The World at Large

The title of this post really has nothing to do with its contents, but I have always disliked titling things and I usually just write something random to fill in the blank spot. 

Anyway, today began with a heap of frustration, a bit of panic, and a great dose of homesickness. I had planned on leaving for Chaclacayo this morning and getting down to business, so to speak. Most of yesterday evening was spent waiting for today to come; for the real reason of this journey to begin. But of course, God had different plans for me. I woke up early; ready to ship off to the ‘rural’ part of Lima. I had gotten everything ready, and then, for reasons too boring and long to discuss, I had to make the decision to stay another night in Miraflores. I was disappointed and half-heartedly and most stubbornly decided that I’d sit at Starbucks all day and stream old episodes of random TV shows. Then, I prayed. I asked that God please provide for me; I was feeling such a sting of misery and loneliness that I almost considered packing off and shipping back to the US; to my town, my family, my friends - my life. 

As I sat outside drinking a spot of coffee (does that sound rather British of me? -That’s for you, Ashley) I realized I hadn’t eaten and that I needed to purchase a plug converter (a three-pronged one to fit a two-pronged outlet). I found a restaurant (yes, they were playing Beyonce and that is why I ate there) and across the way (actually it was across this six-street round intersection - crossing it was basically life threatening) I noticed some kind of big computer store. I entered and quickly realized I’d find no plug converter there. As I walked away, I saw a market type place and as soon as I realized the beautiful things there were ridiculously overpriced (I won’t be that naive tourist), I saw a tourist information booth. (As I side note, I hope the gross detail of this blog doesn’t bore you.) I asked the lady where I could find a converter. And yes, I spoke a bit of Spanish and she tried her best to understand my broken speech… and succeeded. She then gave me very clear directions. However, the streets of Lima are anything but logical. They are nearly all one-way and they’re curvy and the names change about every three blocks. It is very easy to get lost and I hadn’t been to that part of Miraflores yet. Suddenly, as I walked briskly to the store she’d told me of, I realized there was not a fair, touristy-looking person to be found - besides me, of course. To say I felt out of my comfort zone is an understatement. I continued on (I really needed that converter) and found a nice man in the store to help me. Yes, he spoke Spanish and yes, we communicated quite efficiently. I got my beautiful, useful, orange converter for two soles and fifty centimos (which is about one dollar).

While I’d been hurrying to this store (which, by the way, was like a golden Ikea for electronics, with the multiple stories and staircases, etc.), I noticed an ATM enclosed by glass walls with a door that locked from the inside. I’d decided to stop by after my trip into this Peruvian Ikea and as I was thinking of how many soles to get, I accidentally took out sixty dollars. Yes, I’m kind of rather ditsy sometimes. I was mad; what was I supposed to do with dolares?! I took out some soles and decided I’d find that Western Union building I saw yesterday… somewhere.. to see if they would help me out with this issue. Then, much to my satisfaction, I saw a man in a bright yellow vest that had a $ symbol with the Lima crest above it. He was standing with a police officer (they’re everywhere here, and I like Peruvian cops much better than US cops… no offense) while counting money. I realized he would trade with me. :)

Now I have everything I need; soles, a converter, and a healthy dose of God-given confidence.

These accomplishments may not seem big to you, but I feel rather feather-like now, because today I was more than a big-eyed newcomer. I got things done and I spoke in Spanish and I stayed safe and sound. I feel like of like a grown up. Let’s see if I stay this confident tomorrow, my real first day at Villa La Paz.

Sigh. Lots of energy went towards this blog - can you tell? ;) Time for a rest. 

Peace and love to you!

I haven’t been in Lima for twenty four hours yet, and already I have so much to say. Most importantly though, I have read today’s readings thrice now, the most recent time (I was sitting in a huge cathedral in Miraflores, Lima) was when the message of the first reading hit home. It reads as follows:

How long, O LORD? I cry for help
but you do not listen!
I cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not intervene.
Why do you let me see ruin;
why must I look at misery?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and clamorous discord.
Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets,
so that one can read it readily.
For the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;
if it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late.
The rash one has no integrity;
but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.

-Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4

I first read this reading last Sunday and then again on Thursday or Friday of last week. Both times I thought of what I would see in the poverty-stricken parts of Peru. Ruin and misery, violence (or the effects of violence), etc. I did not understand God’s message, then, when he says to write clearly the vision. I wondered what this meant for me… what vision this could be and how it would “press on to fullfilment.”

I am fully aware of the Living Word of God. He speaks through these words we read daily or weekly, and tonight I heard his voice clearly. I know, now, just what He wants me to know for today. The ruin, misery, violence, strife, and clamorous discord in this reading is not just what I will find externally; on the contrary, this discord is in me. I have been living with such strife internally, and now is the time to face it, examine it, and, as I have learned from this reading, write it all down clearly. This won’t be easy for me, but I know it must be done. 

I am not sure what I will and will not disclose on this blog, but I do know that writing clearly means not sugar-coating anything, or leaving out emotions or detail of this journey that aren’t pretty. And I know now, to be perfectly honest, that whatever path I have embarked upon has been in the works for awhile now, and the past few years of my life have been leading to this. I believe that now, or in the next months, it will “press on to fulfillment and will not disappoint.” The destruction and violence I have faced within myself as well as what I have experienced externally will all, somehow, mean more than pain and strife and lead me to a beautiful place that I will be able to share with others. I will be writing my reflections on this ‘vision;’ my life, and what I see and experience here in Peru.

To change the subject completely (bear with my tired and racing thoughts), I would like to say a few things to those who have made me feel so loved and supported the past few weeks. To my family, to my Catholic community, and to those friends of mine who are also my family… The support I receive from you all means so much, and I love you all dearly. 

“The just one, because of his faith, shall live.”

To wrap this up, I would like to ask you, reader, to please join me in living this verse. Be just and work for justice yourself, wherever you are. Be faithful. Whatever you believe in, let that Being work through you and believe, my friend, believe in more than just you, just what you see, and just what you feel. Believe in God, by whatever name you call Him (or Her). Believe in the power of faith, justice, and love. 

Love to you all.

I obviously have not kept up much with this blog, and I regret that. I will, however, be writing more often and posting lots of great pictures and videos throughout the next months.

In a little over three days, I’ll be boarding a plane headed for Lima, Peru. I will be exploring the country, myself, and my God. I’m not sure what I will find, but I am mostly all the way willing to see what happens. Interestingly enough, I am most apprehensive about what I will find in myself. Who am I really? Who am I becoming? I have a feeling I will be finding out in a very real way over the next several months.

As of now, I am painted with a rainbow of emotions. I am excited - thrilled, really, to begin something that I believe will be beautiful. I am humbled by the way logistics and technicalities have worked themselves out; truly, I am supposed to leave this place, my home, and see another. I am anxious, too, experiencing an all too powerful feeling of dread in these days before I say my goodbyes to my home and my family. To security, comfort, and everything I’ve ever known. And in all of that, somehow my excitement keeps growing.

Over the next six months I hope to update this blog as often as possible. For whomever is interested, I will post pictures, videos, stories, and interesting information about my South American whereabouts.

Til then, farewell!

Dear God,

I know you’ve got your reasons. I know I’m supposed to be cool with them, but I’ve got a few requests. From the mouth of your child, please hear me out.

Please stop people from speaking right before they make promises they can’t or do not intend to keep. Please keep babies safe and warm and fed. Please give a nice home to the cat that meows at my door in the middle of the night. Please give people wisdom and please, please stop them in their tracks before they make detrimental mistakes. Please clarify the minds of people who cannot see the hurt they cause. Please fix the things that break people. Please take over just a little more. Please.

Thanks,

Lily

Snippets of Epic Proportions

I’m starting to think that my somewhat mundane life is frequently injected with the sweet, sweet serum of epic enjoyment. I’m preparing for an overdose of said enjoyment. Monday, my friend Kelly and I will be attending a Dropkick Murphys show at the House of Blues in Dallas. I’m pretty much stoked. I might just have to ship up to Boston.

Watch the video. Do a jig. Feel the joy.

For years I’ve thought about starting a blog, mostly because throughout the day I have random and mildly (or deliciously) comical thoughts. Hopefully I’ll be able to remember them long enough to post for your enjoyment. On occasion, I may throw a deep thought or two in the mix just for the hell of it. Enjoy!