Do you trust ME now?

So if you have a TV and turn it on even once in a while you've probably seen the Verizon commercial where the guy has a cell phone and takes it to weird places and says "Can you hear me now?" Well the other night I went to the Haven (kind of the local newman center) for praise and worship. As we sang the first couple of songs like "Blessed be Your Name" and "Everlasting God" I had this distinct picture in my head. It was Jesus showing up at different points of my day and life saying the phrase "Do you trust Me now?" in a way very reminiscent of the commercial.

God often uses humor to speak to me and at first I did think it was funny thinking..."very cute, God...I get it, I get it." But then as I thought about it I got a little bothered by it. "Lord, haven't I lived my life in a way that says I trust You? Haven't I given up much for You...to spread your Gospel...to sing your praise? I've moved across the country more than once to be where I thought You wanted me. I've lived on next to nothing at times and I haven't regretted a minute of it. Are You still really asking me this question and bringing about circumstances in my life to prove my answer?"

Yes, I was being a bit of a whiner. Things at Reach are crazy right now and one big trust activity at the moment. We need more team members, more money, more staff to get all the work done and we have to relocate the ministry after training/by the beginning of October. This on top of the things I have going on in my own life makes me think...enough already! Enough is what my weary spirit is saying as I try to be strong and believe.

So the question from Jesus, "Do you trust Me now?" is quite appropriate. I just didn't realize I needed to be reminded that He is trustworthy. He will take care of us. He has a plan even if I can't see it. Even when I don't feel like it's true it is true. I really do believe that.

So my answer to Jesus' question, "Do you trust Me now?" is "yes, Lord, of course I do. You have not failed me yet. You have always made good on Your promise... "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

If anyone is actually reading this please keep Reach in your prayers. Pray Rosary's for us if you can. Pray we would be open to the solutions God will send our way. Pray that we will grow in faith and that this time of chaos will end soon. There are young people out there who need to hear the good news Christ offers them...this is what we want to be about come training in August.

God Bless you and your day.

Laura

As another year ends...

It's always a strange time of year for me. I definitely feel a little sad and know I'm going to miss the Reacher's that won't be close by anymore. But there is also this knowledge that as soon as they leave we are getting ready for the next group who are willing to use a year or two of there life to serve God in this way.

Last week was our Discipleship Camp (the Dub...Camp & Conference...whatever you like to call it!) and it was a really different experience than I usually have. For the first time ever I was in charge of the food which was nerve racking on any levels for me! But with great help and a little grace I survived.

The parts of the camp I got to go to were few...but I did get to spend a couple times of praise and worship with the group. It was those times that I really got to watch the team members in action. Praying with others and just praying themselves...letting the Spirit touch and move them in the moment too. It just made me realize once again how proud I am to be a part of Reach. I am proud of the team members who give up so much to share Christ with these young people. I wish I were still young and cool enough to do that but alas I am not. But the fact that I get to play even a small part in their ministry by training and caring for them along the way is a privilege I would not trade at this time. God is so good and uses us and blesses us where we are at. He meets us. He loves us.

So as another year ends I know this...lives were touched by the God this year because we said yes in the best way we knew how. Not perfectly but faithfully. Please pray for the team members as they move on that they would continue to seek God, let Him love them, and stay grounded in the Eucharist.

Here are the links to a couple of videos I put together from our last 2 events.

Camp Video Montage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA4tc_9_ZAE&feature=user

Reach Gonzaga Video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XoygelOLdq8


Have a great summer!
Love Laura

Reach Benefit Dinner

Hi Everyone! Well, Reach is as busy as ever. This week was our
annual benefit dinner. We had 180 people come to support us
and it was a great night.

The team members worked hard to help us get ready...as you can
see from the pics. Setting up the room, washing 150 wine glasses
(twice!) and blowing up about 200 balloons! Not to mention
serving food and clearing plates all night. They worked really
hard and did a great job.




After eating a lovely meal from 901 Pasta it was on to the
program. We invited Fr. Justin Brady...a former Reacher
who is now a priest in the Diocese of Boise. It was
wonderful having him for the event. He was inspiring
and heartfelt. But personally when I think of Fr. Justin
I have a vivid memory of a karaoke night years ago where he
sang...well...performed really, a Michael Jackson song.
I'm not sure I've ever laughed harder!
Hearing him speak at the dinner though did remind me of
how thankful I am that God brought Reach into my life.
I don't know where I would be without it.

The team did their drama Faith or Not Faith...a take off
on Deal or not Deal about how you can't pick and choose
the parts of the faith you want to follow.


Finally...the highlight of the night...the Sevigny
Girls performed a medely of songs from the Sound of
music, changing the lyrics to encourage people to
donate to REACH. Who wouldn't give something
after hearing five cute girls sing these lyrics to
the tune of "DO RE MI":

Donate money, cash or check
Raise it for their room and board
Meet their needs for food and drink
Following the steps of Christ
Souls are what their going to save
Lots of cash is what they need
Teaching them the ways of Christ
That will bring us back to donate money...

Thank you to Meghan, Monica, Molly Jo,
Mary Grace, and Malia Sevigny. We appreciate you
using your talent to make our event even better.


In the end...people were generous and we are thankful
We still need more help to take Reach where we feel God
is leading us but for today I would simply like to say
"Thank You"...to all who pray for us, donate to us, and love
our teams. May God Truly Bless You.

Laura

San Diego Baby!

I just got back from visiting the Our Lady of Fatima Team in San Diego/Vista/Escondido/Ramona, CA and I had a great time. It no only was great to see them but so good to get away to the palm trees and ocean air.

In Vista we stayed with Michelle Barton's (of the Lourdes team) family and it was a real blessing. I definitely saw were she gets many of her personality traits and her tendency not to wear shoes! They were very good to us and the food was great. I wish I would have taken some pictures there but I didn't.

After that we were in Escondido with the legendary Marcial Lopez...He is now the DRE/Youth Minster at Immaculate Conception parish in Ramona. We has a retreat / St. Patricks Day celebration with his parish...this I did get pictures of!

We decorated the hall with many things green and the retreat began with a green food relay. Mint ice cream, green jello, frozen peas, and green bean baby food! Christina took one for the team and downed the baby food like a champ...and personally I thought it was disgusting! Mark Raine gave it a good try, too.
It was a fun retreat and great kids.

All in all it was great to hang out with Fatima gang. They informed me they have something like 48 days left on this trip (but who's counting?) and God is using them for His good. As He always does.

The first picture is of me and the girls at our host home in Escondido. Tom and Marianne are a wonderful couple! Thanks to all of you out there who take good care of our Reach teams.

I pray you all have a wonderful and blessed Holy Week!