I am very blessed to be able to spend this time home for the holidays. Seeing family and friends and spending good quality time is all I ever want for Christmas.
This year, being physically farther away, and knowing I will not be back here for about 8 months leaves the holidays bitter sweet. Also, there seems to be a feeling of living a double life when I am home. At the farm, it is easy to live an intentional life. There is time to think about your actions and how you want to be(sometimes ).Simplicity is easier there...the farm is set up for it. Daily reflection is easier there, especially with no tvs around. So, coming home is a treat being able to see everyone, to call and text 24/7 to watch tv and have whatever stores needed within a reasonable reach....but in a way it feels like I am also living a double life. When I am at the farm....that life seems so normal...and when I first got home...things seemed a bit crowded...it was almost overwhelming...well now...home seems normal again and life at the farm seems well so far away...like another lifetime....how can it be that we can adjust so quickly to things that are so different? One thing I am learning this time around which I didn't learn at Thanksgiving...is to try and reconcile the two lifestyles into one...mix the two extremes into one better lifestyle....if I can take how I live at the farm and bring it out into the world I am from...which will be much harder....well, I think that is the real challenge....anyways just some thoughts...
Things at home have been great! Seeing those I love, feeling loved...and trying to share a little of the farm with them here....
Today we are off to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City...then dinner with Nana...perfect!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
December Recap
Now that I am safely at home...reflecting on the past few weeks...its a blur...December seemed to rush in and rush out...just in time for me to catch my bearings and return home for one of my favorite times of year.
Looking back, I was picked up from the plane at Thanksgiving by Jamie and Alex to find much had occurred at the farm while I was gone. Also, Luke, would be staying with us. A day later, Wright State arrived and brought a sense of normalcy to the farm. They were great and helped us get our footing again...reminding us or me rather why I am here....
Although we had a week "off'" after the group...it was one of the the most weeks "on" I have ever had at the farm. We had many cookies to bake and homemade cards to distribute...we decided to make enough to not only distribute to our friends but also those from the pantry...what a task! We re stocked the clothing pantry and sent many hours in there cleaning and sorting etc etc etc...we prepped for Project Merry Christmas...and delivered many truck loads of firewood
Then, a group of young adults came to the farm for the weekend, they actually were friends with Alex and helped ringing the Salvation army bell, at the pantry and baking a few hundred cookies...It was nice to see young adults getting together to do some good and share their faith...pretty cool!
Before that group left, the project Merry Christmas volunteers began trickling in...and from then on until the end of Project..things did not stop...Project Merry Christmas is an event put on by the ministerial association in the county...They provide food vouchers to families and gifts for all who qualify. So, we spent days sorting gifts, buying gifts and setting up gifts in store-like displays....it was a wonderful event and went so smooth! It was so fun to be able to help made people's Christmas's great! During these crazy days, we also rotated people ringing the Salvation army bell, as well as at the food pantry and delivering/ chopping firewood...Again, they were such a great group of people...it was really great to meet and serve with them and learn from them.... we couldn't have done it all without them! On the groups last day ,they stayed to help us pack about 360 food boxes at the pantry...whew what a task! As they left...we had some volunteers staying with us...so the dream of sleep was pushed a few more days away... More days at the pantry, and some cleanup around the farm...it was great to have the extra helpers around because the farm managers were wiped. Past farm managers, past volunteers, and first time volunteers...it was great to meet and serve with them all...thanks for helping us this month!
The month concluded with the Christmas pantry handout...which although is one of my favorite things...I found myself a little less patient, less friendly and more tired...and looking back I think I was spent...emotionally and physically tired...so it is good to get a rest....after saying goodbye to our last volunteers we had to rush and pack our bags and pack the farm because a storm was headed our way...we then went caroling with the church and then headed to bossman's house to sleep before our journey to the airport...Goodbye farm...thanks for all you taught me this month!
Looking back, I was picked up from the plane at Thanksgiving by Jamie and Alex to find much had occurred at the farm while I was gone. Also, Luke, would be staying with us. A day later, Wright State arrived and brought a sense of normalcy to the farm. They were great and helped us get our footing again...reminding us or me rather why I am here....
Although we had a week "off'" after the group...it was one of the the most weeks "on" I have ever had at the farm. We had many cookies to bake and homemade cards to distribute...we decided to make enough to not only distribute to our friends but also those from the pantry...what a task! We re stocked the clothing pantry and sent many hours in there cleaning and sorting etc etc etc...we prepped for Project Merry Christmas...and delivered many truck loads of firewood
Then, a group of young adults came to the farm for the weekend, they actually were friends with Alex and helped ringing the Salvation army bell, at the pantry and baking a few hundred cookies...It was nice to see young adults getting together to do some good and share their faith...pretty cool!
Before that group left, the project Merry Christmas volunteers began trickling in...and from then on until the end of Project..things did not stop...Project Merry Christmas is an event put on by the ministerial association in the county...They provide food vouchers to families and gifts for all who qualify. So, we spent days sorting gifts, buying gifts and setting up gifts in store-like displays....it was a wonderful event and went so smooth! It was so fun to be able to help made people's Christmas's great! During these crazy days, we also rotated people ringing the Salvation army bell, as well as at the food pantry and delivering/ chopping firewood...Again, they were such a great group of people...it was really great to meet and serve with them and learn from them.... we couldn't have done it all without them! On the groups last day ,they stayed to help us pack about 360 food boxes at the pantry...whew what a task! As they left...we had some volunteers staying with us...so the dream of sleep was pushed a few more days away... More days at the pantry, and some cleanup around the farm...it was great to have the extra helpers around because the farm managers were wiped. Past farm managers, past volunteers, and first time volunteers...it was great to meet and serve with them all...thanks for helping us this month!
