Day 9: Went to Saltillo for a day away from the base. Enjoyed the Mass at St. James Cathedral. The bishop said Mass and I was really impressed by what he did before we started. He approached the altar from behind all of us. As he got closer, he was telling people to come up to the front sometimes making single people sit with others in the same pew. He reminded me of the shepherd that he is called to be- gathering his people to be as close to the altar as possible. We had a lot of errands to run before Stacie's doctor's appointment. First, lunch...for everyone else. Our oldest, and Stacie, are trying to weed out what kinds of food are causing allergic reactions. So, we had to play it safe and look for an "American" restaurant. They only picked one of my all-time favorite foods...PIZZA! I wasn't thinking too much about not being hungry (Keith Major was right- the hardest part is over). I feel like every time I am supposed to be eating with everybody I am thinking about God's will for me. What do You want with me? I'm just one guy. "PATIENCE". I have been feeling like something, anything is about to happen. Be patient. I think I can do that. I've always told people "If God is leading you to something, then whatever you're being dragged through is worth it cuz it's gonna be great in the end!"
Day 10: Good news/ bad news kinda day. I'll start with the good news: Opened my Bible to Jeremiah 2. It would be too much so I will paraphrase. The whole chapter talks about how Israel turned away from the Lord and refused to worship him. He has then turned their land to be unfruitful just like their faith. The good news is that we know how it turns out. Israel is called to repent and a Savior is sent for the whole world! I'm not saying that the men here are evil but not many are seen in the chapels or the programs around town. I was talking to Tonio, a missionary from this town, and he says that a lot of males are ridiculed for attending prayer groups, talks, etc. saying that "those things are for women only". Many must not even get a chance to grow in their faith if they're being fed lies like this. Still praying. Bad news: Late tonight I received a message from Father Joe V.'s secretary in the Philippines. She told me about the death of a priest that we knew from our time there last year. Father Joe Schwegmann had volunteered to go to the Philippines from his home in Texas to join the Peace Corps. He told me that he loved the Philippines so much the minute he stepped out of the plane. He decided to look into the priesthood and became one of them by serving the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro. Father Joe S. was very active in the pro-life cause and held many prayer rallies against the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) which, if passed into law, would allow a family only one child. Still today, the government is trying to push this onto the people. Father's leadership will be missed but I am sure that he will still be praying for his people. One of my favorite memories of him is the day I stayed at St. Patrick's where all the priests gathered for their weekly meeting. Frs. Joe S., Joe V. (our parish priest), Joli(?), and I stayed up late watching Kung-fu movies in the living room. They all were cracking jokes left and right. :)
Day 11: Still reflecting on the death of Fr. Joe S. Especially during this fast, I have been thinking of how short life really is. Fr. Joe S. died in his sleep like some of my relatives have. I have thought a lot of how I've wanted to die. The sleep thing is cool with me but I better be ready. Leaping in front of someone and taking a bullet meant for them is cooler but I better be ready. The point is I better be ready because death can be sudden. The time is unknown for all of us. Are you ready? Here is a link for a Youtube video that comes to mind with times like this: http://youtu.be/86dsfBbZfWs
Day 12: Desert Day. We went with the Mexican FMC team to a new awesome tree farm. We spread out and I went to a dry creek bed. I opened my Bible and let the wind blow the pages a few minutes while I stood back and admired the view. I was thinking of the dry creek and how it related to my fast. I thought about how cool the river bed looked even though there was nothing there. I tried to picture water flowing through it and how nice that would look too. I picked up the Bible and started reading at Jonah 2 all the way to the end. The part that really stood out was in Chapter 3 when the people of Ninevah heard Jonah's message from God and were ordered to go on a fast--as well as the animals!! God saw how they turned from their ways and humbled themselves before Him. Then came Tonio's sharing from his experience. He said that a gust of wind blew trash, leaves, branches all over and that he felt that this is how it must be when God is trying to give us His grace. Too much trash in the way. His grace is blocked when we have distractions keeping us from receiving it. Then I thought of the creek bed again. All the rocks at the bottom and piled up on one side makes the river curve a certain way. I don't want to have these things in the way. Whatever it is that's keeping me from receiving God's grace purely is what I want out of my life. I'm hearing His will for me.
Day 13: Went to bed last night after a huge argument with my wife. It was not a very good morning. My pride kept getting in the way all day long. Tried to stay busy in the garden looking at all the plants and seeing how they needed to be watered. Looked at the sky and it looked like it could rain. Ignored the watering. Later in the day it just POURED tons of rain. It didn't stop. I thought of God's mercy. He never has stopped being merciful. Always showed his love for me. Then out of nowhere my wife pops in and says that she would like to go to Confession. Since she doesn't speak Spanish very well, she copied her translated confession and asked me to remind Father Francisco about our agreement. As I waited for her in the pews, I looked at the giant crucifix. "Jesus, I need You." I wasn't going to go (pride) but like those plants I was starving for that water, that grace. I thought about that dry creek bed again. No blockages. Let the river flow. So, I went. Grace filled me up. Loved on my wife again. More grace. We waited at the church entrance thinking about waiting for the rain to die down. Nope. Felt good to just let it be. We got home drenched and opened the door to a bunch of happy kids. They saw it.
