home

with all of this warm weather it's been hard to wrap my head around the fact that christmas is just around the corner..one thing that definitely brought me some christmas cheer was caroling in jackson square..a tradition that has been going on for many years in new orleans..a few of my roommates and i joined about 8,000 other carolers on a chillier night than most and enjoyed the candlelight and christmas tunes..

caroling in jackson square-angels we have heard on high

and as i cross things off on my packing list (this is my must have for any trip) i am considering many things...how nice it will be to be home, back in pa with that wintery wind in my face..spending time with my family and friends...it'll be comforting to be back at my church and to experience the beautiful christmas decorations..and to embrace all that is home....but i will miss many things..this lively city and all the uniqueness that comes with it..the russle of the leaves that are still on the trees..although it will be nice to have time to relax i will miss my work and those who i serve...last but certainly not least i will miss my roommates who often provide me with laughter and inspiration..

"home is wherever we are..if there is love there too"

jack johnson

peace & love
jillian

trusting

i've been feeling a bit lost lately...like i'm floating around waiting for the wind to blow me in the right direction..searching for...something from god..or maybe meaning for this occasional disorientation...  

and for a person that tends to enjoy having some kind of plan in mind..at least to adhere to..tweak..or even to revamp entirely.. it has made me feel uneasy.. and to be honest i often find myself in this position more often than i would like to admit...i'll have these wonderful meaningful beautiful blissful days..(and have had more serving in this city than ever before)..and then all of a sudden..out of the blue it's as if i wandered into some heavy fog..thrown off balance and questioning things i thought i was so certain of

maybe it's a way for god to remind me who is truly in control when i feel like i know exactly what i'm doing and where i'm going (notice all of those i statements)..and although i completely hate when this happen i always end up with a clearer view...after i've taken a while to let god show me what is in store for me and my life..he has a detailed picture of something so spectacular for all of us that it's a shame that i often struggle to follow his guidance opposed to the flawed sketch i make for myself..

"count your blessings..once you realize how valuable you are..and how much you have going for you..the smiles will return..the sun will break out..the music will play..and you will finally be able to move forward with the life that god intended for you with grace..strength..courage..and confidence" og mandino

peace & love,

jillian

updates

"grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled..as to console...to be understood..as to understand...to be loved..as to love" saint francis

just to update all of you on a few things

if you're interested in making a contribution to my ministry this year the address has changed..please send to..
   Kathy Lee (YAV Program)
   Presbytery of South Louisiana
   4505 S. Claiborne Ave.
   New Orleans, LA 70125
(please put my name in the memo line)

also if your in the mood to read some of my favorite quotes and catch a glimpse of this beautiful city...here is my tumblr account..... http://musingsbyjem.tumblr.com/ 

peace & love

jillian

things i'm loving right now

the zoo...where the kiddos and i explored a few days ago...the audubon zoo had me at hello when i heard there were sea lions (my absolute favorite without a doubt)..

satsumas..they're quickly becoming my new favorite fruit (in case you never had the chance of tasting these delicious things..it's kind of a cross between a tangerine and a clementine) one word...yum!

my new tutoring challenge....which involves ACT prep with one of the seniors that attends the church where i'm working

the bean gallery..a coffee shop that is quickly winning my heart with their perfectly blended frozen mocha coffees and outdoor seating..(which is also the back drop for my ACT prep tutoring sessions)

a spur of the moment visit...from a dear friend

my hammock..where i take the best naps (usually accidental ones)..have the best thoughts..and enjoy the best trees

"after all the ups and downs and shuffling around..i have found my home away from home..and i couldn't be more happy..excited..inspired..thankful..blessed"

peace & love

jillian

clarity

"all journeys have secret destinations of which the travelor is unaware"

a little bit ago my roommates and i packed up our things and headed to austin, texas for our fall retreat..we stayed at austin presbyterian theological seminary and were joined by the san antonio yavs and americorps volunteers living in austin this year...those few days brought many things.. fun.. laughter.. clarity..and bliss..

exploring the capital building and the city itself was one of my favorite things along with looking down on lake austin and experiencing the austin powwow..

i enjoyed the atmosphere austin had to offer and felt rejuvenated when the weekend drew to a close..it reassured me that i was in the right place this year..

all in all it was exactly what i needed..even though i didn't know it quite then..and that's kind of what god does..stays a few steps ahead of you..and all i have to remember to do is trust..

peace & love

jillian

chit chats

the past few weeks i've noticed that it all comes down to the interactions we have with one another..people often can surprise you and usually have something wonderful hiding up their sleeve...now anyone that has stayed in new orleans for more than a day or two has discovered that new orleanians love talking and sharing stories..and these past couple of weeks have lead to some amazing ones..

the children i tutor always have a way of brightening my day..their curiosity often leads to chatting about those simple joys in life that we tend to overlook...and how i've forgotten how undeniably wonderful it is to read a story with someone.. 

