MSIA staff member, Angel Gibson, is currently traveling in Europe to do MSIA services and also MSIA events in various countries. She has been sending updates by email to John-Roger, John Morton and the MSIA staff. We are including them on the NDH website for your enjoyment.
Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8
Hi J-R, John and Staff, from Angel:
My trip in Madrid ended today with doing a ordination and another service before taking off for the airport. About 8 of the Madrid MSIAers came together for Monica Hernandez Rodriguez’s ordination. There were lots of hugs and tears as we all said good bye or our Hasta Londres (London). In the course of the morning a buzz started among the group for going to Rome. By the time I took off for the airport there were at least 2 Madridians looking into a quick jaunt over to Rome for the Wednesday night open seminar with John Morton. Such fun to think of jetting to Rome and then onto Madrid to be with the Traveler.
I had a few hours at the Madrid airport waiting for my plane. During those hours I felt like I was in a quiet zone. A couple from South Africa were at the table next to me and needed translation. I felt very blessed to be able to assist them with my Spanish, and was grateful J-R had encouraged us years ago to learn Spanish. Later on the plane I translated into English for a Spanish person that needed help. I like these travel days because once I’m in the air I’m between countries – it’s like being in a free space. I had a cup of tea to get ready for my entry into English territory.
I whisked through immigration and onto baggage claim and what do you know? No bag. I wait for a little while, but alas no sign of my big green eagle creek bag. So off I go to the British Airways desk all the way across the long hall. As I walk past this one baggage turn style I just happened to look down, and what did I see but a bag that looked just like mine – WAIT – it WAS mine. But what was it doing on the flight coming from Brazil? Who cares! it was my bag. Yeay! I signaled the other people waiting to get their bags and they came running over – and sure enough they got their bags too. Thank you Light and Guardian Angels moving me just at the right time!
Lovely Nathalie Franks was waiting for me – she had just about given up that i was on the flight. I told her about my little miracle of finding my bag as we walked to her car. We had to stop by terminal 3 to pick up the sound case that I had stored during my Stockholm/Madrid trips. Nathalie has been helping out as the “Information” person for anyone calling in about the events this coming weekend. We rendezvoused with Stacey Medalyer (who helped coordinate the Walking In Light logistics and registration) for a cozy catch-up dinner, and then they both drove with me to the hotel in the Bloomsbury area. While we were eating I was aware that the Palermo seminar was underway and it was nice to take a moment to touch in there with our thoughts and loving.
Our hotel, which is the site of the coming weekend’s MSIA/PTS events, is right on the same block as the British Museum and about a 15 min cab ride from Harrod’s, and a 10 minute cab ride from Hyde Park in one direction and Knightsbridge in the other. I did a little orientation with the concierge. This is a new area for me so I’ll do more reconnoitering tomorrow in daylight. but I couldn’t resist walking around the block to see what the local version of the 7-11 store had to offer by way of snacks. Good news – I found a wheat-free yummy chocolate drizzled macaroon that just did the trick, along with a “lovely” cup of tea in my room. Ah the basic things that can help one settle in. Next I called the concierge to find out how to work the modem connection – and delightful Angelito (that’s his name) from Philippines helped me out by bringing me a new phone with a special connection. One of the “fun” aspects of London hotel bedrooms is the way they economize on space. Though I have a “deluxe” bedroom, I had to be creative with where to put my luggage so that I could walk around the bed and do initiations in my room. Still, I’ve had smaller rooms in London, so I’m considering myself blessed.
Tomorrow morning I’m hoping to make a quick dash to Harrod’s for some items requested from loved ones on the home front, and then London services begin. Our Palermo troops will pack up tonight and travel tomorrow to Rome. Arrivaderci Palermo and Buono Dia Roma.
Love to you all, God bless us,
LL, Angel
Hi J-R, John and staffers, from Angel:
Being in London is like living in the middle of a world history book that has great pictures – the chapter that is open and has come alive is the one on English history. Today my history teachers who brought these pictures to life for me were my taxi cab drivers. Since services today didn’t start until noon, I headed off around 10:30am to Harrods (a famous department store) – a mere 10-15 minutes from my hotel.
