So, what am I doing in Kentucky again?

Long Story Alert!

I figure most people are wondering exactly what I'm doing in Kentucky and why. So here's the story:

Once upon a time...

Just kidding. 😋 Ever since high school, I've been wanting to do some sort of service project. At one point, I was even considering the navy. I quickly ruled that out, at least for the time being; not being interested in going into combat, but just wanting to join the humanitarian effort. I wanted to join the PeaceCorps instead (anything with peace in the title, I'm most likely going to go for it), and I actually made decent headway on the application before my mom suggested that I look into the AmeriCorps. 

So, what's the AmeriCorps? The AmeriCorps is very similar to the PeaceCorps, in the fact that it is also a service-oriented organization. The difference is that, while the PeaceCorps could send you all over the world hypothetically (and into potentially dangerous spots), the AmeriCorps is strictly based in the "states", and will only send you to places in America. Obviously, this doesn't eliminate the danger aspect, since there is the potential for danger all over, but it's a bit more comfortable of a situation (at least in my mind). So that's why I chose the AmeriCorps, but then there was the issue of picking the program that I wanted to get into. What to choose?

Why did I choose C.A.P.? CAP (Christian Appalachian Project) is mainly based out of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky to be specific, one of the highest poverty-ridden regions in the country. I chose CAP because my mom mentioned it to me on Facebook. I was trying to find a program, and there were so many! CAP is based on 3 pillars: service, community, and spirituality. So, this year I will be learning how to better incorporate these terms into my everyday life. I'm currently living with 3 house mates: lovely ladies that I've already become friends with. I work in the food pantry down the road, as a case worker, helping participants pick up their supplemental food items, and getting to know their stories. 

Another thing is that Father Ralph Beiting was the one who created CAP, and ever since I was 8 or 9, he has been an inspiration to me. If you don't know who he is, look him up; talk about an incredible story! Anyway, he came to visit my church (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart), and did an incredible sermon. I came up to him after mass, and thanked him for the sermon. He asked me for my name and said, "Helena, I don't know what is going on in your life right now, but it is going to be okay. God is watching over you, and will take care of it." Needless to say, he made quite an impact on me, making me even more keen to go to Appalachia. And here I am! 😄

That's about it from me right now, if you want to know more about this organization, it's on Facebook at Christian Appalachian Project, or on instagram at chrisappproj . Until next time. 

Be kind to everyone (in the words of Ellen DeGeneres), and "have courage and be kind",

Len 😎

Potato Horror Story and Spider Fruit

Okay, so that might be a little extreme of a title, but have you smelled rotten potatoes recently? A little too much like a horror story, if you ask me. But hey, if that's the worst thing to happen to me this year, I'm doing pretty well, right?

Yesterday was my first day of work (volunteering with the Grateful Bread food pantry. Nice title, huh? 😋), and it was an interesting first day. First off, I don't like being a newbie, as I've discovered, but everyone treated me like family. Mary and Sherri, our managers, were adorable, and they made us (Zach, Brittni, and I) little signs to welcome us. Brittni and Zach have become like my siblings, and I think we're gonna get along well.

Then, we got to meet and shop for a few clients. This is my favorite part of the job (gee, I wonder why, since I love people), and I met some pretty great people yesterday. There was R.G., a three-year-old who came in with his grandparents, who blew us "some shuga" (kisses), and was a great little helper. There was Thelma, a lady in her 80's who couldn't have been more than 4' 11" inches, and gives me a bear hug for no reason whatsoever.

Then this morning, we tried what we dubbed the "spider fruit". It tasted like a pear, looked like a strawberry with spider legs. And, it was delicious! I think I'm gonna like it here. 😉 Here are some photos for your enjoyment.

Peace out (til next time),
Len 😎

Take Me to Church

I just wanted to write something about my church experience this morning. For me church is a comforting experience because, wherever you go, you feel at home. At least I do. You sing familiar songs, you hear familiar passages from the bible, and you're surrounded by people who (hopefully) have similar beliefs as you do, and are good people. I know that some people have not had this experience, and I am truly sorry for that, and I hope to be able to change the view that some hold on religion. But this post is not about that. This post is about my experience, and why I am growing to love Kentucky, at least this part of Kentucky.

It's very much a small-town feel, and I absolutely love that. You walk past people and you say "Good Morning", and they say it back, and maybe even say it before you do. We were at church this morning, and immediately, we are greeted, and the congregation is asked if anyone is new, and if so, where are they from. A few people volunteered (me not being one of them, I am ashamed to say), and we even celebrated a few birthdays! It was wonderful, and pretty relaxed. Considering that I come from a relatively relaxed parish, it was nice to experience that in a different state. That's all for now, keep up the love guys! 

Oh, and if you would like my address, let me know and I'll gladly oblige. I do love receiving mail. 😉

Peace out,

Len 😎

Day One

I never really know what I'm going to write until I write it ( makes sense, huh? 😋), so here goes nothing.

For the past few weeks, as going to CAP became more real and more overwhelming, I've been going into what I call "freak-out mode". Basically, I didn't want to leave my life behind, and start something new. It's like they say, "life begins at the end of your comfort zone." But, who the heck wants to leave something called a comfort zone? So, I started trying to hang out with people like crazy, spending time with my family (love y'all!), and try not to think about doing something that absolutely terrified me. I even contemplated applying to Temple, which sounded really sweet at the time (and still kinda does, to be honest). Anyway, I did it. I'm here. Whoop whoop!

But....now what?

And that my friends, is where I'm at currently. I already unpacked, did that as soon as I could (check out the lovely pics at the end of the post, please and thank you 😎), but now I have all this free time. At least, until dinner, and then tomorrow, when real life starts. It's just weird right now, having all this quiet, all this "me" time. What is a girl to do? I guess I'm just gonna try to keep figuring that out; doing all the stuff that I've been putting off until a later time. 

Welcome to this adventure with me! We'll see where CAP takes me. TTFN, ta ta for now. 

Peace out,

Len