Finca Prayer Novena Part 4 of 10- A Patient Heart

This is the third of my reflections on the different lines of the finca prayer, a prayer we pray daily here at the farm. To see the idea behind this series of reflections please see this previous blog (http://mkatthefinca.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-finca-prayer-novena-part-1-of-10.html).

"a patient heart happy in the most trying circumstance"

Prayer is powerful. I remember reading a reflection by Father Ted Hesburgh, CSC one time in which he discussed the serious nature of our petitions in prayer. He explained that the bravest prayer he knows is simply –come holy spirit-, for if prayed in earnest it is an expression of complete openness to whatever God sends your way.

This week in our novena we prayed for a patient heart, happy in the most trying circumstances. God listened. He handed Nils and I truly trying circumstances, and just enough patience to make it through each one.

He handed us news about continued frutsrations with communicaction abilities within Honduras. He also granted us farm social worker and future Ceiba caretaker David, who promised to work on improving the situation even after Nils and I leave.

He handed us a budget to form in two weeks, along with lingering questions about what costs our program plans to meet next year. He also granted us kind and patient Erin Lucia (accountant at the farm), who continues to work with us through each step.

He handed us news that due to vacation schedules, Nils and I would now prove solely responsible for the implementation of several important plans for our teens in our last days as their caretakers. He also granted us a visit from Amanda and Deirdre for the weekend, with their kind ears, caring hearts, and joyful laughter. Then he then gave us brownies just to make sure we would make it through.

God taught us a lesson this week. He heard our plea and answered fully. He granted us truly trying circumstances and just enough patience to face them all. He cared for us, and also allowed us to feel in our bones how important a patient heart truly is.
Hard times and trial will continue on the farm and wherever life takes us from here. We will remain human. We therefore must daily pray in a truly sincere manner that God will continue to bless our hearts with patience.

Teddy Wins! Teddy Wins! Teddy Wins!

While life at the finca is beautiful and grace filled, opportunities for frustration and exhaustion of body and mind are also readily available and present on a normal basis. Recently I was having a rather long day. Nothing was working out as I planned, as per usual. I decided to take a break. So I met Scott Satterlee for a coffee at a little coffee shop in downtown La Ceiba. He happened to have his laptop with him, and the café had wifi, so I took a moment to briefly check my email. I received an email saying I was tagged in a picture on facebook, so I logged in.


My simply amazing friend Marianne Zorio stood at the top of my news feed with news that would change my entire day around. First off, after a strenuous year of getting her RN at Mason in a post-bacc program she got a job as a nurse in Alexandria, so big congratulations to her. Second, the Nationals successfully finished the season with the best record in the league. Third, and most importantly, Teddy won the presidents race during the 4th inning stretch of their last home game of the regular season.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Nationals, every 4th inning stretch there is an epic race of giant bobble head versions of George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt from the bull pen towards home plate. The Nationals came to DC when I was a junior in high school, I turn 25 in January, and Teddy has never won. Ever.

While many might have lost hope after a seven year dry spell, Teddy did not. Teddy raced ever game. And finally, he won. I was very excited for my friend Marianne’s new job, very excited for my baseball team’s great season, but in all honesty, I was most excited about Teddy’s win. It gave me a new energy and a renewed sense of hope for the day.

I now simply say thank you and congratulations to my amazing friend Marianne and my favorite Nationals bobble head Teddy, for brightening my day and granting me hope during a time of frustration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvJfIV6nK9s

Editors Note: I do realize the fact that the race is highly rigged, it simply is beside the point in this situation :)

Denise was right, Welcome to the world Elias!

Two and a half years ago I got a phone call form Katherine King, a member of the board of directors of the Farm, offering me a position as a volunteer at the finca. I still remembering silencing her call in class and then calling back casually as I walked into my room in Lyons hall at Notre Dame. I was sure it was a rejection, and was ready to accept an offer with the Holy Cross Program in Chile. Then she turned my world upside down and told me I had been accepted.


I could not believe it. I got in to the program of my dreams, it couldn´t be. Being myself I immediately looked for my friends, they could help me process this and figure out what to do. Everyone, and I wish I was exaggerating, was in class, not around, and or not answering their phones. So I went to my dorm´s rectress and confidant of 4 years Denise.

I told her my perplexing situation. I knew I loved the farm, but I also knew it would be a challenge, as would Chile. I simply wanted someone else to make this grand decision for me. Denise, in true form, sat me down in her room. She told me that from what she had heard, I had two great options. She said that Chile would be like breaking my leg. It would be very trying, but I would grow a lot. She then said that the finca would be like giving birth to a child. That it would test me even more than I could imagine, but in the end, there would personal growth as grand and beautiful as a baby. She then told me I had to choose on my own.