The first taxi that came by (these London taxis are a treat to ride in and look so unique) had a driver that looked and sounded like Paul Kaye’s father, Len, complete with a long moustache. I asked him if he would point out the sites and tell me what he could about the buildings and areas we were going by. With a rich cockney accent he pointed out the stately Trafalgar Square (which has a large column with a statue of Lord Nelson on top and a fountain near its base), the Clarence House – past home of the late Queen Mother, St. James Park and St. James Palace – the home of Prince Charles.
We sped down the famous mall at the end of which is the royal Buckingham Palace – home of Queen Elizabeth, and the horse guards just “happened” to be trotting down towards the palace to do their daily “changing of the guards” – how great was that! We continued past the Duke of Wellington Memorial and the Wellington House, past Hyde Park and into Knightsbridge, and I was dropped off in front of Harrods.
Harrods is a wondrous place all of its own. Every room has a theme and is a masterpiece of presentation. A top hat wearing, uniformed doorman opened the door and welcomed me into the jewelry room. The name room is an understatement here, more appropriate to call it, “salon” or, “hall”. Much of the jewelry was displayed as though that piece was worth a hundred thousand dollars, and there was an attendant at each counter dressed in uniform who smiled and beckoned me to look. Today’s mission was to get a special Harrods vanilla tea and a special Seville thick cut Orange marmalade for some friends back in Los Angeles.
As I headed toward the food halls, my eyes caught these beautiful scarves. I couldn’t resist checking them out – they were in rich shades of orange and gold, made of gossamer silk. For sure the attendant caught my expression of admiration and instantly listed all the fine qualities of these scarves. I entertained purchasing one until I saw the price tag – a mere 245 pounds (about $370 U.S. dollars) – hmm, not for today!
I moved into the food “courts” – and these really are courts. I truly felt like a kid in a candy store; I wanted to get everything. Even the raw meats and fish and vegetables looked absolutely beautiful. The pastries looked like pictures right out of Gourmet magazine, the chocolates were designed like art pieces and arranged in everyway that could possibly entice me to reach out for them. There was a section for teas, for coffees, for jams, for wine, for every kind of food you can think of.
There was a deli bar, a sushi bar, a tapas bar, an oyster bar – to name a few. Having found in minutes the items of my quest, I was ready for a treat and a quick breakfast so that I could return to the hotel. Moments later I found myself in front of the espresso bar with rich-smelling coffee and buttery looking croissants. OK, I surrendered, and in honor of my comrades who where on their way to Rome, I made short work of a solo espresso and croissant while enjoying the companionship of a sweet older couple from Scotland. I could have spent the whole day at Harrods going from hall to hall, upstairs and downstairs — I remembered a past trip to the exquisite salon of cashmere – but it was time to go.
My cab ride back to the hotel was even richer in history lore than the one that brought me to Harrods. This time my young driver knew lots of stories so as we cruised by the sites he would give me tidbits. We saw the Queen’s guards changing in front of Buckingham palace – they do this every day around 11:30am. Sometimes the guards actually do smile, but they’re technically not supposed to.
We passed by Queen Victoria’s memorial and as we drove up the royal mall my driver pointed out to me the little ornate black metal posts on each side of the boulevard. Atop each post was a sailing ship. My driver told me that the statue of Lord Nelson, atop the monument in Trafalgar Square, was positioned in such a way that though he appeared to be facing Buckingham Palace, he was really surveying his magnificent fleet of ships that lined the way towards Buckingham Palace.
We continued past the National Portrait gallery and a statue of Edith Corvall who was a nurse who looked after the sick people in World War I. We passed Leicester Square and Soho, which is walking distance from our hotel. I made a mental note of this so I could return this evening, never having been to the original Soho before.
I was greeted back at the hotel by our UK MSIA rep, Bi Bi Barnes, and Dorinda Wolfe-Murray – a former Melbourne MSIA rep who is now living in the UK. It was so great to actually meet Bi Bi, who has been holding the focus this past year for this visit, and to be with my old friend, Dorinda. The day of services sped by, and Bi Bi and our MSIA friend, Gavin Robinson, joined me in a little restaurant reconnaissance mission in Soho.