The month concluded with the Christmas pantry handout...which although is one of my favorite things...I found myself a little less patient, less friendly and more tired...and looking back I think I was spent...emotionally and physically tired...so it is good to get a rest....after saying goodbye to our last volunteers we had to rush and pack our bags and pack the farm because a storm was headed our way...we then went caroling with the church and then headed to bossman's house to sleep before our journey to the airport...Goodbye farm...thanks for all you taught me this month!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Holidays keep rolling by
As the days go by...its getting closer to that special day, and things at the farm seem to be busier and busier. I am used to being busy, thats my life and how I have lived for the past 22 years, but I am not used to that here at the farm...the type of day where no matter how hard you try to fit it all in, well you just can't. And yet, looking back on each day we have fit a whole lot in...
Yesterday at the pantry we cleared off all the clothing on the hangers and packed it to be sent to missionaries...the clothes up had been there for weeks and were not being taken so it was time to put up a new bunch to be cycled through...its exciting putting up the new items hoping someone can use them for the Holiday season....but a lot of work all the same. After the sorting was done, we headed back to the farm and then to Church for the mass celebrating the immaculate conception...it was nice...surprisingly large crowd. After church we had a an interesting conversation with Luke about how this day is a huge celebration for women of the church in Kenya...and how the women celebrate all night long...interesting. Also, we discussed the cultural perceptions between those deciding to go into religious life in the US and in Kenya...very different...In Kenya he explained almost every family has someone that is a priest, brother or sister, its a sense of pride for the family...where as in my experience, those I know here in the US, people seem to not want to be called...having a family seems most desirable...children, the sense of pride...interesting... again, there is a lot for me to learn about this world.
Today, I woke up to our power being out. The strong wind storm we had caused the problem. Also, the rain storm from the night before caused many spots on the creek to flood over.. we were worried for a bit that we might have a flood..but things are fine now. For lunch, to celebrate Christmas, Wild woman took the four of us to the chicken house...it was delicious...and a great time.
Now, we are waiting to return to town for a night of caroling, sweets and an Ecumenical candle light tour of the churches in town...should be wonderful!
Until next time,
peace,
Colleen
Yesterday at the pantry we cleared off all the clothing on the hangers and packed it to be sent to missionaries...the clothes up had been there for weeks and were not being taken so it was time to put up a new bunch to be cycled through...its exciting putting up the new items hoping someone can use them for the Holiday season....but a lot of work all the same. After the sorting was done, we headed back to the farm and then to Church for the mass celebrating the immaculate conception...it was nice...surprisingly large crowd. After church we had a an interesting conversation with Luke about how this day is a huge celebration for women of the church in Kenya...and how the women celebrate all night long...interesting. Also, we discussed the cultural perceptions between those deciding to go into religious life in the US and in Kenya...very different...In Kenya he explained almost every family has someone that is a priest, brother or sister, its a sense of pride for the family...where as in my experience, those I know here in the US, people seem to not want to be called...having a family seems most desirable...children, the sense of pride...interesting... again, there is a lot for me to learn about this world.
Today, I woke up to our power being out. The strong wind storm we had caused the problem. Also, the rain storm from the night before caused many spots on the creek to flood over.. we were worried for a bit that we might have a flood..but things are fine now. For lunch, to celebrate Christmas, Wild woman took the four of us to the chicken house...it was delicious...and a great time.
Now, we are waiting to return to town for a night of caroling, sweets and an Ecumenical candle light tour of the churches in town...should be wonderful!
Until next time,
peace,
Colleen
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Post Thanksgiving Catch up
Sorry for the lack of posts...after thanksgiving things have a been a whirl wind...
So, ill keep it short...I came back to the farm and jumped into the week of Wright state students. They were great! Very kind and reflective but also fun...they got a lot of work done and it was a nice transition for me coming back from home to the week. I was able to settle back into the farm quite easily...thanks guys for giving me that gift. Seeing the farm make a difference in other peoples lives...reminds me why I came down here...sometimes its funny how you can forget that...especially when being home...a place where there is comfort and I am so loved...so it was good to come back to that.
Since then...we have a new member in the staff house...Luke from Kenya. So, the four of us have been very busy trying to spread Christmas cheer...we baked cookies all weekend...delivered a st. Nicholas surprise on bossman joe's doorstep, we attended a benefit concert for the pantry and we delivered cookies and cards to many of our friends in the community. So today we are off to clean the pantry and get it ready for the big handout on the 18th...so until then...
we will continue to be Santa's elves...
and while being so busy trying to make time to keep whats really important in focus..each other and God...and the reason for the season...trying to fit it all in and keep a sense of peace...
off to work now...
sending my love, wishing peace,
Colleen
So, ill keep it short...I came back to the farm and jumped into the week of Wright state students. They were great! Very kind and reflective but also fun...they got a lot of work done and it was a nice transition for me coming back from home to the week. I was able to settle back into the farm quite easily...thanks guys for giving me that gift. Seeing the farm make a difference in other peoples lives...reminds me why I came down here...sometimes its funny how you can forget that...especially when being home...a place where there is comfort and I am so loved...so it was good to come back to that.
Since then...we have a new member in the staff house...Luke from Kenya. So, the four of us have been very busy trying to spread Christmas cheer...we baked cookies all weekend...delivered a st. Nicholas surprise on bossman joe's doorstep, we attended a benefit concert for the pantry and we delivered cookies and cards to many of our friends in the community. So today we are off to clean the pantry and get it ready for the big handout on the 18th...so until then...
we will continue to be Santa's elves...
and while being so busy trying to make time to keep whats really important in focus..each other and God...and the reason for the season...trying to fit it all in and keep a sense of peace...
off to work now...
sending my love, wishing peace,
Colleen
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