The Journey Ahead

It’s strange to think that I’m already writing my last reflection. I dug through the files on my laptop to find my first one, and it’s funny looking back on my expectations almost a year ago knowing now how much more this year ended up being. I started my FrancisCorps journey hoping to rekindle in myself a love for service, and that most certainly has happened. But what has surprised me is that this rekindling has not only come from my days at PreK. During my winter and spring breaks, I spent time with each of my community members at their respective service sites. My experiences while service site hopping allowed me to better understand the experiences of my community members and showed me the many ways in which I can offer myself to strengthen and support my neighbors. While next year I will no longer be a FrancisCorps volunteer, I can still offer my gifts and talents at shelters, food pantries, after school programs, hospice homes, and, of course, schools as a part-time volunteer. I have not just rekindled my love for service this year; I have fallen in love with her all over again.

So, where do I go from here? The surface-level answer is northern Virginia, where I will be attending graduate school to get my PhD in physics. But if that were the only answer I could give, then I wouldn’t have gotten anything out of my FrancisCorps experience. At the end of June, I will leave Syracuse having gained a supportive community, a deeper understanding of God’s love for me, a greater respect for Lady Poverty, and countless memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I move on to the next chapter not with fear or sorrow, but with excitement, knowing that I am ready for whatever God plans to throw at me. Of course, I will miss Syracuse and the many people I leave behind, especially my students. It’s hard not to get emotional thinking about leaving. But I also know that I cannot stay here forever. Just as my students must move on to kindergarten, I must also move on to the next chapter in my life. God has so much in store for me, and I am now more prepared than ever for the journey set before me. Words cannot describe how incredibly grateful I am to be a member of FC 24, for the blessing that this year has been and for all of those who have supported me on this journey (including you, dear reader), so I will spare you all my rambling attempts and just say thank you. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you and God bless.

Categories: General

← Back to Stories