God's Abundant Blessings

I don’t even know how or where to begin in saying thank you for making my visit back home such a wonderful and memorable time. Returning home was not on top of my list, if you read my next Maryknoll Lay Missioner newsletter, I try to unfold how it was initiated. So, God had the plan for me to come and WOW, did he ever do so good…nzuri sana (to a great extent)!

If I may, I wish to capture here some of these moments to applaud you my church family for your embracement:

It began with Donna Stone converting her TV room into a spare bedroom to house me for the first ten days. She cleared her calendar as to cater to any needs that I may have. My first morning back I attended the 10:30 mass which captivated me. All the beauty of the alter and surroundings, the familiar hymns and the serenity quickly stirred my emotions. After mass Donna and were welcomed to the family picnic taking place at St. Michael school. This was my first taste of American foods; I did not realize how much I missed it and how flavorful it is. Eating fresh fruits like peaches and blueberries never tasted so good.

On Wednesday I requested we go to Lake Michigan to relax on the beach, this is something Donna and I did nearly every year since we had become friends when we met during Just Faith. Later that day we joined friends from REFLECT (a group that facilitates weekend retreats for mid-life Catholic singles) at the Unity Musical Festival on Muskegon Lake. I love contemporary Christian music so we all boogied, do we still use that word?...ha-ha… the night away.

On Friday, Mike and Jules Mueller Hayes hosted a Just Faith pot luck dinner at their home for me. Long, long time ago…if we still remember, la la la….Mike and Jules were Maryknoll Lay Missioners serving in Cambodia where they met, fell in love and well the rest is history!

Saturday and Sunday brought me to the weekend masses to deliver my church talk and slide show prestation. Attempting to convey from my heart what St. Mike’s as a community has done for me in spiritual growth and how this mission experience is awaking me to know God in a more personal relationship with Him is an emotionally draining experience and always humbling. In support of my talks a group of twelve REFLECT members traveled to be with me and then took me to lunch at the Log Jam. In addition, another group of REFLECTORS attended a gathering at Sue Shoemaker’s. I fell in bed that night filled with thankfulness to Almighty God.

I spent the following week in Chesapeake with my sister and family and visiting my mother. There I spent most of the time under a thick, soft blanket as their air conditioner is continuously running, which made me realize how much my body has acclimated to the hot temperatures in Kenya. Again, pampering to me and making me feel so loved.

I spent the final 5 days in Lansing at my home. Here I enjoyed reuniting with nature in my back yard, a place where I can sit in the peacefulness and the beauty of it or take long rosary walks along the trails. My west Lansing home is within walking distance to many stores and one of my favorite experience was just walking up and down the supermarkets and being in awe of the abundance and variety of foods.

I was able to meet with Fr. Jim twice, once for ice cream and the other for lunch which continued with an enjoyable visit to Desiree Palermo’s home to pick up the chalice that was given to her in her husband Rich’s honor by the Knights of Columbus. I am honored to be the conduit between Rich and Desiree in gifting our newest seminarian here in kenya, Francis with this chalice.

Last but not least. I was also able to meet the new members of the parish office staff. It was a delight to be able to meet Laura Castner who has helped me with so much from afar, she is a true blessing for all of us. Before completing my four day stay at my son’s in Brownstown, I was able to attend St. Michael’s Fun Fest enjoying so many again and also to dance with Janice Esch!

I had so many more wonderful times being greeted and loved by others. So, for all those not mentioned here, please know I treasure them in my heart.
Thank you all so, so much!
Mungu bariki sana, sana- God bless you in abundance.