From Faces I Didn’t Know, to Hearts I’ll Never Forget

Intentional communal living is way different from just having housemates or roommates. Upon entering FrancisCorps, the three of us chose to not only live together, but to live intentionally through shared meals, shared hearts in prayer, and shared spaces. These guidelines that originally felt more like rules quickly transformed into memories and moments of laughter. This year we’ve experienced so much together, from slow Sunday brunches, to fun Friday nights, to exploring new cities, to shoveling FEET of snow, to unexpected visitors, to early morning workouts, to late night kitchen chats, to sharing the hardships of service, to sharing the joys of service, and every moment in between.

It’s hard to believe that the three of us were once complete strangers at the beginning of this year, and now here we are nine months in, getting caught reading each others’ minds! The year initially started off with lots of over-communication in order to be on the same page, but gradually it was needed less and less as we got to know each other better. I had also begun the year assuming that two other Catholic, college-educated, girls in their 20s would have pretty similar understandings of the world as me, but that wasn’t the case and I’m so happy it wasn’t. I’ve been able to learn so much from these faith filled women BECAUSE each of our experiences of faith, friends, family, and life in general were so different from each other. I’m incredibly grateful for their unique perspectives, but especially for their patience with me as I learned to listen and try to understand them better.

These two have taught me so much, and I’m sure there’s more to come, but I want to touch on a few specific things Madeline and Amanda have taught me that I plan on carrying with me. Starting with Madeline, she has taught me some very practical things like how to organize my email, how to plan ahead better, and the wonders of Canva. She has also taught me to not be afraid to ask for what I want or need in life, that it’s okay to be direct and say what I mean rather than tip toe around it. Lastly, she’s helped me to understand how to live life to its fullest and how to invite others into the fun as well. Next, Amanda has shown me how to radically care for others and to make sure nobody feels left behind. She has shown me what a real thirst for righteousness looks like, and to not only notice people’s gifts and goodness, but to TELL them. Now for my favorite, Amanda has taught me the beauty of simple child-like joy, from enjoying hot cocoa, to remembering we have cookies in the house, to getting giddy about going to the library, she reminds me to embrace and celebrate all the little joys that life brings.

I know there are so many other things that have been written on my heart from these wonderful women after living with them for almost a year. I don’t think someone can go through intentional communal living and not be impacted in one way or another, and I hope to take what I’ve learned into future living situations and relationships to help foster good community. It’ll be hard to say goodbye, but I can’t wait to miss their laughs and presence.

Categories: Volunteer Stories

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