I remember walking to the grotto perplexed. Then after calming down a bit having the clearest thought, I didn´t want to break my leg, I wanted the baby! I had already weighed the pros and cons of both programs, but I finally knew in my heart. I walked back to my dorm, knocked on Denise´s door and informed her (much to the confusion of a freshman sitting on her couch) that I wanted the baby. She said great, call them back, so I did, and here I am in Honduras two years later.

On October 5, 2012 Denise´s analogy took on a whole new level of meaning. Fellow volunteers Rachel and Jacob Hurst came down with me and their three adorable boys Jonah, Isaac, and Ruben in October of 2010. On October 5, 2012 their fourth son Elias was born right down the street form my apartment in the city of La Ceiba. Nils and I hung out with Rachel in the week leading up to the date, ready at any moment to do whatever she and baby Elias needed. Then on the day of we watched their three boys as Jacob went with Rachel to the hospital. We got the phone call at 6 pm, and got to tell the boys they had a new baby brother.

The next day we got to visit Rachel and baby Elias. He is simply the cutest little infant you could imagine. My heart filed with joy as I watch Jacob tickle his tiny feet, while Rachel held him with such love. I could not help but think of Denise, and how grateful I was to have had the opportunity to share in not only this moment with Elias, but all the moments of the past two years. The child birth like road over the past two years has proven tiring, but in the end the graces are proving undeniably amazing.

I simply wish to say thank you to Denise for giving me the push I needed to make the choice I knew was right in my heart, and welcome to the world Elias Hurst, it is a pleasure to meet you at last!

Finca Prayer Novena Part 3 of 10- A Meek Heart

This is the second of my reflections on the different lines of the finca prayer, a prayer we recite daily here at the farm. To see the idea behind this series of reflections please see this previous blog (http://mkatthefinca.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-finca-prayer-novena-part-1-of-10.html).

"a meek heart that bears with everyone"

Oxford American Dictionary, kindle edition, defines meek as- quiet, gentle, and easily imposed upon, submissive. If you read further it tells you that its middle English origin is –courteous.

The finca prayer is not asking for a submissive heart. In no way. It is asking for a courteous heart that not only bears with all, but rather recognizes the divine presence in each person they encounter. Then in respect, love and awe of this divine presence treats them in a deep seeded and purely courteous nature. This is what the finca prayer asks for our hearts.

Treating both out neighbors and our enemies with love may appear a basic Christian principle to follow. I assure you, a meek heart that bears with all is a specific intention essential to life at the farm.

When:
• Hormonal teens find refuge in refusing to acknowledge your existence and blaming you for all the wrong in the world
• Your gringa status proves the comical relief and reasoning for many outside your own home to treat you like a joke.
• The men on the streets believe it is their right to belittle you with crude words and comments based on what their machismo ruled society has taught them
All before 9 AM, most days, you learn quickly how important a meek heart truly is.

A meek heart that bears with all is a means of asking God to help us reach new levels of grace in our daily interactions.

We ask God to allow us to never loose perspective and remain ever focused on the divine present in all. We further ask that we may in turn receive this divine presence in a courteous manner no matter whom we encounter and how they treat us.

At the finca we bear with all by necessity everyday. Our prayer is that we may meekly do so not out of necessity but rather out of love. Always remembering Thomas Merton´s wise words, that the desire to please God does indeed please him, we walk forward with the desire to meekly bear with whomever we encounter in the road ahead.

Welcome Newbies!

On September 28, 2012 we had 5 very special guests stay at the apartments, the new volunteer missionaries of the finca (lovingly know in our community as newbies)! We welcomed Kevin, Kiddissa, Emily, Katherine, and Laura with spaghetti dinner and coca cola, it was very fancy.


During the weekend we got to hang out with them, help them find whatever they needed for the farm, answer questions, and get to know them just a little before they headed out for their grand arrival at the farm. It was simply a pleasure to hear their questions and learn about how they ended up at the farm.

They are currently shadowing jobs and beginning their training on the farm. Please keep them in your prayers as they begin to make the finca their new home.

Finca Prayer Novena Part 2 of 10- A Humble Heart

This is the first of my reflections on the different lines of the finca prayer, a prayer we recite daily here at the farm. To see the idea behind this series of reflections please see this previous blog (http://mkatthefinca.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-finca-prayer-novena-part-1-of-10.html).

“a humble heart free of the desire of being esteemed”

Life is humbling. Life in Honduras is extremely humbling.

