Want to see more pictures?

Want to see even more pictures!  Most of these were taken on the 14th of June...just click here


Here are a few samples.....but a lot more on the link above.  Also, if there are pictures you would like, you can download them easily! 

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Enjoy the Shared Stories...live from Grace Hinsdale, June 23, 2013

The album above entitled, It Started With a Dream, contains the stories of Loretta, Brian, and Nathan

Listen - Be Here In this Moment Now - Don't anticipate, participate

Thank you.



If you are unable to see the videos above, please feel free to click on the name below to access these links:

Father Chris

Loretta  Summers 

Claire Meyer

Brian Suprock

Nathan Hill

More photos from June 13...double click and you can access the album to download any photos you would like

More of photos from June 13.....just watch the show or double click and it should open the album so you can download any you would like...

June 8 and 9 and 10 Photo Albums..double click to go to online album and download any you wish

June 13 and 16 - Picture albums from YMO Navajo Nation...double click and you should be able to download any you like

2013-06-12 YMO Navajo Nation Photo Album

For the album of pictures for this day, double click on the picture above.  You will be able to download any photos you desire. 

YMO's Harlem Shake

We are home!

We arrived home last night, safe and sound, and happy for the hugs and smiles of our families and friends.  Thank you all for following us on our journey and we can't wait to share our stories and findings.  There will be another video or two posted this week of the last couple of days, so stay tuned! 

The 2013 YMO Hinsdale Mission Superlatives

Saturday
June 15, 2013  (Happy Birthday, Bennett!)

On the bus heading back to our homes, bringing with us our new life additions, new family, and new memories.  Headed out from our palatial accomodations about 8am. 

Bus is quiet now as the group is watching Hunger Games.  But, before this we had the Award Show. 

The 2013 YMO Hinsdale Superlatives

EmCee's:  Kelley Summers and Claire Meyer

S T A F F   A W A R D S

• Most Quotable.  Most likely to see into your Soul!  (Father Chris)
• Most lIkely to be mistook for Harry Potter, great glasses (Brother James)
• Most likely to open a hair salon, best story teller and most likely to make your cry (Anayah)
• Most likely to rub in random substances into massages (Merribeth)
• Best hugs (Julie)
• Mos likely to snipe a picture from long range, best smile (Mamma Louise)
• Most likely to join Next Step (Danielle)
• Most distinct voice, hardes worker, and always an uncle to all (Uncle Sam)
• Most enthusiastic (Cynthia)
• Most determined and whose last name sounds like out of a Harry Potter movie (Allison Slingloff)
• Best Quilter (Heidi)
• Most likely to win American Idol (Cindy)
• Most caffeinated (Mike)
• Best manicured toenails (Linda)
• Best parker and best football player (Dorothy)
• Mos likely to go to a spa as soon as we get home and most likely to join a pridde of lions (Loretta)
• Least efficient packer and worst piggy back rider (Brian)
• Most likely to each coconuts for 3 straight weeks and most likely to shove a tampon up her nose.  Most likely to pen a boutique for cut off shorts.  (Kelley)
• Sweetest man, best singer, most patient, and most resourceful (Busdriver Sam)

S T U D E N T   A W A R D S

• Most likely to make you laugh when your haing a bad day (Nathan)
• Most loyal.  Most likely to become a philosopher (Olivia)
• Most likely to laugh at a funeral and most likely to put a smile on your face (Ellie)
• Best laugh.  Best white-girl twerker (Vivian)
• Best hair.  Most likely to run the Hinsdale Humane Society (Alex)
• Biggest princess.  Best looking in scrubs  (Sofia)
• Most likely to be sold at a Build-A-Bear.  Best hugger.  (Matt)
• Most likely to Make It Big (Ellen)
• Most likely to become a DJ on the Strip.  Most helpful.  The Bro-est! (Reed)
• Most likely to sleep through zombie apocalypse after her entire family was turned to zombies and ate her husband of 7 years, 3 months, 5 days, 2 hours & 38 seconds, Henry. (Claudia)
• Best birthday-boy.  Most likely to hop on a Res-Horse and ride home with wind blowing through his hiar (Bennett)
• Crudest jokes. Most likely to fake an allergy and best with a sledge hammer (Naimo)
• Most loving sibling and baddest shades. (Alden)
• Most coordinated.  The truest trooper a most bubbly.  (Maggie)
• Shortest short-shorts.  Most likely to do purple.  Best leader.  (Henry)
• Best role-model, chillest chick alive, and best crumper.  (Claire)
• Most likely to be featured in a Disney movie.  Most likely to move to New Mexico just for horses (Amanda)
• Most mature, she emerged into life as a 30 year old..  Most motherly.  (Laila)
• Biggest heart and best style (Emery)
• Earliest riser and most organized.  (Kirstin)
• Bet laught and best creeper, in the nicest way.  (Ainsley)
• Most independent, heaviest slepper and most likely to get mysterious food on her bed.  (Emily)

