On the first day, we walked from Christ in the Desert, a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery, and back to Ghost Ranch, about 15. 5 miles. Within the first few hours, I found myself falling into an easy rhythm. Despite the fact that I’d barely readied myself for this experience, among the 32 other pilgrims, the vast  landscapes, and the prayers, silence, and singing, I felt all the stress leading up to this journey melt away. It no longer mattered that I was still not quite settled in to New Mexico life or that my job wasn’t exactly what I’d imagined. Instead, to the tune of synchronized steps in the gravel, we walked, we prayed, and we talked. Life as a pilgrim was simple, and I could finally catch my breath. This was where I was supposed to be, even if I hadn’t stopped long enough to realize it.
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For the next two days, we kept moving in this rhythm. Each 2.5 miles/50 minutes, we would be met by our amazing support team with water, snacks, sunscreen, and the port-a-potty (yes, quite a luxurious trek!). After about 10 minutes, we continued on, sometimes with particular intentions for the next stretch; other times, purely focused on getting to know each other and being present in exactly where we were in our journey.

Day 2 of walking brought us from Ghost Ranch along Highway 94, on a path by the Chama River, past Georgia O’Keeffe’s house, and to the historic village of Abiquiu, where we stayed for our third night in an old boarding school; a total of 17.5 miles.

As I walked, I found myself constantly looking at the ground. The paths we traversed were often uneven, so in an effort not to trip, I watched my feet. However, I realized that by focusing on my feet, I was missing so much around me. The surrounding views were breath-taking, completely different from anything I’m used to, and I was missing it. I was walking right by, focused on keeping myself safe and getting to the end. I vowed the moment I noticed this to remind myself to look up. To take in the views and the people around me – even if that meant I might stumble.

This wasn’t an easy thing to remember, but I kept at, allowing myself to just soak it all in, remaining present and reflecting later. On our last day, Day 3, we walked from Hernandez, NM, through Española, and to our final destination, El Santuario de Chimayó, one of the most visited pilgrimage locations in the US and a significant site associated with healing – 14.5 miles. As we embarked on our last stretch, two miles from our lunch stop to the end in Chimayó, I was surprised that I wasn’t that excited to reach the end. I had enjoyed walking and the simplicity and focus that it had allowed me. I was surprised to recognize that (as cheesy as it sounds) it truly wasn’t about the destination but about the journey that brought us there. If I hadn’t made the intentional effort to look up and take it all in, I would have missed it. Perhaps because I was so unprepared, I had entered into this journey with no expectations, which allowed me to truly just be.  
As I continue reflecting on the three days of the Pilgrimage for Unity, I am setting the challenge for myself during this next year to not forget to look up. If I’ve learned anything from this experience and my fellow Pilgrims, by cultivating a stronger awareness of the world outside of my own, I am sure to find more compassion, peace, and joy than I’ve ever known.

​I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for each person involved in the 2018 Pilgrimage for Unity. It was an experience and a community like no other and one that I will never forget. I felt welcomed, supported, and known. Thank you all for making New Mexico begin to feel like home.

They warned me that I’d want to stay here in Albuquerque, but I didn’t take it seriously until about three months ago! 

February, March, and April were filled with several opportunities for spiritual discernment, exploration, and lots of traveling! I’m happy to have had the OPPORTUNITIES to make the most out of this year and to really challenge myself to seek out what I want this next year to look like. *Truth is… I don’t really know (: but God’s hands are all over it already!

In February, I visited the West coast for the first time, by participating in a visitors weekend at the San Francisco Theological Seminary to visit their campus, as well as the Graduate Theological Union, which SFTF and eight divinity schools are a part of.
 
 In March, I was blessed to have a second trip to the Golden State of California to visit two other seminaries AND visit beloved friends from Texas. In Pasadena, I visited Fuller Theological Seminary and explored Los Angeles area with Sonja, Javier, Maureen and Manuel. Then I headed back up to the Bay Area to spend the weekend at a Signs Along the Way Discernment Weekend at the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley.

​At the FTE Retreat, we learned about building beloved community // a multi-ethnic and multi-racial community, where love is the governing aspect (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) in order to hold space that creates space. In addition, we had the chance to discuss and reenact the Biblical leadership roles of the: Prophet, Priest, Elder/Sage, and King; in respect to past and current movements, as well as leaders, and challenging ourselves to see the different versions of leadership we have and how to best use each role in respective atmospheres.

