more growing into vocation...

I made it to Colonia, Uruguay for my visa run and a few days of personal retreat. While away, I plan to revisit the theme of vocation these next couple of days. Back in 2007 I shared some thoughts and reflections on vocation that still provide a foundation for what I hope to develop further (click here). As I attempt to pull together what I have learned about vocation so far, I think it is important to keep the below quote in mind…

“The very different vocational prospects for the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ in our world offer a good starting point for the process of critical reflection on our social position. We should consider, for example, the question of whether the intricacies of vocational discernment are just a luxury for the privileged classes who are economically secure enough to be able to worry about things like ‘authenticity’ or ‘following their bliss.’ While a small minority of the world’s population is blessed with a range of interesting career options to choose from, the poor are cursed with severely limited options. For most of the world’s people, extreme poverty closes off vocational possibilities for meaningful work. The poor are consequently less concerned with whether a job is ‘right’ for them and more with whether there is any kind of job for them at all.” (A Sacred Voice Is Calling, John Neafsey)

As I seek to deepen my understanding of vocation, I need to keep this in mind. I need to frame my listening and vocational discernment with my friends in mind … my friends who struggle to make enough spare change to live day to day. I also need to remember that vocation is about more then my “work” or “occupation.” Ultimately, my vocation is follower of Jesus Christ, reflecting Him in all areas of life.

Just some initial thoughts as I begin this retreat.

in case anyone is still out there...

I’m still here! Once again I have lost my blogging groove…missing in action for a couple months! Here is my attempt to get in at least one blog post this month of June! I’m not even sure where to start. One highlight since I last posted was a visit from my mom and sister in May! It was so fun to share my life here with them and play tourist, taking in all the sights of Buenos Aires. We had a great time together, including spending Mother’s Day with mom. It has been a long time since both Donja and I have been together with our mom on Mother’s Day….little did we know it would happen in Buenos Aires. Thanks for visiting, mom and Donja!

The highlight of June was celebrating a big decade birthday….you all know the one. Let’s just say “quarenta” sounds older in Spanish, too! For my b-day weekend I got away to Mar del Plata, a beach city about 5-hours away from Buenos Aires. Even though it was winter and chilly, the sights, sounds, and smells of the ocean were refreshing! The following weekend the Forcattos surprised me with a party with Argentine friends and an album of meaningful notes, memories, and pictures. It was a great way to ring in a new decade of life! Thanks everyone for your emails, FB wall posts, and notes from across the miles!

Tomorrow (Sunday) I am headed to Uruguay for a “visa run.” Every six-months I need to renew my Argentina visa by leaving the country and reentering. Uruguay is just an hour boat ride across the Rio del Plata. I will combine the visa run and with some retreat time for a few days. Colonia is a quiet, sleepy little town on the river…A nice change of pace from big city life in Buenos Aires.

Well, this barely scratches the surface of news from here. But, it’s a start. I’ll try and be back soon! Nos vemos!