Friday

Friday has been a day of blessings.  We are slowly closing down all of the worksites.  There will not be a video today as we are going to be out under the stars tonight, with a sacred fire and several medicine men helping us on our spiritual journey. 

The trip has been beautful and heart rendering, awe inspiring and insightful.  While we've tried to share the story in pictures, soon we will all be home to tell you of our journey.

Thursday Thoughts

Thursday.

The wind is calmer today. Dust will not cling so much to us.. The sky is overcast..we laugh and wonder “Will it rain?”

Work progresses at the sites.

“We MCed the painting in the house!”

“We’re coming  back  tomorrow—we have to finish this…”

“Whether you  think you can or you can’t, you’re right.”

“Do you have a better idea …?  Let’s do it.”

GUNS IN THE SUN

REAL POWER TOOLS

“Can I get some water?”

“Hey, can you help me finish this?”

Back at base camp…Dined on Navajo tacos prepared by Herman and Annie DeVores family.

Venders came as we hunter gathered through gems, silver, pots, Navajo weavings.

Watching  as the clouds  continue to gather and the sky continues  to  darken.

The wind changes.

Drops of rain.. Slowly  at  first.  Then the rain comes in full as we laugh, running under the tent.

 Gathering in fellowship after dinner .  We look up.  A rainbow.

Wednesday in Navajo Nation ... all worksites

 

 

The above contains a video.  If you cannot see it, click here....YMO, All Worksites

The days are running together.  These are all pictures from Wednesday.  Weather has been good, hot but not too hot.  Lots of smiles, we've had tears (but the good kind), and lots of hugs.  Time is slip, sliding away and we will be home before we know it!  It has been a journey, a pilgrimage, an insight, an awareness. 

Monday, On the Worksites

Above is a graphic.  If you do not see it, click here....Monday, Navajo Nation

MONDAY in Navajo Nation

Somehow, both photographers were stranded on Work Site number 1 for the day. All normal in the confusion of getting our rhythm as coordinating, sites, people, hammers, vans, generators, lunches, water, medical, you name it is not an easy task.  However, good spirits are prevailing!  So, the story you will see is the start of the day and the team on Work site 1. 

Team one. (there are 6 teams) is outside of town about 15 minutes on 350 acres of allotment land belonging to Herman Devore.  He has owned the land for about 50 years, passed down from his mother.  I asked if he raised anything on the land and he said he was going to try to get that going, perhaps a few sheep after he is able to move in.  

Herman is of the Tangles Clan and his wife is Sagebrush clan.  They have lived in town because the children were in school. However, now that they are grown, they are building so they all might move back. A new hogan will house Herman and his wife while another small building is being repaired for one of his children. The small house used to belong to his grandfather and the remnants of his grandmothers home, a stones throw away, has been totally torn down.  Perhaps grandma and grandpa needed their space!  

Herman's grandfather was a Codetalker during the war and used to drive general McArthur around. He also was captured and a prisoner of war in Germany where he saw Hitler 100 feet away.  Grandfather escaped after only a few months as prisoner.  What a story he must have. 

I walked down to the site and Maggie quickly told me of the excitement they had in the first fifteen minutes of arrival.  They discovered a rattler hiding under one of the pallets.  It quickly met its end by one of our brave soles.  

Tuesday in Navajo Nation

Above is a video.  If you do not see it, click here...Tuesday in Navajo Nation

Tuesday in Navajo Nation..

