1 City. 7 Days. 16 Shows.

Spring Break 2012 found me traveling with 13 others from MIT to Pittsburgh, PA. The MIT Christian a cappella group, the Cross Products, shared our hope with many wonderful people. We spent the week traveling around the city singing to men and women of all ages from 3 years old to 103 years old. Some of the locations we performed at included hospitals, homeless shelters, nursing homes, daycare centers, schools for people with developmental delay, and rehab centers. It was a grace-filled week and such a beautiful experience. Not only did we have the opportunity to sing for the community of Pittsburgh, but we were able to get to know many of the people and share our lives with them.

One of the highlights occurred right at the beginning of the week when the Cross Products were able to spend time at Carnegie Mellon University with another Christian a cappella group, Joyful Noise. In fact, both groups sing an arrangement of the song "Baba Yetu" which is the Lord's Prayer in Swahili. It is truly remarkable that two groups with about 30 people combined all come from different backgrounds to share in the same message for their hope in life. Another moment of providence lead me to stumbling upon a FOCUS women's Bible study on the campus of Pitt. After an exciting reunion with another FOCUS missionary, myself along with 4 MIT students were given a tour of the Newman Center on campus where CMU and Pitt share fellowship, worship and celebration of the sacraments.

It still amazes me how life can bring so many moments of peace when we simply open our hearts and minds to the love God has for us. Everyday I am humbled to be serving as a missionary with FOCUS. I especially see real love in the form of the families and individuals who support me through prayer and finances to make this mission possible. Thank you all!

Love, Life and the Pursuit of Heaven

The past couple of weeks have been…life. I guess that is the best way to describe them – life. Right? You might be thinking, “Duh, you idiot. What else would they be?” But have you ever stopped and thought about what life really means? The events of the past few weeks could be described in various ways, just as life often is. Life can be awesome, fun, confusing, joyful, sad, painful, exciting, and the list goes on. The events of this month are revealing to me the many challenges and many triumphs associated with life, yet they are always allowing God’s endless love and mercy to shine down.

Love is revealed in many different forms and I have been seeing it through people and nature in abundance. Two of my very dear friends, Larry and Donna Mitchell, traveled out to Boston earlier in October and spent the day with me. This couple holds a tremendous place in my heart and in my life for many reasons. They are truly examples of a couple in communion with one another and God. While they have faced many hardships in their life together, Larry and Donna never cease striving to advance each other's souls and live their faith. It was great going whale watching with a couple who has filled the roles in my life of elementary teacher, guidance counselor, youth group leader, confirmation teacher, friend, and the newest role of mission partner. I am truly fortunate to have Larry and Donna on my missionary support team, joining me as I walk along the road of life with the students at MIT.

Confusion also took a hold of me this month with the devastating fire that occurred in my hometown in Missouri. I am sure many residents of Shelbina were asking “Why?” as an entire row of historic buildings were engulfed in flames which required nearly 10 fire departments from surrounding communities to  defeat. My dad’s barber shop was one of the businesses destroyed, leaving a pile of rubble and debris left in place where years of history and memories once resided. However, Shelbina will not allow the confusion to keep a grip on them. Love was poured out in a multitude of ways as community members began serving each other and working to help those fighting the fire and those whom lost properties and belongings. 

It was during two trips with students this month that I experienced God’s love in nature. The first outing was to Harvard, Massachusetts to go apple picking. It was absolutely awesome to see the fruit of the trees in the orchard and be able to freely choose whichever apples we desired. Just recently my team accompanied students to Kinnebunkport, Maine for a weekend. “Divine Mercy” (how appropriate) was the theme for the Tech Catholic Community Fall Retreat. Being in Maine was truly a testament to the beautiful creation of the world – the earth on which we get to experience life.

October is one small fraction of the earthly life I am currently living. This life on earth is only one small fraction of the amazing life I hope to experience in heaven (God willing). From what I have seen so far, including both joy and pain, I am eager to begin each day anew and learn more. Love came first, and then there was life. Now, we are in a continual pursuit of the most divine place, heaven.

I'm on the Edge of Glory...I think

Something beautiful. And in my life. Taken at a spiritual
retreat in Nottingham, Pennsylvania.

Blogfail. I have not posted anything since September 17^th! Reasoning for this includes the fact that I have actually been trying to work hard at being a legit missionary. Whether or not I am succeeding at this – I am trying! Perhaps another reason I have not blogged is because I have been diligently working on my quarterly missionary newsletter (which by the way I got sent to the printers today!) Finally, let me share what is probably the most realistic reason I have not blogged: our chaplain commented that sometimes blogging simply leads to people trying to portray a glorified version of their life when it is in fact, not that special.

I dare not try to express that this view is exactly what has kept me from sharing my life as a missionary in the past two weeks; however, his remarks resonated with me to a particular extent that I wanted to blog about them. While my life is not always “glorious” – it is beautiful. Part of why it is beautiful is because I choose to believe in this. I desire to believe that every day I can wake up and choose to see beauty all around me. God gives us that choice. We can choose His love or not. That’s it.  

Share the crazies. ß This is a comment I typed in order to remember I need to share the experiences in life that allow me to see how fortunate I am. For instance, allow me to share a few moments from yesterday that illustrate this idea in three parts:

1. At about 1:55 pm I was walking over to the Berklee College of Music to meet with a student and I passed a man laying on a stoop along Massachusetts Avenue. It appeared he was passed out, in pain, and possibly drunk from the half-empty bottle of vodka beside him.