In my life in the states when it was hot, I turned on the air conditioning. When it was cold I turned on the heat. When it rained, advanced plumbing drained the water away. In Honduras the heat can suck all the energy out of even the most energetic people. Relative cold times leave many without means chilled and ill. Rain falls and sits until the sun dries it up or rivers find new space to wipe it away. Rivers care not if you require the use of a road in its path, you simply must wait.

Nature humbles me daily in Honduras.

In the states people think a lot about five year plans, retirement funds, degrees, and career goals. In Honduras people think a lot about getting food to feed their children lunch, finding work to support their family, and making sure their loved ones all have a roof to sleep under at night. The future and security blankets are still important, but todays needs are primary. I have never worried if there would be food on my plate or a roof over my head, ever. Despite this I find that I still worry far more about life than any Honduran I know.

The deep faith and present nature of Hondurans humbles my heart daily.

The children of the farm have all faced unimaginable circumstances, most before the age of seven. Yet they wake up every day with a sustained energy for living. They continue to walk along their life´s path incredibly managing to trust and love others in their own way, despite their pasts. Our teens live in a city of problems, where the odds are against them. Yet they wake every day and try their best to make an honest living of their life. Meanwhile I still struggle with trusting and loving fully, facing moments of hesitation daily; and my past does not even begin to approach what these children have faced.

The children and teens of the farm humble my heart daily.

Yet the finca prayer asks for more. The finca prayer asks for a more profound sense of humility. It asks God that beyond our humbling environment, neighbors, and finca family that we may have a heart so purely humble that we may be free of the mere desire of being esteemed. We ask to become humble instruments of God´s peace.

This is a truly profound prayer that goes against our very human nature. It calls us to focus on the divine, a call that we will struggle with throughout our entire lives.  We are further called to find a peace within this struggle. As Thomas Merton says, we are called to believe that the simple desire to please God does indeed please him and that as humans we can do no more.

We therefore seek to please God every day at the farm through means of a humble heart in constant service to the amazing children of the farm, and committed to the intentions of the finca's prayer.

The Finca Prayer Novena (Part 1 of 10)

At the farm we pray a lot.  It is a catholic orphanage run in part by Franciscan sisters, hence we pray quite often.  The quiet time amid the craziness of daily events and the regularity it brings to our days is rather calming.  One prayer we say every morning is the Prayer of the Farm. 

Daily Finca Prayer

Lord Jesus, protector of orphans and all who depend on you, as we begin this day we turn our hearts towards you. We give thanks for the gift of your great love and for the chance to serve you in all that we do today.

We ask that your grace and mercy be poured out on our beloved Farm of the Child, on our children, on our house parents, on our Franciscan sisters, on our volunteers past, present, and future, on our board members, on our support personnel, on our benefactors, and on all whom we serve in Honduras through our various ministries.

As a member of this community entrusted with maintaining, protecting and strengthening this mission, I ask for the following in order to better carry out my responsibilities:

A humble heart free from the desire of being esteemed,

A meek heart that bears with everyone,

A patient heart happy in the most trying circumstance,

A peaceful heart at peace with self and others,

A heart poor in spirit detached from the things of this world,

A heart full of love that finds happiness in suffering with others,

A prayerful heart that loves to be in communion with you,

A holy heart whose only desire is that God may be known and loved by everyone,

A pure heart like Mary’s which seeks to love and serve God alone.

May we as a community be one in heart and mind so that we may help to bring about the Kingdom of God through your mission, Farm of the Child.

Amen.

Let us seek Mary’s intercession by reciting one Hail Mary.

This is truly a beautiful prayer, and also said so often that proves easy to get lost in its daily recitation. As a community, the finca is entering a time in which it is easy to become lost as well. Kids are finishing up their school year, New volunteers are about to arrive, ¨middies¨ are entering their second year and job adjustments, oldies like myself are facing a fast approaching departure date from the farm and reentry to the states, all are facing transitions in their own ways. Transition, just like a prayer recited daily at 6 AM prayer services, is an easy time to loose oneself as well.

In an effort to not get lost in either during my last few months at the farm, I came up with an idea. Maybe all of us serving at the farm should take a step back and really listen to each line of the finca prayer in an intentional manner, and these reflections could in turn ground us and help us remain present within the finca during these times of change. Then as we enter the last week of this time of transition, the week in which my class says farewell, we may truly enter it ¨one in heart and mind¨ as the finca prayer says.

