【美國暑期打工】deep joy and peace

I always consider myself a happy and easily-satisfied person, at least most of the time. And in some way, I'm kind of content with my life. It doesn't mean that it's flawless; rather, I always urge to try to make it to the fullest. And strangely, I really enjoy it. 

Somehow, these days, a piece of joy has crawled into my mind, which is exactly the feeling I had two years ago when I was in the southern hemisphere but don't have a clue about. Moreover, this time the feelings are stronger than it used to be. Tracing back when the feelings started, surprisingly, I found the joy popped up when I went to the deep camp night sessions with Dara those days, though combining with a lot of chaos in my head. And it grows gradually since I really opened and reading the Bible. I feel so blessed with so many angels guiding me to the way closer to God, and continuously helping me along the way with grace and huge patience.

I have no idea if God is the answer I've been searching for for years. But it feels so great that everything I've been seeking for could all attribute to Him. I'm no longer a wanderer but a follower of Him because he's got all the answer.

【美國暑期打工】Peace in mind

Around years ago, if you told me I'll be a person with a religion someday in the future, I would definitely not believe in you. Yet now, when looking back on those days I've been through and experienced, I started to realized that everything happens for a reason and God must have been arranging the path for me throughout my life.

Blessed, this summer, I'm working as a seasonal staff in Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado. I felt so lucky to be part of it because of the choice I made at the time choosing whether I should turn down the acceptance from High Hampton Inn or not. It's always hard to let go of something that you've already had but to embrace something you don't even know if you are able to get or not. But now, I'm so glad I made the right choice at that time and it turned out that there's a better place for me this summer.

Here, is a faith-based community where I could find the peace in mind and the valid beating deep inside my heart. I feel myself like a piece of puzzle, fitted into the masterpiece. Meanwhile, it's the global village includes all ethnic from all over the world, trying to build the bridge of understanding and accepting differences among others. That's the most interesting and awesome things in life, that once we open our heart with love and kindness, every exciting possibility will come one and another.

After working for about two weeks, yesterday I was arranged to attend the orientation. Sitting and listening to the presentations for whole day, I've been struggling between tiredness and excitement. Happily, I came up with a way to not only entertain myself and others during the day but also fill up the hunger of knowledge and faith in life.

I especially love what Steve shared with us about the mission and core values of YMCA. He said, mission is our target and the core values are the how we reach the goal. Furthermore, I feel strongly connected to the five core values of YMCA, which are Honesty, Responsibility, Caring, Respect and Faith. They are not just the five should put into practice here in the camp, but to keep in mind and to carry out to the fullest in everyday of my life.

【美國暑期打工】All about being a better and greater person

Life is all about being a better and greater person.

I remember, two years ago, before I left for Australia, I wrote down a to-do list just in case that I wouldn't miss anything I want to do and anywhere I'd like to visit. On the way, I kept crossing the items I've done but also adding more at the same time. And I realized, there would never be an end keeping pursuing all of the things on the list. So, I kind of stopped focusing on that list and let it be. Just as the saying goes, plans never catch up with changes. Once I stopped sticking to the lists, the next nine months has been nearly the most incredible time in my life so far. I don't have to do or plan anything. As long as I truly be myself and follow what my heart says, there'll always have something planned for me ahead, which I haven't expected I would have experienced.

For me, that year has not only broadened my mind, but also had a great impact on knowing more about myself and what kind of life I'd like to live in my whole life.

Now, two years later, before I came to the U.S, to be frank, I didn't have enough time to be mentally prepared. But somehow I just felt so ready once I appeared at the airport, waiting for the plane about to be on board. Besides all of the hard feelings to say goodbye to the ones I'm familiar with, everything is exactly right on the position for me. I felt I was born to live this type of life and I'm so at ease with all of the uncertainties and changes coming towards me. Whoever and whatever I encounter, they'd always be the flavors in life and would bring out more of myself. In this way, I feel so blessed and grateful for all times that in this limited life I would have met such things and people that makes me stronger and leading me to a better and greater person who I've always dreamed of.