There is an appointed time for everything...

Need I say more?

Again, God just keeps ...being...Himself! :) Before I came to Cabrini I had the experience of meeting a wonderful Messianic Jew from Nicaragua. We met Salsa dancing, and though the relationship got...complicated, I never stopped appreciating it!



Today's reading included the explanation of how there is a time for everything. I will also include this reading, as it's so important to remember just how balanced life is! In all of it's complicated simplicity that reading is SO TRUE! When I was getting to know Bernardo, I almost resisted it! He ALWAYS brought it up! What do you mean a time for love and a time for war? A time to love AND a time to hate? Yes.

I am finding now....more and more, just how important it is to have an awareness of this truth. It really brings a peace in accepting that life calls us to different responses at different times. We cannot keep EVERYTHING, that is why we need to cast away. That can pertain to junk (haha in my house everyone had a dresser drawer that was their "junk drawer"...looking back, it's kind of ironic that we didn't label other drawers that too!), it can pertain to ideal and expecatations, ....sometimes even relationships. Because it is our job to come up with the best response possible as life comes head on, we are called to do that prayerfully and with and openness to learning and wisdom. It is my prayer for all of us, including myself, that we be mindful of that!

Yay God for the inspiration of such a useful way to understand balance and trust! AND I mean...look there's even a time to DANCE!!! I think that I'm going to have a little less resistance to this part of Scripture!!! ;) Enjoy!

Eccl 3:1-11
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.

Come: At table with Cabrini!

On Tuesday night, we at Columbus shared in a truly Cabrinian time at table and prayer. WIth sisters in the city from all over the world, we were 12 together at table. Seven of us from Columbus, Yolanda from Nicaragua, and Lúcia, Noberta, Gloria and Mary Angela from Brasil. The prayer I chose for the evening was from Sacred Space and it truly was a 'sacred space'!

Diane had the great idea of using the Sacred Space in Portuguese so that the Brasilians would be able to read along too! It was so beautiful to have the exchange of both languages, and thanks to Yolanda we had all that we needed translated!

After the beautiful reading from Ephesians, which I'll include so you get the idea, too, I passed around a bowl. In the bowl were some of the most powerful words that were in that part of Scripture (call, unity, faith, hope, love, Spirit, gift, etc.). The papers had the word in English and Portuguese, and the direction was simply to take the word and sit with it. Maybe it was the word that we each needed to hear, maybe there was something else from Sacred Space that stood out....it was quiet.

When the sharing began, Mary Angela, a member of the laity from Brasil shared her word and a beautiful expression of having your what we do should come from the head, then go the heart, THEN go out in action. The sharing continued, thankfully not in order so that no one felt pressured to share! By the end, everyone had decided to share their word!

Diane shared her word, "Come." She laughed! At first she saw it as the word 'come' in Spanish, which means to eat. But the word in English, 'come.' is the idea of us all gatheirng together. We were 12 at table. We shared a meal of physical nourishment, but more importantly shared in Eucharist in the way that we were all able to share our faith's, despite language barriers. HOW BEAUTIFUL! It was really quite emotional for me to be in the presence of 11 strong women, both religious and laity, myself included. It was touching to hear everyone's perspective, most via their word, on what the Gospel says our mission is as part of the Cabrinian and greater Christian community. It was beautiful to hear what people from other countries had to say and how relevant their ideas were even though they are from other places of the world. The part that we really awesome for me was to watch my sisters, the one with whom I live in community share their own spirit-filled reflections on their words from the Gospel. Pretty cool, huh?

I just keep finding that no matter how God-given the experiences here are, ...they never run out! He just keeps giving us more opportunities to experience Him in all that we do - in our prayer, our community time together and in each of our ministries!

(Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13) I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.

Yo No Sé Mañana...

No sé de hoy, ni de este momento! ¿ Quien sabe? Haha...Everytime I've turned the radio on in the last 3-4 days, the song "Yo no sé mañana," has been playing! And I was like, that's so true; I don't know about tomorrow, heck, I don't even know about today...or right now! That's where trust comes in!

All I can do is try! I came back to NY, and my first feelings were of utter relief. My summer was very special and much-needed, but the feeling of coming back to Columbus was just as great as all of the time spent away! I had been so long without the sisters!! I came back during prayer, and as soon as it was OVER, I ran into the chapel!! They are so wonderful!!! Angie, Archangel, Diane, Toni, Mary Lou, the WHOLE gang!! AND the new missioners - it was so great to finally see all of their faces! Skype is a good way to keep in contact, but a hard way to meet!

We quickly all got to spend time together, as the spider bite ensued. Everyone had a hand in both the attempted diagnosis and treatment of that thing on my arm! The missioners definitely had an interest! Sr. Toni, bless her, took time to take me to the ER to finally get the abscess drained! It's hanging in there! The good news is that I still have my arm, and the volcano is missing!

We also went on a boat cruise together! Though the event itself was questionable, I had a great time spending the ride with these three lovely ladies!!



Who knows what the rest of the year has in store? I'm just excited to see what's next!! I just pray that I stay open to the graces that come through the joy and challenge of this new yet familiar experience!