​Once, I returned to Albuquerque – it was time to start making real decisions about what I’d be doing after my YAV year ended. I only applied to Fuller Theological Seminary and had been accepted – which I am glad about! But I wasn’t too sure about relocating to Pasadena, CA. Then, I began entertaining the idea of possibly sticking around in Albuquerque for another year – but not as a YAV – simply to rent, work and continue being involved in this community I’ve grown to love. From the beginning (even before moving to Albuquerque), they said it’s the wonderful Land of Enchantment, but it’ll turn into the Land of Entrapment, convincing you to stay!

So officially, I will be staying in Albuquerque for (at least) another year!!! To my delight, I haven’t been stressing about finding work – God has aligned the right community, connections and a number of part-time positions. I’ll be continuing work within the church, in accepting two new positions as the Youth Group Coordinator at a local congregation, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, and as the Communications Specialist at the Presbytery of Santa Fe (located in Albuquerque). In addition, I’m excited to maintain involvement at Camino de Vida as a place of spiritual growth and connection among their community, but also as I continue assistance through the English as a Second Language program and administratively. I’m beyond grateful for the variety of positions allowing me to become more involved in the Albuquerque faith community individually and at-large. *Beginning classes online at Fuller Theological Seminary is still an option for this upcoming academic year, but not 100% in the plan yet – however, I’m more than interested in pursuing the MA in Intercultural Studies when the time is right. 

I also hope to put my minor in photography to good use by seeking out photography opportunities for portrait and special occasion shoots. Please check out my Photography Portfolio – I’d greatly appreciate Albuquerque locals to share the word and my portfolio page for those interested!

I’ve been completely blessed by a spectacular year, a welcoming Albuquerque community for this kick-off ABQ YAV site year, and the greatest group of ladies to share the experience with – as well as the greatest site coordinator Luke!!! 

I’m even more thankful to be staying in Albuquerque with my lovely roommate Ana, as we’ve decided to share an apartment together while she starts her undergrad locally.

This year was unlike any Lenten journey… In my past experience of Lent, I’ve always had a hard time connecting spiritually.
As a kid, raised in the Catholic church, I tended to connect Lent with: rules, obligation, and wondering why giving up chocolate deemed you closer to God. When really, Lent is a period of time intended to “enable us to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life” (Pope Francis, 2018).
Este año fue diferente que otros tiempos de Cuaresma… En mi experiencia pasada de Cuaresma, siempre he tenido un tiempo difícil de conectarme espiritualmente.
Como una niña, criada en la iglesia católica, solía conectar Cuaresma con: reglas, obligación y preguntándome cómo no comer chocolate se hace más cercano a Dios. Cuando en realidad, la Cuaresma es un tiempo intencionado para “permitirnos a regresar al Señor de todo el corazón y en cada aspecto de nuestra vida” (Papa Francis, 2018).
In a pre-Lent devotional with the North New Mexico Conference of Lutheran Churches, I was able to begin Lent with a few statements to lean into as we had a moment to ‘vent on Lent‘…
To give up, or to rather: ‘open up‘
To create sustainability in habits or devotions, rather than trying to quit habits cold-turkey or create new ones, as if one was going to run a marathon without any preparation – To practice adaptive change 
For such a time as this // Precisamente para un momento como este (ref. Esther 4:14)
En un devocional previo a la Cuaresma con la Conferencia de Iglesias Luterana del Norte de Nuevo México, yo pude comenzar la Cuaresma con algunas declaraciones que las conectaba durante ese estudio.
Para dejar de algo, o más bien: ‘abrirse‘
Para crear sostenibilidad en los hábitos o devociones, en lugar de tratar de dejar los hábitos sin pensar o crear otros nuevos, como si uno fuera a correr un maratón sin ninguna preparación. Para practicar el cambio adaptativo. 
This quote specifically spoke to me with a new perspective on the word lent… 
“I believe it is the church’s duty in this moment in our history to remind us that our lives belong to God… And that belonging to God, is LENT to us for this time, to do what we can to help our neighbor. (Lutheran Bishop Guy Erwin, 2018)
Esta frase específicamente me llamó la atención para tener un perspectivo nuevo con la palabra cuaresma… 
“Creo que es el deber de la iglesia en este momento de nuestra historia para recordarnos que nuestras vidas pertenecen a Dios … Y esa pertenencia a Dios, esta prestado para nosotros en este momento, para hacer lo que podamos para ayudar a nuestro prójimo. (Obispo luterana Guy Erwin, 2018).
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Silent Lenten Retreat @ The Nobertine Community 

This year was the first year, for me, to formally celebrate Indigenous People’s Day, in a city that has chosen to recognize the First Land’s people, rather than the one who “discovered” already occupied land.

