BIENVENIDOS A MIAMI!
One of the pleasures of traveling in winter is going to Florida. This time we staff took off in stages — me first, then Paul Kaye, then Jesus Becerra, then Roger Wakefield and at last, John Morton.
Just before I went to pick up Paul at the airport I was joined by some of the local MSIA ministers to share in the blessing of an ordination of Mirtha Perez and inaugurate our trip’s events. How fun to see Jack Palermo, Guiseppe Constantino, Becket Moreno, Luz Jaramillo, Teri Wunderman, Nydia Rey-Penzer and Joel Rifkin – all who came at a moment’s notice – like minutemen – to be part of this special blessing. Then it was off to meet my companion and escort him back to our hotel for a little briefing as we prepared for the coming events.
The next day, Thursday, was a full one. Paul and I headed off around 8:30am to Cooper City to provide MSIA services (these are aura balances, polarity balances & innerphasings provided – for more information on these services visit www.msia.org) at Lin and Larry Whittaker’s beautiful home. These two longtime MSIAers are artists and do the most wonderful (and popular) art pieces. We were treated to a little art showing during lunch time which included scrumptious roast beef, salad and accoutrements, as well as catching up with some old friends, like Sue Tabin, former Miami MSIA Rep.
We continued on to the Boca Raton Borders for the evening’s Momentum book event. We did a quick but perfect stop at Starbuck’s – Paul enjoys those grande toffee nut soy lattes. Sean, night manager at the Boca Raton Borders, had set up the Momentum books and a nice audience area. Quickly all the chairs were filled by old friends and family which provided lots of fun repartee with Paul – then some new people joined in and pretty soon the humor and loving was flying all around. Howie Lehrman, Nydia, Rita and Frank Benasutti, Andres Sacristan, Lin, Larry, Sue and Ron came to support John-Roger’s and Paul Kaye’s Momentum book. We also sold copies of the new “When Are You Coming Home” book – it was a sell out night much to our delight. Of course, Borders was thrilled. Over 20 books were sold (and this surprised the store who didn’t expect us to even sell 6). Some of the best moments for me came about as people new to MSIA’s teachings would stand up and say how meaningful the content of the evening had been for them. Though it had been a long day both Paul and I were buzzing from the loving and enthusiasm that was generated during the evening. We were looking forward to seeing Jesus Becerra who was due to arrive late this evening. So while waiting for him, we did a little email reading and then all surrendered to some night travel and rest.
Friday was an exciting and fulfilling day too. Paul and I headed off early for services – this time to the home of Jack Palermo in South Miami. As soon as we stepped foot in Jack’s door, it was aaah’s – there’s the smell of Italian coffee greeting us, fruit, nuts and cheeses and cookies already on the table. Teri Wunderman, our MSIA Rep, is already there checking out the preparations for the services. In the meantime our compadre, Jesus, was being escorted by the lovely Elizabeth Baralt, to a Spanish radio interview about the Momentum book that would also promote this evening’s book event at the Kendall Borders store. When lunchtime arrived, Jack, assisted by Jean Wood, set before us flavorful dishes of beef, asparagus, salad, and finished with the ultra perfect Italian espressos. Jesus and Elizabeth joined us too and filled us in on how the interview went — Magnifico, of course!
After services and a snack, we head to the Kendall Borders for this evening’s Spanish and English Momentum event. Anthony Acevedo, Borders Area Manager, did a great job of setting up the audience area and displaying the books. Anthony has been a solid supporter for the MSIA book club that started last year at this Kendall store. The crowd for the event is bigger tonight; almost half of the group is Spanish speaking. We have Jesus Becerra on hand to translate for Paul. We see Aura Maria Chavez and her sister, Monica Chavez Laskay, Stella Reinis and several of her friends and family. Some old friends like Mark and Kristen Hebert, along with Becket and Luz, and Anna and Monroe Tirnauer (who came all the way from Sarasota.) Of course, the crowd draws more of a crowd as people come to find out what’s happening. Paul and Jesus are an entertaining duo – especially as Jesus perfectly translates into Spanish the beauty and humor of Paul’s presentation. We laugh and laugh and are deeply moved as well. All too soon the talk comes to a close and Paul signs books – the Spanish ones are the first to disappear. As fun as it is to hang around and schmooze, I have more fun in store. John Morton and Roger Wakefield are due to arrive this evening along with all the audio/video equipment. Teri Wunderman, exemplifying an incredible willingness to do whatever is needed, joins me at the airport to assist both Roger and John in collecting all the luggage and equipment and loading these into the cars. I always get excited when the Traveler arrives – the energy seems to step up and I’m happy to be standing in a steamy, noisy, smelly underground parking area loading luggage. Our team is now fully assembled and I’m a happy camper (mother-hen type with all chicks accounted for). There’s a little more briefing on the next day’s schedule, a little more emailing, and then a few hours rest before our day with the Traveler begins.
