Reassuring and Inspiring

Way to go Chile! This makes me proud of my soon-to-be home.


From Thomas Peters, the American Papist:

Talk about a shock to American sensibilities: the government of Chile has launched a national ad campaign to support being pro-life, pro-woman and pro-family! But it gets better, much better. Abortion is illegal in Chile without exception. 67% of Chileans identify as pro-life. Chile also has the lowest maternal mortality rate in Latin America.

Also, on  a related note, this makes me feel a bit better because one of the things I worry about most for our future in Chile is giving birth there! It just scares me. And it shouldn't because I've been reassured many times that medical care is fine and comparable (in most ways) to the U.S. However, going to the hospital in Chile scares me so much that it miraculously heals me! On my last trip there I got an infection or something in my eye and it hurt so bad. It hurt to have light shine into my so I couldn't keep it open but when I closed it, it burned so bad! I ended up being taken to the hospital (because it was a Saturday) and I was so nervous about it (shaking like a leaf) that within five minutes of arriving the irritation was gone! I still had to see the doctor and he probably thought I was a liar... but at least I didn't have to get a needle in my eye or something.

Oh Debt, One Day You Will be GONE

I wasn't going to have a second post in one week having to do with money but with everything going on with the government it's just been on my mind a lot and I cannot resist. Also I found a link from Kyle's blog today to a wittily-written blog called "Punch Debt in the Face." I fell in love. Seriously, check out this guy's website. And thus you get another post about money and finances- both personal and government.


Let's start with personal finances. I went to an amazing college where I got a fantastic education... but it also came with a boatload of debt. No bueno. I think I'm going to be really honest on here and give you actual numbers in hopes that a youngin (or a parent of a youngin) might be reading this and learn a lesson. To go to my private university I took out about $65,000 ($15,000 federal, $50,000 private) in student loans. By the time I graduated the total amount was $85,000(!) from the four years of collecting interest. Now that I'm out of college and in the real world that gives me a payment of $740 every month. That's A LOT for a young college grad. In the past 2+ years I have paid about $22,620 on my student loans yet the net amount of them is still $75,000 because about $12,000 has gone toward interest. If I had known this going in I would NOT have gotten student loans. Yes, I would still have wanted to go to my university but I probably would have A) gone to a community college/public university the first two years and B) worked first to save up at least half of the money for tuition before attending. These loans and their payments are going to be with me for the next 10-15 years unless I make extra payments, which I plan to because when I graduated I set a goal to have them all paid off by MAY 2018 (now that it's in writing in the public sphere I expect to be held accountable).


Now having this much debt (as you're applying for student loans people will tell you this is good debt- that is a lie, no debt is good debt) often times heavily weighs on me and can get me down. However, today is not one of those days. Today I have hope for two main reasons. One: I know I can get this debt paid off because I know people who are doing it and when that day comes it will be GLORIOUS! One example of someone I know paying of debt- my parents! My mom has been doing an awesome job of inspiring me because she's done it herself and my dad gives me endless support and says he's so proud of me with how I'm budgeting now.  Another example- an RD (resident director) I know from college from when I was an RA (resident assistant). I woke up this morning, checked Facebook, and in the news feed was his post about him and his wife paying off the last of their debt just TODAY! Way to go Vince and Cay! You can read about their debt-free journey here. Two: Confidence in God. A couple of weeks ago in Adoration I was talking to the Lord about how much my debts were weighing on me and on my decision to move to Chile. I remembered Matthew 6:24 that says "You cannot serve both God and mammon [money]." I confessed to God in that moment that I feel like my student loans have me enslaved to money and that while I am money's slave I cannot (fully) serve Him. That was two weeks ago. Then last week I was back in Adoration re-reading my journal entry about that and I had a revelation: even while still having these debts I can have freedom in Christ. And that's partly what helped me to decide (again) to move to Chile. In doing that I would be totally placing my finances and trust in God. And fully trusting in Him gives me freedom and releases me from the slave chains of debt. 