2. At approximately 10:50 pm I was walking down Mass Ave towards my apartment. I first passed a group of four young teenagers. One of the girls was barely wearing any clothing and allowing her assumed boyfriend to touch and grab all over. Then I saw another young couple. The girl was clearly feeling very hurt while the boy was aggressively trying speak at her. It appeared to be an overly-dramatic scene from a movie.

3. As I brushed my teeth around 11:35 pm I heard shouting coming from the street outside. After peeking out, I saw a woman and a man quarrelling. From the dialogue I picked up things the woman was yelling such as, “I don’t even know you!” and “Quit following me!” and “Do you want to rob me? I have nothing! No money!” and “You’re not even from around here. Are you Irish?” From the context clues I was offered, the two appeared to be strangers, possibly homeless, and the man was insistent on following the female. Amidst the conversation there flew many a curse word and included in the event was some pushing and shoving. (Thankfully the police arrived shortly thereafter.)

Now, in an attempt to be clear – I do not want to convey these instances in a sarcastic or humorous light. These were real events. This is real life. This is reality! I saw and heard each of the previously noted debacles. What I certainly want to do is make it known that life is not meant to be this way, nor does it have to be. I see the pain and suffering of many people around me both at MIT and in the area I live in. On one hand, I feel very sad. I wonder “Why?” and think “What the hell am I doing here?” On the other hand, I am convicted in why I am serving as a missionary.

It is evident that our world is in need of love. God’s love. And if I can bring even a fraction of that to the people I am allowed to work with every day, I think that I am doing an okay job. The world is not black and white. It is super confusing. And it is certainly not glorious. But it can be. We have been given the knowledge and instruments to change it.

This blog is not intended to bring “glory” to my life. At the least, I hope it could offer the least bit of glory to the One with whom glory should reside. Nonetheless, I am so glad a small remark made by someone (a pretty awesome someone at that) could inspire me to look deeper into a profound aspect of life. I like to think my life is special and I am grateful that you are sharing in this journey with me. Blogsuccess?

Anthony, Irene and Will

Alas! I have finally arrived in Cambridge, MA. Actually, I flew into Boston 5 days ago and it has been a whirlwind both in the literal and figurative senses. I write literal because Hurricane Irene was on the prowl the past few days. Fortunately here in the Boston area, we were only hit with some heavier-than-usual-winds and rain. However, we did not see damage like other parts of the east coast or northeast part of the United States for that matter. The most disheartening part about the storm (besides the 25 souls lost and countless number of people affected) is the fact that our fourth teammate, Ashley will not arrive until Tuesday evening. She was supposed to be here on Sunday night but all the flights were cancelled and the public transportation shut down. Irene did not live up to the hype here in Boston, but indeed prayers go out to all those who have been affected by the hurricane further south.

On the way to the airport in Kansas City!

The figurative sense of whirlwind, in regards to my current status as a FOCUS missionary, refers to the fact that ever since I stepped off the plane it has been non-stop! My teammates Joey and Ann picked me up and we jetted off into the tunnel streets of Boston. It is such a beautiful city and there are so many neat bridges and parks. I have enjoyed running over the Harvard bridge and throughout the streets in the mornings. It wasn’t long after we arrived at the house we would be living at (the men in an apartment on the third floor and the women staying just the floor below) that one of the missionaries serving at Boston University, Katie, invited me to pray a holy hour and attend Mass. God works in awesome ways as I was certainly in need of time to calm down and reflect on the journey I was about to embark upon at MIT!

77th & Massachusetts Avenue, MIT

We went by train to the Shrine of St. Anthony in downtown Boston and it was really amazing. The best part of the experience at St. Anthony’s was our shock at learning the Mass was to be celebrated in Spanish! Nonetheless, we enjoyed celebrating with others and being reminded of the beautiful universality of our faith. After a couple of hours, and visiting with some locals, Katie and I walked around the Boston Commons and along Commonwealth Avenue soaking up the rich history and beautiful day. There were so many people out and about running, playing music, and enjoying life I felt as if I fit right in. That evening we met the rest of our teams and reveled in the evening at an Irish tavern. Our server even had an Irish accent…either that or she was a great actor! Thursday and Friday were spent settling in, unpacking, running, lots of walking and daily Mass and prayer. Friday night I watched Good Will Hunting which deemed very appropriate as it is set in South Boston and on the campuses of MIT and Harvard. 

Saturday provided some interesting entertainment as we headed to Boston’s North End (the historically Italian district) and joined in the celebration of the St. Anthony’s Festival. It is truly a challenge trying to describe the atmosphere as thousands of people fill the streets dancing and singing in honor of the Italian Saint Anthony. The Italian culture was evident in the forms of a stronger than usual loyalty to family AND loyalty to food. And the food was awesome! Pizza, pasta, Italian sausage, cannolis, and fried dough were some of the delicacies that could be indulged upon. It was a great evening and even though Hurricane Irene interrupted the weekend-long festivities, it did not stop them. Today they are celebrating the Feast of Saint Lucia (Lucy) and the 10-hour long procession with the statue of St. Anthony will be held next weekend. While not being able to attend the festival on Sunday due to rain, my team spent time in prayer and baked cookies with one of the incredible students of MIT, Maita.

St. Anthony's Festival 2011

All-in-all, my first few days in Cambridge have been a wonderful taste of life. I am continually amazed at the people in this world and how apparent it is that we are all striving for love and happiness. I only hope that in the coming weeks as we continue to meet more students, that love will be radiating from our FOCUS team, reaching the students of MIT.

Below is a picture of the MIT Chapel. This is where all of the Religious Activities take place on campus and where we hold Mass for students. The artwork that appears to be falling from the ceiling is entitled, “Manna.” This is one of many places where my team of FOCUS missionaries will be praying and working with students.