Snippets is an inspirational column for women, and just recently, Jane Lorenzi submitted an article about our Ecuador trip and it got posted! Scroll down a bit (under SNIPPETS handy helper) and see what was said about the trip :)
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snippeteer backtalk
SNIPPETS e-mailbox was
quiet this week!
Email your snippetful thoughts and reactions here (include first name, town and state). Please mention if you prefer NOTto have your comment published in the next issue.
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"Everybody dances.
We've all got a drum
inside of us.
We're all full of rhythm.
Now get out
and express yourself.
Find your dance."
Len on Dancing With The Stars
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a giggle
Bob opened the morning newspaper and was dumbfounded to read in the obituary column that he had died. He quickly phoned his best friend Larry.
"Did you see the paper?" asked Bob. "It says that I died!"
"Yes, I saw it!" replied Larry. "Where are you calling from?!?!?"
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prayer flares 
FOR Luci in NY to feel good and be regulated as she deals daily with Crohn's disease
FOR Papa Felice in MD to get better and get out of rehab
FOR Dawn's sadness (MD)
FOR Rachel's safety and growth as she travels the country for an unspecified time FOR the victims still in the hospital after the Boston Marathon bombing, may they heal emotionally and physically FOR Sue M (MD) in getting her blood pressure regulated
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what's your happy little something?
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DARLENE in Florida talks about her happy little something ...
"Friends and family, that's what it's all about in life. Sharing time with them. Time with the ones I love. We all get so caught up with daily activities and work that we rush through our meals or get them on the run, not taking the time to enjoy the important moments.
Now that my kids are older and rushing through their own lives, we have made it a date on Friday evenings to have dinner together at a restaurant and enjoy the food and the company with the ones we love. Knowing that this can't last forever, this is my most happy time now.
Thanks for even asking the question so that I can bring a smile to my face even thinking about the fun we have together."
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| inspiration station
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I read 'worry' across my friend Joe's face as I watched him from across the restaurant table at his family member's birthday dinner last weekend. Joe is a giant worrier by nature (aren't most of us?). I asked him what he was thinking about - and he shared.
I said, "Joe. What if for RIGHT NOW you shelved that worry? Just for this dinner. Just for this afternoon. Will it be there tomorrow?" He laughed and said, "Oh yes."
I reminded Joe of the enjoyment surrounding him in his family. There was good food set before us, and our families were in each other's company (always a bonus, since we live four states apart).
Joe chuckled.
I don't know if Joe used my suggestion and stopped worrying temporarily, but I do know that I can use that advice sometimes myself.
We all have worries - large and tiny - things sitting on our brains driving us nutty as we focus on them way too much. We carry worry around. We fret. We waste energy on it. We are human.
Yet does that mean we have to SIT on the worry 24/7? Could we "take 5?" Shelve the worry to enjoy THE MOMENT. Could we set aside the worry and pick it up again later? Deal with it another time? It will be there (well actually - only if we allow it to remain).
Everything has a yin and yang side to it. We can enjoy white in the middle of the black ... a high in the middle of the low ... light in the middle of dark ... a peak in the middle of a valley ... the good in the middle of evil.
What if for RIGHT NOW you shelved your worry?
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"Do not anticipate trouble,
or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight."
Benjamin Franklin
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| SNIPPETS handy helper |
I would like to share these profound and elegant words written by my friend Jane in Maryland, a 17-year-old high school student who will be returning to Guayaquil, Ecuador for a week this summer on a mission trip. About her trip last summer, Jane wrote that it was the "most wonderful experience of my life." This is an excerpt from her trip reflection:
"I can still hear Mercedes singing. I can still feel the warm embrace of Pedro's hugs. I can still smell Sister Annie's famous aroz con pollo. I can still see the sadness on Juan's face when he told us his story. Almost eight months later and Ecuador is still very much alive. In my mind. In my heart. In my words. In my actions. I still get chills every time I think about it.
That is the power of Ecuador. That is the beauty of Ecuador. It changes your life forever.
As a result of the trip, I am stronger, braver, more thoughtful, more intentional, more simplistic, more grateful, more inspired ... and most importantly, happier - happier thanI have ever been in my life.
There is something magical about that charming country - and I think it's the people. Although they might be materialistically poor, the Ecuadoreans are rich in spirituality - perhaps the richest people I have ever met. Through their selfless actions, devout faith, and immense gratitude, they have taught me more than any book ever could. They see us, the volunteers, as an extraordinary gift from God, but I see them as the truly extraordinary gift.
I never realized how much of an impact these people would have on my life - and in such a short amount of time. It was only after looking at things in retrospect that I discovered their true influence. I think about Abel and Pedro and Esther and Wellington every day. I think about their struggles, their sorrows, and their joys. And I think of all of the wonderful little moments we shared. And I can't decide if I should cry or smile. Cry because I miss them so much my heart hurts or smile because I was blessed to get to know such amazing people. How can I ever repay someone who changed my life?"
Jane and the others in her youth group will volunteer with the U.S. based nonprofitDAMIEN HOUSE, a residential hospital for over 60 patients with Hansen's disease (formerly leprosy) and 700 outpatients. Patients receive dental care, physical therapy, medication, and three hot meals daily. The group is busy fundraising to cover the trip costs and support Damien House. Once there, they will work with patients and live simply to reflect on the experience.
Donations are being accepted at the address below. Payable to St. Joseph Parish with "JANE L, ECUADOR 2013" in memo line:
St. Joseph Parish Youth Ministry
c/o Carlo Stebbings
100 Church Lane
Cockeysville MD 21030
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sometimes when things are falling apart
they are actually falling into place
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CIAO ...
and thanks for snippeting
Suzanne Molino Singleton
SNIPPETS creator
empowering women
(and some men!)
every Friday since 2006
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