The Nation's debt effects us all. (Photo credit)

I know this post is getting a little long, but I have to get in my two-cents about the Government's finances and debt. Over this past month I feel we have been hearing non-stop about the government's budget and their fiscal (ir)responsibility. I believe that as a country, the U.S. has been recklessly spending. Yes, I put a lot of blame on congress and the leaders of our country, but I also blame me and my fellow citizens. Our consumerist and capitalist attitudes (not always a bad thing) led to some (a lot?) of this and it is not until our recent past that we have started letting congress know that we don't like how they're spending money we don't have. We should have held them responsible and spoken out years ago! But what's been done has been done and now congress needs to work together to come up with a serious plan to get us out of the major debt we are in. While I'm glad we averted a government shutdown, what they have come up with so far is not nearly enough. And as I leave you, I encourage you to check out this article which compares the government budget with a family budget and shows in numbers how their reduction of debt by 38.5 billion isn't doing much.

Got a Secret, Can You Keep It?

Song played on Gossip Girl that gets stuck in my head a lot- hope it gets stuck in yours too!

Okay, I don't really have a secret. But I've felt like I've had one for the past few months. And that's because in a way I had to keep my plans about moving to Chile a secret for awhile. Thankfully I was able to talk about it openly with my family and some close friends, but I couldn't say much in Wyoming until it was certain because I couldn't have it getting around the parish that I was leaving when I really wasn't. And gossip seems to get around so easily here! Por ejemplo (for example) after Andrés left I was chatting with a priest in Guatemala on Facebook. This priest usually comes to our parish once a year to put on retreats in the Hispanic community and I guess someone had talking to him about Andrés and me because he thought we were married! The gossip reaches to other countries.


I told the office staff at the beginning of March that I was going to be leaving in August and I figured that I would announce it to the rest of the parish around Easter. However, more and more people are learning about it because I want to tell the world and they've outrightly asked me and I don't want to lie, so I've now started to announce it to my classes. I told an adult class last night and tonight and I have two more to go. I figure I'll wait to share it with all the kiddos until after Easter.  I have to say, it's a relief to get it out there and not have to keep this "secret" that's not really a secret- I mean seriously, most were expecting it and even more so after Andrés visited.


The question you may be asking yourselves is why didn't I tell everybody right away in the beginning of March. And to that I would say good question. One reason is because I don't quite know how these things are done. Honestly, when someone moved or quit their job in one of my parishes growing up they told us about a week before it happened. Now I don't want my departure to be that abrupt but at the same time I don't want to draw out goodbyes and wrapping things up for five months. A second reason is because I just figured the Easter season was good timing. It's already joyous and this would be good news (not oh my, we need to find a new catechist bad news) to add to it. And my last reason kind of related to my second is because I don't like the bad reactions- I just want everybody to be happy!


Through this all I think I've really come to understand the meaning of the word bittersweet. The sweetness is that I get to join the love of my life and start a new chapter and adventure of my life. The bitterness is going to be leaving a wonderful parish and friends and my family. I thought that most of the parishioners would be happy for me but I've had a couple of rough reactions. A couple cried... and that was really hard to take but definitely understandable. Another reaction hard to deal with came from an older lady here who is like a grandma to me. She prays for me and Andrés EVERYDAY (how amazing is she?) and has supported me so much ever since I moved here. I figured she'd be so happy when I told her and that she'd be expecting the announcement but it was very much a surprise to her and it hit her hard that I'd be leaving and going so hard away. Bitter. 


But I can't hide the news and I don't want to. I'm excited! I'm in love! I'm happy! And seriously, as people get used to it they warm to the idea and are happy for me too. I'll miss them and they'll miss me but asi es la vida? 


*Note: Please don't think I'm super prideful in that I think ALL these people are going to miss me and won't know to do without me. My head isn't that big. I'm just recognizing that (for the parishioners anyway) I'm involved in an important part of these people's lives (their spiritual growth, major milestones such as receiving the Sacraments,seeing them weekly in class, etc.) and it's hard to say goodbye.

