My mom was busy. Dad spent a lot of time traveling and was away from home frequently. Mom was raising three children, balancing schedules, and doing all of the other things necessary to run a household. Somehow, amid all of this, she always found time to serve others and to encourage us to do so as well. Sometimes it was as simple as helping out a neighbor, while other times her service to others was more involved. I remember riding along with her as we delivered lunch and dinner to elderly, homebound individuals as part of the Meals on Wheels Program.
In 1994, as a sophomore at James Madison University, Father John Grace encouraged me to participate in a spring break trip to Mexico. It was an idea spearheaded by Father John to provide college students an opportunity to spend break learning about another culture and serving others. With encouragement from my parents, I made the trip that changed my life. Since that trip, I've attempted to make service to others an integral part of my life. There are selfish reasons that accompany my desire to help those in need. I enjoy it immensely. I feel better about myself and the world in which I live. There is great joy in being useful and meeting others who feel a calling to serve.
From 2004-2006, Cristina and I served as Peace Corps Volunteers in Honduras, work that inspired the book Paradise in Front of Me and the creation of this blog. The photo on the right is from Cuyalí. My counterpart, Erica, is seen about to enter a home. I accompanied her as we walked door to door ensuring that every child had been vaccinated against a variety of illnesses. For two years, I had the opportunity to learn from and assist the beautiful people of Honduras. I watched as people in El Paraíso, many of whom had so little, would drop everything to help out a friend and neighbor. There are several stories in the book that demonstrate their unbelievable desire to give. Their example, and my opportunity to serve as a volunteer, cemented in me the absolute joy that comes from serving our fellow man.
Life is busy. It's busier for some more than others. I make excuses as to why it's inconvenient to help my neighbor, give time to an event at my church, or simply donate blood. Excuses are easy to find in our hectic world. Then, I find time, and I remember exactly why the simple act of serving others is so fundamental to a fulfilling, happy life.
The picture on the left is of my two girls. From the inspiration of my mom, life has come full circle. Now, my daughters accompany me as we volunteer twice a month with Meals on Wheels. They place the food in the basket and bring it to the door. They are greeted with enormous smiles and words of gratitude. I want them to soak in these moments, to recognize the gratitude on the faces of the clients and to be overwhelmed with the joy that comes from living a life of service.
In 1994, as a sophomore at James Madison University, Father John Grace encouraged me to participate in a spring break trip to Mexico. It was an idea spearheaded by Father John to provide college students an opportunity to spend break learning about another culture and serving others. With encouragement from my parents, I made the trip that changed my life. Since that trip, I've attempted to make service to others an integral part of my life. There are selfish reasons that accompany my desire to help those in need. I enjoy it immensely. I feel better about myself and the world in which I live. There is great joy in being useful and meeting others who feel a calling to serve.
From 2004-2006, Cristina and I served as Peace Corps Volunteers in Honduras, work that inspired the book Paradise in Front of Me and the creation of this blog. The photo on the right is from Cuyalí. My counterpart, Erica, is seen about to enter a home. I accompanied her as we walked door to door ensuring that every child had been vaccinated against a variety of illnesses. For two years, I had the opportunity to learn from and assist the beautiful people of Honduras. I watched as people in El Paraíso, many of whom had so little, would drop everything to help out a friend and neighbor. There are several stories in the book that demonstrate their unbelievable desire to give. Their example, and my opportunity to serve as a volunteer, cemented in me the absolute joy that comes from serving our fellow man.
Life is busy. It's busier for some more than others. I make excuses as to why it's inconvenient to help my neighbor, give time to an event at my church, or simply donate blood. Excuses are easy to find in our hectic world. Then, I find time, and I remember exactly why the simple act of serving others is so fundamental to a fulfilling, happy life.
The picture on the left is of my two girls. From the inspiration of my mom, life has come full circle. Now, my daughters accompany me as we volunteer twice a month with Meals on Wheels. They place the food in the basket and bring it to the door. They are greeted with enormous smiles and words of gratitude. I want them to soak in these moments, to recognize the gratitude on the faces of the clients and to be overwhelmed with the joy that comes from living a life of service.