As my time living and working at Maggie’s Place is winding down, and my exit date rapidly approaches, I have been reflecting on all the things I’ve learned and experienced in the past two years. In no particular order, the following is a list of why you should become a MissionCorps member at Maggie’s Place…
· You get to hold cute babies
· You will meet some of the best friends you’ll ever have
· You will grow. A lot.
· You will pretty much always have a vehicle to drive. It might be a beat-up minivan but never underestimate the power of transportation when you live where you work.
· The moms will bring you joy, drive you crazy, and humble you all in the same day. It is not always easy, but there is never a dull moment.
· Sometimes, people will just randomly bring dinner to your house just when you were wondering how to make a meal of eggs and ranch dressing.
· So many vacation days!
· Community life. The highs and lows can be extreme, but it is beautiful and challenging, and you will learn more about yourself and others than you probably ever wanted to know.
· The privilege of walking with another person on their journey
· You’ll learn you can’t save people–you can just love them
· Every MP home is beautiful and unique
· You will realize how good people can be and how much they want to help
· Life at Maggie’s Place prepares you for your vocation–whatever that may be
· Christmas at Maggie’s Place is busy, overwhelming, and joyful!
· Free room and board and an abundance of good company
· A chapel with the Blessed Sacrament…always available to you in your house
· Experience in case management, household operations, conflict resolution, budgeting, changing diapers, changing tires, organization, and so much more
· So. Many. Celebrations. Christmas, Easter, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, farewell ceremonies, birthdays, sobriety milestones, births…any occasion for joy will be recognized.
· Community Prayer is a beautiful thing.
· You are welcomed into a community and embraced as a valuable member of a team
· The moms can teach you a lot more than you expect
· You will laugh. And you will cry. Sometimes you’ll laugh so hard you’ll cry.
· You will learn how to deal with difficult situations and difficult people.
· Corps members also get some donation privileges…you’ll never want for tampons or toothpaste
· You have opportunities to encounter Christ every day–in the chapel, in the moms, in the volunteers, in the staff, He is everywhere.
By Morgan Castillo, a MissionCorps member
