie Hall, quickly followed by a super-realistic torch lighting ceremony (crafted from red and yellow construction paper obviously, we are Amate volunteers after all). Jasmine Hill’s ‘lighting’ of the Olympic torch was met with thunderous applause and cheers as competitors were gearing up for the first event of the games, Tandem-Relay Speed Skating at the McKinley Park ice rink! The racers all lined-up at their starting positions, tensions high as national pride and bragging rights were on the line. The officials, teens from the local church’s youth ministry program, counted down,” 3, 2, 1, GO!” Just like that, the games had officially begun! Witnessing the pure insanity and joy that ensued as the games continued throughout the evening was, simply put, awesome! The competitions ranged from Team Figure Skating to Hockey Shoot-Outs, a Chili Cook-Off to an Ice Cream Eating Contest, and Amate Jeopardy to a full-fledged game of Settlers of Catan! Each Olympic event required a certain number of athletes from each nation to compete, allowing everyone a shot at the Gold!

As the three nations battled it out, competitors were awarded with Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals for their efforts while posing on the national podium for a swarm of adoring fans as the members of each winning nation burst-out in the national anthems (made-up chants) of their respective countries. With the closing of each competition, a national medal count was tallied on the wall of our South House living room to give on-lookers a real-time view of the leaderboard; after all, there was the coveted Amate Winter Olympic Trophy on the line!

The Amate Winter Olympics brought more than just dramatic finishes, come-from-behind victories, and legendary athletic feats of strength and wit that will live-on forever in the minds of every volunteer present. The games brought us more than this; they brought us pure and simple fun. If you were to ask me or any Amatian about our service sites, the challenges and triumphs we experience each and every week, well we’d have plenty to talk about. In fact, you’d probably be in for more than you bargained for. Instead, next time you are speaking to the Amatian in your life, I implore you to ask them about their housemates, the insanely eclectic, weird, hilarious, quirky, talented, awkward, passionate, and strange group of people we spend nearly every day of our lives with here.  Ask us about the silly conversations we have around a dinner table, the spontaneous dance parties we throw in our living rooms, or the random adventures we have on the weekends. Because at the end of this year, when I think back to this amazing, challenging, life-changing year I spent in community with Amate, the last thing I’ll think about was the -20 degree weather. Instead, I’ll fondly remember moments like the Amate Winter Olympics… and when South House took home the GOLD MEDAL TROPHY, WHAH WAAAH!

Amate in Winter

The following is a reflection written by Meredith Carrel, one of this year's North House Volunteers. 

Winter is my favorite season. Now, I know this makes me seem crazy, and many people gawk at me when I share this tidbit about myself, but there is something about the gentle snowfall and icy air that gets me every year. Looking at the ice formations on the beach, making a cup of hot chocolate, Advent Mass at Old St. Pat’s, exploring the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza. The glisten of the sun off the glittery snow, the majestic feel of a light snowfall, the feeling of cold air when you take a deep breath. All of these images make me feel more alive and brighten the beauty of God’s creations here on earth. At a time of year when everyone is holing up inside, instead of looking at it as a negative thing we can look at it as a time for community support and growth, a time when everyone is together as the months towards the end of Amate come closer and closer. With the recent inclement weather my North House community has been spending a lot of time indoors together. This has given us the time and opportunity to reflect, on a community and personal level during this mid-year point of Amate. Naturally, the winter season represents a time of reflection due to the holidays and the New Year. Personally, I took a lot of time over the break to look back on the many changes that occurred in my life since my move to Chicago. The first half of Amate was a rollercoaster ride of emotion. I struggled with homesickness (I have quite the obsession with my home state of Michigan) to challenges at my site placement. On a more positive note, the first half of Amate brought me new meaningful relationships and hands-on knowledge of social justice issues.

With the cold weather came a sense of joy and renewal. Prior to the Christmas break, my house went caroling in the streets of Uptown. We stopped by our director’s house and continued on through the streets serenading a few neighbors that came out onto their porches and balconies. It was a gorgeous winter night. As we sang our last (and favorite) carol, Silent Night, to the nuns next door, a sense of peace came over me. Everyone was laughing and smiling. This memory I have will forever be carried in my heart as a favorite Amate moment. I felt the presence of God in this cold winter night, bringing with it a sense of being in the right place at the right time. This sense of calm came at a much-needed time when many of us volunteers are experiencing some burnout and anxiety about the future. This peaceful moment summed up my feelings of community, a stable support group through this tumultuous ride we call a year of service. Despite the many disagreements we can have regarding dishes and chores, my community has been a place of refuge when work and life in general gets tough. 

