Words Cannot Describe

Last weekend, weather forecasters repeatedly gave their warning of the possible wrath that could be caused by SANDY. I was concerned... for my family... for my friends... for my "home" state.

Monday came and I checked in with my parents... sister... 3 brothers... and some friends - all who live in New Jersey.  It was rainy and windy and Sandy was coming toward the shoreline with FULL force.

(do you see the "y" in New York City? -  That is the where I grew up - where my parents and sister and 3 brothers now live.)


I received phone calls around 8pm that they lost their power by around dinner time but I kept myself busy so I wouldn't think too much about them... although I tried to keep praying.


Monday night came and it was reported that SANDY had come on shore, heading across the state of New Jersey around 8pm.  I watched some news/ weather reporting, but finally went to bed just wishing the night would end so that the storm could be over.  I woke up several times that night... each time checking the clock to see if I could get up and call my parents to check on them.  ... Finally, the dawn arrived and I got up, headed downstairs to make my coffee, turn on the fireplace and turn on the TV. 

Devastation.  Complete devastation.  Of so many familiar places in my "home" state. 

The Jersey Shore... where I spent many fun summer times during the summers.

The amusement park at Seaside Heights - the roller coaster! - IN the ocean!

The beautiful trees for which the wonderful 'Garden State' is known.

Its been a couple days... 4 to be exact.  The power is still out in a very large percentage of homes in the state.  Many people's homes are flooded or worse yet, completely destroyed or swept away by the storm surge.  My family and I watch the reports on the tv and know that what we are seeing in the videos doesn't even come close to portraying how awful things are there.  -  Makes us feel helpless.

My parents still don't have power and don't know when they will get it back. Same with my brother and his family and my sister and her family.  Thankfully, they have generators - and most importantly, they have a roof over their heads and they are alive and well.

Its been a few days since I posted, because I've had a few busy days....

On Friday, I attended a Youth Ministry Conference in my diocese.  It was wonderful!  I'm always inspired by the words of E.G. (our director of youth ministry for our diocese).  The keynote speaker for the day was Jim Beckman, a 20-year veteran of youth ministry. 

I left at the end of day feeling excited and motivated to do more for and with the youth of my parish.  The youth ARE the future of our church, after all.

So~ the overall message for the day was 
                        Discipleship is a way of life!! 
 

In order to effectively disciple our youth, we must be rooted in our own personal prayer life. The analogy he used was that rather than being a 'channel' in which water just runs through us to others, we need to be a 'reservoir', meaning that we need to fill ourselves and therefore will be better able to provide water for others without depleting our water supply.  Make sense? (water=our spiritual life)

Discipleship is all about building relationships.  In order to evangelize our youth, there needs to be a trusting relationship first.  Meeting the youth 'where they are' in their journey is also very important and how would you know 'where they are' if you don't take the time to get to know them first.  Some are actively searching for a deeper relationship with God, yet others might still be questioning whether there is a God.  When Jesus walked on the road to Emmaus, He talked to them and encouraged them to share their hearts.  He intentionally spoke to them without preaching but by trying to stir up their hunger and desire for truth.   

There was SO much more that I learned on Friday.... too much to share here.  One final thing, though, that Jim Beckman focused on was the great importance of parent involvement in the religious/ spiritual growth of the children.  Not just parents - but other adults in the community.  He said that it was found in a study that 'ideally' there would be a 4 to 1 ratio - that is 4 adults to 1 child!!!  That is a lofty goal... but perhaps we can strive for that goal and reach a 1 to 1 ratio.   I have some ideas on how we can work toward that goal at our parish.  Already this year, we have 11 wonderful and committed parents working with the  45 middle school youth at our parish every week.  (thank you to them!)

TODAY is the day!! -  Are you planning to watch? -  Are you praying for him?  Please do!!  And while you are at it, please pray for our country!

Here is a man who I will be proud to call my Vice President.  A man of character... strong moral values... integrity...

(Aisha - do you have the t-shirts printed yet?)

 http://www.stlukeproductions.com/

www.saintmaxdrama.com

Last night, a good friend and I went to see a play called 'Maximilian: Saint of Auschwitz".  It was so well-done and so moving.  I learned a great deal about St. Maximilian Kolbe and his devotion to Jesus through his love for the Immaculata.

He endured the brutal treatment and death at the hands of the Nazi's at Auschwitz, however his faith never wavered.  Amazing...

Also amazing was the talent of the man who acted in this play.  He played ALL of the parts in the play... changing costume and personality continually throughout the play.  I highly recommend going to one of these performances if he ever comes near you.  Check out the schedule on the website listed above.  

At the end of the play, the actor spoke to the audience reminding us to always have faith.  Don't despair and keep our faith focused on God and His goodness.

.... I am!!

(For a long time, I have been wanting to start writing a blog (again).  I often find myself wanting to say more... although maybe nobody cares to listen to or read  what I have to say or write. ;)  But - there are often things I want to express... and not on facebook.  So, here I go....)

**click on the link at the bottom of this page to listen to a song that goes with this post/ blog**

The title of this - my first post -  is the reason I named my blog "Beautifully Blest".  -  Because I AM!!  Of course the obvious examples of this are my husband and my children.  I hope to highlight these and many of my blessings through coming blog posts, but for today, my focus is one that I've come to appreciate greatly in recent weeks and months.  My health.  God has blessed me with good health - which I didn't realize was so precious until about a year ago.  

Last fall was tough.  And stressful.  I never 'in a million years' thought I would hear a doctor tell me that there was cancer in my body.  NO! There isn't even a high incidence of it in my family or extended family.  Heart disease, diabetes ... maybe.  But not cancer!  Thanks be to God that my wonderful and amazing doctor was proactive and this was discovered at a very early stage.  Other than the initial surgery, no treatments were needed.  Now, I see an oncologist regularly - another wonderful and amazing doctor for whom I am eternally grateful.  I truly believe that my guardian angel was working through these two doctors!

Today, almost a year after that initial surgery,  I am healthy and feel great.  So you see, 'beautifully blest' - I AM! Thank you God!