Click here and see if your state and/or city recognizes Indigenous Peoples Day

Este año fue el primer año, para mí, para celebrar formalmente el Día del Pueblos Indígenas, en una cuidad que ha elegido reconocer a la gente que vivía en esta tierra, en vez de la persona que “descubrió” la tierra ya ocupada. 

Haga click aquí para ver si tu estado y/o ciudad celebra el Día del Pueblos Indígenas

“Many Americans grow up learning that this continent was “discovered” by Christopher Columbus. The concept of discovery, as if the land was empty prior to arrival and its indigenous inhabitants were somehow “less than” the explorers is, at its heart, racism and cultural superiority. 
The doctrine of discovery, a concept of public international law expounded by the United States Supreme Court in a series of decisions, originated from various church documents in Christian Europe in the mid-1400s to justify the pattern of domination and oppression by European monarchies as they invasively arrived in the Western hemisphere.  It theologically asserted the right to claim the indigenous lands, territories, and resources on behalf of Christendom, and to subjugate native peoples around the world.” (Resource from the UCC)

“Muchos estadounidenses crecen aprendiendo que este continente fue “descubierto “por Christopher Columbus. El concepto de descubrimiento, como si la tierra estuviera vacía antes de la llegada y sus habitantes indígenas fueran de alguna manera “menos que” los exploradores, es en esencia el racismo y superioridad cultural.

La doctrina del descubrimiento, un concepto de derecho internacional público expuesto por el Tribunal Supremo de los Estados Unidos en una serie de decisiones, se originó a partir de varios documentos de la iglesia en la Europa cristiana a mediados del siglo XIV para justificar el patrón de dominación y opresión de las monarquías europeas. invasoramente llegó al hemisferio occidental. Teológicamente afirmó el derecho a reclamar tierras, territorios y recursos indígenas en nombre de la cristiandad, y subyugar a los pueblos originarios de todo el mundo”. (Recurso de la UCC)

Through the program orientation to Albuquerque and the rich history of this land’s people, we quickly uncovered the wounds, past and current, but also signs of hope and healing. The hard part for Christians when exposing the Doctrine of Discovery is realizing the hand that our brothers and sisters in Christ had in this part of history. In recognizing how this document is used as justification for Christians and now the government to ‘discover’ and claim both land and superiority.

For example, three days into joining my fellow YAVs in Albuquerque, we settled into our new home on the campus of the Menaul Boarding School (commonly referred to as the old Indian boarding school and later an all boys, Spanish-speaking boarding school). Then, we visited the Indian Pueblo Museum, learned about the number of surrounding native nations and pueblos, their culture, tradition, and history, and heard about how Native children often were forced to leave their tribes and families to assimilate into US culture and formal education – and then read about how certain denominations typically took commission in making these Indian boarding schools a reality.

In this moment, it wasn’t just an un-relatable, historic moment with unseen ties of connection – but it was a small example and connection to my complicity. As I’m here in partnership with the Presbyterian Church, the same denomination that built the campus I’m living on and this old Indian boarding school years ago, I realized this is the hard part:

Seeing how the wounds and brokenness of the past are connected to our ancestry, a number of Christian denominations, as well as to a whole lot of good intentions that hurt millions of good people…

Realizing the that the history we’d been taught our whole lives, is one upholding a perspective of American nationalism, rather than the burdening truth that we’re all immigrants living on stolen land from of Indigenous people…

Questioning my ancestry about where my ancestors migrated from and why, where they immigrated to, who was living on this land before/when they settled, and were there displaced or marginalized people affected…

Through this Christian study in the presence of Native Americans and people of numerous backgrounds and faith, we strived to move to a place of restored relationship with God, our community, and creation.

“When you have a conflict, that means that there are truths that have to be addressed on each side of the conflict. And when you have conflict, then it’s an educational process to try to resolve the conflict. And to resolve that, you have to get people on both sides of the conflict involved so that they can dialogue.” – Dolores Huerta

So together we created dialogue – hearing the pain and owning responsibility in the power we have today to create a space for understanding, healing, and further conversation and action – seeing the signs of hope, like our gathering and the unity of people who feel the burden of knowing , but who are striving for peace and justice.

A través de la orientación del programa a Albuquerque y la historia rica de la gente de esta tierra, rápidamente descubrimos las heridas, pasadas y actuales, pero también signos de esperanza y curación. La parte difícil para los cristianos al exponer la Doctrina del Descubrimiento es darse cuenta de la mano que nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Cristo tenían en esta parte de la historia. Al reconocer cómo se usa este documento como justificación para los cristianos y ahora el gobierno para ‘descubrir’ y reclamar tanto la tierra como la superioridad.