Apparently, in years gone by, Soho was actually the “red light” district of London with sex shops and lovely ladies of the night offering their wares. Nowadays the sex shops see few and very diminutive among the theatres, wonderful restaurants, cafes, bars and shops; and if the lovely ladies are still purveying, they blended right in with everyone else.
Loads of people thronged the sidewalk bars and cafes and the atmosphere was very fun and buzzy to walk around and place Light columns. I noted some nice looking restaurants that we might visit during our meal breaks in the next few days. We decided on dinner at La Siciliano restaurant on Dean Street; it was small, cozy and accommodated our no onion/garlic/pork requirements gracefully.
During dinner Gavin treated Bi Bi and me to a history lesson about King James who was Catholic – though raised Protestant, and was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. He commissioned the King James Bible and helped to make the Church of England more expansive and inclusive. Coming to the present we took a moment to note that our Italian compadres might also be having their first dinner in Rome tonight even as we were eating.
Well tomorrow is another day – I’m in hopes of finding a ballet class first off in the morning, followed by a quick visit to the British museum which is across the street from our hotel. Light to our friends and fellow staff and Traveler in Rome – the first Rome open seminar is tomorrow night, and Light to us here in London.
God bless us!
LL, Angel
Dear J-R, John and staffers, from Angel:
Today was a quieter day for me. I chose to do a little more resting in the morning rather than do a ballet class. However, once I got up and ready, I didn’t even want to stop for breakfast. I headed right for the British museum. It seemed like half of London or at least the London elementary schools, had the same idea I had. The British Museum is 1/2 block across from my hotel, and is huuuuuge. It has a central domed square courtyard that lets in the natural light and is flanked on each side by wings that have a lower, main and second floor, with a couple of added parts of floors above several of the wings. There is no entry fee though a donation is offered. I like that, as most museums I’ve visited charge a good amount to enter. In every section I went, school children dressed in many different uniforms were filling out papers/drawings as they stood, sat or laid in front of the different cases. I was enjoying their rapt attention or spontaneous gasps as some piece in a case would intrigue them.
I’ve always enjoyed museums since I was a little kid but in small bits. So I gave myself an hour to taste some more small bits of this famous storehouse of history. I had been here before in 1989 and only saw a fragment of what is on view. Today I picked the second floor and the pre-history Britain and Europe rooms for starters. I was fascinated to read and see the “Objects of Power” that were found with skeletons in royal burial mounds and caves. The crowns, the helmets, swords and shields that came from 8,000 to 1800 years ago. The Romans left their stamp on England too. Their were beautiful sections of decorative floor tile, statues of emperors and generals, plates, jars, bowls as well as armour that brought to life the Roman soldier’s world on this “savage” island. There were pieces of letters sent from generals to emperors reporting on activities of the “natives” of England. I was captivated at one point by these heavy solid gold necklets that marked one as being royalty or at least very wealthy. I tried to imagine wearing one of these pieces around my neck and I just didn’t want to think of having to wear something that heavy just to show I was a princess or king or something. I skipped through the money collection (coins are not usually my thing) and cruised into the Greek and Roman area. I enjoyed looking at the statues, taking in the style of dress and hair that differentiated the Greeks from the Romans. As I looked at the busts of Caesar, Livia, Titus, Augustus and others, I pictured them in scenes of Roman history and wondered what it would be like to meet this person(s) in the Agora, the meeting place, in Rome. Then I found myself in front of the early Mesopotamia collection. I was intrigued by the Sumerians and other ancient civilizations that brought us early writing forms, such as cuneiform (precursor of the hieroglyphics). There were bits and pieces of the Assyrian and Philistine cultures bringing to mind different references and stories from the Bible about these awesome tribes that would swoop in and conquer. Remember Goliath of David and Goliath, that sweet ol’ Philistine giant?
