Change & Growth
((Preface: I have been speaking Spanish so often recently and for some reason my brain is really in Spanish mode today AND I haven't taken an English class in almost a year so if some of my sentences don't make sense please give me grace :))
As my first year in DCLS comes to a close, I have reflected a lot on what the past nine months have held. With a little under three weeks until Graduation, I figured I should write this now before I'm overwhelmed with team activities, a lot of 'lasts', and goodbyes. This time has been incredibly bittersweet. I'm more than excited to be at home with my friends and family, but I'm really going to miss the community around me.
I've come to see a lot of change in the past nine months, not only just in myself. I obviously am much different than when I arrived, but I've also come to see a lot of change in my friends. In my surrounding classmates. In the community around me. It's crazy to look back and see all the differences time has made.
For one, my relationships on outreach have become much deeper. I never thought this would actually be true, but those relationships have really turned into friendships. We review our weeks together, check in about life challenges and how we can help the other, and laugh a lot about the little things. It warms my heart with every single encounter. Especially with my Saturday site, Imperial Courts- I have had the privilege of growing deeper with a bunch of residents over the past few months. Many of them only speak Spanish, so I'm the one they go to with needs, prayer requests, and questions. It has allowed me to improve my Spanish skills, but more importantly reach people that normally can't be because of the language barrier.
Another outreach life lesson: you never know who is watching you (in a good way!!). I go to MacArthur Park every Wednesday, and we roll wagons of snacks and waters around and talk to people. Two weeks ago, we were doing our thing, talking to people, when two older gentlemen stopped me and called me over. I brought snacks and big smiles and we talked about Los Angeles, life, and they gave me loads of wisdom that I was not expecting. As we were wrapping up, one of the men, Mike, stopped me and said, "You are so different. You walked over here to two black men and just sat and talked with your bright spirit. You're different because you're sitting here just being available. Keep doing that." It makes me sit back in awe because they called ME over, and blessed me more than I could ever bless them. You never know who is watching you, and you never know what little conversations and encounters can result in.
I have seen so much growth in the past nine months in myself and in my classmates. I can definitely say for certain that we are all walking out more confident, more compassionate, and more selfless than when we walked in. I'm excited to see everyone's next steps and next journeys, knowing that if anyone of us missteps, we're all right behind each other to help them back up.
Like I said, life has been incredibly bittersweet. It scares me and excites me to think about what's to come. But I am SO SO ready for it.
Also! I turned nineteen a week ago (woot woot)!!! I woke up that morning and read my Bible to find my verse of the year:
Psalms 65:11
"You crown the year with Your goodness; your carts overflow with plenty"
How incredible is that?! It's only been a week, and I can definitely say that it's already been full of His goodness and He's overflowed me with so much support, love, and compassion.
Hopefully I'll be able to update again before Grad, but who knows.
Until then.....
All my love,
Ry
As my first year in DCLS comes to a close, I have reflected a lot on what the past nine months have held. With a little under three weeks until Graduation, I figured I should write this now before I'm overwhelmed with team activities, a lot of 'lasts', and goodbyes. This time has been incredibly bittersweet. I'm more than excited to be at home with my friends and family, but I'm really going to miss the community around me.
I've come to see a lot of change in the past nine months, not only just in myself. I obviously am much different than when I arrived, but I've also come to see a lot of change in my friends. In my surrounding classmates. In the community around me. It's crazy to look back and see all the differences time has made.
For one, my relationships on outreach have become much deeper. I never thought this would actually be true, but those relationships have really turned into friendships. We review our weeks together, check in about life challenges and how we can help the other, and laugh a lot about the little things. It warms my heart with every single encounter. Especially with my Saturday site, Imperial Courts- I have had the privilege of growing deeper with a bunch of residents over the past few months. Many of them only speak Spanish, so I'm the one they go to with needs, prayer requests, and questions. It has allowed me to improve my Spanish skills, but more importantly reach people that normally can't be because of the language barrier.
Another outreach life lesson: you never know who is watching you (in a good way!!). I go to MacArthur Park every Wednesday, and we roll wagons of snacks and waters around and talk to people. Two weeks ago, we were doing our thing, talking to people, when two older gentlemen stopped me and called me over. I brought snacks and big smiles and we talked about Los Angeles, life, and they gave me loads of wisdom that I was not expecting. As we were wrapping up, one of the men, Mike, stopped me and said, "You are so different. You walked over here to two black men and just sat and talked with your bright spirit. You're different because you're sitting here just being available. Keep doing that." It makes me sit back in awe because they called ME over, and blessed me more than I could ever bless them. You never know who is watching you, and you never know what little conversations and encounters can result in.
I have seen so much growth in the past nine months in myself and in my classmates. I can definitely say for certain that we are all walking out more confident, more compassionate, and more selfless than when we walked in. I'm excited to see everyone's next steps and next journeys, knowing that if anyone of us missteps, we're all right behind each other to help them back up.
Like I said, life has been incredibly bittersweet. It scares me and excites me to think about what's to come. But I am SO SO ready for it.
Also! I turned nineteen a week ago (woot woot)!!! I woke up that morning and read my Bible to find my verse of the year:
Psalms 65:11
"You crown the year with Your goodness; your carts overflow with plenty"
How incredible is that?! It's only been a week, and I can definitely say that it's already been full of His goodness and He's overflowed me with so much support, love, and compassion.
Hopefully I'll be able to update again before Grad, but who knows.
Until then.....
All my love,
Ry
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