Por ejemplo, tres días después de unirme a mis compañeros de YAV en Albuquerque, entramos en nuestro nuevo hogar en el campus de Menaul Boarding School (comúnmente conocido como la antigua escuela de los Nativos y más tarde como una escuela para niños, de habla español). Luego, visitamos el Indian Pueblo Museum, aprendimos sobre los pueblos y naciones nativas, su cultura, tradición e historia, y escuchamos cómo los niños nativos tuvieron que abandonar sus tribus y familias para asimilarse a la cultura y sistema de educación de los estados unidos – y luego leer sobre las ciertas denominaciones que tomaron comisión para hacer de estos escuelas nativos una realidad.

En este momento, no era solo un momento histórico imposible de identificar, sino que era un pequeño ejemplo y una conexión con mi complicidad. Como estoy aquí con un programma de la Iglesia Presbiteriana, la misma denominación que construyó el campus donde vivo y este antigua escuela nativo hace años, me di cuenta de que esta es la parte más difícil:

Para ver cómo las heridas del pasado están conectados a nuestros antepasados, una serie de denominaciones cristianas, así como a un montón de intenciones buenas que lastiman a millones de personas buenas…

Para darme cuenta de la historia que nos enseñaron durante toda la vida, que está usado para defender una perspectiva del nacionalismo estadounidense, en un lugar de la verdad pesada de todos somos inmigrantes que viven en tierras robadas de los pueblos indígenas…

Para cuestionar sobre mi ascendencia acerca de dónde que emigraron mis antepasados ​​y por qué, a dónde emigraron, quién vivía en esta tierra antes / cuando se establecieron, y hubo personas desplazadas o marginadas que fueron afectadas…

A través de este estudio cristiano en la presencia de los nativos americanos y personas de orígenes y fe diversos – nos tratamos a movernos a un lugar que tiene una relación restaurada con Dios, nuestra comunidad y nuestra creación. 

 “Cuando se tiene un conflicto, eso significa que hay verdades que deben abordarse en cada lado del conflicto. Y cuando se tiene un conflicto, entonces es un proceso de educación para intentar a resolver el conflicto. Y para resolverlo, se tiene que involucrar a las personas de ambos lados del conflicto para que puedan dialogar“.  – Dolores Huerta

Así que juntos creamos el diálogo, escuchando el dolor y asumiendo la responsabilidad en el poder que tenemos hoy para crear un espacio para entender, y empezar la curación, la conversación y la acción. También, viendo los signos de esperanza, como nuestra reunión y la unidad de las personas que sienten la carga de saber, pero también quienes luchan por la paz y la justicia.

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La Semana Santa fue celebrado con mi comunidad en la iglesia Camino de Vida – Esta semana llena de gozo, celebrando nuestro Rey Resucitado en muchos servicios. // Holy Week spent with my community at Camino de Vida was a joyous week of celebrating the Risen King in a number of services.
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Domingo de Ramos // Palm Sunday 

​Jueves Santo // Maundy Thursday

​After communion, the congregation took turns washing each other’s feet, as Jesus did for his disciples.

To read more from Claire, click here.

These five months of living as a Young Adult Volunteer have initiated incredible learning and growing, for sure; however, they haven’t come without necessary growing pains.
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I am an individual of great privilege.  I am who I am today because of the opportunities, supportive communities, life-long mentors and friends, and love that I have been given.  I can never adequately show my gratitude for the strength, love, and confidence you all have instilled in me.  Yet, I also can’t ignore that not everyone is born into such a place of love, support, and privilege.

This is not to say that I am not privileged in my current living situation either.  I have a fulfilling job with supportive co-workers and wonderful students.  I live in a beautiful house surrounded by strong, courageous, and engaged sister volunteers.  And although we live on a budget smaller than that I have lived on before, we eat, experience life, and live very well and comfortably.

So why the growing pains?  To be honest, it’s the little things that I knew I was signing up for – the things that I intentionally chose the YAV program in order to experience – that have frustrated me the most and made me most aware of my privilege and of my dependence.
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Over the past three summers, I have written my own curriculum and taught in my own classroom.  During student teaching, I had full independence and control to teach what I wanted to and how I wanted to.  Here in Albuquerque, I am working as a part-time volunteer teaching assistant.  It has been hard for this perfectionist, used-to-having-control, engaged first-year teacher (that would be me) to go from teaching in my own classroom to assisting in seven different classrooms.  Sometimes I feel like I am not doing enough.  Sometimes I feel like things are not going how I would like them to.  Sometimes I want to do more.

