Look at the birds of the sky

This time of year flocks and flocks of migrating birds pass overhead. 

Just before sunset, the sky is filled with hundreds of birds, beating their wings as they gradually make their way to their winter home. This seasonal work of migrating thousands of miles must be arduous. 

Yet, I don't hear the birds moaning or grumbling. Their labor is near silent and almost overlooked. They rise together in multitudes, their wings catching the air currents, and perpetually, alongside a host of others, the birds make this journey designed by their Creator for their well being. 

The only sound I hear is soft and rhythmic. It is the sound of their wings moving together in unison through the heavens. It is that same sound used in film soundtracks when an angel appears. 

Today happens to be the feast day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. 

She wasn't on our radar until Fr. Nick shared about her short and vibrant life at the VC school Mass early this morning. She lost her mother at a young age, became queen when she was married and gave birth to three children. After her husband died, Elizabeth was exiled because of her devout faith in Jesus. She exuded holy detachment of her wealth and title and was known for her unceasing generosity. St. Elizabeth also happens to be the patron saint of homeless people. 

Five years ago the Lord called us to become a missionary family. 

One portion of our "yes" to Jesus required packing up and leaving our beloved family home in Wisconsin. 

To be honest, that first time we packed our suitcases and hit the road for missionary training in Louisiana was exhilarating. I felt free from the extra clutter of our (too many) possessions and eager to set off on a grand adventure led by the Holy Spirit.   

Desert Day in Mexico when we learned our first mission post: Haiti

At first, we moved into a simply furnished trailer for missionaries at Big Woods Mission Base, then into one single bunk room for pre-field training in Mexico. While in Mexico, we opened a letter to learn our long-term mission post assignment: L'Asile, Haiti. 

Our first attempt to launch to Haiti left us stranded in Miami. We landed in a tiny hotel room for a few days, followed by an AirBnB, and then, a wing of a stranger's home. Eventually, we returned to Big Woods, this time in an alternate missionary house. If you're keeping count, that's six moves over six months. 

As you might imagine, moving a family of seven is neither effortless nor easy. That exhilarating feeling of freedom and adventure was wearing off. 

Eventually, we made it to our new home in L'Asile, Haiti in March 2019. A local man and friend of the missionaries found the home for our family. It was spacious, clean, solidly built and located in a quiet part of town. Unfortunately, the home sat in full sun and retained all the tropical heat. Day after day, and night after night, we felt like we were being roasted alive.  

Hosting a community meal inside our home in Haiti

In July, we took a leave to get a break from the intense heat. Back in The States, we bounced around, staying in the homes of various family members and friends over a month, before returning to Big Woods Mission. This time, our suitcases were filled with hydration multipliers and portable mini fans.

We assumed all of us would return to our new home in Haiti to complete our first year commitment. But the Holy Spirit intervened. All of us were surprised when we heard the Lord say, "not now." Shortly after we decided to delay our return, there was a violent uprising in Haiti. This confirmed that the Lord had other plans for our family's mission.

By the Lord's hand, we landed at Stillwater Retreat Center just as it was beginning to be renovated and resurrected. For the first few months we stayed in a two bedroom house on the property. Then, we moved into a larger home near the pond. 

Front porch of our home at Stillwater

During family discernment in Jan. 2020 we heard the Lord invite our family to serve in New Zealand. Matt and Mallory visited the South Island, received a "yes" from the local bishop, and even secured housing for our family in a former rectory. Before leaving, Matt and Mallory left a few suitcases with personal items there. It was March 2020. 

Matt and Mallory welcomed in New Zealand

Covid-19 hit and New Zealand shut their borders. We imagined our anticipated spring arrival in New Zealand would be delayed 6-8 months, maximum. While we waited out the pandemic, Gwendolyn, our sixth child, was born in cabin four at Stillwater.

Gwendolyn's baptism at St. Mary Magdalen

New Zealand was labeled a "fortress" - not allowing any travelers in as the global pandemic persisted.

The Holy Spirit intervened again, this time with an invitation for Matt to teach at Vermilion Catholic school. Matt was never trained as a teacher, nor was he looking for a job. Once again we entered into a time of family discernment and recognized the Lord inviting us to serve in Abbeville. 

