Growing through fellowship, healing with time

Wow – what a whirlwind of activity we’ve been living these last couple weeks! Last week was full of home visits, fellowship and learning for all of us here at St. Joseph’s.

Times of fellowship are especially enjoyable for me. From brunch after Mass with the freshman girls in our Crane Home to supper with the 1^st-3^rd grade boys in the Ambrose Home, I find time getting to know our students and staff refreshing and exciting.

Of course, visiting in each home gives me pretty unique perspectives on our children and their houseparents as well. While brunching with the freshmen girls, our new houseparents discovered a weakness in our electrical system when all the kitchen appliances needed to prepare a meal for 15 people caused the circuit to break! It was quite an adventure for them to find the fuse box, but the students and I got in some great visiting time, and in the end, the food was delicious and worth the wait!

Equally unique was my time with our students in the Ambrose Home. Before supper, three of the boys were watching a TV show about Arctic Wildlife like polar bears and caribou.

As quick as I joined them, they started in with many questions about the animals and the landscape. I didn’t know all the answers but appreciated their questions. Their inquisitive nature showed such a thirst for knowledge, which is even more important to teach than content.

An all-school beginning of the year picnic was another special time last week. It just feels good when our whole group gathers together for prayer and community! After leading grace, I grabbed a chair and a spot at the end of the serving line. My job was to pass out popsicles.

I got the chance to greet all of the students I already know, and when new student came through the line, I stopped to ask their name. It will take awhile to get to know everyone, but I keep working on it!

Last week was also a moving time of awareness for all of us.

We hosted a speaker whose mother survived Auschwitz and father survived a work camp in Czechoslovakia. He spoke to our older students about the horrible realities of the Holocaust.

His main message was that people are capable of anything – from murder to love. We have to learn not to hate, and not to stand idly by when any group is persecuted because that’s how evil grows and spreads.

So you all know, I continue healing as well! My foot still gets sore and standing for long periods of time is a challenge, but I’m healing.

Proof of this came when I did a bit of back-to-school shopping! I purchased a new pair of black shoes. With the nerve pains, my normal shoes pinch and hurt my feet, so I’m constantly kicking my shoes off when I get the chance.

But, while shopping, I got my normal size – except in wide width – and I can already tell a positive difference!

Little by little my foot is getting better. I’m hoping and praying the rest of me inside is following that healing path as well.

I’ll be posting again this afternoon since we’ve been so busy – thanks and God bless to all of you who continue following us on this journey!

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School