And yet, being a teaching assistant has given me the opportunity to grow in ways that I wouldn’t if I were teaching in my own classroom.  Not having to focus on lesson planning, copying papers, and always being the one to give instruction has allowed me to solely focus my energy on the students’ academic and personal needs. I am learning so much about individual student interests, struggles, and learning needs.  I have more time to sit and listen to students who need someone to talk to.  I have more time to go to sporting events and support students outside of school.  I can work more closely with students who need one-on-one attention.  I get frustrated and discouraged sometimes; however, more often than not, I am encouraged and motivated and impressed and inspired by my time with the students here.  Taking a step back has been an incredibly humbling learning and growing experience.
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The other main source of growing pains has been not having a car.  Since I was able to drive, I have never been without a family car or a personal car to drive.  I am fortunate enough to have a bike to ride and the Albuquerque bus system is very affordable, but yet I still get frustrated way too frequently and easily and I often feel stuck.  I had never used the public bus system before studying abroad in Costa Rica and I can still count on my two hands the number of times when I have used public transportation in the United States.  Growing up, driving a car felt extremely normal and something that was a given.  I am reminded frequently here that a car is a huge privilege.  And the fact that I have never been without a car until now is an even bigger privilege.

Being without a car makes me very dependent on the other YAVs here in New Mexico that do have cars.  Although I can bike and ride the bus to a lot of places, there are just as many places that the public transit system does not travel to.  And being used to lending out my car and being the designated chauffer for my friends in high school and college, it has been frustrating to have the situation flipped around here.  I feel like a burden to other people if I want to do anything off campus.  I feel dependent and needy.

And yet, in the frustration, I recognize that feeling dependent reminds me of my shared humanity – reminds me of how dependent I really am on my friends, family, and parents.  Even when at times I feel independent and strive for more independence, I can never and should never forget that I am interdependent on so many people.  Even if it takes something as trivial as not having a car to drive, I am glad (although often reluctantly) for the reminder that I cannot – truly cannot – do everything on my own.  I depend on other people and other people depend on me, and that is a necessary and good and solidaria thing.
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Coming from a place of privilege, it is hard to look that privilege in the face and put my reflections into practical action.  It’s not an easy nor a quick process.  Sometimes, I feel so guilty that I want to stop trying.  Sometimes I feel like I am never going to kick the privileged way in which I think or act, so I wonder if it’s even worth trying.  And sometimes, I savor and appreciate and feel so blessed to be learning from the times of discomfort and clarity.

There are many moments when I recognize how dependent I am; and in these moments, I become frustrated.  But these moments also help me recognize how dependent I am on God.  Living in conscious dependence of other people and of God doesn’t mesh well with the independent way that I am told I need to live as a young adult.  Ultimately, it is in this conscious dependence of my neighbors and of God that I recognize how blessed, lucky, and privileged I am to be doing exactly what I am doing right now.
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These are little, seemingly non-consequential, non-important things that have been my biggest struggles so far.  And yet, I think sometimes, when I don’t take time to recognize, make peace with, and reconcile these little things, I miss the bigger things that God is trying to show me.
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The growing pains that I am experiencing through recognizing and examining my privilege are painful by nature.  With hesitancy and excitement, I welcome these pains and offer myself and others grace in the process, realizing the growth that they bring.

​To read more from Taylor, click here

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
“Who am I but the dust of the Most High; drifting like a leaf in the summer sky; hoping one day you will see; that what’s inside of you is what’s inside of me?” -Trevor Hall
About a week ago, I was walking down Central Avenue and found myself passing many people struggling with homelessness who were hanging out near the bus stops next to this highway. I suddenly became intensely aware of the expensive laptop in my bag and this looming fear of being robbed crept up within me. I then walked faster and farther away from these people, trying to keep my head down, not to make eye contact. While these grim thoughts fought for recognition, I heard this little voice inside of me (I know we are all well aware of this voice), which kept saying “this isn’t right, Beth. Why do you keep running away from your shared humanity? Do you care more about the material things you carry, rather than confronting these egotistical thoughts of assumed hierarchy which separate you from them?” I then slowed my pace, took a deep breath, and witnessed the limiting lenses of my clouded perceptions dissolve into Earth. As I let go of my attachments with the laptop, the true essence of my identity once again became visible through the many faces surrounding me. As Nobel Peace Prize winner, Priest, and Theologian Desmund Tutu explains, “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together”. Continuing on my walk with gratitude, I watched as Holy Spirit stood by, offering a genuine smile and wave.
I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.

​You can read more from Bethany here.

​Written Monday, Feb. 5, 2017 // Escrito el lunes 5 de feb.

