On my drive home from work today I called my mom as I usually do, to tell her I was on my way. I told her I had to stop and pick up a couple of things for my friends annual Christmas party on Friday and she asked me to get a loaf of bread. This doesn't seem like that absurd of a request, but we happened to have an entire loaf at home (I just opened it this morning to make some toast). When I pointed this out, she said "but it's not very good bread, we need a new one". When I hung up the phone I started to cry. This whole situation called attention to how wasteful I have the means to be, and it broke my heart! There are so many people in this world, so many of my friends, who have a hard enough time buying one loaf of bread (and when they do, they use it sparingly). When I go to Moldova I am sure I am going to see children on the streets who would give anything they have for that loaf of bread we are able to throw away.
It frustrates me so much to know that I have so many unnecessary things in my life! Last weekend I went through my clothes and found 87 things to give away(and yet I still have a closet full), I have about 10 boxes of books in my basement that won't fit in my room, and untouched foods sit in our fridge. As much as I try to give away, I still feel like I am suffocating in things!
This holiday season I have been desperately trying to find small ways to escape the consumerism that consumes so many of us, but I still rushed out to buy things for a gingerbread making contest. I know there is so much more to life than possessions, and those are the things that I cherish, that bring true joy to my heart. Every day I work with two beautiful little people who have nothing to give but themselves, and yet they always give me life.
The aspect of my mission with Word Made Flesh that excites me the most is that I will have only myself to give. And the people I am working with, they will know how to give of themselves as well. Despite every gift I could give this Christmas, I want to remember that the best gift I can give is myself, because when I give that I am giving everything I have.
God, take all of me. Take my heart, and my soul, and my passion. Take all of my love. And free me from the things that take away from the abundance I have in You. Give me life to the fullest, and let me love as selflessly as You. Amen.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Megan in Moldova
A lot of you have been asking me about my trip to Moldova and what I will be doing there. When and why am I going? What will I be doing? Is Moldova a real country... things to that effect. Although i don't want to make this blog entirely about Moldova, I will probably write about it quite a bit here.
First off, yes. Moldova is a real country. It is not next to Genovia and you don't have to enter through the back of a wardrobe. It is a pretty small eastern European country, landlocked right in between Romania and the Ukraine. The people there speak mostly Romanian, but a lot of folks speak Russian as well (thanks Professor Wagenblast for making my math quizzes in Russian, maybe that will help while I'm there!) The country is mostly agricultural and has tons and tons of sunflower fields (my favorite flower!). However, I will be living in Chinsinau, which is the capitol city, so there probably won't be an abundant amount of easily accessible flowery meadows.
Moldova has also struggled a lot financially since the fall of communism in 1991. In fact, a lot of people are forced to illegally emigrate in order to make enough money to support their families. Due to the poor economic state of the country, a lot of children are abandoned by parents or trafficked. During my time in Moldova, I will be working with children at a state run boarding school. The program I am going with is called Word Made Flesh. It is a pretty spectacular organization that works to bridge the economic gap between people through mutual friendships. During my 4 months abroad I hope to learn from the people of Moldova and convey my love for them as well. I want this to be not just a mission for them, but a growing experience for myself. I want to learn how to love better and I want to know God more fully. I also want to share the love that I have received and to give my time and energy to people who have suffered in different ways than I understand.
I am leaving March 1st and will return sometime around the beginning of July. If you want to learn more about the organization or if you would be willing to sponsor me (I need to raise about $5,000 to go) you can go to the Word Made Flesh website at http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/. In order to donate you need to click the donate button on the left hand side. Once you have filled out all your information, make sure you write my name in the box that asks where you would like your donation to go!
First off, yes. Moldova is a real country. It is not next to Genovia and you don't have to enter through the back of a wardrobe. It is a pretty small eastern European country, landlocked right in between Romania and the Ukraine. The people there speak mostly Romanian, but a lot of folks speak Russian as well (thanks Professor Wagenblast for making my math quizzes in Russian, maybe that will help while I'm there!) The country is mostly agricultural and has tons and tons of sunflower fields (my favorite flower!). However, I will be living in Chinsinau, which is the capitol city, so there probably won't be an abundant amount of easily accessible flowery meadows.
Moldova has also struggled a lot financially since the fall of communism in 1991. In fact, a lot of people are forced to illegally emigrate in order to make enough money to support their families. Due to the poor economic state of the country, a lot of children are abandoned by parents or trafficked. During my time in Moldova, I will be working with children at a state run boarding school. The program I am going with is called Word Made Flesh. It is a pretty spectacular organization that works to bridge the economic gap between people through mutual friendships. During my 4 months abroad I hope to learn from the people of Moldova and convey my love for them as well. I want this to be not just a mission for them, but a growing experience for myself. I want to learn how to love better and I want to know God more fully. I also want to share the love that I have received and to give my time and energy to people who have suffered in different ways than I understand.
I am leaving March 1st and will return sometime around the beginning of July. If you want to learn more about the organization or if you would be willing to sponsor me (I need to raise about $5,000 to go) you can go to the Word Made Flesh website at http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/. In order to donate you need to click the donate button on the left hand side. Once you have filled out all your information, make sure you write my name in the box that asks where you would like your donation to go!
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