So for the first week of Totus Tuus, the eight missionaries made ourselves at home in Robinson, IL, welcomed so kindly by the parishioners of St. Elizabeth (church pictured below) and Our Lady of Lourdes.
The families we met were incredible and having the two teams together in one parish was an amazing experience. We all bonded so well that it made it very difficult to want to separate for our next 6 parishes. But that's the essence of our mission!! Gotta spread the love!
Before we left, we had the great blessing of spending Friday night with one of the host families, whose son happened to be turning 9. I think it was probably one of the funnest nights I've had in quite a while. We laughed and laughed...mostly about the goofy stuff that we do to get kids to open up to God...but it made the union and family into which Christ calls us seem so tangible. It was an absolutely beautiful thing.
Yesterday afternoon, as we were driving to the new parish, the girls read the note that the high-school aged daughter of that family had written to us. She explained how seeing a group of excited, college-aged kids who were so willing to be goofy was all it took to get her to "want to be Catholic for the rest of her life." I was so floored by her note. While I certainly don't seek or hope for those earthly consolations, I believe that God does indeed provide them for specific reasons. I know that in the difficult moments of this summer, I'll be able to think back to how I, through God's graces and talents within me, have helped to draw her closer in union with Christ and His plan for our salvation. And sometimes, a small consolation like that is all we need to take up our cross and carry on...
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