I’ve been searching for the words and motivation and energy to look inward and write something meaningful to share with you. But in reality, throughout this search for motivation, I’ve been feeling rather weak lately.

// He estado buscando las palabras y la motivación y la energía de mirar hacia adentro en mi interior y escribir algo significativo para compartir con ustedes. Pero en realidad, a través de esta búsqueda de motivación, recientemente me sentía bastante débil. \\
This morning (Monday), Pastor Chad via ZOE Church podcast shared some motivation I needed to hear from yesterday’s sermon – “It Could Happen Today”.

// Esta mañana (el lunes), el Pastor Chad de la iglesia ZOE compartió una motivación que necesité escuchar en el sermón de ayer: “Podría pasar hoy”. \\

Well, what happened today? // ¿Pues, que pasó hoy?
Today, was our first community day of the month, which is guided by our supervisor Luke. However unfortunately, I wasn’t able to be very present. I wallowed in frustration and tears of being so tired of feeling sick and not being able to give 100% of my energy to my community and work placement. I returned to the urgent care clinic for the second time in about 2 and half weeks, with a few good and almost-recovered days in between until new symptoms of a likely sinus infection quickly arose over the weekend.

// Hoy fue nuestro primer día de la comunidad del mes, que está guiado de nuestro supervisor Luke. Sin embargo y desafortunadamente, no pude estar muy presente. Me sumía en la frustración y lágrimas de estar tan cansada de sentirme mal y no poder dar el 100% de mi energía a mi comunidad y mi lujar de servicio. Volví a la clínica de atención urgente por la segunda vez en aproximadamente 2 y media semanas, con algunos días buenos y casi recuperada en medio, hasta que los nuevos síntomas de una posible infección sinusal llegó durante el fin de semana. \\

Post-Dr. visit, we all gathered to brainstorm some reflection ideas as us YAV’s have been given the opportunity to speak during the sermon next Sunday at the local Second Presbyterian Church. Upon reading Mark 9:2-9 about the transfiguration on the mountain top, we searched ourselves for our own moments of transformation, either within oneself or something we’ve witnessed outside of ourselves, like within our new communities.

// Después de la visita de la clínica, todas nos juntamos para compartir algunas ideas de reflexión porque nosotras YAV’s tenemos la oportunidad de hablar y presentarnos en el sermón el próximo domingo en la Segunda Iglesia Presbiteriana. Después de leer Marcos 9:2-9, sobre la transfiguración en la cima de la montaña, buscaamos nuestras propias momentos de tranformación, dentro de una misma o algo que hemos presenciado fuera de nosotras mismas, como dentro de nuestras comunidades nuevas. 

My fuzzy and congested-minded self was really struggling to look farther beyond the past month of being back here in Albuquerque, trying to find moments of  transformation year-wide, when I felt lack of transformational-movement in those recurring, but yet spirit-filled (and yet very unfulfilled) resolutions, hopes and goals of this New Year.

// Mi mente borroso y llena de congestión estaba luchando por mirar más allá del último mes de estar aquí en Albuquerque, desde regresé. Estaba tratando de encontrar los momentos de transformación durante todo el año, cuando en realidad yo sentí la falta del movimiento transformacional entre mis resoluciones del Año Nuevo, algunos que están repitiendo, pero aún llenos de espíritu (y aún todavía vacios y no cumplidos) de mis resoluciones, esperanzas y metas del año. \\

The words of Pastor Chad, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. That is true for my life and yours – our spirit wants to do this, but our flesh is lulled to sleep…” (and while being sick, I assure you, I’ve been very lulled to sleep a lot lately…
// Las palabras de Pastor Chad, “El espíritu está dispuesto, pero la carne está débil. Eso es cierto para mi vida y la tuya – nuestro espíritu quiere hacer esto, pero nuestra carne está arrullada para dormir…”  (and durante el tiempo que he estado enferma, te lo aseguro que he sentido el llamado de dormir mucho últimamente… \\

But I’ve been searching myself for motivation and energy, despite this time of waiting and being in an extended delay to recover –
Pastor Chad prompts this question: ‘How to combat the dull of delay, falling asleep, or feeling bored… How to instead be comforted, convicted, lead and guided – and AWAKE on this earth – to not get dulled in the delay?’

// Pero estaba buscando yo misma la motivación y la energía, a pesar de este tiempo de espera y de estar en un retraso prolongado para recuperarme –
El Pastor Chad me lleva esta pregunta: ‘¿Cómo combatir el aburrimiento de la demora, quedarse dormido o sentirse aburrido… ¿cómo ser consolado, convencido, y guiado – y DESPIERTO en esta tierra – para no embotarse en el retraso? \\

Three of Pastor Chad’s seven points caught my attention in how to handle delays:
// Tres de los sieta puntos del Pastor Chad que me llamaron la atención en como aguantar los retrasos: \\
{Rejoice Always // Regocijarse siempre}

This morning in my wallowing, it felt as if I was failing to see the bright-side, the God-sent moments, and the people rejoicing alongside me through their comforting hugs.
Not only do I have plenty of things to rejoice in, I’m especially joyful in the moments of compassion that filled the rest of my day – like the kindness and timeliness of the doctor, the arms of Ann and my fellow housemates, the words from family, and the phone call from my boss and pastor Guillermo, as he reached me to see how I was doing, in perfect timing before I had the opportunity to reach out to him.

// Esta mañana, mientras me sumía en como sentía, lo sentió así que no fuera capaz de ver el lado positivo, los momentos enviado de Dios, y la gente que se regocijó a mi lado a través de sus abrazos reconfortantes.
No solo tengo muchas cosas para alegrarme, sino que estoy especialmente feliz en los momentos de compasión que llenaron el resto del día, como la bondad y la puntualidad del médica, los brazos y abrazos de Ann y mis compañeras de casa, las palabras de mi familia, y la llamada de mi jefe y pastor Guillermo, cuando me llamó para ver cómo yo estaba, en el momento perfecto antes de que tuve la oportunidad de comunicarme con él. \\

{Pray without Ceasing // Orar sin cesar}

This phone call ended with a strong prayer for rest, healing, and recovery, which I felt deeply in my soul, and prayed that my body will decide to listen too! And by evening, I smiled at the seemingly simple text of “Thinking of you and praying for you!” from Ms. Gini, which represented something so much more – I can’t help but feel that sometimes the portion of praying ‘without ceasing’ amidst handling delays, is sometimes best felt and heard when you know without a doubt that others are interceding on your behalf, when sometimes you’re still searching for motivation…

// Esta llamada terminó con una oración fuerte por el descanso, la curación, y la recuperación, que sentí profundamente en mi alma, y oré que mi cuerpo decidirá escuchar también! Y por la noche, sonreí al texto simple que dice “Pensando en ti y orando por ti!” de la Rev. Gini, que representaba mucho más – No puedo evitar sentir que a veces la parte de orar ‘sin cesar’ en medio de aguantar los retrasos, es que a veces se siente y escucha lo mejor cuando sabe sin duda que otros están intercediendo en tu nombre, cuando a veces solo está buscando la motivación… \\

{In everything, Give thanks! You cannot get prepared for the thing God has for you with a complaining spirit… I THANK YOU FOR ‘BEING UNDER CONSTRUCTION! // En todo, da gracias! No puede prepararse para lo que Dios tiene para usted con un espíritu quejoso… DOY GRACIAS POR ‘ESTAR EN CONSTRUCCIÓN!}

I want this point to speak for it’s self… It’s been crappy feeling bad, but I don’t want to do it with a complaining spirit, and I truly am grateful for each person and God-sent along the way!

// Quiero que este punto hable por sí mismo… Ha sido horrible sentirme mal, pero no quiero hacerlo con un espíritu quejoso, and realmente estoy agradecida por cada persona y cosa enviado de Dios en este camino. \\

And I look forward to sharing my own reflection on Mark 9:2-9, after service next week, because while today’s brainstorm session was challenging – I AM CONFIDENT I can see beyond this month and into those moments of transformation I’ve felt during the past half-year of service!
// Estoy emocionada de compartir mi propia reflexión sobre Marcus 9:2-9 y mi experiencia, después del servicio la próxima semana, porque a pesar de hoy fue desafiante – ESTOY SEGURA que puedo ver más allá de este mes y en los momentos de transformación que he sentido durante el último medio año de servicio. \\ 

Prayers appreciated, as always! // Estaré agradecida por las oraciones, como siempre!
Claire

Click here to read more from Claire.

Estamos buscando a… // We’re looking for…

*Title and the two bolded quotes in the intro are credited to Paul Turounet, and his photographic representation of the migrants journey (read more at end of post). We were able to see a large-scale version of his art and installation, while in Tucson, AZ.

I entered the Southside Presbyterian Church, known by many as the birthplace of the Sanctuary Movement (read more about the movement that opposes the deportation of immigrants), to hear from Pastor Alison, which left me with the question,

“How does my faith ask me to take risks?”




