Mass in the pasture with our fellow missionaries at Big Woods!
We came carrying two picnic blankets and found a designated open space to sit. Yet, we were ill-prepared for the Louisiana heat and sun. Immediately our generous community recognized our needs and, naturally, offered us a large lawn chair and two umbrellas for shade.
Fr. Michael Richard celebrated Mass for us and proclaimed the Gospel of John:
Jesus said:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out."
Six weeks ago Matt and Mallory returned from their visit to New Zealand with peace in their hearts and confirmation of the Lord's call. The Holy Spirit set many Divine encounters throughout their travels, with brand new acquaintances quickly becoming friends. Before leaving, Matt was told our family was welcome to serve as religious workers in the Diocese of Dunedin.
But then, COVID-19 swept the globe.
New Zealand, like many other nations, closed it borders.
Just as the gate to enter our next mission post was opened, it slammed shut.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep....
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Though we could be tempted to despair and wonder how much longer we must wait, the Lord doesn't waste time. These weeks of sheltering in place have been transformed by His hand.
After many long months of living alone at Stillwater, individuals and groups of missionaries began to arrive and stay here for quarantine. In the mornings we gather outdoors six feet apart. Matt leads us in singing praise, then we take turns reading and reflecting on the Daily Readings. What a comfort and great joy it is to have others living in community with us.
We cleaned and opened the pool here and our family was granted permission to swim. Day after day the weather is sunny and warm. Perfect for canoe rides, climbing trees and catching lizards.
On Easter Sunday we were invited to pick up the Eucharist from a local priest and celebrate a private Mass over FaceTime. After Mass a few single missionaries arrived and set up an Easter Egg hunt on the expansive Stillwater grounds just for our children.
We are surrounded by an abundance of new life.
Baby calves and foals frolic in neighboring pastures. The air is scented with lilac blooms and the children proudly present us with wild blackberries and irises. One morning Mallory spotted a fuzzy baby owl inside the pool gate. Another afternoon we took a walk thru Palmetto Island State park and stumbled upon a family of wild pigs.
But that is not all...
Another new life will be arriving in September.
On our 14th wedding anniversary we heard baby's heartbeat for the first time.
Last week we got our first glimpse of baby.
The ultrasound tech wrote down baby's gender and put it in a sealed envelope. After dinner we opened it as a family and Daniel was especially delighted to find out its a baby girl!
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