                     

i've been able to establish more relationships with the seafarers..those conversations always broaden my horizons..i am constantly learning new and interesting things about their culture and how it has had an impact on their view on life and their faith..and more times than not it reminds me how thankful i am to have my loved ones just a phone call away..

a few weekends ago a couple of my roommates and i enjoyed live music and delicious food at the crescent city blues and bbq festival..while enjoying the gorgeous weather (yes i'm still wearing short sleeved shirts and flip flops) and the lovely tunes we stumbled upon some amazing art..one artist in particular, Holly E. Sarre, spoke with us until it was time to shut down..giving us the inside scoop on mardi gras, restuarants to check out, and some good advice on life..

at the end of that night we were all sitting down on the lawn soaking up our contentment in the city when a man was pushed up to us in his wheelchair..he asked if he could free style a poem for us..saying we were pleasantly surprised is an understatement..he came up with the most moving poem i've had the pleasure of hearing..it was all about three queens that wanted to explore the world for a bit..the part that stayed with me the most was when he said "i just want you to know you're beautiful and full of light" the entire poem brought tears to our eyes..after he was finished he simply wished us a beautiful night and left...it surely was a night i will not soon forget..

"maybe it's all utterly meaningless..maybe it's all utterably meaningful..if you want to know which..pay attention to what it means to be truly human in a world that half the time we're in love with and half the time scares the hell out of us..any fiction that helps us pay attention to that is religious fiction..the unexpected sound of your name on somebody's lips.the good dream..the strange coincidence..the moment that brings tears to your eyes..the person who brings life to your life..even the smallest events hold the greatest clues" frederick buechner

peace & love

jillian

checkmate

"realize that now..in this moment of time..you are creating your next moment..that is what's real" sara paddison

peace & love

jillian

stay positive

"since the world has existed..there has been injustice..but it is one world..the more so as it becomes smaller..more accessible..there is just no question that there is more obligation that those who have should give to those who have nothing" audrey hepburn

i think it's easy to get absorbed with the amount of despair that surrounds us..it's an energizing feeling to have that urge to "save the world"..but equally discouraging when you realize you are in fact only one individual capable of only doing so much..it can be overwhelming..it's easy to lose hope in humanity when you realize how much there is still to do in the world and even around the corner you're strolling on..

but i try to remind myself maybe i am in the best possible position to change a little bit of that..even if i am only one person..maybe i could make a difference with another individual...

so it was quite fitting i found this lovely little message in a coffee shop a few days ago..and maybe that was the writer's own hope..that it would brighten another person's day...

well done

peace & love

jillian

understandings

"where you invest your love you invest your life" mumford and sons


well i think it's about time i filled y'all (just kidding the south hasn't converted me just yet) in with what exactly i'm doing at my placements this year...as some of you know i'll be serving at two different sites..global maritime ministries and mid city ministries...

global maritime ministries
the port of new orleans is the center of the world's busiest port complex..approximtely 6,000 ocean vessels annually move through new orleans on the mississippi river..while more than 700,000 passengers sail through on cruise ships each year..the organization serves international seafarers from more than 70 countries and port related personnel....i'll be getting the opportunity to meet with countless individuals around the world hearing and sharing stories and experiences..this ministry strives to meet the spiritual..emotional..and physical needs of seafarers and maritime workers through bible studies..prayer times..while also offering a place for counseling..encouragement..and christian fellowship..


mid city ministries
louisiana is currently the 49th worst state in the country in which to raise a child..in order to do their part in improving the education aspect of this..the organization offers an after school tutoring program..which i will specifically be working with the kindergarten students..i will also helping at a "sister" church in hollygrove with their after school tutoring program..and assisting at a local charter school where i'll be doing one on one tutoring with 2nd graders..along with my tutoring responsibilities i'll be mentoring one or two children..as well as leading bible studies every wednesday nights with the youth in the church..

