Every morning a part of my prayers is to ask the Lord to give me a joyful heart that in all things I may see his hand at work and give myself over to what he wants of me that day. When I got out of bed yesterday I was really thinking that his will for me was to hang around the house in my pajamas until I got ready to go to church to set up for 5:15 Mass. Guess I misread that one. About 9:00 Joan called and said she was coming by to drop off something and I was glad because I had the St. Francis medals and explanation/prayer card and a couple of St. Jude medals and prayer to give her. During our conversation, she said she would not be out evangelizing in front of the parish building at 1:00 because no one was available to be there with her. Before I realized what I was doing I heard myself saying that I would sit with her. After she left I said out loud, “What did you just do?” Well, guess God’s will for me was a little different than what I had expected.I was so glad that I had that experience. I hadn’t been to any meetings/training so I just had to go with how I usually talk with people. Almost immediately a man came over to me with a big smile and I was so glad to see him. His name is Ronnie. A couple of months ago he was sitting in church before 5:15 Mass. At that time he was very tired and discouraged. A few days later, he was back again and could hardly walk because he had blisters on his feet. He would have to walk across the river bridge to his apt. in WTH. Both times Rob Murray drove him home. About two weeks later he came into church on a Thursday about 7:00 with a big smile. He had been moved to an apartment in Terre Haute. That was the last time I had seen him but I pray for him each day. It was so good to see him yesterday and know that he is managing fairly well.It was interesting to see and talk with so many people varying from kids who would be starting to school this morning to some folks that were elderly. There were several who I continued to think about last night and included in my prayers. One was a parishioner who no longer is able to come to church because of numerous serious health problems. He appeared to recognize me but my old brain couldn’t recall having seen him. I was so glad we had two of the St. Jude medals because he wanted one and also gladly accepted a prayer card I had in my purse that reads, “Lord, walk with me through my illness. Take my hand in yours and calm my fears. Impart your strength through your loving presence. Amen.

I’ll just mention one more person who especially caught my attention. We both talked with him. He was an older man who said he lived a couple of blocks from St. Joseph He lived by himself, had lost his wife a few years earlier and didn’t particularly enjoy talking with people. However, it was his attitude toward God that lingered with me. He didn’t exactly say he didn’t believe in God or that he was angry. He was more or less indifferent. He obviously didn’t want to hear anything about God but was willing to talk with us. I would be interested in how he arrived at this place. I have added him to my prayer list. Maybe I will encounter him again sometime.

Before I fell asleep last night, thoughts and sights from my “Monday Experience” kept filling my mind. I was remembering a young man Joan was talking with for five or ten minutes, giving him some materials but also asking some questions that I couldn’t really follow because I was engaged with a little girl who would be entering 2nd grade the next day. That’s the level I function on best. ? I wish I had been able to tune in on her conversation because she really knows how to get people on topic quickly. The neat thing is that if he might desire some more information we might see him again next month if not before. I also recalled an older woman who walked by me as she was leaving. I spoke to her and got a weak hi in return. She looked angry but I later thought it was more an expression of a feeling that everything was falling apart around her. I was almost overwhelmed by the amount of food being carried out of our food pantry and how through the hard work of so many volunteers, St. Joseph Samaritan Project is able to help those in need. The people standing in line would have so many stories they could share of the hardships in their lives. They all need our prayers that God will give each of them what He knows they need and keeps them safe from harm and gives them his peace.
Guess that is all I have to share right now.

Carol Kulow