L'Arche - another year?

It seems hard to believe that I've been involved in l'Arche since June of 2006. My experiences in l'Arche over the past 7 months have varied greatly, many ups and downs, many twists and turns. But, even with all the inconsistenty that comes with opening a new house and dealing with a new bureacratic system, l'Arche remains. Even with the meetings I've missed, the paperwork I've forgotten to hand in, the many mistakes I've made, the house still stands. There is a profound sense when working in l'Arche that something huge is going on outside of yourself. Not only outside of yourself, but outside of your home, or community, your region. There are people living out their lives in l'Arche homes all over the world in various circumstances -- inside the walls of Bethlehem, in remote corners of Southern Africa, in war-torn Northern Ireland, in the bustling metropoli of Chicago, Portland, Montreal, Ontario, and DC, in the corn fields of Iowa and Kansas, in the rolling countryside of France.

It is so easy to get bogged down by the mundane details of daily life and forget that l'Arche is a grassroots, faith-lead, international movement that is changing the lives of the rich and the poor alike. And it's also easy to forget that the mundane details of daily life are often the most holy acts - extending a hand to someone walking up the stairs, helping someone fold their laundry, eating a meal together in silent reflection.

I had convinced myself that graduate school would be next on the list, which is still is in many ways. But just last month, the director of the DC community asked me to come on as the Home Life Coordinator for the Highland House. I would start in the summertime. Now, part of me wanted to make a decision based on my own needs and desires, my own "plans." But the other part of me felt a pull to make a decision that would benefit the community, that would meet needs beyond myself. Graduate school will always be there. The Highland House really needs consistency. And I'm in desperate need of some orginazation/detail skills which I hope to acquire if I take the job.

I will make the final decision this week. And I'm not turning in any applications to graduate school. I think I know what I'm going to do. L'Arche for another year!! I've never been one to make such committments, but I guess that means I'm growing up - planning more than just a few months in advance. I am excited for the opportunity to be more involved in the life of the community, in brainstorming and decision-making. I just hope I can rise to the occassion! Man, sometimes I feel like my head isn't screwed on straight. But....here I go! My best bet is l'Arche will still be standing, even if I make a million mistakes. This isn't about me. It's about something greater than me. I just need to remember that.
--HEATHER B.