Healthy Habits Challenge Week Three

Well, we're now into week three of the Healthy Habits Challenge at the office. The first week I did great- I got all the possible points! But then last week, while I was out of town, I stunk it up. I only got 6 out of a possible 24 points. You see, it's not that I was extremely unhealthy while in Ohio, in fact I barely ate out and I ate fruits and veggies. It's just that I didn't do them according to the schedule or what not.


So now the problem is that I need to catch up on points! But no more going out of town so I'm going to kick this challenge's butt! And my co-workers'! I feel confident to speak so freely because as of right now none of them read this blog, hehe. This week's added habit is pretty easy too- I get a point for everyday I floss. I floss everyday already, I love flossing! I know, you probably think I'm a little weird- I'm budget-loving flosser. The real kicker is week two's habit (no eating after 8pm!) which I have to continue on throughout the following weeks. 


It's really hard not to eat after eight. Take right now for example, it 11:35 and I think I'm starving. It's probably more in my mind than my stomach since I know I can't eat and therefore I want to. But it is hard also with my work schedule. I work on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and usually don't eat until afterwards which is like 8 or 9 o'clock. So not only am I going to be healthier by not eating after 8pm but also because I'm going to have to start scheduling my mealtimes better. Thank you healthy habits.

Tengo Ganas

I don't have much to say tonight except que tengo ganas de estar en Chile ahorita! Translation: I want to be in Chile RIGHT NOW! (Except the "right now" I used is the Mexican ahorita instead of the Chilean altiro... I guess you can tell who's been influencing me in the United States, hehe) Sometimes this very strong desire, almost a need, comes over me to be in Chile with Andrés and living a life there. And it's not just all about Andrés. I mean, of course I want to be with him and he's the main reason I'm moving to another country. Yet that "other country" is not just any country, it's Chile. And I truly like Chile. And I like to imagine myself living there. Life there can be good and it will be good. 


When I was in Chile the first time before I even started dating Andrés, I truly liked the country. Often times people would ask me what I like about it and I still don't fully have an answer. It's hard for me to put into words. What I can say is that I like the people. They have a certain characteristic about them that I can't put my finger on but I like them. I like the food- both the types of food they eat (especially the pan con palta y queso (bread with avocado and cheese) that is often served for both breakfast and dinner!) and the schedule of how they eat. I love going to Mass in Chile. I really enjoy Mass in Spanish and most the Masses I've gone to I've been able to understand the homily- it's like the Holy Spirit comes to help me at every Mass! 


It's those things and so much more that build up this desire in me to move there right now, to not have to wait. And there is that great desire to be with Andrés too. So those two aspects combined make it really hard to wait until August sometimes. I remember the last time I was in Chile, Andrés and I were walking around the mall waiting for a movie to start and we were just chatting and people watching and it was then that it hit me: I really liked Chile. I was no longer thinking that if we get married I would have to live in Chile but rather that I truly wouldn't mind it, in fact, I would enjoy it! That was a breakthrough thought for me and I remember sharing it with Andrés that night. I also remember saying that I would miss Chile and not just him, because it would be a year before I would be back (which it will be just over a year before I get back there). These thoughts I had back then were totally true! The proof is in these feelings have on nights such as tonight. Tengo ganas de estar en Chile.


Oh Chile, nos veremos pronto.

56%

It's the beginning of the month, which means it's budget time!!! I know to most people, that would not be very exciting, in fact I think most people dread doing their budgets. But I love it! I love working the numbers and as Dave Ramsey says, "telling my money where to go." So tonight I sat down and I made my budget.


Unfortunately, I was not as excited as I normally am... and that's because my savings for Chile are not looking too hot. Now I want to start by saying everything is okay and will be okay, yet the savings are not quite where I want them to be. I'm at 56% of where I need to be by the beginning of August (not including money for a plane ticket). That means I have four months to raise the rest of that. And it's totally possible and doable, I just wish that by this point I was a little more ahead in this area of savings.


