Friends & Family,
Merry Christmas to one and all. This year has been full of both joy and sorrow for me.
I will tell it to you straightforward in the best way I can. My NYC YAVs and I were supposed to head from orientation in Louisville, Kentucky to our apartment in West Harlem, New York. Unfortunately, that did not happen as we hoped it would be. There were site specific matters that needed to be resolved before we could move in. We ended up going to Stoney Point Retreat Center, which is two hours away from New York City. Stoney Point had both its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages were that we got to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city, along with having a roof over our heads and the lodge providing meals for us. We also got to explore the town and the greenery was beautiful. On the other hand, there was not much for us to do around the house, and we were stuck since we didn’t have a car.
Eventually, after a bit more than a week, we were told to go back home and wait until we were given further updates. Soon after, I was told that everything in New York City fell apart and that it would not be possible for me to go back. It felt like a gut punch to hear the terrible news. I was given the choice of doing a Virtual YAV year or wait until the 2026-27 YAV year came.
I pondered over the decision and talked it over with people I trust. Together with my pastor, we clarified a lot of aspects to consider with the YAV leadership. After much discernment, I made the decision to do the Virtual YAV year. Though at first it felt like a bump, at the same time I was happy, because I could continue to serve in my local community. My pastors, encouragingly recommended me to apply for two local food pantries where I could help throughout my year, Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) Food Pantry and StreetLight Community Outreach Ministries. I heard back immediately from ACTS Food Pantry, and I have been doing volunteer work there since November. In addition, the events made me realize that I would benefit from counseling to grow.
On Christmas Eve, First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City, Virginia where I have been a member since 2023, had two services. One was a family service, followed by a Candlelight & Communion service. I was in the second service because I was singing with the church choir, which is in the video above for everyone to watch.
During the service, I listened to the Christmas passages of Jesus’s birth in Luke Chapter 2 but also in Matthew Chapter 1 of the New Testament. The sermon’s title was “Joseph’s Pause”. In the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph was the only character who never spoke, yet he was given a choice. He was planning on quietly divorcing Mary so as not to make an embarrassment. But then he was told by the Angel not to be afraid and take Mary as his wife. He paused and did as the angel instructed and stayed with Mary, and Jesus was born in a manger. The passage reminded me of how I was considering to leave the YAV Program, but then paused, and chose to remain within the program virtually and serving locally. Had I left, I would have deprived myself of an opportunity to grow.
Another example of pondering was me discussing if I was going to Montreat, North Carolina for a college summit from January 2-5, 2026. I thought it over and I made the decision to go to Montreat.
Christmas is not just celebrating the birth of Christ, but also allowing time for oneself to pause and reflect. Pausing and reflecting are excellent ways of how we want to chart our paths going forward in a way that God can leave as a mark.
I am grateful to all those who supported and mentored me. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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