Hope Across the Ocean

I start this post at 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  Why is the time of interest you might ask. Well as I'm tapping away, you are most likely still snuggled comfortably in bed because it's only 4 a.m. for you. We are back on the tour bus, returning from Lourdes, France to Madrid, Spain.  Driving through the Pyrenees Mountains, imagining Julie Andrews leading the Von Trapp children in song to the Sound of Music.  Thirty four weary pilgrims, resting from a full day and a half of following the steps of Ste. Bernadette to whom the Virgin Mary appeared 18 times from Feb 11th to June 16th 1858.
We started our visit to Lourdes by walking in a candlelight vigil at 9 pm Friday night; thousands of believers in God, prayerfully honouring Virgin Mary at one of the sacred places around the world where the Mother of Jesus chose a young, ordinary girl to be her witness to the world.

Now, 149 years later, the Grotto at Lourdes attracts more than 10 million pilgrims every year from February to October.  If ever one needs a booster shot of hope, just google this special place.
There are more than 1300 volunteers on pilgrimage to Lourdes annually, dedicating an amount of time of their lives to helping others at Lourdes.  Many, many are young girls likely high school age, dressed in white with a navy top and veil giving one the appearance of student nurses. They are though, in my own mind, a reminder of my years as a candy striper at our local hospital. The care and compassion shown to the hundreds of invalid and disabled was heartwarming, cementing another brick in the wall of hope for the future of our youth.

I mentioned last time how I made a decision to hold out for the much promised clinical trial on our return, rather than start chemo by undergoing three treatments before venturing out. I know already, regardless of the eventual outcome, I made the right decision.  Thus far, I'm doing the best I can, in an effort to keep up with the group in general.

In the end, the most I can pray for is total acceptance and trust in God's will for my life. Many times before this pilgrimage I've pondered what is, above all, most important to me.  It comes down to the same thing, perhaps said differently, is to trust wholeheartedly in God's plan for my life and to stop wasting priceless energy on the 'coulda, shoulda, wouldas'. Those things are only earthly means of concealing the real longing in our hearts, which is to have a relationship with Jesus.

That brings me to another point where, on our initial flight from Toronto to Madrid, a family of parents, mom in law and four children were seated around us with Dad next to My Michael.  We learned they are devout Christians, he was raised Catholic, now attending a non denominational church in Orlando, Florida, their 4 kids are home schooled by Mom based on Biblical teachings, they travel once or twice a year and include missionary trips with the family in the mix.
It was truly amazing to watch their 'witness in action' as Dad described his 'birds and bees' talk with his nine year old son, based on the principle of stewardship, that being caring for those gifts God has entrusted to you.

There are so many layers of insights and inflections so far along this journey, which I hope to be able to share in more detail another time.

I will say goodnight as it is now after 11 p.m. to tell you I am holding my own, remaining hopeful and will be back in touch well after our return.

Take care and God Bless,
Love and hugs,
Liz

dobbsjones@gmail.com

'Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive. '