Placing My Trust In Him

On my desk in the FrancisCorps office rests a wooden sign with the verse “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) This verse, familiar to many, has always held special significance for me in various moments of my life. One such moment occurred six years ago in mid-April when I wholeheartedly placed my trust in Him — the moment I said yes to FrancisCorps.

Despite having some idea of what lay ahead, there lingered a bit of uncertainty within that yes. Being, as I like to say to many, literally a whole ocean apart and an entire continent away from Hawai’i where I grew up and spent my entire life including my college years, meant stepping into unknown territory, away from home, my big family and the comfort of familiarity. Many wonder if, knowing what I do now, would I still have made the same choice. My answer: oh a thousand times, yes!

Never in a million years would I have thought that the little girl who grew up in Hawai’i would spend a significant portion of her twenties in New York. Many have told me that college will be the most transformative time in my life. I did think that as a new college graduate, but really, the FrancisCorps experience has so far been the most transformative time in my life. For me, my FrancisCorps experience was not only the year I was a volunteer, but it also includes these three years (and counting) of working for FrancisCorps as the Associate Director. Six years ago, when I committed to FrancisCorps, I never imagined I would be in my current role today.

I often find myself reflecting on my FrancisCorps experience. When tasked with sharing a glimpse of it with you all, however, I had no clue where to start or how to even connect the dots. From my volunteer year serving at Catholic Charities Vincent House After School Program to living in community with four incredible women who taught me so much about my self-worth, and now, guiding others interested in FrancisCorps and ministering for the past three years to each volunteer group, there is an abundance of stories to tell.

Do I write about how the children thought I took a plane to work every day? Or how excited I was to see the leaves change, or maybe the first time it snowed in Syracuse? What about how the Friars found it amusing that my family would send me SPAM in my care packages? There were so many moments during that volunteer year. Do I share about being in my last year of graduate school, deep in the job search process, when working for FrancisCorps became an unexpected opportunity? That was another time I put my trust in God. What about the many times I prayed for safe and smooth travels on my way to recruitment events? The list goes on and on. In fact, I could easily fill a novel with them.

Choosing FrancisCorps was a pivotal decision for me, a decision in which I placed all my trust in Him. Had I not followed the path God had laid out for me six years ago, I would have missed out on a myriad of experiences that have profoundly shaped who I am today—all the people I have met, the invaluable lessons learned, personal growth, challenges, how I can preach the gospel and if necessary use words, and countless ‘firsts.’ I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the countless blessings that FrancisCorps has brought into my life. Throughout this journey, the one thing that has always connected all these stories and experiences is this: placing my trust in Him. It’s been reaffirmed time and time again, reminding me that His path often leads to unexpected blessings.

Categories: Alumni Stories

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