Somehow in my meanderings I lost my sense of where I was, and in looking for the exit, I found myself downstairs going through the Egyptian collection. I had visited this area before on my first British museum visit and still I was awed by the sheer size and number of Egyptian artifacts that are displayed here. The mummies alone are riveting, mounted and/or diagrammed in ways that illustrated who the person was and how they died. Lots of sarcophagus, stone monuments, jewelry and other tomb contents were grandly depicting Egypt through the dynasties, especially the pharaoh aspect of Egypt. This particular exhibition was very popular with the school kids – lots of drawing and pulling friends over to view a mummy or scarab, or “god”.
My stomach starting to rumble for a little attention and it was getting a little stuffy for me so I found my way out and took in a big breath of fresh air – and yes, did a little clearing – now which civilization was that?? Ah well, where for lunch. I was hoping for a little quaint pub but the nearby possibilities were filled with smokers still plentiful in Europe. I grabbed a quick sandwich at a cafe, and headed for one last errand – to buy the English version of Volume 5 of Harry Potter “The Order of the Phoenix” and some postcards. This mission was quickly accomplished at a nearby bookstore called Waterstones. I took the opportunity to ask for the buyer in hopes of getting them to look at some of J-R’s and John’s books. Found out I’ll need to make an appointment, so we’ll see if that will get done while I’m here. I may send an English emissary. And then it was back to the hotel to prepare for services, initiations and an ordination.
In between services I managed to grab a little tea and biscuits (cookies to us Americans and so much for my diet program). I chatted with the host of the day, Carl King, and some lovely MSIAers such as Brigitte Williams, Mary Pickford of Sussex, and Rosemary Wallace. I just love tea-time and think that is one of the best things Britain has given to us. As we were doing the ordination, I was thinking of how over in Rome our troops were preparing for the first seminar in Rome. How great to know we’re all connected in the Light.
Tomorrow our Italian crew travel over to London. I’ll be doing more services and eagerly preparing the space for the gang to arrive.
Thanks for your loving and Light – it is wonderful to have it surround us and all were with.
God bless us.
LL, Angel
Day 3
Dear J-R, John and staffers, from Angel:
This morning was fun, getting ready for John Morton and the Italian traveling band (Vincent, Marilyn, Mario, Luciana, Wendy Demarco, Maryann Settembrino) to arrive from Rome. It took our hotel a little while to get into the swing of the preparation, but eventually they got into the spirit and we’re helping me check out the rooms to make sure they were indeed free of smoke, and to transport bottles of water for each staff person. Ginny Fraser, who was the hostess for the day’s services held down our little MSIA waiting area in the tea/bar area of the lobby while I did services and checked on room readiness in between services. The first of the gang to arrive were Wendy, Luciana and Maryann. They got their rooms and came into the tea/bar area to take lunch with Ginny Fraser and myself.
Edson, our very friendly waiter, was only too happy to give them my favorite lunch of the last few days – a hamburger patty, French fries, and spring green salad with tomato and avocado with lemon and olive oil. Of course, this had to be followed by tea and the perennial biscuits (cookies). Ginny and I plied them with questions about their Palermo and Rome adventures. The ladies told us of their first 7 course meal in Palermo at Antonio Constantino’s brother’s restaurant and the midnight city tour that followed. Then there was the walking tour to the Vatican with Mario Morresi guiding the way along his familiar boyhood haunts. Did you know Mario has a special gelato spot where the chocolate and coffee gelato is to die for? or perhaps better to say “to live for”?
My appetite for more stories was whetted but I had a few more services to do. Off I went and as I finished the next service who should I see as I came down the stairs were Vincent, Marilyn and Mario. Ah a little travel weary but happy to be here in London. We hugged and checked in with each other with promises for longer catch-ups later. I waived again to our ladies in the tea area and up I went for the last balance of the day. Wouldn’t you know that when I returned after this last service, there was our jaunty Traveler just getting out of his transport. At last our gang was together. A glance into the tea/bar showed me that Marilyn, Vincent and Mario had made it as far as there, and were going for some food even before settling into their rooms – somehow in all the traveling they had not managed to get even breakfast. John ran up to his room for a look and put down his luggage, and then joined us for lunch – and more tea time for me. Now the stories started coming fast and fun. For instance, the walk to the 7 course meal restaurant in Palermo was in the dark – by starlight – as the blackout had hit Sicily. And the midnight tour that followed their dinner was a bit of a surprise as the group thought they were on their way to their hotel, but instead found themselves being shown the center of Palermo and other places first. The seminar in Palermo was a sweet one especially so because it’s participants were mostly Antonio Constantino’s family members – and that’s quite a big and lovely family. And then there were the stories about Palermo itself, but I’ll save that for Barb Wieland’s special report which will be coming soon, I hear.
