Change of Plans

Until about two years ago, I had never considered a year of service. I had always imagined I would go to college, graduate, find a job, and then stay there for the next twenty or thirty-so years. Those plans changed when I went to college. My parents always taught me to live generously, but being a college student, there’s not always a lot to give. So I gave what I had. My time. I started to volunteer at a day center. For two hours a week, I would sort through clothing donations and help distribute food to those coming in. Honestly, it was fun. Though it didn’t always feel meaningful or seem to make much of a difference, it opened my eyes to the world around me. It was during this that I started to consider dedicating a year to service. At a Catholic youth conference called SEEK, I first heard of FrancisCorps. It offered a year-long experience filled with prayer, service, and community based on Franciscan values. It didn’t follow the plan I had imagined. And that’s something I’m still learning. God always has other plans. And those plans are far better than anything I could imagine. 

At FrancisCorps, I am most excited to share meals and prayer with the fellow volunteers. For the last two weeks, we’ve been able to gather around the table each night to pray together, eat together, and share with each other the ins and outs of our day. I hope to continue building these habits throughout the year, so I can bring them back to my community in Wisconsin. At Joseph’s House, I’ve been blessed to meet several mothers and their children. Hearing their stories and seeing their successes has been such a joy, even in these first few weeks. Everyone at FrancisCorps and Joseph’s House has been very welcoming, and I am extremely grateful to be a part of their ministries this year!

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