Summer Away...Part III

HOME! (August 19-31)

Coming home was a time of closure for me. Not that I won’t be returning, but it was a time for me to see people that are important to me and share that with them. It was a time for me to discuss where I am in my life and to express that though I might not always be around, it doesn’t reflect just how grateful I am to have them in my life. It was a time to go home, and the graces given were, wisdom, joy, peace, and MORE LOVE!! :)

From home home to my Green Bay home, to Jules in Madison, to Scott in IL, to Sr. Bridget at the retreat house…so many people, so many wonderful experiences and conversations!

The first weekend I was at home my parish had their annual Family Festival. It was a great opportunity to walk the grounds and catch up with many people that have had a hand in my growing up! I also got to go dancing!! Before dancing, though, I was luck enough to have a LONG-OVERDUE visit with Dan…who knows, at least now, I hope just how pivotal a role he’s played in my life without knowing! TOO MUCH TIME WITHOUT SALSA!! My health and mental well-being got re-started!! The people at the Wherehouse are SO GOOD to me! They are just too beautiful and so genuine! Got to have dinner and an evening with Jess (even though we didn’t go to Chicago for the show I was invited to ;)…dinner with Joan, coffee with Sr. Patty…the list goes on. AND OF course, with Mary O!!! :) My youth minister from HS whose come a long ever step of this long journey in a short time! One of the days my brother and sister and law came over with my nieces and nephew…one thing that I can never forget is how everyone is getting so grown up and I’m missing it ALL!!!



In Green Bay I got to spend time with the family that I babysat for when I was in college! They were my family for 3 years and continue to be very special people in my life! I also got to see Carla, Crystal’s aunt that was a great contact to have up there! I also spent the night with Andrea’s sister and kid’s who have an exchange student for the next year! They put up more than anyone with my stories of the summer! I went to St. Norbert where I was able to visit the director and a member of the Norbertine Volunteer Community! I also got to spend time with my old (former ;) campus minister, and the director of community service and development. I also got to see one on my professors!! I hope to have another opportunity to go back!



In Madison, I got to see a little bit of the world Julie’s created in the last year, which didn’t exclude time for some fun and dancing! Great to see her, as she returned from the DR after I did. It was during this time when I got the infamous bite that …

well, most of you know, but here’s part of what the process was!! This, is in no way, a reflection of the visit!! :) I had a wonderful time!

My trip to IL was nothing short of grace-filled! A quick one-hour with Sr. Bridget at the retreat house in DesPlaines was a God-given hour, for sure! Afterwards I headed to see Scott! Scott, since college has been one of the most special friends that I have…that’s put up with me! It was nice to share my experience of the summer…especially Julio, with him. Julio, though a TOTAL SITUATION, was a big part of my discernment over the summer. I got to catch up and hear about his life, which he always seems to be better at than I am!! …I talked…mostly the whole time… :( dang. Why am I so lucky to have such beautiful people in my life? I also got to spend time with his family. Between Scott, his mom, and his sisters, I have just about the best group of supporters a girl could ever ask for. Again, what did I do to deserve such good and Spirit-led individuals?!

Oh, and one of my baby sisters is in college now. Can we talk about that? She was the one that got the crash course on diaper changing! Forget about babysitting class! She was 2 and I was 8! A mature 8 lol It was again, such a beautiful experience to see what was only the beginning of her transition to college life! I am so excited for her and thrilled to see her becoming more who God made her to be!! Go, Sarah ;)

My experience ended up and home, one more night of dancing and Jim, one of my favorites even took time before I left for NY to teach my sister, Rebecca (like that?) to salsa for a quinceañera! Can one person really be so fortunate?! Going home is just another reminder in life of how much God is present everywhere and always. That brief trip in many ways served as a life review at age 24, and I jgust keep thinking, “God, really? Yes, really.

Thanks for listening…or reading!

Summer Away...Part II

The DR (August 6-August 19)
The DR was NOTHING less than what I expected! If anything, the people were more welcoming, more loving, and more faith-filled. I stayed a night in Santo Domingo with a friend from Elias Piña before heading out there the next day on a bus.

We arrived the next evening in Comendador, a town in that province at about 7pm. I RAN down the cobblestones to Miguelina’s house to drop of my bags at their house in one of the closer neighborhoods outside of the center of the town, and I ran into town to find Julie! She left WI ahead of me to have more time in the DR, so I met her there! It was so great to see her after a few months!

Looking back, there is something really surreal about that time in Elias Piña. After the dramatic month-long experience in Ecuador, the week and a half (after travel), FLEW by. The daily routine, if there were one, involved me sleeping while Julie went for a run. We would have breakfast together, and often separate. Julie has a lot of personal friends in from the month she spent there last year.



I spent most of my time getting the insight and wisdom of Miguelina. We met Miguelina, when we went in 2008, as the morning worker at the bakery. In the last days that we were there, Miguelina offered us some of the most heartwarming hospitality. That standard she set has since gone unchanged. She welcomed both Julie and me into her house with open arms as a mother. Treated as daughters and sisters by Miguelina’s husband and sons, we felt right at home!



