L'Arche

  Ever since I decided I wanted to be a Developmental Service Worker, it became a dream of mine to be  a part of the beautiful community called L'Arche. I was planning on being a teacher when I read "Here and Now" by Henri Nouwen and it suddenly all changed.

Take a moment to watch this. He is the real deal.

  Two years later in the field, I have been in many different environments, schools, day programs, in home care, and group homes in a few different agencies. I have loved every minute of it and have enjoyed learning so much from the people I've supported. But, I still hadn't gotten that L'Arche experience yet, until now. For my last school placement I chose to go to L'Arche Ottawa and have been there for almost a month now. I have loved my time there, but it has also made me extremely confused.

It has brought back all these dreams I formerly had of L'Arche. It is such a beautiful community.
Last week we brought some of the Core Members to Prayer at a Catholic church for Christian Unity week.

It was such a cool experience seeing the candle lit room filled with people cross-legged singing out prayer and the core members (trying) to sing along. It was a moment I felt so much peace and happiness. It was a real learning moment of never shutting the door of your heart to anyone; no matter the religion, no matter the ability or disability. Everyone there was unified and perfect under the grace of the Divine.
This week I went to community night and we heard a video message from Jean Vanier.
"When fear decreases than trust can increase and you can have a more whole relationship."
I have also decided I need to go to Trosly to see the original L'Arche and meet Jean Vanier. (It'll happen, people)

My heart tells me this is where I am supposed to be, and as my job gets more increasingly tough and I burn out more doing the behavioural side of the field it seems more and more appealing.
There are still two things though;
- Though I never wanted my life to be based off of this, the pay really is barely livable.
-The other problem is I don't know if they would take me on full time as a live-out assistant.

I am writing all this to get it off my chest and to ask for prayer, thoughts, or good vibes (whatever you're into I'll take it) from you all.
This really is a moment of trust. I need to release it so it may be orchestrated outside my control; I need to let it blossom and be what it will, while I just be still.

This picture captures everything I feel with all that is ahead of me.