We thought you would like to read a copy of the correspondence
we received from a family active in our Engaged Encounter Community.
We received so much from your community and others here that after
we had distributed supplies to our Marriage Encounter Community
we contacted the Kelley's and Patricia came with her three children
to collect some supplies. We think her letter says it all. Some
of your community may recognize some of your donated items among
her "gifts".
From: James & Patricia Kelley, Slidell, LA
To: WWME Community, c/o John & Janice Wells
Date: 10/22/2005
Dear Janice & John and the Marriage Encounter Community,
Our hearts are filled with thanks to you and Marriage Encounter
for helping us along the path of recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
You have been so kind to us right from the start, and we want
to thank you.
Mary Grace just loves her new daybed. I think she feels like
a princess in it, and it makes her room look like "home".
The plaid sheet set for it was just perfect, and she loved the
blankets that went with it. The baby quilt especially meant so
much to her, because she used to carry around a crochet blanket
when she was a baby.
Joseph loves his pillow - he sleeps much better now that he has
a place to lay his head. And Joseph loves the patch-work red,
blue, and yellow quilt. He is usually indecisive, but when you
pulled out that quilt and asked who liked it, Joseph immediately
(to my surprise) said, "I do!" and he has proudly and
neatly placed it on his bed ever since. Once again, a piece of
"home" for him.
Christopher just adores his blue dog stuffed animal and character
towels. Beach towels were always his favorite.
James and I were so extremely excited to have pillows!! Wow,
what an awesome gift, along with a mattress and box spring, sheets
and a beautiful light blue striped comforter. We are just overjoyed
to have a bed. Each night I lay my head on that pillow, and think
"This is the most comfortable pillow I have ever laid on!"
With these most precious gifts, you made this house a "home",
you gave us the gift of rest so we could be renewed each day,
and you gave us a renewal of oneness and unity in our marriage.
We have always considered Engaged Encounter a blessing for our
Marriage. We have been active in the New Orleans Community for
9 years. We are a junior presenting team couple. Over the past
year, we have been planning the 30th Anniversary of New Orleans
Catholic Engaged Encounter (which would have taken place with
a celebration on September 24th). As part of the planning we had
the opportunity to talk to many of the original Catholic Engaged
Encounter Couples and learned how many of them had attended a
Marriage Encounter weekend early on or were once active in Worldwide
Marriage Encounter. In talking with them, I began to realize how
the Engaged Encounter Ministry was sparked from the Marriage Encounter
Movement. It was as if Engage Encounter was born from the love
of Marriage Encounter. And by accepting the generosity of Marriage
Encounter, it was as if this Engaged Encounter Couple (us) had
received new birth once again from Marriage Encounter. How blessed
we are to be touched by the love of your Community. Through all
that we have experience in the recent months, including over 4
1/2 feet of water in our home, we have come out with a clearer
picture of what "community" truly means, and the value
of community. Thank you for sharing the gift of Community with
us. We will always remember your generosity. May God bless you.
Love
Patricia & James, Mary Grace, Joseph, and Christopher Kelley
We think the Kelley's letter says it all.
Thank you for allowing us to be facilitators of your "gifts"
and enabling us to share them with our community.
We are the ones who truly feel blessed.