Well, actually it is Wednesday as I type but the pictures are of Tuesday.  So we will have to live in the past for a moment.  The weather reached 99 degrees but there was a nice breeze which definitely helped.  One of the worksites was having to hold things down from the wind.  I thought my day's highpoint was finally getting to take a shower (yep, they are in short supply!).  Oh, it felt glorious.  But, no, the day was full and complete when we climbed the mountain, shared, looked, cried, and truly felt and heard all in the universe.  The sun gave us a beautiful color display as she left us and then the stars put on their show of shooting stars.  It was quite a day. 

Arrival in Crownpoint

Well, we have had a few difficulties getting connected but I think we are getting caught up.  Below is a recap of our 2nd day on the bus and our arrival in CrownPoint.  Enjoy!

YMO in Crownpoint, NM

This message contains graphics.  If you do not see graphics, click here to view...Arrival in Crownpoint

This message contains graphics.  If you do not see graphics, click here to view...Day 2 On the bus

Here is a summary of our second day on the bus...June 9, 2013

We are rolling down the highway, Sky still somber overhead but starting to share a little light. The day will be full upon us soon. All is very quiet as many grab a few more dreams before the day fully opens its eyes.  

There are about 40 ish of us on the bus and, though some of us are still getting to know each other, it is a fantastic group. The youth ( I can't call them kids but the word "youth" also makes me think of My cousin, Vinnie) are mostly high school age. We also have several college age kids that are Students In Training (SITs).  And then there is Staff, from medical to communications and all in between.  Every time we load up the bus, roll call is conducted so we don't leave anyone behind. And, amazingly, this is a real on time group. I am so awed by the maturity and responsibility displayed by all involved. 

Our special, surprise guest is Anaya who is an Apache Shammon. He first met many in the group last fall when they went to Verdun. Hearing his perspective on events, customs, history is extremely eye opening and leaves me very humbled. His presence helps my eyes with a new filter. 

Last night we stayed in Elk City, OK, which is not far from the recent tornado damage in OK.  We saw signs of the devastation along the way...piles of debris along the highway, billboards hanging with all of their proud display plucked away, semis piled on each other like a child's abandoned toys. Then as we all tucked in, a massive thunderstorm hit which was a bit disquieting. 

So, the day is waking.  We shall see and welcome what gifts come today.  

Stopped in an Amarillo truckstop for breakfast at about 8 am.  These trucks  are a world unto themselves.  Some are shiny and some a bit dusty.  Curtains were drawn for sleep, dog sitting proudly in the drivers seat for another. And, showers available.  

Fishtail hair braiding, quiet conversations, building a blanket fort, watching The  Other Guys. 

Father Chris reminded us that our number 1 mission is to build community in the church. It is not to eradicate poverty, that is a mandate.  We are arriving, that we know.  We don't know if we will arrive first or if Tulsa will.  However, the first there will greet the other group as if it is our' home. This is the next step in building community. Don't anticipate but participate. Live in this present moment. Don't worry about the next. Be in the moment.  We are all uniquely beautiful. 

We arrived in Crownpoint and greeted our fellow missioners from Tulsa.  However, just when you think you have everything under control, God likes to spice things up.  Housing was the first obstacle but all pulled together and we ended up with a place to put our heads.  Once space was located, the unloading began which was fun watching blown up air mattresses being moved back and forth as we adjusted. While all have running water not all have showers but it adds to the comaraderie.    And, we must remember, this is for a week whereas many live like this all their lives. We are here like this for a reason.  We are here now.

Technical Difficulties on the Reservation

Our communications team (aka Julie Pierce, Louise Meyer) have great pictures and stories to share with us from their first day in Crownpoint, but not enough bandwidth to get them on the blog!   They will try a different solution tomorrow (Tuesday) so will likely be back in business then.  Stay tuned ...

~ The YMO Team

Awakening

Awakening.



Awakening is the first word of the triad of our theme for Missions.

We are awakening to the potential of the present moment.





Our Team arrived in Crownpoint, NM this afternoon!  Our partners from Tulsa, OK arrived just before us.  It was exciting to meet the rest of our Team and begin this journey together.  After several ice-breakers and games, the small-group teams were formed.  The teams were given the task to create a name for themselves, based on a movie.  The teams then had to create a skit to present to the rest of the Team, who was charged with guessing the name of the team.  They did a fabulous job!

We enjoyed a delicious dinner and then unpacked and settled into our quarters.  We worshiped and broke out into our small-groups.  All is well and we are ready for bed!

The internet connection is slow, so look for pictures tomorrow (or later today, since it's now Monday!)

