My time in Quincy IL is speeding by rapidly with reconnection with friends, family, speaking engagements, attending church and the like.
I spoke in front of Unity Church 2 Sundays ago, spoke to 2 separate St Francis Catholic Church Men's Groups yesterday and 2 Wednesdays ago and will be speaking again Tuesday next.
One of the Men's Groups meets at 5pm on Wednesday and yesterday they asked me to come back a week from Wednesday to speak yet again. But, I informed them, unfortunately for me, I'm leaving for Colorado next Wednesday and thus would not be able to attend. So, Dennis B the groups facilitator, moved up the meeting date to Tuesday to allow me to speak one last time.
This group is a formidable gathering of men mostly in their 50s who are classic examples of what society would say are "successful." They are bankers, lawyers, insurance brokers, funeral directors and doctors.
And, what I had to say resonated readily with them. I spoke of detaching from possessions, re-evaluating their life's goals, denying their egos and doing the hard work of allowing their true self to predominate in their lives. I spoke of de-compartmentalizing their fractious lives and integrating themselves in a wholistic way.
I explained to them of the importance of creating an interior life and connecting their lives to God through Jesus. Living in the moment and basking in the love of God as a child is what I believe Christ meant at least in part, when he said that unless we become like little children we would not enter the Kingdom of God.
I related to them many of the events and stories of the road which led me to the place where I could renew my relationship with Jesus. My journey on the road west has been the catalyst for change of my worldview or paradigm.
I told them that they too could change their narrative if they made a priority of seeking God and his righteousness(right living) first in life.
The group peppered me with questions most of which showed me they got it and that they too are on the same road. Their desire to ask me back 2 more times tells me that they have a hunger for change.
At the end of our meeting Dennis B invited me to yet another meeting sometime in the future and he personally would pay my expenses to travel back to Quincy.
Mike B, another member of the group invited me over to his house on Sunday for supper. Other members generously contributed money as well. All in all, it was a very good time and well spent.
Last Sunday Mac contributed his speaking fee to me in a generous token of hospitality and love. Mac spoke to Unity Church on Mother's Day. It was a great speech regarding his relationship with his mother who lived to be 101!
This afternoon I spent time with Dr Deborah Lee at her office at Body, Mind And Spirit for therapy regarding my hyperparathyroidism and Lymphedema. She not only works with the body but integrates the spirit as well.
Tomorrow, Jim, Monica and I are planning on meeting with Mac and Joyce once again at their farm north of Quincy. Jim and I also plan on working again at 4 Winds Farm tomorrow.
Saturday, Mike and Kristine Bickhaus and family are taking me out to supper after attending Mass at St Francis. I'm looking forward to meeting the 7th Bickhaus child, little 9 month old Margaret!
My time spent back home in Morton was way too short. Mom and I got reacquainted after not seeing each other for 2 years. She ended up driving me back to Quincy.
Tomorrow she and the rest of the family will be flying out to Los Angeles for my nephew's funeral. Douglas Pereira age 24 years was my sister Lillian's only child. The cause of death is unknown.
I enjoyed time with my son, Andrew, and my good friends, Mike Kaiser and Scott Witzig. Mike purchased 2 new pairs of shoes at Walmart for me as he noticed my deteriorating sneakers. Thanks Mike!
Also ran into Clair and Joyce Kaiser, Sharilyn Rassi, Tom Williamson, Amber at the Downtown Diner, Jeanette Sutter a Facebook friend at Eli's and Rachel Berthold local Lincoln Scholar and owner of Eli's Coffee Shop.
Notwithstanding all of the fun and fruitful work here in Illinois I'm looking forward to getting back to Idaho Springs, Colorado to start up a new chapter in my life. I'm going to throw myself into a whirlwind of frenzied work when I get off the train!
Pastor Craig Babcock of Calvary Evergreen Church will pick me up at Denver's Union Station next Thursday to take me back to the Lucas House in Idaho Springs.
I have missed my Colorado friends quite a bit. I miss the mountains and the forest as well. Who knows, maybe I'll renew my work on the York Gulch cabin I left undone due to the pack of dogs which attempted to have me for dinner back in November.
In any case, so long until next time. Grace and peace to y'all!
BR Schoenbein
May 12, 2016- Thursday
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