Growing in Virtue

April 30, 2019

“It is good that everything is not always to our liking; for adversity makes people look into their hearts in order to realize that they are exiles and must not put their hopes in any worldly thing.” The Imitation of Christ

My prayer is that through this experience of mission life, we can have our eyes more solidly fixed on the Lord. I must admit at first glance, I might think that we are failing in this goal. But, upon more reflection, I recognize that gold is tested by fire, and the struggle we are living is refining us.

Never have I been so grateful for the everyday things in my life. When you are never quite sure if you will have running water when you wake up in the morning, leads to a true gratitude the mornings you do. The more homes I walk into, the more I realize it is a luxury to have a ceiling, and I am truly grateful we had the ability to put simple plywood ceilings in our bedrooms. Living in a house that has rooms with floors that cannot be mopped, fills my heart with a deep gratitude for the rooms that can be mopped. Living in an area where I am unable to buy whatever food I can imagine, gives me a sincere gratitude for the food we do have. The less we have, the more gratitude grows within me.

“Prudence is the capacity to face reality squarely in the eye, without allowing emotion or ego to get in the way, and do what is best for the team.” My husband has tirelessly been pushing beyond comfort, language, and countless challenges to put things in place for our family to be able to be in a healthy place and make it here. Thanks to Jason we can sleep well at night, with the security of a ceiling over our heads. Thanks to Jason we can get to Mass on Sunday, because we have transportation. Thanks to Jason we have family time, because he knows how to set healthy boundaries!

Watching my son, Isaac, carry 5 Gallon jugs of water home from across the plaza I recognize a strength in him. Knowing that change and lack of structure are hard for him, yet he is pushing right into it, and I see him growing in virtue. Isaac is trying to speak in Spanish to those around him, he is interacting with our neighbors, store venders, the people at church, and those who knock on our door. He is pressing into the unknown and is determined to face the challenges around him.

Gemma is an introverted girl with a sweet tender heart. She longs to make friends, but is timid to step out. She has been facing her fears and getting uncomfortable. She offered to teach a new friend how to make a bracelet, she has been teaching many children hand games, she joined a group of girls at the plaza to learn to sing some songs, and she walks over to the High School to take Art, Religion, and English classes amongst 25+ Spanish speaking peers. She came back from her first day of school with her hair braided and shared that she was the center of attention the entire class! Courage my daughter!

Augustine came to Peru wishing for his toys and his friends back home. Here in Peru there are many days we will have a house full of boys wanting to play with Augustine and his toys. It has taken time for Augustine to venture out of his bedroom to interact with these Peruvian boys. The past couple of weeks he has pulled out his Legos, shared his cars, enjoyed playing tag, and has found joy in taking the risk to be generous.

“Dissatisfaction is the misconception that you need more than what you already have. Contentment is choosing not to look at the lack, but see the abundance.” Bridget’s 7^thbirthday was two days after we arrived in Peru. I have set high expectations for my children’s birthdays. It usually consists of their choice of meals, a friend party, dinner with grandparents, and a bunch of presents. I was concerned how this birthday would be received. She was able to choose a movie to watch with the Erisman kids, go out for dinner, and eat cupcakes! She was amazing! She didn’t look back, but was content with what was before her!

Our Aviana has been the champion of adaptability! She has been flexible through all of our changes, enjoying each moment though she knows not what it may bring. She naps in the truck, and moves from the back to the front according to where there is space for her. Each moment she finds the opportunity to play a little game, and enjoys being with the people she is around whether it be her siblings, the Erismans, the neighbor kids, our waitress or the person sitting next to her at church. We have a lot to learn from this adaptable little girl!