Ohh baby jesus....

I just want to say that weather is great, kinda of bipolar but such a change from the Texas heat!

This past week has been a little slow start but many things have happened.
Last week we start with orientation with included Brother Pat and Fr.Steve driving us around showing us around the different cities, churches, and religious ed building we will be working with.   After driving us around, the priest that is in charge Fr.Hatcher comes in and starts us with some talks and presentation about life on the reservation.  We had a talk about St.Francis Mission, the recovery program ( addictions to alcohol and drugs is a big problem on the reservation), religious ed program, radio station, and finally the lakota culture.  Lakota culture is so interesting and ofcourse sad, but the traditions are so unique. Sam High Crane came and spoke to us about his experience as an Indian and even sang a prayer for us..yes I said sang. He came out with his drum and sang in the Lakota language, what we found out is that when ever someone is praying like that, it is respectful to stand up.
THEN thursday August 19 was my birthday woohoo finally 22yrs.  Well i got to admit very different, I really missed home that day-- but my awesome housemates made breakfast! This was pretty cool because we were able to use our stove so they found a hot plate to make some eggs and bacon! YUMMMY. Through out the day people congratulated me on my birthday was really meaningful because it made me feel welcomed and apprecitated :) THEN we had a cookout that day to welcome us JVs into the local community, we had some good burger and hotdogs && a birthday cake for me! They even sang happy birthday :) I recieved a present from the Jesuit Community which was a keychain.. I totally needed a keychain, it was the perfect gift! YAY...
Friday we went kayaking!! Nice outside but the sun was a little strong, we spent 6 hours on the river...LOONNG day!

Things to know:

- we are 15min away from a gas station
- 30 min drive from a grocery store
- a 3 min walk to our main office (St.Francis Mission) and the religious building I will be working at
- our backyard is a place where drunk people like to hang out/passed out
- we still dont have our washer and dryer ( hopefully by next week)
- my roommates and fun,crazy, and random!
- our water works now ( hot water works too)
- we need a new stove ( our oven doesnt work)


I dont officially start till Sept 13 sooo meanwhile i will be helping organize and set up classrooms and stuff...

Well we off to our spirituality night! Mikes turn this weeek.

Hasta Luego.

P.S.  The title is from ricky bobby :) we watched it on sunday..good community night

The adventure begins..

Well after days at orientation in Pinehurst,Tx I got to meet my other 3 housemates who are pretty aweosme! Heard some good talks on our four values JVs(Jesuit Volunteers) live by--Social Justice, Simple Living, Spirituality, and Community. On Sunday August 15, 2010 our community of 4 boarded a plane to South Dakota. We arrived at around 6:30pm in Rapid City,South Dakota and were welcomed by a Jesuit brother, Brother Pat, and Jesuit Priest, Fr.Steve, who took us out to eat at Chilis. Then to a looooong drive to St.Francis and arrive about midnight to find out we didnt have running water(JUST GREAT) The Jesuits brought us some water  while we decided to have a slumber party in one the rooms. Our house is pretty neat!! We live in an old rectory but was awesomely redecorated for us. We have a basement which is awesome!! We each got a room (will post pics soon on here or facebook). Monday morning we started our local orientation which was really driving around checking out places we will be working at and places to shop.  There are really no restraurant around us, we have to take a 45 min drive to Valentine, NE to find some entertainment, well a library, movie theater, and a bowling alley.  There is a grocery store 30 min which is pretty descent. There will be some pow-wows and town fairs soon, so we will have some fun!! OHHHH the weather is AWESOME!!!! It has been in the low 70s since we've here.

For the record, we have running water now!! :) YAY

Okay will  post some more later on my housemates or picturess....

hasta luego!

-Moni

A few days away.....

I am almost ready!!! I will be sending my lugage on saturday through fedex.  I'm kinda sad to say bye(for now) to my awesome freaking friends in the world, family,  and this place called home.  I think its funny when I tell people about my new adventure to come and where I will be going (South Dakota) and to them it seems to be the randomist place  and then I tell them about living among the Lakota people and living on the reservation --they are just amazed.  Every morning I am one day closer to an experience that is going to challenge me emotionally,spiritually, and physically.... all I have to say to BRING IT! haha. I am nervous, excited, scared, and happy to get this started. I hope you all bare with me while I start my transitioning on Tuesday,August 10 to Pinehurst, TX ..... keep in tuned while I update as much as I can :)

JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU.