Back to Peru! :]

Sitting in the Miami airport with a 10 hour layover definitely has its perks. Reading, writing and catching up on my favorite television shows are just a few of the things I have been doing...not to mention I'm in Miami trick ;] hahahaha

It seems like I have been waiting for today, January 16th, since I arrived back in America on December 8th. I have gotten so much grief about wanting to return early, my "depressing" last blog post and my comments of being unable to relate to my best friends didn't go over too well. So right now, I am not going to mention any of that. Those closest to me have heard it too many times and frankly, I am sick of saying it. So, this post will not relate to any of the above mentioned items. 

Go ahead and make fun of me all you want, but I have grown so much spiritually during my journey. I have always been a firm believer in God, but beyond that was something I never really understood or cared to explore. It's so hard to explain where I was spiritually last May (before I made the commitment to volunteer in Peru) and where I am now mid-January on my way back to a place I have fallen in love with. Preparing for my trip over the summer, I had the mindset that this was all about what I was doing and how these 9 months was an alternative to my sophomore year of college. It's incredible how 5 months have changed not only my spirituality but my entire life. I have always believed in fate...and that you can't fight it, no matter how hard try. And my journey is a clear example of pure, un-fightable fate. 

There's something that happened to me that most don't or will never understand. Until I actually felt it, I didn't quite believe it either. This could be the reason why I am so overjoyed to return to Peru (or maybe I'm just excited to squeeze Jean Pierre to pieces). I experienced a calling from God. Yeah, yeah, I know. If you don't care to continue reading...that's fine! I am just writing what I feel has happened to me within the last 5 months. There wasn't some biblical phenomenon where I was awoken from sleep. But, over time...I could just feel this pounding in my heart that was never there before. Something inside of me changed and I knew that I was in the right place, at the right time, doing what God had always planned for me. It's true fate that I went from attending Fordham University, discerning a new path at the end of my freshman year, getting on that plane in August to Peru and finding my passion weeks later. You truly can't fight fate :]

"We have been created for greater things. 

Not to just be a number in the world. Not just to go for diplomas and degrees. This work and that work. 

We have been created in order to love and to be loved."

-Mother Theresa

As much as I may not have seemed to enjoy being home, I really did love seeing my friends and family. I have some of the best supporters in the world and wouldn't trade them for anything (Yes, Lizzy and Ellen...that means YOU!) A long term volunteer once told me that there comes a point where I will need to choose between committing my life to serving God and the poor and my friends and family back home. She explained how difficult it was for her living between two worlds and I would know the day when I had to make that choice. After going back to Ohio for one month, I completely disagree. Maybe that is true in most circumstances...but let me tell you something. I have the greatest friends in the entire world. I think I returned to Ohio with more friends than I left with and never, ever will I make that decision. Like all of my friends and family, I am constantly changing. I may be changing in different ways than them after making the commitment to live a life for God and others...but I will always be the same best friend, sister, daughter and future maid of honor ;] that I aways have been. Promise!

I will update everyone as soon as I arrive at the Hogar safely and am greeted Tuesday morning by the greatest children I have ever met in my life <3 I couldn't be more excited for this next part of my journey! As always, I am just livin' and lovin' life. 

I never thought this 6 inch mattress and rickity bunk bed would feel so good ;] I'M FINALLY HOME!

-Teaner :]

"we are all pencils in the hand of God writing love letters to the world....."