Please do not say practice.
My son left for Mexico yesterday at 4:30am. Without a phone charger. With limited cash. Knowing minimal Spanish. And at the airport my husband said, "Mikey! You need a bag for your laptop. Here. Use this." and he gave him some kind of bag that was in the car. Going through the airport the strap broke and the bag and computer fell to the ground. Oh my gosh. He is 18, boarded a plane to another country and is staying with a family we have never met for 4 weeks. All day long I was waiting to hear from him, while thinking and praying. Before he left I gave him a Pieta prayer book, blessed oil and a holy card of Our Lady of Guadalupe. And reminded him and myself how Our Lady was instrumental in our family's conversion back to our faith...and sensed Mexico was somehow someway connected to her graces, where much of the country honors Mary. The rest of the family could only make the latest mass in town, Saint Catherines...and as I was praying for Mikey I remembered the miraculous medal of Mary around my neck given to Saint Catherine by Mary....and how much I love all of my faith. The hymn we were singing was Be Not Afraid. My husband showed me his phone with a text "I have arrived." We were all where we were supposed to be.
Amazing!
ReplyDeleteOh dear...that sounds like an embarrasing time for your son...broken bag, etc. I am glad that he made it safely! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat story! You must be having a steep learning curve with this experience. I hope he has a super month and that Mom doesn't age too much over this time.
ReplyDeleteI would be so nervous. I'm glad he made it okay though.
ReplyDeleteI would be scared for his safety. I am glad he had a safe trip!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a beautiful example here of your strong faith. So happy your son made it safely to Mexico. Prayers are always good! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I remember traveling in HS and I never called home! Now I freak out if I don't get a text just when someone makes it home from my house!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful testament to your faith! You are always an inspiration to me - I raised 4 sons - and here you are raising 8 children. You are amazing - truly!
ReplyDeleteAww what a beautiful post. My Daughter is 14 and I dread her leaving home.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joanne
Where is he going in Mexico? My daughter was an exchange student in Saltillo a couple of years ago and loved it. We are very close to the border ourselves. I just know it will be a wonderful time for him~
ReplyDeleteWe are never without our guarding angels, even when we forget about them they never forget about us.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he's going to have a fantastic time.
We had similar fears for our son when he moved away, not to a different country but to Arizona. It turned out well, and I'm sure it will for Mikey as well. He'll return as Senor Miguel.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to have that faith to let them go. My mother heart understands your anguish. I have just sent my 19 year old son out into the world and away from my watchful care. I feel blessed with the knowledge that he will be looked after by a loving Heavenly Father, as will your son. Good luck, Mama!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I will say an extra prayer, too. Worrying is what mom's do best, I think. ^o^ xo
ReplyDeleteIt's so, so hard to just give it all up and say, I trust thee.
ReplyDeleteDear Annemarie I have walked in your shoes. Having a child so far away from the nest is so frightening. Now there is face talk which I have become quite fond of. Keeping you in my thoughts. Bonnie
ReplyDeleteVery cool--I love how God sends His messages to us ;)
ReplyDeleteGod is good. My favorite...Mary worried and worried...how will I be able to move the stone, how will I be able to move the body, how? how can I? what will I do? How?
ReplyDeleteBut when she arrived...the tomb was empty and all her worry was turned into glory.
My prayer each morning is to cover my children with His mercy and grace and to call their angles to protect them. It's simply the best we can do.
Our son went to Mexico to a language school and to work after..he was only 17 when he graduated from HS and left..he had to borrow money to get back home because he forgot about the airport tax. But he did pay the man back when he got home. I was pretty proud of that.
What a wonderful experience for him! But I guess a mother's worry never ceases, even as they are adults. Glad he made it there safe and sound!
ReplyDeleteMy mothers heart can sure relate to how you felt...so relieved he arrived safely. Oh the story's he will have to share when he returns :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Hope all goes well, I will pray for him! HUGS!