A couple weeks into the new school year, we moved from furnished missionary housing into an empty rent house a few blocks away from school. We were awe-struck as community members showed up with gently used furniture, appliances, and brand new household items. Within 10 days we had every item necessary to make a home for our family.  It was utterly miraculous.

Nine months later, we found ourselves passing along those same furniture pieces and household items to other families in need. The Holy Spirit was leading us abroad. Our suitcases were packed and we were heading to Asia for a 3-month pastoral visit in a bustling, chaotic metropolis. While in Asia, another missionary invited us to come visit him in Rome. After 3-weeks in Italy, and a near-homeless crisis, we were back on on US soil and in need of restorative rest.   

Celebrating Coryn's 14th birthday on our balcony in Asia

All glory to God, the Lord ordained an 8-month home assignment for our family to rest in our beloved family home in Wisconsin. This time at home was pure gift. Our minds, bodies and souls were filled up, refreshed and renewed in countless ways.  Jesus promises:

"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest."

- Matthew 11:28

Soaking up time with cousins in Wisconsin

This past June, we were commissioned once again at our home parish and sent to Big Woods Mission to serve on staff as pastoral care workers. For months, we searched diligently for a rent house in Abbeville, but none were available. So, we landed in temporary missionary housing.

We continued to search for a rent house, but to no avail. All of us began feeling anxious as the end of the term for our temporary housing drew closer. 

In early October, Matt met with his spiritual director and he recommend we ask St. Joseph to intercede to provide a home for our family. We started to pray and were very specific. We asked for the Lord to provide a home within three miles of school with at least three bedrooms and two bathrooms.   

Three days into our family novena to St. Joseph, Matt received a message about a house available one mile from church and school. Next, we learned Daniel was awarded a renewable scholarship to attend Vermilion Catholic. The day after we finished the novena, we set up a showing to look at the house. 

With three large bedrooms, two full bathrooms, plus a bonus room, the layout was more than sufficient for our family of eight. The price was within our budget. To top it off, the yard is shaded with mature live oaks and overlooks a large park. We decided to move forward.  

Since we had been so focused on finding a rent house, we weren't pre-approved for a home loan and we didn't have a realtor to represent us. The Holy Spirit took over. Prayer warriors carried us through four weeks of negotiations, inspections, paperwork and stress-inducing preparations. 

Yesterday, our oldest child, Josephine, received her ACT results. She raised her score five points and now qualifies for a renewable full-tuition scholarship to attend college in Louisiana.

After Mass today, Matt and I walked into a conference room with 7 strangers. (I kept counting 8 others sitting around the table because evidently the person of the Holy Spirit was present, too.) 

Brief, polite introductions were made as we shook hands with each person. Matt and I began signing legal documents while the others engaged in side conversations. Suddenly, the closing attorney paused, locked eyes with us and asked us to pray for him. 

This man explained that he and a co-worker are heading to Egypt next week. They are hoping to open channels for humanitarian aid for the refugees there. The others at the table caught wind of his request and agreed that we all would lay hands and pray for our brother in Christ, RJ. 

Refugees are people who flee not only their homes, but their homeland too. Jesus has an intimate knowledge of this particular crisis of homelessness. When Jesus was an infant, his parents took him and fled from Bethlehem in the night. This holy family lived as refugees in Egypt for years, until an angel appeared to Joseph and guided them back to their homeland. (Matthew 2:12)

Before leaving the conference room, all of us stood hand in hand. Christ Jesus was present as we bowed our heads and interceded for RJ. We prayed for protection and open pathways for healing and hope in Jesus' name. Our voices joined together as we called upon Our Father, who art in heaven, to let His kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven.      

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of the them."

-Matthew 18:20

As we parted ways, we were gifted housekeys, a divinely scented candle, and this ornament: 

I've lost count how many homes we've inhabited. 

This, I do know: our new home is a sweet, sweet anointing from the Lord. 

What an honor it is to depend on Our heavenly Father to take care of us, his beloved children.

And, what a relief and comfort to know that we are not expected to labor on our own. 

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, for the vast multitude of brothers and sisters in Christ who partner with us, enabling us to give our "yes" to serve Jesus as a missionary family.

(If we had been flying solo, we would have given up long ago.)

Good St. Joseph, pray for us.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for us.

Our Savior Jesus, keep us always in your Most Sacred Heart.