What I've Learned

From the Kid's Cafe:
    •    You can change a child's entire day just by offering them a smile and a kind word
    •    You can never play too many games of mancala or cards
    •    There is no such thing as too much dessert or too much hot sauce on anything
    •    Never give up on a kid, no matter how impossible they may seem- they're the ones who need your love and support the most
    •    Even the toughest of kids is giddy when it's Christmas time
    •    Find the positive in every single negative situation, that's the message God is trying to deliver

From Saint Benedict's Education Center:
    •    There is beauty in every little accomplishment
    •    Nothing is impossible if you want it and work for it
    •     No matter how unskilled you might think you are as a teacher, there is something you can share with everyone that will change them for the better and no doubt change you for the better too

From the Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen:
    •    Be grateful for what you have everyday, whether it's a roof over your head, food on the table, people who care about you, or just the fact that you got up that morning
    •    There is no  room to complain about life when people with next to nothing greet you in the morning with a smile and not a complaint in the world
    •    It's not all about seeing the result of your work everyday, there is deep satisfaction in knowing that every little thing you do helps, even if it's just doing dishes, sweeping the storage room or cleaning the stove

From working around the grounds:
    •    There is something rewarding about working with your hands
    •    Sweat equals a job well done, and blisters on your hands are just a bonus
    •    There is such a thing as too hot, but that's nothing a bottle of cold water dumped on your head can't fix
    •    Every little job matters and it's never overlooked, everything is appreciated
    •    Treat every tool you touch and every tree or flower you trim as something sacred and you'll find the beauty in every job

From the Infirmary sisters:
    •    There is no such thing as being too old for anything, I hope to be 90+ and still using the stairs, walking all over the place, and giving everyone around me a good laugh
    •    Sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone is a few minutes of your time and a warm smile
    •    You have to laugh at life, no exceptions
    •    Roll with it- so what if someone has asked you the same question 20 times in the last half an hour? Answer it with a little more enthusiasm each time

From the sisters in general:
    •    Age is a state of mind- people can get along marvelously whether you're 5 years apart or 50+
    •     There is no such thing as too many people in your family, I have almost 100 new additions to mine and I love them all dearly
    •    Being generous with your time or your energy will always pay you back a million times over
    •    You never quite know how you might touch someone's life, just by being you

From Benedict:
    •    You hear better with your heart than with your ears, but you need both to really know the world
    •    There is something soothing about a daily rhythm
    •    It's possible to find God in the daily and to live spiritually always
    •    Quiet time with God and yourself is vital
    •    There is always room to be flexible
    •    In all things may God be glorified

From my mentor:
    •    People love me, care about me and are there for me no matter what, even if I slip up
    •    There really is almost nothing better you can give a person than to be there for them, to listen and figure out things in life
    •    It's ok to be serious, but know when to laugh and have fun too
    •    Life is a little bit easier when you have good people by your side, you shouldn't have to face things alone


From my director:
    •    Present moment, wonderful moment.
    •    It's almost impossible to go overboard when you're trying to butter up someone who loves sweets
    •    It's OK to lose a game, just accept the fact that you're not going to hear the end of it until the next time you lose
    •    God is crazy about me, I need to love and believe in myself just the same
    •    There is something to learn in every situation and if you can't find it you might be looking too hard- relax and let God take over


And I could go on and on. I could never say enough about how much this year has meant to me, how much I've grown, how much I've learned, how much I'm a better person for having been here, sharing a part of my life with these sisters and all the people I've ministered to and how they've shared their lives with me. We've been mutual blessings to each other, and I'm happy the journey isn't over yet. Yes, I'll be leaving this program in just over a week's time, but this place will always be a part of me. What a gift :)