ReplyDeletei felt like i was reading a thriller book and in the back of my head i'm repeatedly thinking "is he okay?!"
ReplyDeletei'm glad that he's safe !
Beautiful story of your faith and with a happy result, that your son arrived safely. I think Mary is very revered in Mexico, so that is a comforting reality. I have a statue of Mary in my garden, so I see her every day.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful example of faith, he will be fine I'm sure, our job comes with worry, its required,
ReplyDeleteamazing and so glad he arrived safely
ReplyDeleteoh wow...i know this one will be tough...i will get there one day with my boys i am sure...he will be fine mom..
ReplyDeleteI glad he arrived safely and hope that he has a wonderful time. Try not to worry too much.
ReplyDeleteI love how Mary is woven through this and all of your adventures. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnnmarie, I was getting nervous just reading your post....young or old we moms care for our children and grand children. May the lord watch over your child. Smiles, Susie
ReplyDeleteAm very grateful for this possibility you do provide him to enjoy. Traveled myself with age 15 for a month to the North of Spain without parents and with my then girl friend. Bit of money and no Spanish. We called once. No news - good news. May he discover memories lasting a whole life.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh. Try not to stress too much (easier said than done!)I'm sure he will be fine and he will come back to you better off for the experience x
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear he made it safely :)
ReplyDeleteGAH! I don't know how kids learn to put one foot in front of the other sometimes. I can only conclude that there are masses of angels watching over them. Hopefully that's the case.
ReplyDeleteMy Mother always said she worried more about us as we got older than when we were young.
ReplyDeleteI've walked in his shoes (spent a month in London at age 17, with a family my parents had never met, while my parents had no phone - I did send them a card, lol).
ReplyDeleteI've walked in your shoes, too. His shoes were definitely easier.
He'll be OK - he's a strong, healthy, secure person.
A Very challenging departure , but so glad he arrived safely! I will pray for him & for you.
ReplyDeleteHave a great 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that your son had been able to make contact to relieve your anxiety. I worried when our daughter went to Equador after she graduated from University and we didn't hear from her for a whole month as she lived in a remote village with the natives. Finally we received a letter a month later.
ReplyDeleteJB
Wow, what an adventure for you son and for you too! Enjoy. liz
ReplyDeleteMy husband did a similar trip when he was a senior. It was a student exchange program for 5 weeks or so. He got on a plane, stayed with a family he never met before. But, after all these years, he still talks about that incredible experience!!! Your son will be fine and I am sure it will be something he will remember forever.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Mike made it safely to Mexico.
ReplyDeleteYou sent him equipped with the best-the "tools" of Our Lady.
Keeping him in prayer.
Beautiful post. It's hard, but sometimes they just need to "fly". Glad he made it safe! I know it's going to be a long four weeks for you(I can't even imagine), but what an experience for him!
ReplyDeleteGlad he made it safely!!! I will pray for him while he is there! He is right below me (I am in AZ) :)
ReplyDeletePraying for you all :))
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear he made it safely, I bet he will have the best time.
ReplyDeleteWow, so glad your son arrived safely. I can imagine the anxiety until you knew. He will have a wonderful experience and return home a man. God bless.
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ReplyDeletetest
ReplyDeleteAwwwh sweet. And he will be fine, that family will be great. That's the kind of family that likes to bring in students, gratis. What a good experience for him.
ReplyDeleteSo glad he made it there safely!
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult when your kids go to far away places without you, mine is about to embark on a road trip to Melbourne (from Sydney). He doesn't even live at home anymore, so I won't ntocie he is away, but the fact they are driving there scares me silly!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your son arrived to Mexico safely and I hope the rest of his stay follows suite. Cheers
Oh such frightening "awaiting" of news whether he arrived safe or not. I hope he'll have a safe 4weeks stay in Mexico. Be still... he is protected by the Greatest Mother of all :)
ReplyDeleteSpanish Pinay
he will be just fine.
ReplyDelete:)
Good to know all is well.