// Yo entré en Southside (la Iglesia Presbiteriana), conocido como el lugar de origen o cuna del Movimiento de Santuario (lea más del movimiento que se opone a la deportación de inmigrantes), para escuchar al Pastor Alison, que me dejó la pregunta:

¿Cómo mi fe me pide que tomar riesgo? \\

The next six days of the joint YAV Border Delegation of Albuquerque, Tucson, and Austin sites gathering in the borderlands of Arizona-Mexico were ‘a quest for a greater understanding‘…

1) Of the journey and life of those of migrate here to the United States;

2) Of the systemic flaws and lack of injustice;

3) Of how my call and heart for the Latino community plays a larger role in my vocational discernment.

// Los siguientes seis días de la Delegación de la Frontera de los sitios de YAV de Albuquerque, Tucson, y Austin donde nos reunimos en las tierras fronterizas de Arizona-México fueron “una búsqueda por un mejor entendimiento”…

1) De la jornada y vida de aquellos que emigraron aquí a los Estados Unidos;

2) De los defectos sistémicos y la falta de injusticia;

3) De como mi llamada y corazón para la comunidad latina hace el papel y rol más importante en mi discernimiento vocacional. \\

Realizing that ‘we are all migrants in search of something profound and meaningful to our being‘… I entered with expectations and hopes, accompanied with the fears and questions. I expected to have my eyes and heart opened, and even broken, I hoped to see togetherness and unity of community, despite being in the land of borders, and I feared not knowing where to go after encountering everything I was about to witness and take in.

// A través de darme cuenta de que “todos somos migrantes en la búsqueda por algo profundo y significativo para nuestra ser”… Yo entré con expectativas y esperanzas, acompañado con los miedos y las preguntas. Esperaba tener mis ojos y mi corazón abierto, e incluso roto, tenía la esperanza de verla unión y unidad de una comunidad, a pesar de estar en la tierra de las fronterizas, y temía que no yo sabría a donde ir después de encontrar todo lo que estaba a punto de presenciar. \\

I carried with me the hearts, personal stories and struggles of the people who’ve first-hand experienced the pains and joys of moving to the United States from Mexico, and every wall thereafter that they’ve faced…

The people that I love and care greatly for, like my best friend and her family…

My second family.

// Yo llevaba conmigo los corazones, las historias personales, y las luchas de las personas que han experimentado de primera mano los dolores y las alegrías de mudarse a los Estados Unidos de México, y cada muro que han afrontado en el tiempo después.

Las personas que amo y me importa mucho, como mi mejor amiga y su familia…

Mi segunda familia. \\

“Soy culpable”

We sat quietly in the back of the Tucson Federal Courts to observe Operation Streamline – Please read A Day in the “Assembly Line” Court that Prosecutes 70 Border Crossers in 2 Hours for an appropriate play-by-play of the process.

// Nos sentamos en silencio en la parte de atrás de los Tribunales Federales de Tucson para observar la Operación Streamline.- Adjunto es un articulo que describe el proceso, se llama “Un día en el Tribunal de la “Línea de Ensamble” que procesa a 70 personas que cruzan la frontera en 2 horas”. \\

We witnessed this form of mass sentencing and deportation of young men and women, until nearly 70 passed before the judge, waived the rights, saying “soy culpable”, I sat there trying to comprehend how this is our justice system, when sure, yes, they’re guilty of entering as ‘undocumented’ and guilty of being caught.

But in reality….

‘Son culpables’ // They’re guilty of seeking refuge from their home-countries, guilty of seeking better opportunities, guilty of wanting a better future for themselves and their families, guilty of actually making it successfully across the border and through the desert, guilty of defying the ‘Prevention through Deterrence‘ strategy, which uses the desert as a death weapon and leaves immigrants guilty of surviving.

‘Soy culpable’ // And I’m guilty of having no idea that something like this even existed.

// Fuimos testigos de esta forma de sentencia masiva y deportación de hombres y mujeres jóvenes, hasta que casi 70 pasaron enfrente del juez, retiraron sus derechos, diciendo que “soy culpable”, y yo me senté allí tratando de comprender cómo esta es nuestra sistema de justicia, cuando sí, obvio que son culpables de entrar como ‘indocumentados’ y son culpables de ser atrapados.

Pero en realidad…

Son culpables de buscar refugio de sus países de origen, culpables de buscar mejores oportunidades, culpables de querer un futuro mejor para ellos mismos y sus familias, culpables de haber logrados cuando cruzaron la frontera y atravesaron el desierto, culpables de desafiar la estrategia del gobierno “Prevención a través de la Disuasión”, que utiliza el desierto como arma de muerte y deja a los inmigrantes culpables de sobrevivir.

Y yo soy culpable de no tener ni idea que algo como esto haya existido. \\