Up, Up and Away!

My day began at three am as I woke up restless and unable to sleep. I was afraid that I would sleep through my alarm, miss my bus and in turn miss my flight. The opposite, however, occurred with me waking up full of energy and wide-awake. It always seems to happen that when I have something big or important to do, I find this store of surplus energy helping me function as if I was super woman. These super powers have their limits and even as I power through the day and my checklist I am fully aware that this surplus store of energy is limited in quantity. Without warning it will hit empty and I will be a walking, grumpy zombie. Let’s hope this happens after I arrive at the hotel in Portland saving the general public from a tired and moody Deirdre.  With a good night sleep and a meal or two, I will back to normal ready to face my nerves and feelings of excitement for this new adventure.

            My journey to Portland began before the day even saw its first rays of sunlight. My packed bags were already loaded into the car. All I had to do was get up, shower and head out the door. Before I could leave, however, I received a notification that my flight was delayed. The delay was only fifteen minutes providing me comfort that I would have a few extra minutes to go through security and grab breakfast before take off. I headed to Framingham, MA to catch the 5:30 Logan Express to Logan airport. The bus ride into the city was uneventful which is exactly what one would prefer from a trip on the Mass Turnpike. Thinking I arrived with plenty of time to drop off my bags and go through security I exited the bus calm and relaxed. This feeling of bliss lasted all of ten seconds when I saw the line for baggage drop off. Wrapping around walls and through hallways, the line looked never ending. Fear entered a pit in my stomach. Was I going to make my flight or would I be another stranded passenger featured on the nightly news describing my horrific attempt to fly? With a little luck, a prayer and a quick call home I moved through the line. Passengers leaving earlier were expedited to the front getting me through baggage drop off and off to security with ease. For as many people that were flying, the airline moved the line along and I was able to not only make my flight on time, but grab a muffin to hold me over.

            Just so you are aware, this blog is being written about 35,000 feet in the air. Yes, wifi on airplanes actually works and is quite efficient. We are currently flying over Wisconsin. I strategically picked a window seat when booking my ticket. As a typical east coast girl who has never stepped foot in the Pacific, I wanted the opportunity to at least catch a glimpse of the great lakes, Canada and all those states in the middle. As I fly up, up and away, I am surrounded by fluffy white clouds and strain to catch a peek at the unique landscape that is the Midwest. All I can say is that by the end of this six-hour plane ride I can at least claim that I broadened by horizons and saw some new horizons 35,000 feet in the air!

            When I arrive in Portland, my priorities are finding my luggage, getting to the hotel, grabbing a much needed meal and sleeping the rest of the day away. I want to kick back and relax before I start the week. I will travel to Molalla, Oregon and spend the week at Camp Adams for the JVC Nortwest's orientation week. Throughout the week, I will have no access to technology in order to be introduced to simple living and be able to fully immerse myself in the program and with fellow volunteers.  I am excited to meet my community members, fellow volunteers and program leadership. Am I nervous? Of course! New experiences are exciting and rewarding, but they also come with many challenges. I hope that I have the strength of faith and heart to meet those challenges.
              Since my year of service begins tomorrow, I am filled with anticipation as to what this experience will be like. It makes you think about what my goals are for the year and what I hope to do. Two weeks ago, I attended mass in Falmouth, MA and the priest’s homily focused on the biblical story of the loaves and fishes. Jesus takes the small offering of bread and fish and is able to transform them into enough food for nearly 5,000 people. The priest focused on what we are able to give, what we all have in our baskets. My gifts and talents are not enough to solve every problem present in the world or even in my intended Oregon community, but that does not mean that my basket is worthless. What I have to offer can be multiplied and impact the masses. With the help of Christ, what I have to offer has a greater impact than I can measure. Volunteering isn’t about solving the world problems, but rather taking the gifts you have and investing them in people and society. We go forth to love and serve the Lord. Throughout the next year, it is my hope that my hands on work with the youth of Oregon and my work with JVC Northwest will share with Christ what is in my basket and be a part of his good work.