Saturday dawns warm. Roger heads out ahead of us to the Miami Masters class to prepare the sound recording for John’s sharing with the class. Paul, Jesus and I accompany John to the class. We pull up to a warehouse area that looks like it could be used in the movie “Analyze This”. Some of the class assistants meet us and guide us through a bit of a labyrinth till we get to the class location. A sign on the door welcomes John Morton and staff to the class and upon walking into the room; we enter into that sacred domain and space that gets created in these Masters of Spiritual Science classes. John greets Nydia Rey-Penzer and Ron Tabin who are co-facilitating this class, dons his microphone and then heads for the easel. In Spanish he writes down several questions for the class (showing his special brand of humor) and then with purposefulness begins the sharing. Each class member had the opportunity to ask and receive and John spent over 2 hours with them. I had that experience once again of being a witness to the embrace, guidance and caring the Traveler gives in the perfect way to each student. Then it was back to the hotel for our little band of “brothers”. John to counseling sessions, Paul and I to services, Jesus to initiations and Roger with an eager crew of volunteers for the seminar room set up. The afternoon whisked by, and in between services we hugged and kissed lots of new and old MSIA friends that were gathering for the evening’s seminar.
That evening, we all gathered on the second floor of the hotel. The seminar room was festively decorated with hearts and balloons, in honor of Valentine’s Day. From the moment John Morton came into the room, he reached out and warmly greeted his beloveds welcoming him to Miami. Some folks came up to John to have their picture taken with him. Others asked him to sign books. For several people who have been watching the MSIA monthly Internet broadcasts, some of whom were grads from the recent Insight I in Miami, this seminar was the first (and totally exciting!) opportunity to see the Traveler in person. What a precious blessing!
Becket Moreno, our master of ceremonies for the evening, called the standing room only crowd forward into the Light and to chant Ani Hu’s. We watched some wonderful video excerpts from both John-Roger and John Morton and then we were serenaded in English and Spanish by the Chavez sisters – their harmonies bringing our hearts into a tender attunement. Becket, standing side-by-side with our devoted translator Jesus, welcomed John in a tender sharing about his first experience seeing John live several years ago. John then started off the evening by sharing a gift from Spirit, an exquisitely soothing meditation of bringing the Light and sound into our bodies. He then talked about the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness as within us all and as what we already know. He talked about how we are always progressing and learning. John shared stories of his youth; particularly from when he played baseball and was the youngest but best hustler on the team and how just a few words of encouragement from his coach inspired him to give it his best. John spent two hours with us sharing from his heart with humor and wisdom and answering questions from the audience – ever patiently and lovingly. As the evening progressed, the room became filled with a sweet and powerful vibration of peace and harmony created by the loving we all brought forward in our Oneness. When the seminar ended, we were filled to overflowing. The loving and gratitude extended on into the night as people stayed to sign up for Discourses, buy study materials, share hugs and “besitos,” and to join in the spirit of service by helping take down the sound equipment and pack things up for the next Traveler adventure.
On Sunday we all flew in different directions. Paul and I had a few more services to do and then we headed up north to spend time with the Jacksonville MSIA community.
JACKSONVILLE
As we boarded the little American Eagle plane, we knew we were leaving Miami. The whole culture is very different in Jacksonville. Whereas in Miami we feel like we’ve stepped into another country, in Jacksonville we’re in a unique part of the United States. For starters the weather is much cooler (high of 60’s as opposed to Miami’s high in the 80’s). The land is very flat, and there’s the beach area too with lots of sawgrass. Driving across the bridge at night we see to our left the city of Jacksonville which was reminiscent to us of a combination of Melbourne, Brisbane, and a few other cities on the water. There’s something about water and lights at night that was so familiar. Judy Jackson, the Jacksonville MSIA Rep, had done a good job of preparing for our visit, down to little snack bags waiting for us in our room. It was so nice to munch on some snacks at the end of a long day while we’re unpacking.
On Monday we did services at Barbara Moulding’s lovely home. Judy and Barbara, along with Marcy and Miriam Goldstein, welcomed us and made sure that every little need and whim of ours was taken care of down to providing rice milk along with an abundant lunch of filet mignon, baked salmon and more. In the evening Paul presented the Exploring Spirit in Everyday Life open PTS workshop at the nearby Jewish Alliance Center to a group of 24 people, a third of whom were new to MSIA. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the humor and teachings presented by our beloved Dr. Paul.
The next day we did services for our friends who had driven down from Charleston, South Carolina – about 4 1/2 hours each way. We did quick catch ups with the whole Stamegna family and Julia Khoury to name a few. Again I was touched by these people who will make this journey to serve and be served through that special blessing of the Traveler’s love and healing that comes forward in Aura Balances, Polarity Balances and Innerphasings.
We finished services Wednesday morning and headed for the airport and a day of flying. I like our fly days; we kick back and go with the flow of airport living. We’re getting used to the security lines drill, and sometimes we catch a downright good meal at one of the airport restaurants. Most of the time we find a quiet nook, take out our computers and do more email while we wait preparing for the trip around the next bend. Thank you for the Light you send as we travel – we sure appreciate this support.