i'm happy to report my first few weeks of work have been wonderful..a bit slow at first..but quickly picking up..and i'm ready to dive in head first..

and in case you're in a musical mood today..i attached a video or two of jon cleary..his next gig is at the sydney opera house performing for a sold out crowd..enough said...a few of my roommates and i went out yesterday for a lovely new orleans style night..beginning with jaw dropping live music and ending with tasty beignets from none other than cafe du monde..

and if that doesn't strike your fancy...

peace & love

jillian



curiosities

just if any of you are interested..attached is a link i thought was pretty eye opening..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-quigley/katrina-pain-index-2011-r_b_932822.html?ref=fb&src=sp

peace & love

Jillian

ponderings

i believe..

that spending an afternoon under a tree is just about the most relaxing thing to do..
      (audubon park is perfection to say the least)

that reading handwritten letters will always put a smile on my face..

in being a regular at a local coffee shop..
      (still in search of my perfect nook)

in beauty coming from destruction..

that an unexpectant smile can turn an entire day around..

in beautiful trees lining sidewalks and parks..
      (which can be spotted just about everywhere in this city)

in strangers becoming friends..

and i believe in having a tremendous amount of hope in even the smallest things you do..

"too often we under-estimate the power of a touch..a smile..a kind word..a listening ear..an honest compliment..or the smallest act of caring..all of which have potential to turn a life around" leo buscaglia

peace & love

jillian

orientation musings

I recently returned to NOLA from spending the week in Stony Point, NY for YAV orientation..the week was full of seminars..group discussions.. and one of my favorite things..laughter...learning about globalization, culture shock, and many other issues dealing with mission work was beneficial for preparing for my upcoming year and work that I hope to do in the future..but I must say the thing that stuck with me the most is the individuals I was surrounded by that week..hearing story after story of different YAV alum's experiences was thought provoking to say the least...by spending my time with numerious other YAVs serving their year nationally and internationally I consider myself blessed to have met such an inspiring group of people..it was comforting to be in a place where I was encompassed with such love and adoration for helping others..so while keeping me in your thoughts and prayers I hope we can all take in the larger picture and also include those around the world..since it is often a small world we live in..

"the most valuable places to be in the world..are in someone's thoughts..in someone's prayers..and in someone's heart.."

peace & love

jillian

reflections

i've never been too great at goodbyes..or the first hello when meeting someone new for that matter..and seeing that both of these things are running back to back right now makes me nostalgic for the past and anxious of the future..

i truly enjoy the middle of things..it's where i'm most comfortable and content..with no ending in sight..because for me..more often than not..tears follow goodbyes..and hellos come along with those pesky..nervous butterflies..but i realize every exciting and inspiring experience must begin when others end..so even though i can't begin to describe how sad i am about leaving my friends and family..i'm equally eager to meet the new people that will be in my life in new orleans..

as some of you may know..i absolutely love collecting quotes..so i leave you with this one..

"You can kiss your family and friends good-bye,
and put miles between you,
but at the same time you carry them with you
in your heart, your mind, your stomach,
because you do not just live in a world
but a world lives within you." Frederick Beuchner

peace & love

jillian

hopes

As I'm busy tying up loose ends and packing my suitcases I have a steady stream of about a thousand different hopes and plans for my upcoming year.  For those of you who don't know I will be living and volunteering this upcoming year in the beautiful city of New Orleans with the Young Adult Volunteer Program run through the Presbyterian Church (USA).  I am still not sure of my exact volunteer placement but will know for certain within the next few days.

As part of my commitment, I need to raise 6,500 in gifts and pledges for my year of service.  If you would like to make a donation of support, checks can be made out to the Presbytery of South Louisiana with my name in the memo line and sent to the following address:

Kathy Lee
YAV Coordinator
Presbytery of South Louisiana
3700 Gentilly Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70122

Throughout this entire process of preparing myself for a year long mission i can't help but be reminded of a certain church hymn I have always held dear to my heart.  To me, The Summons has always struck me as the epitome of what God calls us to do; trust in him and serve those in need.  I would like to sincerely thank everyone for your support whether it be in gifts, prayers, or friendship I truly appreciate everything you all have to offer. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you here.

peace and love,
Jillian