ReplyDeleteGlad you son arrived well. I don't think it matters how old they get you always worry about your children and although you will continue to do so until the day he arrives home He will be having a wonderful time and experience many new things from this which I'm sure he'll share when he is home once again.
ReplyDeleteBy the end of September all three of my sons will be living in foreign climes -- one in Korea, with all three grandsons, one in Italy and the other will be in Canada. I miss them all, but no matter where they go they will always be in my heart and in my prayers. I'm sure he will be having the most wonderful experiences -- so God bless him and you for letting him be free enough to go...
ReplyDeleteIt truly is such a wonderful feeling how one simple short text message can give us back our peace. I'm sure he'll be all right.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know his text message. You stay easy, Annmarie.
ReplyDeleteNothing builds confidence quite like foreign travel : )
ReplyDeleteIt must be really hard to let him go to a foreign country and under such circumstances. Be confident, everything is going to be ok and he will come back with an amazing adventure and stories to tell :)
ReplyDeleteNope, there's no easy way to learn patience. That's why I stopped praying for it long ago! :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like your son will have an amazing experience, perhaps life changing.
Mary Alice
I don't think we ever stop worrying about our kids. When mt 30 plus year olds go rock climbing,diving, four wheeling, I still worry. Even though I can't see them doing it, LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteI still have a 17 year old at home and I know she is getting ready to fly the coop. But as my Pastor says "You've held her in your hands for almost 18 years, now she will be in Gods loving hands". That makes it a bit easier to vision. Although I would have been a nervous wreak in your situation!! Love Di ♥
At least it all went well in the end!
ReplyDeleteEverything will be straightened out in the end.
ReplyDeleteHow great that your son can have this great experience. I'm glad you all ended the day where you were supposed to be. :-)
ReplyDeleteJuly 3rd...
ReplyDeleteHAPPY FULL THUNDER MOON, July 3rd.!!!
Glad he made it safely! Hope he has a great time!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have it under control, Glad he got there safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great opportunity and experience for him- but how gut wrenching to watch them leave and learn to fly on their own. Faith connects and ensures always we are where we are supposed to be- amen!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how scary it is sending a child away to another family in another country you've never met before! In those times, it's really important you have something to believe in so you can give up your worries and concerns to that higher power and let things unfold the way they're meant.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your faith got you through and your son is safe and sound! :)
So glad for the text "I have arrived". big step for everyone!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how I myself will feel in same situation. So glad that he arrived safely. And I'm also happy that you and your entire family are Catholic just like us..
ReplyDeleteNice story! :)
ReplyDeleteEverything works out for the best for those who love and trust in God.
ReplyDeleteI am learning there is no easy way to learn patience! And to me the scariest thing about traveling is going through the security lines! Take your shoes off, put your bag here, no you cannot have that much shampoo!!!! Ah nerve racking!!!! I had all my belongings searched through because I forgot I had thrown in a 20 ounce bottle of water. It's water, but I couldn't keep it!
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend,
ReplyDeleteThis young man is very fortunate to have such a GREAT mother and father. I really hope all goes well and that he enjoys each day of his stay. Thanks for sharing.
All is well, thank God :). Thanks for sharing this story of trust in God- and patience! That's one lesson I need to learn.
ReplyDeleteI hope your son has a great experience well in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteSaying prayers for all of you.
ReplyDeletesounds like it started as a pain but well, everything was good in the end!
ReplyDelete<3
Faith is so important in our lives. Keep trusting God for your son's safety. Can't wait to read about his trip in a later post.
ReplyDeleteWow, it's really hard to turn our younguns over to the big wide world, isn't it? But you've provided them with a strong foundation to build a good life on. All is well.
ReplyDeletewow this is really amazing!! like your blog, would love to follow each other :)
ReplyDeletexx
Well being parents it's on our nature to worry about our kids. Who wouldn't worry sending out their children to a far place that's out of our reach. Everything will be alright. This kid is lucky to have you as parents.
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