I shared this with Allison, our volunteer coordinator, she (being her normal amazing and always supportive self) said that it not only sounded good, that we would do it together as a volunteer community. So we are. My personal plan within this is that each week I will publish a short reflection on the line we focused on the previous week (so please feel free to call me out if I get behind!). I hope you enjoy them.



A Calm Starry Night

Every year in mid September all the volunteers of the farm take a four day retreat. It provides a space to refocus and recharge before the crazy time of transition that is the fall at the farm. The ever kind house parents and tias and Franciscan sisters work extra hard for a few days to take care of the kids, so that we can take a time to reflect. This year Jacob organized our retreat. It was beautifully done, and we are all very grateful for his hard work to organize the time.


My favorite night of the retreat was when the power went out for four straight hours right at dinner time. The plan was to have intentional quiet time, and apparently the electric people wanted to share in the moment. We ate with candles and then simply went off to our own little corners at the retreat center to spend time with out thoughts. I found a little stretch of sidewalk and sat down with my journal. Then I looked up.

I looked up to see some of the most beautiful stars I have ever seen. They were glorious. Slowly, my worries about moving back to the states in December, about what the future held, about how I should spend my last few months in Honduras all slipped away for a moment.

I thought about a reflection I read while walking along the camino de Santiago during my semester in Spain in 2009. When asked why he chose to take the month long hike, a priest responded that he simply wished to walk beneath a field of dancing stars. His answer made so much sense to me in this moment. I thought of how I admired the stars after summer time swim meets as a kid, during my trips to Appalachia while at Notre Dame, on the camino de Santiago when I hiked after my semester abroad in 2009, on the farm in Trujillo whenever the power went out, and in La Ceiba whenever the stars actually decide to peak out at night. Amidst geographic relocations, the passing of time, and the changing of jobs, the stars remain ever constant in my life. I do not know exactly where I am headed after I finish at the farm in December, but I do know that the stars will never fail to accompany me on my journey, and this brings my heart great peace.

90 things in 90 days

I apologize for the long break in blogs, July proved a challenging month, and words did not seem to convey what I wanted to share. I felt a strong need to be really present here in Honduras. Then after a brief and wonderful vacation in August, the craziness that is September at the farm did not fail to arrive. In an effort to get you all back up to speed I wrote a list of 90 things that happened in the ninety days between Arturo´s confirmation in June (my last blog) and the volunteer retreat in September (my next blog). I hope you enjoy.

1. Nils went on a well deserved vacation for two and a half weeks. The Satterlees also went on vacation. I was the only adult from the finca in La Ceiba with our teens for 12 days.

2. David visited from the farm to help cover the first few days of Nils´vacation.

3. Sor Keidy went to a conference in Ecuador.

4. Jose Manuel and Julitza, kids on the farm, celebrated their birthdays in the same week.

5. I continued to sell cookies at local stores to raise funds for the farm, around 180 to be exact.

6. Scott and I went to lunch at Applebys to celebrate the 4th of July.

7. I made a traditional dinner of chips, watermelon and hot dogs for the teens on the 4th of July.

8. We celebrated the patron of our apartment's feast day July 6, the feast of Maria Goretti.

9. Tami moved back to the states to take a job as an Assistant Principal at a Catholic primary school in California. Saying goodbye was bittersweet for all.

10. 8 people form the farm (3 kids, 5 adults) visited the apartments at once on the same weekend.

11. I saw my dear friend Suyapa, former house mom of house four, at the hospital in La Ceiba while she was helping her mother.

12. I skyped called my friend Alden´s Iphone to attend my dear friend Cassidy Blair´s wedding to Dan Gerber.

13. Nils came back from vaction.

14. Nolvia, Nelly, and Carlos´ school had a festival, I won earrings at the mini bowling pin station.

15. I attended Magdalena´s epic finca wide 12th birthday party and got to spend the weekend at the farm hanging out with her and all her friends.

16. I rode in the land cruiser to Ceiba and then said farewell to my beloved Magdalena. She moved to a wonderful home for girls with special needs in Comayagua where she will be cared for and able to attend a wonderful school which can meet all her needs. It was the hardest farewell I have yet to make at the farm, but also bittersweet, knowing she was headed to a wonderful place.

17. I beat Arturo in Catan twice, and beat him and Nils in Yahtzee three times.

18. Sheena and Francesca visited Honduras!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (my friends and former vols from last year)

19. Nils and I attended the baptisms at the farm. Jose Manuel, Duncan, Kimberly, Brittani, Nahomy, Angel, Hildebrando, and neighbor Waldina´s baby Esteban were all baptized.

