Monday, August 18, 2008

Goodbye Home!

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As I sit for the last time with wireless internet at my fingertips, and the next four months worth of clothes in my duffle bag, my thoughts are a little scattered. I had a great trip to Florida, where I visited my friend Jen from BC, my Mom, and the newlyweds (who are quite well after their honeymoon, despite a broken AC in their new apartment!) Pray though that Floridians stay safe during the hurricane...

Tomorrow Dad, Joe, and I leave for Milwaukee to take Joe to Marquette. I can't believe Joey is starting college! Crazy. I'll go from there to St. Paul where I visit another friend from BC, then begin training on Saturday. My heart is full of emotion and joy. Thank the Lord there are so many people around me in transition too, so we can go on the adventure together. When the future seems insecure, all you can tangibly do is rejoice in the present, and trust that God knows what He is doing. In many ways I feel as if I have very little to offer this community, but as St. Therese says, "the Strong God likes to show His power by making use of nothing". I'm praying that God gives me the ability to trust Him like a child. We are so fragile! (I was reminded of this today when I passed out for the first time during my typhoid vaccine..)

Thanks for your continued prayers. I don't want to imagine where I would be without them. I will miss you all, but am so grateful for your presence with me. I don't know when I'll be updating next, but hopefully it will be before I leave for Honduras on September 5th.

God bless,
MJ

Monday, August 11, 2008

Dapper Joe escorts Mom.
Father of the bride! Seeing her off.
The married couple with the Bridal Party. (Great dress choice, Em)
They are married!

Emily and Pat's Wedding!

How could I have forgotten to mention?!?!

Last week Em and Pat were joined in Holy Matrimony...WEDDING! It was beautiful, and fun. It was in DC, so not close to home....but it was great to see all of the family who were able to make it out! They are back from their honeymoon and I get to visit them on Wednesday! I will attach some pics :)

Thank You!

Hello dear Friends, Family, Sponsors, and Prayer Warriors!

Please forgive me for not having emailed earlier! I am here in Sarasota, FL, staying with my Mom before leaving for Honduras. I've officially already started Mission, as some of my co-Missioners are already at the site in language school. I'm getting ready to go to a two-week training session with a group called "NET Ministries" in St. Paul, Minnesota. This is a small change in the original plan...I am not actually committed to NET Ministries (a US organization which travels the country leading retreats for youth) but thanks to their generosity and connection with the Missioners of Christ, I'll be joining them (along with one other co-Missioner) for the beginning of their training to meet them, pray with them, and to gain some insight from their program in hopes of using it as I make my way South. That begins on August 23rd!

I'm getting a little ahead of myself though. Let me explain the blog a bit. I'm not sure how frequently I'll be able to get online, and it probably won't be often. Though impersonal, I figured this would be the best way to get in touch with you all and to keep you updated and informed, hopefully with pictures when available, and especially for prayer requests and such. I'll hopefully be able to email you when it is updated, but check back every so often whether or not you receive an email.

You may have noticed the blog is called "To the Depths". I just graduated from Boston College, which is affectionately called "the Heights". Providentially, the English translation of Honduras is "the Depths". So I'll be going from the Heights to the Depths! And as a favorite holy man always rallied during his mountain climbs "to the Heights!" (Bl. Pierre Giorgio Frassatti), I think a new motto for me will be "to the Depths!" "Deep is calling on deep" and I want to answer that call. I feel unprepared, and yet , this seems okay...sometimes we just have to jump in and trust God completely.

I am SO grateful for all of your support. Know of my prayers for all of you and please hold the whole Mission and me in your prayers. Please email to tell me if you have any specific prayer requests.

How blessed I am to have you all in my life!

God bless you as you too prepare for the newness of Fall and whatever that brings!

In Him,
MJ