The recent polar vortex brought an opportunity for us to come back together after break to renew relationships.  Just a few weeks ago, Chicago was struck by a massive cold streak. Many of us Amate volunteers were confined to our house for the Monday and Tuesday following the holidays. Although many would see the polar vortex as a negative thing, it brought with it many gifts. For starters, it reminded us how fortunate we are for warm housing and food during such a harsh time of year in the city. The polar vortex snow days also allowed us North House residents to relax and spend quality time together after nearly two weeks apart. Those few days where we had no choice but to stay inside are some of my favorites from the year so far. It felt nice starting the day off with coffee in the community room with no obligations, refreshed from time at home. Lots of laughs ensued when we decided to try a science experiment by throwing boiling water outside that instantly turned into snow. Our snow days consisted of funny YouTube videos and games. The perfect conclusion to the day was our spirituality night. Amy, a fellow North House resident, prepared a kind of a mid-year reflection. At this reflection, everyone expressed how going home made them realize how special community was to them, how blessed we all are to have been brought into each others lives. The reflection got a little teary eyed, but overall it brought me a sense of great joy that God has brought me 11 wonderful friends. We ended the night with an attitude of excitement and hope because we knew how much we had grown in the last six months, and we still have six more months to strengthen our community. 

2013 Annual Report

Hello Friends,

The Amate House 2013 Annual Report is now available at www.amatehouse.org - click here to read more about our mission and the highlights of our 29th year!

Website Relaunch!

Happy New Year, Friends!

We hope that all is well and that you're keeping warm during these winter days. As we start with 2014, we're excited to re-launch our website at www.amatehouse.org with an updated design! When you visit, you'll see that we've organized the site navigation and added a number of new features. You'll also see that we have new information about Amate Magic, which is taking place on Friday, April 4. Online tickets are now available! Learn more about Amate Magic here.

We are also accepting applications for Volunteers and Service Sites for the 2014-15 Program Year. Volunteer Applications can be found here, and information on how to apply to be a Service Site can be found here.

Check www.amatehouse.org often for news, updates, and other exciting Amate House developments!

Peace,
The Amate House Staff

Transformation through Rebirth

The following is written by Katie Kouchi, one of this year's Little Village Volunteers, for her community's Los Posadas Advent Reflections.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Luke 1: 8-15


Have you ever stopped and looked around and realized how unique it all is?  The people especially.   The people you live with, your coworkers, the clients, students, elders, families, and toddlers you serve, the people around you are all so special, treasured and amazing because it easily could be so different.

I came to Amate House a year after I’d originally planned.  What can I say?  It’s a long journey from Hawaii to Chicago.  I was all ready to join Amate right after college, but in June of 2012 we found out about my grandfather’s terminal illness and I decided to stay at home with my family.  It was the best thing for me, and I am so thankful for that time.  When he passed in January of 2013, I found myself applying to Amate again.

In my head, it seemed very normal.  I would be in Chicago, working at Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, just like I’d planned in 2012.  But it’s not exactly the same.  The people I live with, the elders I visit, my coworkers, are all different from those I would've had last year.  And not just different, but unique and needed.  Every interaction, every individual is special and there for a reason.  It’s all connected and blows my mind.

In other circumstances, I would've come my first year around and had a completely different experience, not better or worse, just different.  And in knowing the chain of events it took me to arrive at this very moment, I value this experience in a way I originally wouldn't have.

There are times on this journey I am confused, frustrated and desperate to understand how all the pieces connect, but when I pause for a moment and realize how it’s all connected so far in the people I've met and spent time with, I am comforted that in time, all will be made clear.

This journey of life naturally has its ups and downs, and I find stability, comfort, and growth in those around me.  The shepherds went out to seek their Messiah and were so moved to share the good news with others.  They were moved and their lives were changed.

Every day, minute, second we are changing, we are different people than we were yesterday and I believe it has a lot to do with our interactions with others.  To me, the people of your life have the ability to shape your world and by recognizing the profound value they possess in all that they are, you can add that much more meaning to your life.  I see it in my family, friends, Little Village community, elders at work, and larger Amate community.  May we continue to revel in the complicated web of life that has brought us together, knowing we are each here for a reason, cherishing the gift of hope, love and each other this Advent season.