20. Suyapa, Rony, and their son Danni visited the farm for the baptisms as well, as the godparents of Duncan.

21. We had a finca wide dance after the baptisms that was epically fun.

22. Honduras advanced to the quarter finals of the Olympics men soccer tournament and Arturo, Marina, Nils, and I watched it live at Burger King with Scott.

23. Peter Tooher and Erin Ramsey visited the farm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (my friends and former vols) ...and I beat them both in a game of Catan.

24. I went to the states for 10 days to attend the wedding of my life long friend Angela Lankford to Braden Matthews.

25.  While on vacation I slept, snacked, and watched the olympics, all in copious amounts.

26. Also while on vacation I shocked my ballet teacher by showing up to class without her even knowing I was in the country.

27.  I saw the new Batman in IMAX with my dad (still on vacation).

28. Luz, Lily, Darwin, Sara, Harrison, and Ruben all had birthdays in a 10 day period.

29.  Chris Castro, Annie Lauer, Sara Vogelpohl, and Dan O'shea visited Honduras!!!!!!!!!!  (former vols and good friends of our teens, Nils, and myself)

30.  Chris, Annie, Sara, and Dan took fase 2 out to pizza and the new Bourne movie in La Ceiba.

31.  They also went with us up to the mountains to spend a day on the river with all of us.

32.  To top it off they even took Nils and I out to dinner while the kids went to youth group.

33. Erin Marina and Erin Lucia celebrated their borthdays on consecutive days.

34. I cooked lunch, alot.

35. Nolvia and Marina feel in love with chocolate pudding.

36. I worked with Janet on her masters thesis and got excited about the possibility of grad school.

37. I attempted to shoot the moon in hearts (card game) more times than I can count.

38.  I actually shot the moon in hearts three times.

39.  Marina marched in Ceiba independence day parade with her school, aka she is a rock star.

40.  Nelly sung the song lyrics "un minuto de silencio te estoy pidiendo" about five million times.

41.  The new Wendy's opened up around the corner.

42.  Carlos played in a mini soccer tournament for his school.

43-88. Nils and I picked up the daily newspaper around 45 times.

89. The new generator at Wendys in combination with the other local generators created a noise beyond the scale of decibel meters whenever the power went out.

90.  Carlos, Arturo, Marina, Nolvia, Nelly, Nils, Sor Keidy, the Satterlees and myself lived 90 more days in la Ceiba, and we are all still alive and well to talk about it!

Congratulations Arturo!

 

This past Saturday one of our beloved teens, Arturo, got confirmed!  He looked very stellar with his white shirt and black tie, and Scott Satterlee stood proudly by his side as his sponsor.  His big smile after the mass was a true testament to the beauty of the day and the moment.  Afterward we celebrated with dinner at Pizza Hut with all the Phase II teens, Nils, Scott, Saul (Arturo’s older brother), Memo (Arturo’s friend), and Margine, Haydee, Harrison, David, and Luz, all visiting from the farm to support him on his big day.  He then took the giant chocolate cake I made him to his youth group that night; he wanted to share with his friends as he always does.  It was a simple yet beautiful day, one dedicated to an amazing teen, whom we now congratulate for reaching yet another milestone in life.

Finca Visit!

After a two and a half month gap due to vacations and school exams, this past week on June 21 and 22 Nils and I were able to visit the finca in Trujillo.  Sor Keidy stayed and covered as the teens all had school, and Nils and I enjoyed a little time off.  A fellow volunteer from our class, Tami, is leaving early to take a job as a vice principal at a Catholic school in California, so we wanted to take a chance to have one last day together as a volunteer class before Nils left on vacation this past Monday. 

It was a true delight to go swimming with the kids, hang out in the vol house, and simply be surrounded by beautiful nature and its harmonies.  Some of my favorite moments were morning prayer with all the kids in the chapel, getting so many hugs from old students as the school day got out, flying a kite with my little friend Rony, and swimming in the ocean with the house four boys and the ever adorable Joel and Brando. 

Two moments stood alone from these, as I realized I would most likely never forget them.  First, my dearly beloved student and friend Magdalena will soon be moved to a new home where they work with children with special needs in Comayagua, Honduras.  It sounds like a wonderful place, and they say the director is like the Honduran Mother Teresa.  As this was one of my last visits to her I took her on a little date.  We went to the little soda stand next to the farm and them came back to read Little Red Riding Hood together.  When I met her in October of 2010 she was climbing trees to avoid people and learning vowels.  We sat calmly for 20 minutes as she read me a book full of new words with ease and confidence.  My heart smiled inside.  Afterward we went around for 10 minutes to say thank you to all the people who helped us during our day, she loves doing this, and it is so sweet to watch.  The next day as I got my see you later hug she brought me a picture with a note, which she made sure I knew that she wrote all by herself.  She is a true example that little miracles and love surround us daily if we simply open our eyes to their presence.

