What a week. The kids went to a roller skating birthday
party on Friday for their friend Eddie.
As I watched my six year old Emily clomp around the rink with a huge
grin on her face, I was very moved by her perseverance. She would go about 20 feet before she would
lose control, start flailing and then fall to the hard surface. I would wait for the wailing. But each time she hoisted herself up and kept
on going-never losing that beautiful smile.
This quality will serve her well when we get to Cameroon.
Saturday was all
about Jessica (almost 8). Her first
communion day. I was worried that the
“princess attitude” would appear and we might have a meltdown. But once dressed, hair curled and high heels
on feet, her focus moved quickly to receiving Jesus. I was so proud of her
poise and focus. She just radiated
Christ’s love. Almost the entire Mission
House attended. Our House has been so supportive and loving to the entire
family.
Sunday was our commissioning at St John’s next door. It couldn’t have been lovelier. Each of us made a solemn promise to serve God’s people in
the country to which we were assigned.
We received rings inscribed with the Lay Mission-Helpers’ motto “For we
are God’s Helpers” (1 Cor. 3:9). The
children received medals of the patron saints of mission—St. Therese of Lisieux
for the girls and St. Francis Xavier for the boys. Afterwards we celebrated
back at the House with friends and family
So now we are packing, packing,
packing and finishing up dr’s apt. We leave on June 6th for our
goodbyes around the country. We will be
visiting between 8-11 states before we head to Cameroon mid to late July.
-Joy