Day 14: Father's Day. What an honor it is to be a father! I never thought I'd be a father so soon or married either. God has blessed us with these lives, these souls. I feel like I can always be a better dad. Not only does this fast help me to see how I fail with my relationship with my Lord, but it also helps me see how I fail with my children. I really miss being with them at the dinner table during the week for the meals. I can hear them with the usual chatter going on. Then I start to think about each one and how I can be better with them, more patient, kind, loving. Stacie made bacon cheeseburgers. No complaints from me as my only meal for the day. My stomach had other ideas :( I could barely finish my serving. I have lost 20 pounds! Stomach may be shrinking but I still don't feel hungry. Really thankful for Stacie thinking of me and seeing the kids at the table made my day more special. A reading from our wedding day in 1996-- Psalm 128:3
"Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, In the innermost parts of thy house; Thy children like olive plants, Round about thy table."
Day 10: Good news/ bad news kinda day. I'll start with the good news: Opened my Bible to Jeremiah 2. It would be too much so I will paraphrase. The whole chapter talks about how Israel turned away from the Lord and refused to worship him. He has then turned their land to be unfruitful just like their faith. The good news is that we know how it turns out. Israel is called to repent and a Savior is sent for the whole world! I'm not saying that the men here are evil but not many are seen in the chapels or the programs around town. I was talking to Tonio, a missionary from this town, and he says that a lot of males are ridiculed for attending prayer groups, talks, etc. saying that "those things are for women only". Many must not even get a chance to grow in their faith if they're being fed lies like this. Still praying. Bad news: Late tonight I received a message from Father Joe V.'s secretary in the Philippines. She told me about the death of a priest that we knew from our time there last year. Father Joe Schwegmann had volunteered to go to the Philippines from his home in Texas to join the Peace Corps. He told me that he loved the Philippines so much the minute he stepped out of the plane. He decided to look into the priesthood and became one of them by serving the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro. Father Joe S. was very active in the pro-life cause and held many prayer rallies against the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) which, if passed into law, would allow a family only one child. Still today, the government is trying to push this onto the people. Father's leadership will be missed but I am sure that he will still be praying for his people. One of my favorite memories of him is the day I stayed at St. Patrick's where all the priests gathered for their weekly meeting. Frs. Joe S., Joe V. (our parish priest), Joli(?), and I stayed up late watching Kung-fu movies in the living room. They all were cracking jokes left and right. :)
Day 11: Still reflecting on the death of Fr. Joe S. Especially during this fast, I have been thinking of how short life really is. Fr. Joe S. died in his sleep like some of my relatives have. I have thought a lot of how I've wanted to die. The sleep thing is cool with me but I better be ready. Leaping in front of someone and taking a bullet meant for them is cooler but I better be ready. The point is I better be ready because death can be sudden. The time is unknown for all of us. Are you ready? Here is a link for a Youtube video that comes to mind with times like this: http://youtu.be/86dsfBbZfWs
Day 12: Desert Day. We went with the Mexican FMC team to a new awesome tree farm. We spread out and I went to a dry creek bed. I opened my Bible and let the wind blow the pages a few minutes while I stood back and admired the view. I was thinking of the dry creek and how it related to my fast. I thought about how cool the river bed looked even though there was nothing there. I tried to picture water flowing through it and how nice that would look too. I picked up the Bible and started reading at Jonah 2 all the way to the end. The part that really stood out was in Chapter 3 when the people of Ninevah heard Jonah's message from God and were ordered to go on a fast--as well as the animals!! God saw how they turned from their ways and humbled themselves before Him. Then came Tonio's sharing from his experience. He said that a gust of wind blew trash, leaves, branches all over and that he felt that this is how it must be when God is trying to give us His grace. Too much trash in the way. His grace is blocked when we have distractions keeping us from receiving it. Then I thought of the creek bed again. All the rocks at the bottom and piled up on one side makes the river curve a certain way. I don't want to have these things in the way. Whatever it is that's keeping me from receiving God's grace purely is what I want out of my life. I'm hearing His will for me.
Day 13: Went to bed last night after a huge argument with my wife. It was not a very good morning. My pride kept getting in the way all day long. Tried to stay busy in the garden looking at all the plants and seeing how they needed to be watered. Looked at the sky and it looked like it could rain. Ignored the watering. Later in the day it just POURED tons of rain. It didn't stop. I thought of God's mercy. He never has stopped being merciful. Always showed his love for me. Then out of nowhere my wife pops in and says that she would like to go to Confession. Since she doesn't speak Spanish very well, she copied her translated confession and asked me to remind Father Francisco about our agreement. As I waited for her in the pews, I looked at the giant crucifix. "Jesus, I need You." I wasn't going to go (pride) but like those plants I was starving for that water, that grace. I thought about that dry creek bed again. No blockages. Let the river flow. So, I went. Grace filled me up. Loved on my wife again. More grace. We waited at the church entrance thinking about waiting for the rain to die down. Nope. Felt good to just let it be. We got home drenched and opened the door to a bunch of happy kids. They saw it.
Day 14: Father's Day. What an honor it is to be a father! I never thought I'd be a father so soon or married either. God has blessed us with these lives, these souls. I feel like I can always be a better dad. Not only does this fast help me to see how I fail with my relationship with my Lord, but it also helps me see how I fail with my children. I really miss being with them at the dinner table during the week for the meals. I can hear them with the usual chatter going on. Then I start to think about each one and how I can be better with them, more patient, kind, loving. Stacie made bacon cheeseburgers. No complaints from me as my only meal for the day. My stomach had other ideas :( I could barely finish my serving. I have lost 20 pounds! Stomach may be shrinking but I still don't feel hungry. Really thankful for Stacie thinking of me and seeing the kids at the table made my day more special. A reading from our wedding day in 1996-- Psalm 128:3
"Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, In the innermost parts of thy house; Thy children like olive plants, Round about thy table."
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