Second, I realized for the millionth time why Tami is so amazing.  She not only made pizza with Deirdre for the entire vol community at a dinner celebrating her, she took extra time to talk with Nils and I despite the fact that she is super busy training others and getting ready to leave.  Even as we were leaving she made sure I knew I would see her in Ceiba on her way out, and told me not to worry about the sheets I left on the bunk bed I slept in above her, she would take care of them.  She took care of me even when we visited to celebrate her.  She is a true angel, and a blessing to every person who crosses her path.  She will be dearly missed, and her community in California is lucky to have her once again.

Friendly Travelers…times eleven

This past weekend was just a normal weekend in La Ceiba, but warrants its own citation of merit for the number of visitors passing through. 

·         
 Sara and David passed the entire week here in their first visit as they began to train to become the caretakers of our teens for next year.

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On Thursday morning Sor Keidy arrived as normal, and about an hour later Erin Marina, Allison, Erin Lucia, and Erin Lucia’s little brother (after a visit to his big sister at the farm) arrived on their way home for their first vacation back to the states.  In true finca fashion we celebrated their big day with baleadas, ice cream, and mass. 

·        
The next day Tami and Lily, fellow vols from my class at the farm, arrived to spend the weekend with us simply to visit and share time together.  This was a true gift as they are dear friends to all members of Phase II. 

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Then on Sunday afternoon the blessings continued as former vols Kristina and Nely passed through on their way to visit Nely’s new job in Comayagua. 

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That night to top off the weekend Betsy arrived back from her vacation with hugs for all, topping us off with eleven visitors in a four day period.

Monday afternoon the house was quiet, and as the girls took a nap after a very full weekend, I took a moment to recognize how truly blessed and lucky we are to be so supported by our extended finca family and all our loved ones.  We are truly grateful everyday for their amazing support and prayers.

Arturo’s Confirmation & Marina’s Service Trip to Comayagua…Fruits Flourishing in Phase II

Everyday Nils and I try to teach our teens good values, especially those of gratefulness and a commitment to service of others.  As with most elements of our job here in La Ceiba, we do not see the fruits of this work in majorly visible ways on a daily basis.  This week proves unique. 

This week Carlos, Nolvia, and Nelly go back to school after a week off for their semester break.  Meanwhile, Arturo and Marina have a second week off as they attend a technical institute high school.  Arturo is spending the week working at the pier and preparing for his confirmation on Saturday.  We are all very excited for Arturo, and our prayers are with him as he prepares for his big day this Saturday.

Marina, already confirmed, asked Sor Keidy and me if she could spend her second week on a service trip in Comayagua with the Fransiscan Friars and Missionaries of Charity she met during a retreat this past spring.  She, at age 17, actively chose to go serve others on one of her few weeks off during the entire year. 

It is not every week in Ceiba that the fruits of growing values flourish so beautifully, but it seems the unseasonable rains we have seen throughout the week have brought about much growth in our teens as well as the fields.  They are truly amazing kids, and we are lucky to have them in our lives.

Galletas Goretti

As most of you already know, I have a love for both baking and eating cookies.  One day the girls were telling me after school that their friends were asking where they could buy the yummy cookies and breads they bring for a snack to school some days.  They laughed and said they weren’t bought, they were from Mary Kate.  This sparked an idea; maybe I could sell cookies at local stores to help out the finca.  When I proposed this idea to Sor Keidy she told me that she had been thinking the same thing.

After getting all the necessary approvals at the farm and three local stores, all we needed was a name.  Sor proposed “Galletas de Maria” (Mary’s cookies), as she calls me Maria.  We decided we needed something catchier.  Nolvia then came up with the golden name, “Galletas Goretti” (Goretti Cookies).  The apartment for the teenage girls is named after the Italian saint Maria Goretti, and as the cookies come from our house, what more appropriate name could one think of. 

Sara and I then spent Monday afternoon making over 100 cookies to sell.  She was excited to help, and wants to continue the mini venture next year when she takes over as the girls caretaker.  The next morning when we dropped of the first batch all three store owners were very helpful and excited to try the new cookies. 

So if you are in La Ceiba, make sure and stop by Kibok, Tipicafe, or Cyma Joyeria and try out some wonderfully yummy Galletas Goretti, freshly delivered every week and helping out the finca daily.

Thank You Sara and David!

This past week (June 10-16) Phase 2 was doubly blessed with the presence of Sara and David, the caretakers of our teens in La Ceiba for the year to come. 

