Hey there, friends, and happy Labor Day! I’ve decided (albeit a bit belatedly) to start blogging again during my year as an Augustinian Volunteer in Ventura, CA. So much has already gone on: we spent a week in Philadelphia with all of the domestic and international volunteers at orientation, we flew to California on Tuesday, our community of four has moved into our sweet new house and started turning it into a home, we started work on Friday, and we began exploring Ventura and the surrounding area during this long weekend. It has been nothing short of a whirlwind two weeks, so instead of trying to recap all of the thoughts and feelings I have had so far, I will just lay out the basics and go forward from here.
This year I will be serving as a Campus Ministry/Student Life Assistant at Villanova Preparatory School, a Catholic high school in Ojai, CA that enrolls both boarding and day students. Its campus, which is situated among the mountains and palm trees that seem to characterize this part of the world, feels more like a college than any high school I’ve ever encountered. I’m still in the process of figuring out exactly what my position will entail, but as far as I can tell I will be working on a lot of retreats, service projects, prayer services, and just hanging out with students, being available as they need or want to talk (read: it’s going to be awesome).
When not at work I will be living in community with two girls and one guy about a mile from the beach. While we do not get paid, all of our living expenses are covered, and we receive a small stipend every two weeks. We share community budgets for food, gas, fun, etc. and we make decisions about everything from spending our money to organizing our schedules together. We haven’t even been here for a week, but I am already realizing how much of my life is filled with things that I want, versus things that I need. Moving into this house, which was so lovingly set up by the AV office staff, and learning to use our budgets and our time efficiently is humbling, and also a significant challenge. I’m sure this will all only become more intense as the year goes on, and I am excited for the growth it will encourage.
At our Commissioning Mass last Sunday in Philly, we read the commitment statements that we had written during orientation. Mine is as follows: “I, Elise Burgett, commit myself to be an Augustinian Volunteer and to serve with intention and love. I will devote myself to my Ventura community, to the students and staff at Villanova Prep, and to all of the beautiful souls that God will place in my life this year as I seek to find truth, live in love, and cultivate a spirit of humble service to others.” To be honest, I’m not sure what all of that will actually look like, but I know it will become clear if I try to let God work through me in whatever way He sees fit.
Well, in typical Elise fashion, “the basics” have gone on for almost a page, so I will leave you with some lyrics from a song I have had on repeat for the past few weeks: Phillip Phillips’s “Home.” If you watched the Olympics at all, you probably associate this song with the USA women’s gymnastics team, but I like to hear it as God speaking about this crazy experience I’m about to have. As we drove from the airport in Burbank to pick up our cars, my community decided that what we are doing – moving clear across the country to a city we don’t know, plus living with three strangers, all while working jobs with which we have no experience and for which we are not necessarily qualified – is absolutely ridiculous. But, for me, these words help simplify things, at least a little bit.
“Hold on to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
‘Cause I’m gonna make this place your home
Settle down, it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble, it might drag you down
If you get lost you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m gonna make this place your home”
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