What a pleasant surprise the morning session of the Wayshower Workshop turned out to be. To describe the essence, it was like being at story time in school and Pauli Sanderson was the teacher who wrapped us in loving, and wrapped us in Light, and then told us the most touchingly sweet stories of the early years she experienced with John-Roger.
Pauli showed us our beautiful workbook for the workshop, and then introduced her delightful stories, and between the sweetness of these early “getting to know you” tales, we’d watch short videos, or hear audio shorts by J-R, or even read quotes on the giant video screens. Along with the nurturing essence in the room, we had the fabulous “Tis a Gift to be Simple” music playing, and the day truly was simply beautiful.
At one point, Pauli came up to the stage beaming and holding up a large sepia photo of a very young J-R, but she introduced him as Mr. Hinkins sitting at his desk in Homeroom 17 at the high school. Pauli’s face was lit up so special, every one of us caught the energy! And so she related some of the early years of meeting in the teachers lounge at the high school and so many various ways that J-R was giving her “keys” to her life, as her consciousness shifted, and perception changed. As Pauli related her own experiences, I caught my own experiences and the Spirit and learning we all share!
The morning continued on with videos and a partner process. Before lunch, our beautiful MC Rachel Jayne was back and introduced Janet and Lawrence Caminite who shared about the Blessings Fest with John Morton on July 4th and the raffle. Jimmie Ness and the products team then modeled the latest goodies from the products store.
Next we were off to lunch. As I noticed yesterday, I seem to be enveloped and embraced by so many loved ones – this Wayshower Conference seems to be truly an experience of heart to heart communication everywhere. I can’t imagine anywhere else, any other organization worldwide, with so much loving going on. And what is so amazing, we are surrounded by the essence of our Wayshower John-Roger wherever we are, for it seems everyone we embrace IS the essence of the Wayshower, the Traveler.
In the afternoon we experienced more video and audio excerpts of J-R, and engaged in another partner process. It’s 5PM and I’m wondering how time flies! Pauli then introduced John Morton.
John comes bounding up again to the stage and we start our yearly auction. Can’t miss this dear hearts, because the Spirit comes in and moves so many. On parade are pictures, paintings and photos of J-R, taken up the aisle by our assistants and onto the stage to be auctioned off. I recognized so many of these paintings and photos I’ve seen through the years. And finally we get to the sepia photo of “Mr. Hinkins” in his school room — and yes! everyone wanted Pauli to have it. So the bidding went higher and higher to see who would buy it for Pauli. Everyone wanted to participate, so John had the assistants pass out envelopes, and we only had to put a donation in and write “Pauli” on the envelope. The donations go to MSIA, but the photo goes to Pauli, it was a great “thank you” for all of the love and work Pauli put into the Wayshower Workshop. God knows how much money was raised on this one picture, but you can only imagine how so many people in the room were made happy to see it go to Pauli Sanderson! Listening to Pauli’s memories and endearing stories of “Mr. Hinkins”, I feel like I’m in that old children’s television show “Mr. Roger’s neighborhood.” John-Roger that is. Sigh. Such a wonderful day, and it’s not over.
John Morton takes sharing after the auction. First he began reminiscing about his own stories with John-Roger and how he grew to be involved in J-R’s work…. hope you catch that Johnny was doing his version of the same “story time” — connecting us with his early Traveler experiences!
Now comes the Q&A part of the afternoon, and one of the gems I remember is: make yourself available to the opportunity to do service. John shared about Mother Theresa of Calcutta as an example, and how in her early days in the convent she questioned when she’d be able to go outside the convent and do the work? The answer, of course, was they didn’t go outside. So she took it upon herself to go out to where the opportunities for being of service were plentiful. Her life became a magnificent service.
There was also a lovely example of what J-R has shared with us over the years, that you can get everything in the first Discourse. And, there was much, much more.
The day ended, and I realized what a sweet, graceful, really gracious loving day it had been from beginning to end. Every one of us was embraced in the Beloved, as you are too. Have a wonderful good night too.
