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| News - Conventions The "Mis-Adventures" of the 2006 Section 6 & 7 Convention in St. Louis Bob & Jackie Wright Jackie and I (Bob) left Louisville, KY full of excitement! Looking forward to all of the many ways that Marriage Encounter Conventions bless us! The meeting up with old friends, the challenges to be better lovers, better Christians and better citizens, always brings joy to our hearts! We had only driven about 3 miles toward the interstate when we got a call from our fearless leaders (Bob & Paula Durbin) advising us to wait an hour before we left, because the hotel where we were to stay had no electricity! We were told that the convention was still a go, but accommodations were up in the air! We returned home feeling somewhat dazed and confused. We had known before we left that the weather had been bad and that much of St. Louis was without power, but since we had received an email that morning saying everything was fine at the convention center, we fearlessly and joyfully had packed and left. But now suddenly everything was in doubt! After much discussion between us and all the couples from our area (some of whom were already half way there), we decided to “go for it”! After all, the convention center had power and some of the workers restoring electricity were staying at our hotel. Surely they would see to it that their (and our) hotel would have power soon, right? So, with my old friend Sancho yelling “More mis-adventure!” The Don Quixote in my wife and I took off “Onward to Glory!” Saying to our friends Meet us in St. Louie! We were thinking that we could probably find a hotel within 15 or 20 miles of town where we could stay, and everything would be fine. Modern technology was keeping everyone in touch and the drive was going very smoothly. Yes, the sky was cloudy and for a while we ran in and out of rain, thunder and lightning, but nothing seemed too severe. In fact, when we saw a bolt of lightning ahead we remarked, “Follow that light!” since Light was our theme for the convention. We stopped at a rest stop about 90 miles from St. Louis and it was closed! It had no Power! It was only then, that Jackie and I noticed all the trees that had been flattened by a fierce storm! Seems we had underestimated how broad the power outages were! We were beginning to get worried. Shortly after we got back on the road, we got word that yet another storm had hit the area, the convention center was without power and the Marriage Encounter Convention had been canceled! We were devastated! All of our optimistic dreams were dashed! We have attended almost every convention since our weekend 15 years ago and the thought that a convention would ever be canceled, never entered our minds! The good news was that Steve & Yvonne Ray had had their daughter search the internet and they found a hotel with power near where we were on the road and had reserved enough rooms for all of us! Thank God for modern Technology! Cell phones and the Internet had at least found us a place to stay for the night! All of the group that had been on the road, gathered there and waited for the Durbins (who were at the convention center) to meet us. We all gathered in one room to console each other, discuss our feelings of anger, frustration, sadness, and concern for all the wonderful couples and priests who had worked so hard to put the convention together. We were thankful that we were safe in a hotel and prayed for those who were affected in much more severe ways than we were by this series of storms. Gradually, our spirits were lifted and we began to think and talk of embarking on some new adventure. The convention was canceled, but that shouldn't stop us from doing something together as a community! But what? … The Durbins arrived and while we were discussing possibilities, the lights flickered and then went out completely! It was so ironic. The theme of the convention was, “Be The Light” , and here we are in darkness! We laughed that perhaps God’s humor was to show us that by ourselves we weren't putting out much light… perhaps we were too pompous. At best, we are reflections of His Light! This gave us insight and courage! Unfazed now, by this new dilemma we were determined that something good was going to come out of this weekend no matter what kind of difficulties the world would throw in our path. We were determined to defeat the dragon! We simply decided to go out and try to find someplace to have dinner. God smiled on us as we walked out into the parking lot. There, within walking distance, was a lit “Cracker Barrel” sign! The restaurant was being powered by a generator! (Fr. Ed Stoltze, you’re looking out for us). By the time we finished our meal the lights were back on in the hotel! What a blessing! We decided to get some rest and we'll come up with a plan in the morning.
The next morning, we all gathered in the lobby to decide how best to use our time. Some wanted to rent a pontoon on a nearby lake, procure accommodations on or near the lake and spend the day in relationship on the water. Some wanted to go to Holiday World, others suggested Mt. St. Joseph Retreat Center. This is where Fr. Tom lives – he was not ready to go back home – but he was cool with whatever the group decided.
With 2 “Catalysts” and more than enough “Thinkers” trying to make a decision, we “Helpers” and “Organizers” were going nuts trying to get everyone to agree on something!
Finally, after a lengthy debate, it was decided that we would spend the day at Holiday World and find accommodations near there. We got in our cars and headed east. Helpers began calling hotels, organizers began figuring out logistics and thinkers silently began to re-think the whole plan, with catalysts plotting new ideas. By lunchtime, a thinker had raised the question of wasted money, since we could only spend the afternoon at the fun park – there wouldn't be time to get the full benefit of the admission price! Meanwhile, a catalyst had called The Mount and found that they could indeed accommodate us and would be happy to do so. We stopped for lunch and another debate began! When we couldn't reach a verbal decision, we did a “discernment” by choosing “H” for Holiday World then the Mount for overnight, or “M” for straight to the Mount on slips of paper which we put in a French Fry cup. Straight to the Mount we go!
The Holy Spirit was guiding us even through a French Fry cup! Our experience led to terrific camaraderie between all of us. Our sharing during the afternoon was both humorous and insightful as we described how our different personality styles reacted to the multiple obstacles that were thrown our way, and our feelings as we rode out the storm of confusion and indecision! Fr. Tom (Kirkendall) prayed Mass for us that afternoon, and the intimacy with God that we all felt as we communed together was as powerful to us as any Mass we had ever celebrated!
We were all filled with joy as we left mass and took our light, the reflection of Jesus’ light, down the country road to the nearest eating establishment. A small burger joint seemingly in the middle of nowhere!
The place was surprisingly busy, and the light of love within us was very evident to all those who saw us there! After dinner, we visited the cemetery of the priests and nuns, the saints, who had touched so many lives through the generations.
I (Bob) wept at the gravestone of my dear friend Sr. Janette Bowling, who in the spring of 1989 was able through the light of Christ shining in her to “push me over the edge” (I had been riding the fence for a long time) and I joined my wife in the Catholic faith.
The name of the avenue that leads to the cemetery is “All Saints Drive”. I thought this was a very fitting name for the road that leads to the final resting place of so many people who were a “Light to the World”. I also found it fitting that they be laid to rest on top of this beautiful Maple Mount overlooking a peaceful and fruitful valley! The Sisters at the convent were impressed by us and used every opportunity they had to tell us how much they enjoyed having us there. What a refreshing blessing it was to see loving couples like ourselves enjoying the peace and serenity of the love of God and each other the way we were!
We spent the rest of the night in joyful, prayerful intimacy with each other and with our Lord! Sleeping comfortably in the serenity of that peaceful Mount, we all felt humbled by the experiences of the weekend!
So, never doubt the power of the Holy Spirit when Lovers are determined to make lemonade out of the lemons the world gives us! Your Companions on the Journey, Click here for a printable version (PDF, 196KB)
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