Life has continued to be one heck of a ride since my last writing here (really, what did I expect?). I write this from my new home at Jerusalem Farm in Kansas City, Missouri - Here I am, at the beginning of yet another chapter and adventure! Jerusalem Farm is an intentional community focused on simplicity, community, prayer and service - we host volunteer groups while building community with our neighbors by working on home repair projects for families in need, hosting community nights,etc. I have to say I'm in awe of what I'm witnessing - and I've been here just shy of 2 weeks! I could ramble on about the organization, but I figure the stories that come over time will paint a more real image of what this place is (and what my life here will be!).Â
Today I found myself flipping through my journal, and I stumbled upon a chicken-scratch writing titled "thankfuls:" which I wrote while in Buenos Aires as a "final reflection" persay. I remember waiting for my taxi to the airport, ready to go yet so very not. At that point, I had no idea what was to come next - and now, here I am. The following is what I wrote - and reading it with new eyes hits my heart in a way I'm struggling to describe. So I'll just leave you all with this - and with the hope that 6 months from now I'll have another long, rambling list of "thankfuls:" that I currently can't even imagine.
"...the cool breeze today; safety and health over the past 6 months; always having a place to stay; hospitality - the Sandi's, Freddy and Finita, Celia, Judith and her family, Micky, Lexie, Marc, Jason, Dan, Caitlin, Allison, Juli, Raquel and Enrique; the friends from home who have had a constant supportive presence; the runs around Laguna Alalay; time to think and process here in Argentina; the beauty of Bariloche; the beauty of Peru; the laughter; the "coffeehouse" we hosted in Cochabamba; THE LOVE; the silly flings and romances; the renewed confidence; the renewed humility; the heart ache; the heart overflowing; the open road I've been on this whole time; Doodad and Zorro; THE LOVE; the card games with Katie, Armin, Borris and Lena; the rooftop patio at Freddy and Finita's, perfect for studying (or the post-lunch coma); the food - cakes and treats, GAME alfajores, salchipapa, steak, salad and papas fritas, ice cream, pan, mas pan, mas pan que todo mi vida; the produce markets, my stir-fries in Cocha; Micky and his true love and care for me; Jason and I sitting in the front on a select few mornings - his open heart; a freezing night in a tent by a lake in the mountains in Bariloche; the feeling of using a loofah after 5 months without!; the gift of ultra-conditioning lotion; dinner with Kiki and Caitlin in our kitchen with the soft light of the lamp, so cozy; hugs and kisses from the girls at Nuestra Casa; THE LOVE; aching for my friends and loved ones; aching saying goodbye; realizing again, the gift and challenge of vulnerability; the support of mom and dad; healing through song writing; having my mind opened, stretched and opened even more; finding myself feeling free, alive, open, and LOVING it; Katie and I laughing hysterically together; THE LOVE; reading novels in Spanish; surviving the lonesomeness without going crazy; being present when at times it didn't feel quite possible; Juli caring and reaching out; Thanksgiving and all the beauty and fun it entailed; the pain I felt for the struggles I witnessed - that too is a gift - empathy rather than the numbness I can sometimes feel; all of the bus drivers who safely brought me from point A to point B - the trufis, the 27, the S, the micro and semi-camas; THE LOVE; having the time, the opportunity. My life is so very full."