This past May both were offered Nils and I’s current job for the year to come (Nils and I are both scheduled to finish our service this coming December), and both graciously and generously said yes!  As school was out for the week, and Sara is the current middle school math teacher, they both came for the week to begin to get to know the ropes of the city, and to better know our amazing kids.  They provided great company for Nils and I, and passed many hours getting to better know our teens. 

I am happy to report that Sara is not only a current rock star fist year volunteer, she is a also a fellow lover of baking and reading.  I also am happy to report that her fellow rock star first year volunteer David is peace studies major form Notre Dame like me.  This is a becoming somewhat of a Ceiba tradition as Erin Ramsey, my predecessor, was also a peace studies major who enjoyed baking and reading.

It is not an easy decision to move to a crazy city after finally adjusting to life on the farm after one’s first year of service, but Sara and David have generously offered to serve as the primary caretakers to five truly amazing kids.  They will face their struggles, but also find true beauty and grace in the many mini miracles one witnesses here in La Ceiba.  Nils and I simply offer our thanks for their amazing yes, and our prayers as we all approach another time of transition this coming fall.

Confirmation Retreat Talk…life comes full circle

When I was in eighth grade I received the sacrament of confirmation.  My friend Grace and I were not what one would call ideal Sunday school students.  We spent most of our time passing fake notes between the school desks and talking with one another and our friend Katie.  We were not crazy rebels, but we were also not angels in any sense.  When we arrived on the confirmation retreat the confirmation director thought that if she placed us in small positions of leadership this would amend our attitudes.  We ended up getting an entire group of girls lost in the woods for an hour and then making fun remarks throughout the entire morality talk under our breaths. 

We made it to the night of our confirmation nonetheless, and I can still remember feeling that the mass was one I would not forget; it had a special feeling to it.  That night I took the name of Elizabeth Ann Seton as my confirmation saint, the patroness of Catholic Schools in America.  Since then I have attended catholic high school, the University of Notre Dame, and am currently mentoring teens attending catholic high schools in Honduras after a year of teaching at the finca’s own catholic elementary school.  I cannot explain it, but this sacrament has stuck around with me in a very special way.

This past weekend a local youth group leader asked Nils and I if we would talk on the diocese’s confirmation retreat about the themes of commitment to service and faith.  We both decided it sounded like a good idea, so we said yes.  I could only laugh as I saw several teens texting while I spoke, while others rolled their eyes.  Most listened well and seemed to really hear our message.  I personally am pulling the for distracted ones, if history repeats itself, they may have a future in service mission work with children and teens in the future.

Love Languages: Maria Goretti Style

When I informed my friends this past fall that I would be switching jobs for my second year at the farm, all were very supportive.  While some told me that this seemed like an obvious fit for me, others spoke more bluntly and asked me if I was totally crazy or if I was unaware of how hormonal teenage girls can be.  I informed them that I grew up in a house with only sisters, and that I was aware of what amazing love teenage girls can share in their own ways as well.

When I returned from vacation the girls would not confess to it, but Nils and Janet Satterlee informed me that they actually admitted to missing me a little bit while I was on vacation.  Don’t tell them I told you, they would be so embarrassed! 

They definitely proved true teenage girls, raging hormones and all, upon my return, but they also showed me and our entire Phase II community amazing love in their own unique ways.  Marina brought my clothes in off the line when the rain came one night; she then spent two hours on a Friday afternoon making delicious ham and cheese pastelitos (like Honduran hot pockets) so that the whole house could enjoy a yummy dinner.  Nelly and Nolvia swept and mopped after dinner without me even mentioning that it was a chore night.  All three smiled while they thought I was not watching as they saw the fresh coffee cake I made for them one day just for fun.  Marina invited me to see a special matinee showing of “Men in Black III” for her school with her friends.  Nolvia walked and talked with me in public while we walked around Ceiba with Lily and Tami this past weekend. Nelly cleaned up my dirty dishes from lunch just to be kind.  Quietly and subtly they all spoke in their own love languages to express their care for our small community here in La Ceiba.

Then last Tuesday during their week off from school, they decided that for Sara (next year’s careteaker) to be truly welcomed to Phase II, we needed to have a late night pajama party.  We laughed and watched chick flicks till one in the morning.  A house rule since November has been that the first one to fall asleep at a pajama party gets a mask of toothpaste on their face.  Despite the readied toothpaste on the table, they spared me as I fell asleep for part of the third movie.  If that’s not true love, I do not know what is.

Happy Half Birthday Nils!