Rome had special treats for John and company. The first day there after a little lunch they walked to the Vatican – Kerry Wire had joined the party, as had Myriam Fuentes. It was quite a pilgrimage for many of the party bringing tears and strong feelings to the fore – just their talking about the Pieta of Michelangelo stirred my memories. Mario led them over the Po river by the Castel Saint Angelo through the Piazza Navona (and forgive me, if I don’t have the geography or itinerary totally correct here). Now the Piazza Navona is famous for its gelato place but Mario knew of one better and proved it to the group. The next day had John, Marilyn and Luciana traveling to Montecassino for a visit to the abbey there which sounded like it rivaled Mont St. Michel in France for picturesque views. The countryside had its healing effect as did the pasta Alfredo they consumed in a peaceful little restaurant near the Abbey. At some point during their two days in Rome the group also managed to see Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Theresa art piece in a nearby church. Watching Marilyn describe her experience conveyed to me the spirit of that moment in St. Theresa’s love of God.
Cookies, tea and lunch all eaten, we dispersed to our rooms – the gang to unpack and me to do a little restaurant research. There are hundreds of restaurants in London – which to choose? Well, the ones that are open to handle our group of 8 and our no onion/garlic or pork requirement. I finally found a place that seemed happy to have us for tonight and a few others that might make good lunch spots over the weekend. The hours evaporated and soon dinner time was upon us. Marilyn and Vincent decided to just rest for the evening. God bless Vincent who has been the point person, service balancer and audio/video captain since the Italian trip began last Saturday. So he deserved the much needed rest time. Six of us then walked to the nearby Leicester Square area in Covent Garden area, near the Palace theatre where Les Miserables is playing – I just love that play! We dined at the West Street restaurant. I had to ask a few of the smokers around us if they would stop smoking, and they were actually happy, at least one was and the other cooperated, to help me out. It was a good lesson to me to at least ask. We did have a little trouble with some onion and garlic showing up in several of the foods, but the company made the dinner a good one altogether. Walking back to our hotel I was appreciating the night air, and the old buildings and pubs we were passing.
Well tomorrow is another day. We have more services, initiations and SET UP for the workshop. And participants will be arriving too from Spain, France, Sweden, and the U.S. as well as from all around the UK. More stories in the making God bless us,
LL, Angel
Day 4
Dear J-R, John and Staffers, from Angel:
A short note tonight:
It was like the first day of our L.A. summer Conference here at the Radisson Marlborough. People arriving every hour from France, Spain, the U.S. and Sweden and Chihuahua. The excitement of greeting old friends, hugs and kisses all around as we would come to and from services. At 6:30pm our international assisting team assembled and gathered around Ana Maria Gonzalez, our spicy and beautiful team captain. As she handed out jobs and reviewed logistics, Vincent and Mario started laying the foundation for setting up the audio and video – a prodigious undertaking – as this will include a power point system for the overheads, Spanish and French translation booths, plus the usual video playback, camera and audio setups. Rosemary Wallace, Carl King and Clive Messenger went off to get supplementary sound equipment that had taken us awhile to track down, but track it down we did with assistance from Insight, John Morton, Linda Julian, Bi Bi Barnes, Sam Wigan, Suky and numerous cell phone calls. Thank you, God, for the cell phone. At 9:30pm as the assisting team was winding down their tasks for the night, the auxiliary sound equipment arrived to be integrated into our system, and the real work for Vincent and Mario of finishing the set up, cabling and testing of the equipment started.
