Double Blessings

The Twins!




We had the HONOR of stopping for a week to help out our friends who just welcomed two new members to their family. You may recall a prayer request posted on our prayer-page... Here is a picture of answered prayers. James, a professor at Steubenville University, and his wife Kate are doing fine as are their twin girls: Maren and Monica. Their older daughter (2 and a half year old) Grace and our Therese had a lot of fun as well as a few stressful moments. If you know James and Kate - be sure and ask them about their last-minute stay at a certain Holiday Inn.

Picture two was taken over my shoulder at a highway 80 Rest Stop. As soon as I post this blog entry, we'll get back on the highway. Next stop: Massachusetts. Pray for angels to help us find our way through an unfamiliar part of the country. We are currently without our navigation device and did not realize how much we used it until it stopped working!

Last night we paid $200 for half a tank - so a great big THANK YOU to all of you who help keep us on the road!

What are YOU doing for dinner tonight?

We have driven over 100 miles today and are stopping so Mary can make dinner. I'm starving and the RV is filled with the smell of a great meal. Where are we? At home, of course. This time we are parked at this filling station in Joplin, Missouri. (see photo) Anybody out there know any convection oven cooking ideas - please pass them along. Is your family having dinner together tonight? For those who answer 'no' - ask yourself 'Why not?' Are you eating together anytime this week? Hope so. When I've asked a few families what is the secret to making their family strong more than once the answer has been the same: "Eat dinner together!" Time to eat! More later - and thank you for prayers for safe travel, please keep those coming. MJP

Poppy, Nana, and Divine Mercy

Glad to be back in touch. Okay - update time.

We celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday at St Francis of Assisi Parish in Bakersfield, CA. In all I sang at 7 masses, 1 Holy Hour, 2 ‘mini’ concerts - and was ready to pass out by Sunday night. What a kind and welcoming community! Parishioners brought meals to our door and were constantly asking if we had everything we needed. This is one of those very busy parishes that is bursting at the seams. You can tell there is a great deal of love between Pastor and flock. Every Sunday at the 10AM mass as many children as can fit are invited to sit in the sanctuary and still they have to set up folding chairs outside to hold the overflow. I wonder what that place was like on Easter...

The second Saturday vigil mass (pictured above) was offered for the Vietnamese community.

Sunday afternoon Mr and Mrs Todd (aka “Poppy” and “Nana”) hosted us for lunch at their St. Faustina Home for unwed Moms. At one time this kindly couple mistakenly imagined their ‘golden years’ might be quiet.... but God had another idea. Thankfully they said ‘yes’ and allowed God to change their plans for a peaceful retirement. So they live in the back part of a house for unwed moms. So far they have helped to welcome 10 babies into the world. We will add ‘Poppy and Nana’ to our prayer page asking God to bless their ‘yes’ and send them extra angels to help.

We're still here!

It has been a long time! We've been out of range each time I've tried to post. Today we are waking up in a New Mexico parking lot as we make our way toward Oklahoma. No picture because the signal is too weak here. A big THANK YOU to the many kind people who have helped us continue our outreach. Thank you for joining us in the Divine Mercy Novena. All of us - but especially the boys - THANK YOU for the bunk beds! More to post in the next few days. Pictures and stories. Meanwhile, know we are thanking God along the way.
Lastly, please visit our pray page and include our friend Kathryn and her family in your prayers.
Michael, Mary, and family