Re-settling into American Life

...is hard. I miss Bánica, and everyone I met there. I miss praying at la iglesia at 6 am every morning, breakfast with Simona, my English classes, playing games with the kids. I miss the truck rides, the hugs and smiles, and every kid correcting my Spanish when I say 'la dia' instead of 'el dia.' Coming back to Virginia is COLD. But I've gotten to see my family and friends again, and been able to take what I have learned from the beautiful people of Bánica and import it into my life. I went down there to serve, and instead came back utterly changed, and in my humble opinion, for the better. What the people down there know about hospitality, about love, about sharing when they themselves have nothing...it's absolutely beautiful. No words can actually describe the kindness with which Dominicans live. And though we may not share similar backgrounds, cultures, or even languages, we share our love and faith in Jesus. 'catholic' means universal and that is truly what the Catholic Church is...universal in that people who have nothing in common can share something beautiful - a love of life and gratefulness for their Creator. People within the same church can have a base in which to share uncommon experiences and worship together as we all are called to do. This...this is what I have learned. That I am one with every other single person in this world, and we are all made in the image of Love. And we are called to live out that image of love. To put love into being, an action, not just let it sit on the shelf. How have you loved today?