It was a great experience to attend the Blessing Workshop in Kiel. I am sure that everyone who attended could appreciate the beautiful setting and preparation that was made. But as an American it was especially exciting with many surprises. Of course when one comes to such an event you have "some idea" of what to expect but that is when it starts to get interesting. Initially, my family and I went Germany to be with and support our daughter, Miyo, whom we have been missing so much. We were very happy to see that she is in good hands. The staff and brothers and sisters are so caring and loving it was evident from the first day. We felt the love.

It was a fantastic job organizing and facilitating the program. I loved the energetic singing from the BCs - powerful! I really felt like they WANTED TO SING! Not that someone was telling them, "You have to sing". I am very impressed by the terrific ESGD you folks have. We "rebellious colonials" could learn a thing or two from you. You are much more polite (I think) than we. Or maybe I have been "persuaded"?

I really enjoyed the workshop material - Mr. Klammsteiner and others gave excellent, energetic and uplifting presentations-providing much food for thought and discussions. I think the discussion groups were very helpful in facilitating good communications. I saw many instances of real breakthroughs between parents and children. Although the groups were a bit large for real discussions everyone seemed to share honestly about some point.

I personally felt pain in recognizing my many mistakes in communication with my children as they were growing up - thankful for the now more open lines (hopefully) of communication that can lead to - FORGIVENESS. That was the message I was receiving through much of the workshop. "We didn't mean to be so hard" (parents) and "we didn't intend to be so self-absorbed and isolated" (children) - ok, so now lets move on. Forgiveness. I am so grateful to God for this!

Bottom line: any workshop or gathering is only a measure of the degree that flexibility, humor and of course spiritual content is brought into the mix and your recipe was a perfect blend. I laughed, I cried I was elevated to a "new place" and (as always) I met my "new" brothers and sisters whom I never knew. Many, many thanks to Emanuel, Gábor, Telmo (God Bless you!, Mr. Klammsteiner, Mr. Hashimoto, David (jolly good) and so many others whose names I can't recall but in my heart I can never forget.

Oh, and one last very special thing, at your workshop I met - after 30 years (much to my surprise and his - I'm sure) my spiritual father (brother?) whom I really never knew! Mr. Martin Speller who met me in a park in Rochester, New York in 1974 and then left America to join the Global Team. We have never met since then! What a great lot of catching up we did in three days. God is AMAZING! He is always giving us more than we expect. Grateful. Greatful.

Thanks again for everything!

 Download entire page and pages related to it in ZIP format
Table of Contents
Information
Tparents Home