Much Needed Break

This photo was taken months ago as we were driving 2100 miles from Illinios to California. Here we had stopped for dinner at a rest area just across the border of Utah.

John Paul says we 'rush too much' and he is right. After weeks of what seems like non-stop travel and concerts and after meeting many very kind people - we are hoping to slow down for a while.
Following the concert and holy hour last night in Santa Clarita we turned the RV toward Oklahoma. Today we hope to drive along I-40 across Arizona.

Here's a strange thing to ponder: We are together almost ALL the time - yet we miss spending time together as a family. As great as it is to meet new families and make new friends, we miss the simple blessing of just hanging around together as a family with nothing to do but be with each other. How about your family?

Received and e-mail from a friend and wanted to share a portion with you - what beautiful, insightful things we get to read from time to time... Here is a little of what she wrote:

"Thank you for all that you do. This world needs your family to keep doing what you're doing. I picture our families (all families) having their own campfire. In each campfire are all the judgements that have been burned out of us by our suffering. In (our) campfire there is the "bad kid" judgement, the "bad mother" judgement, the "bad family" judgement, the "not acting as a good Christian" judgement and many others. The warmth from that fire is the olympic love that we learn, the humility that we gain, and the peace that comes in knowing that God is with us even when (maybe especially when) we fail. I picture families sitting around those campfires laughing, sharing our stories, learning from each other, helping each other to love more like Jesus by sharing the experiences that have helped burn the judgements from our beautiful hearts.

I've been stepping out more in sharing my faith in my community. In the past, because of my struggles and my family's struggles, I've thought, "who am I to share my faith with anyone?" The answer is, A CHILD OF GOD:-). Maybe the world needs more imperfect people from imperfect families telling about their faith and love and perseverance."

Thank you for that e-mail and your inspired reflection. Yes, PLEASE DO keep sharing your faith. If imperfect people do not share their faith - we would only hear from those who think they're perfect - and I don't know about you but that sounds awful boring to me!

Okay, time to get back on the road. Angels line the highway!

Alameda to King City

This morning the window for uploading photos keeps freezing up. (sigh) I'll try again later...

Mary continues mothering two-year-old Therese while homeschooling the boys as we pack up, drive, find new places and meet new people. We are really wanting to discover how to balance family life with the ministry both of us feel so called to... Every family faces some kind of challenge. We do not want to be rid of the trials because we know they can form us. At the same time we ask for wisdom to know how to face the trials so they will be for our good and the good of other familes. As usual it sounds really great in print.... Help us live it out, Lord. Amen.

We were in Alameda, California for a few days. We parked at the home of the family who set up the concert at their parish. Another 'Drive-By-Blessing' (Scroll down to September 19th post) and once again God really blessed the evening.

I must share something a woman told me. I hesistate describing Joanne as an elderly woman because she seems like she has never lost the energy and life of a twenty year old. (Also, the closer I get to 50, the younger all these elderly people are looking to me!) Joanne still works as a public health nurse and after the concert in Alameda, she told me that when prostitutes come to their clinic she tells each one to do the following:

'Look at your face in the mirror. Look into your eyes and say the following words out loud: "I am a precious child of God... a daughter (son) of the most high God and Jesus loves me. I am his princess (prince)... a member of a Royal Family..."

Joanne says these young women (or men) have great difficulty repeating those words because they break down crying.

Please God, the harvest is so great, we need for you to send out more workers like Joanne to change the face of the earth by speaking simple words of truth to the broken hearted. Surround Joanne with friends who will support her efforts in reaching out to your lost children. Through her words, bring your children home. Amen!

We are now in King City, California. Last night was a home-concert for a husband and wife who I believe are officially the longest running suporters of our efforts... and they're Lutheran! They began to help 20 years ago - way back when I was single (and still had hair!) God bless them and the friends they invited into their home last night. They are active members of the local Lutheran Church and the concert tonight will be the second one they have helped to schedule at the local Catholic Parish. How amazing is that?

Later this morning I will sing for folks at the local nursing home. Afterwards I will cross the street to a church basement where highschoolers will be dropping in for lunch and a prayer. Will you pray today for God's grace be poured out upon our family and those we will visit here? Please Lord, give me the words to say and the songs to sing. And enable all of our hearts to hear on a deeper level than before - how immeasurable your love is for your children. Help our weak faith when we cannot hear anything and are tempted to seek shelter in the noisy world. Please give us courage to continue seeking you in the silence. Thank you for the abundant sanity and peace you offer us there. Amen.