Tis the Season

Christmas and the end of the year have seemed to pair nicely together, for me, for self-reflection on the year past and to think, plan and set goals for the coming year. So it is, that I have gone into my annual self-reflection- and I can’t help but want to share it with you.

To preface my thought on this last year, I feel I must give you a quick personal background. I studied abroad in Austria, two years ago during my last semester in college and came back to graduate a new person, with new thoughts on life, the world and my own purpose in life. Upon returning to the US, my mission was to find my fit in this world. I knew my passion was children- but was unsure of my exact fit.

My grandmother gave me the most inspiring gift last year for Christmas. It was a cross inscribed: “Journey – ‘For I know I have plans for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” This gift meant so much to me, because at the time I felt as though I was just wondering aimlessly around. I knew what I wanted to do but just didn’t know how to get there. So, this gift became my theme for the year. Words can’t explain how excited I was to think, that in one year, I would have found my way, my purpose and would be doing meaningful work.

June came around and I was feeling quite disappointed because it was halfway through the year, and I felt as though I hadn't made any progress. I was a little let down because I thought this was going to be another year gone by, with no real movement towards my life purpose.

Then HALO came along! And these past 4 months have been the best in my life- because of HALO. I had been searching for the exact opportunity HALO provided for me: creating opportunities for orphaned and at-risk children to find themselves, empower themselves and help them learn the skills and develop the tools they need to lead a productive and successful life. I had searched around Kansas City, volunteered with a lot of different organizations, but never found an exact match until I found HALO.

After my first week at HALO, I couldn't even remember what life was like before HALO. It means so much to me to be able to do this work and give my time to an organization that is so honest and passionate and focused on making the world better for our children.

I want to take this opportunity to encourage and challenge you to consider HALO; whether through hosting a workshop at The Center, becoming a HALO Hero, buying a gift that gives twice from our online holiday catalog* or spreading HALO’s mission to others - not only has HALO made a huge difference in the lives of orphaned children worldwide and at-risk youth in our own community, but it has also, truly, transformed my life and helped me find my direction.

*HALO's online catalog can be found on our homepage: haloworldwide.org