The Art of "Don't Worry..."

We have been planning a road trip to the LA Religious Education Congress since the event in 2019 when we flew to California.  Planning a road trip in late February of any year can be dicey, at best. With multiple mountain ranges to traverse, winter driving can be tricky and fluid. One minute it can be clear and cold and the next a full-on blizzard. 

If you don't know me well, I used to worry about everything. Notoriously about things that I had no control over (i.e., the weather). I am also not fond of snow covered and/or icy roads. So deciding to road trip with my dh and two friends, well, it could've been extremely stressful. 

Several years ago I learned a very powerful lesson about giving it to God and then letting it go. We took a road trip to Pensacola for Christmas (yes in December). I was also finishing my degree and instead of consuming energy on worrying about the weather for our upcoming trip, I decided to try something new. I prayed that we would have good weather for our trip to Florida and then a remarkable thing happened - I was able to let go of that worry and concentrate my energy on my coursework.

Our departure time arrived and I was calm and carefree - no worries for this girl! That was pretty awesome but the miraculous part was we had beautiful (albeit cold) weather the entire trip to Florida. I am talking blue skies and sunshine the entire time. The return trip was exactly the same until we arrived Idaho and then we did have to contend with some snow.  But it was December in the Pacific northwest!

My point is this - I let God take care of the weather as I do not have that super power (although for all those years I think I thought I did). God wants us to pray and He wants to give us what we pray for.

So fast forward to the present. A trip from Washington state to southern California in February. Early in the planning stages, I prayed for good weather for our trip and then didn't worry about it again.

We are about 4 hours from home on our return trip, we have had beautiful days, sunshine and blue skies, and absolutely perfect roads. No snow, ice, and not even wet. God has poured out His blessings on us and made this trip, at least for me, memorable and extra special because I could focus on the trip itself (such beautiful country), our faith and our relationships instead of unduly worrying about something completely beyond my control.

May God bless you in a similar way so you foster and feed new and existing relationships while you can.

RE Congress 2020

We have started our drive home early this morning. Leaving the southern California craziness and ginormous number of people is not breaking my heart. I much prefer the slower pace and fewer people in our south central Washington city. We should be back home tomorrow afternoon.

A lot of people don't like the Congress for reasons of their own; however,  if the Congress taught me anything it was tolerance and love. While the Congress may not be for everyone, it has something for everyone and it includes everyone. 

Learning to listen to and for God's voice; to see His face in the homeless, the impoverished, the "invisible" ones and to acknowledge them by a smile, a few words, or simply eye contact; and hearing that while ministry is very important, living our faith, building relationships with God is paramount. We must strive to be merciful, forgive, & love all so we, too, can become holy and join God in heaven). 

This Congress was a growing and learning experience for me. I hope I can inspire others in our parish to "Live Mercy Be Holy"  God bless and Holy Spirit parish, we will see you soon. 

#recongress #livemercybeholy

Second Day

Today was the second day of the #RECongress and the workshops were amazing. Father Leo was so entertaining while teaching is much about the sacrament of marriage. He also renewed our vows and blessed our rings before it was all over. His talk was a keeper (we purchased it and is safely on a key drive). The workshop immediately following lunch was with our friend, Sherry Weddell from Catherine of Siena Institute (Called and Gifted). Her perspective and stories are interesting,  informative, and hope filled. She is a blessing. Two workshops tomorrow (Fr. Tony and Valimar Jensen - saved the best for last) and then the closing mass at 3:30 PM. Please pray for our safe trip home and God bless you. 

Live Mercy, Be Holy

This is the theme of this year's congress and it is very much words to live by. The music from the opening ceremony was specifically written for this event and is beautiful. We all went to several different sessions this morning so our lunch talk was very animated and showed our revived passion for our faith. Blessings to all. More tonight. 

LA Congress

We are once again given the blessing of attending the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, CA. Currently, we are waiting for the opening ceremony to begin. The arena is packed, noisy, and filled with the spirit. We have great hope and expectations for another energizing, love-filled experience at the Congress. We are surrounded by several members of our parish family and already enjoying those relationships. 

That's what it is all about, you know, relationships! Our relationship with each other and especially with our God! More on that kater. Until the next break...good morning and may God bless each of you.