And do you want to know the main reason why I'm bummed that I'm only at 56%? It's really a silly, petty reason. When I first started keeping track of my Chile savings in October, I made this big chart that I hang on my living room wall. The chart is titled "Tamarandrés" (our two names combined) and this visual is a great way I stay motivated. Unfortunately for the past two or three months I have not been able to add anything to the chart because my income has been pretty stagnant and also I had some car troubles that actually took money from the Chile savings. So this month I thought I was going to be able to chart some progress but alas, I was not able to. 


But I'm not going to stay bummed about this. I'm going to keep trusting in God that He will provide the funds and I'm going to be contenta with what I have been given. AND I am going to work hard this month and be proactive to get some extra income. I already have two dog-sitting jobs for the end of the month lined up, so that will help, and tomorrow I'm going to contact my manager from the golf course last year and ask him to hire me back on for this year's golf season. It SNOWED a lot today (when will winter end?!) so the golf course is not open yet, but it definitely should be by the end of the month.


Here comes the big bucks!

Lessons in Trust

I'm back from Steubenville and it was so fantastic! What a blessing from God that I got to go and visit. I shared with you last week about the possibility of putting off the move to Chile for one more year and also about some nerves about visiting my alma mater. Honestly, those two things (mostly the former rather than latter) caused me to worry and stress quite a bit last week. My parish in Wyoming is great, and Padre's deal seemed like a great opportunity, yet I didn't have any peace about taking it. On Tuesday morning I thanked Padre and told him I was honored that he held me in such esteem as to offer the deal, but then I turned it down.

One of the greatest things about this trip to Franciscan is that that decision was totally confirmed by God. I had been going back and forth in my mind and prayer about what God's will was for me. Was I supposed to go to Chile now? Was I supposed to follow my heart? Was I supposed to do what would be financially best? How does happiness play into this? What if we don't find someone to replace me at work? Etc, etc, etc. The night before the career fair I don't think I slept more than two or three hours because these questions were running through my mind and then before the career fair actually started I was little nervous. But then when things got going everything was okay! From that point until now I just felt God's hand on everything. Even if someone doesn't come to the parish from Franciscan, I do know that God will provide someone who will be excellent. And even if He waits to send that person our way till the day before I leave, I will still trust in Him. Also I felt a great sense of peace and excitement over being able to tell all my friends and household sisters that I was going to Chile. And lastly, the decision was confirmed through the words and prayers of many of my friends. God is good.

There's so many things I could share but I'll try and give you a shorter list about the exciting things that happened in just three days.

1. I had many visitors stop by my table at the career fair and there are two people who look really promising. They have a heart for catechesis, they have some experience already and I was able to do a short interview with each one and both went really well!
2. My two friends from Wyoming but had moved to Pennsylvania were able to come visit the University for a couple of hours with their children so we had a great mini-reunion and I was able to show them around campus.
3. I got to have a short visit with three of my old professors. It was great because they remembered me and I miss their classes so much!
4. I met a few of my sisters who are in household present. It was good to see the new faces and meet my sisters of TTM. I got to do night prayer with them and it was so nice. It was a little strange and sad because it wasn't with any of the sisters I remember yet it was still beautiful and wonderful because all the girls I prayed with are still my sisters.
5. I got to visit and catch up with about ten of my sisters from when I was there. This was probably my favorite part because I miss these beautiful, holy ladies so much!
6. I was able to meet up for lunch with four of the people who went to Chile with me the first time to learn Spanish. It was such a blessing to be able to catch up with what's going on in their lives now as well as to remember our good and crazy times in Chile.

And I'll leave you with just one last highlight of my trip. I stayed with my household sister Cruz and her new husband of four months, Josh. It was so good to be able to see them as newlyweds and to see the love and consideration they give to each other constantly. Fortunately for me, they are both musically talented and so we got to have a little praise and worship session in their house! Oh my, I miss being able to worship God this way and in community. Josh played the keyboard, Cruz the guitar and we all sang and praised God right in their living room. Then we ended by praying over each other (which once again was a confirmation from God) and I can't even put into words how much I needed that and how much God blessed me through this night with them. Thank you Cruz and Josh for your hospitality!