In the midst of the evening’s adventures in set up, John Morton and I headed off to Sam Wigan, sculptor and teacher, to view his work-in-progress of John. Sam’s fan club- his lovely wife, Antonia, Stacey Medalyer and Ginny Fraser, helped us critique the clay piece. Right on the spot Sam had John sit down next to the bust, and Sam began the minute alterations. Amazing how such little additions or take-aways could so hugely affect the energy or look of the statue. We all agreed that the eyes were very well done and the profile caught so well John’s expression. It was fascinating to watch Sam doing the sculpting, but it seemed like only a few short minutes before Antonia started bringing in platters of wonderful vegetables and beef stroganoff – not to shabby for a young “artist”. Talk at dinner covered a lot of territory, literally, as we shared about our adventures on MSIA trips to Nigeria and Russia and John’s trek into Afghanistan.
Soon it was time to head back to the hotel and see how the workshop preparations were coming along. We found Vincent and Mario in the final tweakings of the translation booths, and John got familiar with the power point equipment. I finished setting up the supplies. All in all a full and exciting day with much more to come tomorrow as we do DAY 1 of Walking in Light and have an Open MSIA seminar in the evening.
(Please hold Light for my getting on Flight 935 “Non-Stop to LAX from London on United” on Monday. The alternative is a 2 stop journey taking about 4 more hours.)
God bless us!
LL, angel
A short note tonight:
It was like the first day of our L.A. summer Conference here at the Radisson Marlborough. People arriving every hour from France, Spain, the U.S. and Sweden and Chihuahua. The excitement of greeting old friends, hugs and kisses all around as we would come to and from services. At 6:30pm our international assisting team assembled and gathered around Ana Maria Gonzalez, our spicy and beautiful team captain. As she handed out jobs and reviewed logistics, Vincent and Mario started laying the foundation for setting up the audio and video – a prodigious undertaking – as this will include a power point system for the overheads, Spanish and French translation booths, plus the usual video playback, camera and audio setups. Rosemary Wallace, Carl King and Clive Messenger went off to get supplementary sound equipment that had taken us awhile to track down, but track it down we did with assistance from Insight, John Morton, Linda Julian, Bi Bi Barnes, Sam Wigan, Suky and numerous cell phone calls. Thank you, God, for the cell phone. At 9:30pm as the assisting team was winding down their tasks for the night, the auxiliary sound equipment arrived to be integrated into our system, and the real work for Vincent and Mario of finishing the set up, cabling and testing of the equipment started.
In the midst of the evening’s adventures in set up, John Morton and I headed off to Sam Wigan, sculptor and teacher, to view his work-in-progress of John. Sam’s fan club- his lovely wife, Antonia, Stacey Medalyer and Ginny Fraser, helped us critique the clay piece. Right on the spot Sam had John sit down next to the bust, and Sam began the minute alterations. Amazing how such little additions or subtractions could so hugely affect the energy or look of the statue. We all agreed that the eyes were very well done and the profile caught so well John’s expression. It was fascinating to watch Sam doing the sculpting, but it seemed like only a few short minutes before Antonia started bringing in platters of wonderful vegetables and beef stroganoff – not to shabby for a young “artist”. Talk at dinner covered a lot of territory, literally, as we shared about our adventures on MSIA trips to Nigeria and Russia and John’s trek into Afghanistan.
Soon it was time to head back to the hotel and see how the workshop preparations were coming along. We found Vincent and Mario in the final adjustments of the translation booths, and John got familiar with the power point equipment. I finished setting up the supplies. All in all a full and exciting day with much more to come tomorrow as we do DAY 1 of Walking in Light and have an Open MSIA seminar in the evening.
(Please hold Light for my getting on Flight 935 “Non-Stop to LAX from London on United” on Monday. The alternative is a 2 stop journey taking about 4 more hours.)
God bless us!
LL, angel
Day 6
Dear J-R, John and staffers, from Angel:
First Day of Walking in the Light!
What a day!