I had the opportunity to fall in love with their neighbors that Julie met last summer. The children are so affectionate and loving. The adolescents of the parish, eager to include us in going to mass, spending time at one another’s homes, and of course – dancing! I wish that I could explain the purity of being in a place where the value of relationship with God and others is lived out everywhere! The graces were unlimited and offered all day!

It’s funny the way that I don’t have a lot to say….it’s like when you talk about your home versus a new place that you’ve never been before. Elias Piña is just….home. I had many pictures to share of time in the campo, playing uno with the kids, having a feast day celebration at our home for the Blessed Virgin. Unfortunately, my pictures were deleted, but there are some that was able to get before leaving!

One there are two more important people that I didn’t mention yet! Lizbeth is my little friend…which is only partly true because she’s getting so old! I cried leaving in 2008 after knowing her for all of 10 DAYS! Her houses is one that I could just find returning because I follow my heart. She is such a special girl! Her biggest upset is always that I haven’t come to stay at her house!

Lizbeth 2008!


Lizbeth 2009!


Lizbeth 2010!


The last but NOT LEAST – Elvira!
2008...


2010!



She has been most like my mother ever since I met her. She has the incredible rough exterior, with reason, but once you express a mutual care, she is so tender and caring. She always wanted me to come to her house, meet her children, etc. I spent more time there this visit than I ever had, and had plenty of time to spend with my girl Carolina (her granddaughter)! When I went to Comendador the first time, I literally wanted to bring her home with me. TOO CUTE. Ahora esa mujer no es facil! She is one of the most difficult little girls have ever known…quite the attitude, but my love for her…greater than ever. In this visit, she told me, “Te quiero.” AWWWW I love her too! And she would yell for me, “Tia María.” What an honor to be called Aunt Mary by beautiful Dominican child!!

Carola 2008…


Carola 2010!


She was probably one of the hardest people to leave, the family, nearly impossible. I’m like crying as I type this. Is it possible to feel so much a part of a family, whose acquaintance has grown to love in only a few weeks combined!? These people are my family.

The blessing of being in the Dominican Republic did end at being welcomed again to Comendador, but had the finale in Santiago. A couple days before I left, I took a bus from Santo Domingo to Santiago to visit my sponsor child, María. She is so beautiful, and the spitting image of my personality at age 11. She is so shy, which I can appreciate probably more than any other adult. I understood every action, every ‘verguenza.’ On top of us both being introverted and her shyness, we had two of the program’s staff, as well as the taxi driver and all of her family watch our interaction… I don’t blame her for being embarrassed!

In April when I started to sponsor María, I had already booked a ticket to go to the DR, so the visit came on the very early side of the sponsorship. She and I hadn’t even had letters exchanged before she knew that I was going to her house! Though the visit was a little premature, it was so beautiful. I got so see mi hayjada! Seeing her and meeting her family gave me a lot of peace around the sponsorship. The visit, of course, is very ‘monitored,’ so I need to trust that she’s really getting all that she needs.

I think that the visit was good for two other reasons, the first is that they had a chance to see who I am instead of what I am, a sponsor. She learned that I am a young adult and a missionary! I know that they tend to thing of sponsors as having a lot of ‘extra’…so it also gave me peace for her to know that I am really giving her all that I can…She also learned that I was just like her when I was young ;) I told her I NEVER talked, so I just kept assuring her that I didn’t expect her to be talking a lot!

The other grace was that they know how near and dear their country is to my heart. That I don’t see my life in the US as better than theirs, in fact, that desire their lifestyle! It was a good perspective for them to see and value their own culture a little more, knowing how desirable it is!

The conversation…was a little forced. Ten people in a room that don’t know each other, a recipe for awkwardness, no? Haha, maybe just for me, but either way, I brought UNO! Thanks to Julie for the idea, I was able to take time to teach María and her family how to play! Before the game was done, a staff person was playing, a few members of María’s family, María, even the taxi driver, and all of the neighbors were looking in to see how to play! It was fun!! By the end, I could feel and see in Marías eyes, which are GORGEOUS, that she was a little more comfortable, and I started to see that smile coming out that made me fall in love with her from the beginning! When I had to leave, I made eye contact with her, and it was as if we had a quick little conversation…

Thanks you for coming.
Thank you for having me.
I’m really glad that you were able to come.
I’m sorry that it was so short, but KNOW that I care about you and pray for you!

There was a warmth, love and appreciation on both sides and I left, so grateful to have had the chance to meet her. She knew that I wouldn’t know when I’d ever be able to afford to come back, but that it was special that I was able to come at all. So many sponsors, even with money, never have a chance or take the time to visit their children. God was so present in the sponsorship and visit! Thanks be to God for that! I hope that there is some way to show just how beautiful this 11-year old is!

Leaving only the Dominican Republic, Stop #2, was hard...it always is, but there's a sense of peace I have in knowing that as lost as "Dios quiere." There will be a time when I will see them again!