The Words of the Bratti Family

Blessing Workshop, California

Adonia Bratti
February 2 - 4, 2007

On the evening of Friday, February 2nd, over 100 young people arrived at the Bay Area Family Church in San Leandro, California. High school and college students, as well as members of the STF program came to participate in the Blessing Workshop. This was the second blessing workshop, following last week's workshop at UTS, in New York. Many of the participants were from California, but participants came from as far as Colorado and Nebraska. The workshop lasted only two days (finishing just before the kickoff of the Superbowl on Sunday) but the insight, guidance, and love we received were very valuable for our eternal lives.

Rev. Kevin Thompson, together with Rev. Joshua Cotter from the Bay Area Family Church, made the workshop possible and warmly welcomed us all. Rev. In Guk Seo, the Director of the Second Generation Blessing Department, coordinated the workshop and embraced all of the participants as an elder brother.

Some of the main keys to the success of our workshop were the sincere, urgent, and relatable presentations by Rev. Phillip Schanker. Rev. Schanker helped to give us a new perspective on the idea of the Blessing, by looking through the lens of God's viewpoint -- the ideal of the Blessing, the Fall and breakdown of the family, and how God has been investing throughout history to establish his lineage. After each of these presentations, participants divided into groups of 7 or 8 people to discuss the lecture. This was a very valuable time for all of us to reflect on how God has been working in our individual histories. Also, it gave us an opportunity to think more seriously about steps we can take to prepare for our futures. At the end of the workshop, many people expressed their gratitude to Rev. Schanker for being very real, addressing and understanding many of the challenges that young people have to face growing up in our movement.

As a part of the workshop, participants were given the opportunity to write confessions in preparation for their Blessing. We could sincerely repent and ask for Heavenly Father's forgiveness for mistakes we have made, times we have misused public things, or hurt people's hearts. Through writing these confessions and receiving personal counseling from several elders (for those who wanted counseling), many participants could experience the liberation of their hearts and determine to make a fresh start.

In the evening, we were "blessed" to hear the testimonies of Meadow Tallakson and Megan Patterson. These two Second Generation sisters shared their experiences of being matched and blessed -- the preparation they made, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame. They both touched upon the point of being real in your relationships - with God, your parents, and yourself. Megan shared deeply on how she strengthened her relationship with her husband by uniting on a higher goal centered on God. Her clarity in this point expressed a deep understanding of the meaning of the Blessing that was very valuable for all of us.

The last morning of the workshop, Rev. Schanker gave us a heartfelt understanding of Father's course, followed by guidance on substantial steps we can take to prepare for the Blessing. He really challenged us to think about the lives we have been living, what we can do to develop our mind-body unity, how to get rid of bad habits, and to BE THE RIGHT PERSON (which was the theme of the workshop.) Overall, the message given was not to worry about trying to find the right person with the kind of looks, character, or qualities that we would like our spouse to have. Instead, it was focused on how to develop the heart and character that WE would like to offer to God and to our spouse.

Before the graduation, participants reflected on and testified to their experiences during the workshop, expressing gratitude, hope, and new determination. In closing the workshop, the participants received their certificates, which is a requirement to attend the Blessing.

In conclusion, the workshop was a success, as it addressed many issues, questions, and concerns people may have had about the Blessing. We were all very inspired and uplifted by the vision and ideals of the Blessing, and it gave great hope for the future of the second generation.

God bless. Mansei!

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