Unfortunately, I think I'm now an adult

I can tell quite a bit about how my health history has recently gone by some of the data from this blog. Such as: how long it has been since I last posted, how many times I've even logged in, or how many other people's posts I had backlogged to catch up on from other friends and YASCers. But I'm catching up a little. Also, to be fair, I've had a couple other large things that had taken more of my time and energy than I expected. Or, perhaps, they are taking the same amount of time and energy they always would have, but I no longer have the reserve pool of such things like I did before my health shifted. Things that once were a small part, are now large hurdles, and sometimes I can't make it through, much less on to other things as I used to. That's a bit beside the point though, and not actually what I came to write about today. I find myself frustrated with how focused I seem to be on all of this lately, and while it's not something I can safely ignore,...

So, in the last few blogs, I've found myself reflecting most often on things of a cultural and political nature. While it has been mentioned to me that these are still interesting topics to certain folks I know read this blog, I find myself somewhat hesitant to post about them.  I am wary at the outset because, in large part, I find opinions to be very personal, and I am increasingly aware how the connected anonymity of the internet lends sharp brutality of rhetoric where I would much prefer compassion or silence, and I do not exclude myself from this indictment. I find myself frustrated and heartbroken at what I witness happening, and what is being done about it by myself, my friends, and others.  I know that, often, some excellent writing has transpired from the "greats" in times of righteous indignation, and that their prose has become inspirational and legendary and, some times, life altering for those who read what they capture in words. The truth is, however, I am...

One year ago today, I arrived in Brazil. I was hauling way too much stuff, probably, and felt both tired and terrified, definitely. The suitcases before Brazil There are so many good things that have happened because of my presence in Brazil, and I mean to say that I have been the surprising recipient of most of those, not that I made such an impact myself. I did not go to save or rescue anyone, because that wasn't my job in the first place. In fact, it never has been, because I would be at a grand total of 0 if it had. The act of saving and rescuing in the Christian tradition is something I depend on God for, and while I do as I feel called in order to help, I recognize that, ultimately, God has the power to do it with or without me, and that my actions are never the true tipping point. Brazil is an amazing place, where I learned and loved and received so much friendship and lessons on what a response to the Gospel looks like.  Not to mention I found it to be beautiful. Howe...

So, as of yesterday, I've been back home for 2 weeks. 2 very weird, long, strange, jam-packed weeks.  And I'll be leaving in 2 days (before 6am, no less) for what supposedly is the last step of my YASC journey. I don't think I can accurately describe what it feels like, what it means to be home. But I do know that, more than any other single thing, most people have opened a conversation with "Welcome home! How was your trip?" For the first part, I am glad.  I am grateful and lucky to come back to such supportive communities, friends, and family, but that second question causes something else.  While I try my best to keep my smile outwardly the same, inside I have a furrowed brow, a head tilt, and a mental voice saying "Really?!?!?" Because, for starters, this wasn't a "trip".  Also, can anyone easily sum up an entire year that is inherently life altering, while it's still happening? You don't ask a mom at her kids first birthd...

Hello there, everyone! I'm sorry that the title is a little bit click-bait-y (where articles on social media use titles that nearly force you to open them to read more, even for really simple things). It is both true and also misleading, but I'm not actually going to directly continue to answer the obvious questions that you might be thinking right away. This is, in part, because the answer required a bit of set up to explain, and, primarily, because I really don't have too many ways to try and keep you interested except to try things like this and hold the resolve until the end. But I will tell you right now, I'll also be putting stuff at the end just so you can't immediately skip down to get an easy answer.  *insert evil laugh here* mwahahahaha Back in the middle of May I was in the midst of my health struggle, but had been asked to attend the Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN) conference held in Ponce, Puerto Rico.  I had accepted many weeks prior, before ...