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!!!

Day One Video

This message contains graphics.  If you do not see graphics, click here to view

All are tucked in their beds, rain is falling.....goodnight....see you tomorrow!

Our Journey Begins

The Team assembled in the dark, early hours this morning at Grace Church, to embark on this awaited journey of missions.  

The "load masters" managed getting the luggage, tools, and snacks loaded under the bus.  

After the youth and staff were checked in, presented with a souvenir goodie bag, and thoroughly hugged goodbye, the team loaded the bus and departed Hinsdale feeling like celebrities with our paparazzi sending us on our way.

As morning dawned, quiet conversations murmured, sleepy eyes rested, and visions of Starbucks danced in our heads.

While some huddled together under blankets, others sprawled into the isle.

We arrived in St. Louis just before 9:00.  Although Starbucks could not be found, McDonald's and Krispy Kreme sufficed!

Back on the bus, movies helped pass the miles and conversations and laughter filled the air.

We grabbed a quick lunch in Springfield, MO, and were on our way, once again.

Kelley lead the team in a "Getting to Know You" game.  Fr. Chris chimed in with a couple team-building exercises, which ending in knowing each other beyond the form of words and practicing God's first language - silence.

We're safe, well-fed, and ready for some sleep at  our over-night stop in Elk City, OK.  

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! 

We are Ready

The suitcase is packed to the brim

And the check-list is covered in black ink checks

And we're finally ready

Physically.

 

We've sat and talked about this trip

For what feels like forever

And we've grown together

In friendship

In love

And in faith

And we're finally ready

Socially.

 

But emotionally ready

That's up to us.

 

Right now

We are full

With questions and mixed emotions

Excitement.

Fear.

Hope.

Concern.

 

But after this week

We will still be full

But with

New friendships.

New experiences

New understanding

Of this thing we call life

And this Savior we call God.

A poem from Vivien Drury

On the Road

When this post hits emails, we will be on the road, heading to our first stop in Elk City, Oklahoma, where we will stop for the night before the final leg to Navajo Nation! 

Weather is predicted to be in the low 90s during the day and low to mid 50s at night.  So, sweaters are going in the suitcase!  Again, we thank all of you that are following us, supporting us, and praying for us on this journey.  Next you will hear from us on the road! 

Oh, and as an update to a previous post regarding the remaking of "Star Wars" in the Navajo language, many of the key roles have now been cast. 

Terry Teller, of Lukachukai, Ariz. will be the voice of Luke Skywalker.

Anderson Kee of Cottonwood, Ariz. will be the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Clarissa Yazzie of Rock Point, Ariz. will be the voice of Princess Leia.

James Junes of Farmington, N.M. is the voice of Han Solo - and one of the very few experienced actors to win a part. Junes is part of the comedy team James and Ernie, and has had roles in low-budget films on the Navajo Nation.

Marvin Yellowhair of N.M. is the voice of Darth Vader.

James Bilagody of Ariz., another experienced performer, is the voice of General Tarkin.

The Navajo voice of C-3PO is a surprise scheduled to be revealed on July 3rd.  

The film production in the Navajo language was done to help in the preservation of this amazing language.   

Smoked!

This message contains graphics.  If you do not see graphics, click here to view. 

 

Commissioned by and with Grace

It is Sunday, the day when the YMO group is commissioned at Grace.  I wondered what that really means and discovered it is the solemn recognition of a person as set apart for a particular work of ministry. In our case, this recognition will be made by the entire congregation of Grace Episcopal Church.

Holy Cow!  That is powerful.  We go forth into the world where there are many unknowns, doors not yet opened, eyes not yet seeing, and yet, behind us will be the entire community of Grace and our families and friends, loving and supporting us along the way. 

We will be entering the world of another people, the Navajo.  We do not know what awaits us, and yet , behind us will be the entire community of Grace and our family and friends, loving and supporting us along the way. 

Everything will be new; the people, the customs, the food.   We will learn and discover.  But, we are bound to make a few mistakes, say the wrong thing,  and yet, behind us will be the entire community of Grace and our family and friends, loving and supporting us along the way. 

With this commissioning, with our work of ministry,  with this journey to the unknown, we will find grace, we will know grace, and we will be supported by Grace and our family and friends, loving and supporting us along the way. 

Thank you,
Louise