Nils serves as the caretaker of the boys next door here in La Ceiba, he arrived at the same time I did to the farm in October of 2010.  He also happens to have the worst possible birthday in the finca, December 3.  For the past two years, his birthday has fallen on the day of and day after the farewell mass and dinner for volunteers finishing their two years of service.  Literally everyone has been depressed and anti social if not crying in their room for the entirety of his two birthdays while at the farm. 

Janet and I decided that after all he has done for our volunteer community, the kids, and our smaller community here in La Ceiba, he deserved a happy birthday celebration of some form.  Then we realized that his half birthday was the following Sunday.  So we secretly planned a brunch at Kibok café with the Satterlees, Nils, and I, and had a secret cake for after mass.  Most amazingly, I managed to keep this secret from both Nils and all five teens for an entire week and a half.

That morning Nils was very happily and honestly surprised when he realized what our brunch was actually for.  He thanked us for being so thoughtful and kind, and ate a yummy breakfast. 

After mass that night I walked over and sat next to him in the pew.  He told me that he was very tired and ready for bed.  As most of you know, I am a horrible liar.  I told him he had to stop by the girl’s apartment briefly first.  He asked why.  I then told him that the Satterlee family and a cake were waiting for him.  He smiled, laughed, and then walked with me across the street to the apartment.  Everyone was there waiting.  We ate cake till we were full, and then he went back with his boys to their side. 

The next day he told me thank you again in his ever humble and grateful style.  I told him it was our pleasure to finally joyously celebrate the life of our fellow community member and friend.  We all also agreed that any excuse for brunch and cake on a random Sunday in June sounds like a wonderful idea. 

Buen Camino...Feliz Pentecost

Three years ago I spent a semester studying abroad in Toledo, Spain.  I finished my time abroad by taking a week long hike along the “Camino de Santiago” (Way of Saint James).  This ancient pilgrimage is a truly special route which now attracts a full range of people, from FC Barcelona season ticket holders, to old Italian Grandpas, both of which I met during my week long excursion.  This path is truly inspiring in an indescribable way. 

I arrived at the cathedral in Santiago by coincidence the day before Pentecost.  Every day at midday there is a special mass for the recently arrived pilgrims.  When I arrived at mass I almost had chills, I realized that I had basically lived Pentecost in the week leading up to this mass.  I walked together with people with whom I shared no common language, simply a heart which felt like walking.  Yet the magic of the path bonded us in a very special way.  Then as we all began to arrive at the cathedral we celebrated the mass of Pentecost, a day to celebrate the great beauty of the Holy Spirit and its ability to bond us all despite our many differences. 

The beauty of the camino is that it never truly ends, once you begin, you continue walking along the path wherever life takes you.  This past May 27, I celebrated my third anniversary of arriving at the Cathedral.  It comforted my heart to see that while much had happened in the past three years, many underlying good things remained the same. 

I arrived back from vacation May 21.  The girls even smiled and gave me a hug when I got back, this was big.  During the week I caught up with Nils and Sor Keidy about what had happened during my two weeks off.  I received several notes from community members at the finca who had passed through while I was away simply saying hello and wishing me all the best.  On Friday I read the second reading at the first English mass in the cathedral (we have a new Bishop from Ireland).  Then that weekend we spent Saturday night at the Satterlees (who live in a neighborhood outside downtown) to avoid the major crowds and incredibly loud noise that lasted all night due to the big celebration of the Carnaval of San Isidro.  We then returned to the apartments on Sunday morning, and attended a beautiful Pentecost mass that night.

This may seem like a typical week in Ceiba, but it was specially beautiful in its own way.  I continued walking along my life’s path with people from completely different backgrounds than my own, yet bonded in the great love that founded the finca 16 years ago.  I received notes from friends who walked alongside me presently and in the past during my life’s camino.  I read at the first mass in English in a Spanish speaking cathedral, two languages, one spirit.  We then spent the night before the big holiday in the upper room of an apartment apart from most of the town similar to the disciples before Pentecost.  I still live the camino, it never ends, yet I currently am walking a new section of my path with new people.

That Monday night for community night with the teens I had a special Camino/ Pentecost themed night complete with memory cards and a scene from “Up!” To close the night, each person had to share how they saw the fruits of the Holy Spirit (kindness, peace, generosity, etc) living in each person living here in Phase II.  I was overjoyed when each teen shared truthfully and positively about every member of our small community.  Afterward instead of blasting music or complaining about homework, they all simply remained calm, did their chores, and then went to bed with pensive faces, they were thinking, they were getting it, they were beginning to recognize their own camino, what a truly beautiful thing to see.