Keeping in mind that the sound system finally was EQ’d and ready to go by 5AM, there wasn’t much turn around time in the sleep state for the sound crew as they needed to assemble with the assisting team by 8AM. Still, resurrected from sleep and looking remarkably perky – with a strong dose of Spirit and espresso – Vincent and Mario went to their sound command posts. Ana Maria Gonzalez, our team captain, circled us up for a Calling us into the Light, and we were rolling.
108 people registered for Walking in the Light – they came from the UK, Sweden, Spain, France, Australia, South America and the U.S. Two translator booths – one for French and one for Spanish – were set up behind a dividing wall in the products section. Marcos Cajina was manning the Spanish booth and Anne Tormo, the French. With only the handouts in front of them (no video monitors here) these two translators delivered all the Walking in Light instructions, questions and answers – every word they could – as John or the participant(s) spoke them. And they did it beautifully. Any time I saw them surface from their alcoves, they were beaming. On Day 2 they had one section where John went non-stop for 4 hours and so did they. No bathroom break here – one of the many miracles over the weekend!
I think I’ve attended every one of the Walking In Light workshops – perhaps 7 or 8 now – and this one was the best yet. I found that there were all sorts of fine-tunings that I was doing on the technique – new colors, directions, and understanding – that I was picking up for the first time – even after all these times of doing or assisting. John sat back in his chair on stage and encompassed the material, delivering the information so clearly and easily. taking questions with a mixture of sweet humor and directness. Walking in Light is a real WORK shop; a class room. We were all in school, learning and practicing these techniques of clearing, protection, illuminating and much more. By 7pm, we were halfway through the material and the day was not over yet.
We had a little break to freshen up the room, do a sound check, re-set the chairs, go to the Loo, and then it was London Open MSIA seminar time. Bi Bi Barnes, the UK MSIA Rep, gently welcomed the group of maybe 140+ and warmed them up as she asked who was from where. After calling us into the Light and leading the Ani Hu’s, she invited me up to introduce the promotional videos that we were going to show. I asked the group to show by raise of hand who was new to MSIA, and I counted roughly about 15 new people. The room was packed with workshop participants, new comers, and more MSIAers. After watching the videos we were treated to Lily Waterstone, who sang and played an original song on her guitar. Then Bi Bi introduced John. She said she had never met John until today but she had experienced his special energy through his writings. And she was so happy to have him physically here.
John opened the seminar by inviting Mario Morresi and Luciana Morresi to join him on stage. He told the group how Mario and Luciana had held the focus and helped with organizing the trip to Palermo and Rome that he had just done. The room erupted with applause and appreciation. Switching gears John started talking about what is the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, MSIA, here in England, and in the greater picture. From there John covered a lot of territory with humbleness and a simplicity so powerful that tears still come to my eyes reflecting on his words. He spoke of how they would know they were in the right place, self-trust and self- reliance, of being present, of Spirit getting among us and this being a safe place to come as children of God. There was much more as there always is, and then there were questions and answers that went so deep and strong that many of us left with tears streaming and more strength of purpose.
We capped the evening at a little nearby restaurant close to the British Museum. We shared more in the Spirit of loving and family that had stirred us, and then retired to sleep in the Light so we could prepare for the next day.
God bless us,
LL, angel
Dear J-R, John, and staffers, from Angel:
Day Two of Walking in Light began with Ana Maria, wearing the cap of Mistress of Ceremonies, Calling us all into the Light in Spanish. Ana brought a tenderness and devotion present in the room with her invocation. After watching a few Moments of Peace in France – one in Normandy Beach and one in Mont St. Michel, we took off with John into the classroom of Walking in Light – Part Two. Ah, this was the morning of “he/she wins who endures to the end.” John held the focus for the group as he took them gently and thoroughly through each step, building on the foundation that had been laid the day before. For four hours non-stop John continued. Participants would come and go to the bathroom during the question breaks, but not John, nor the translators. He encouraged and guided the group through the more intricate practices. And then it was lunch. Though it had been long morning for many of the participants, when I asked some of them how they were doing, all they could say was “Thank you”. “This is sooo wonderful to be here and be doing this.” “This is much more than I ever knew I would be doing or learning.”
For our lunch – John and staff all dispersed to our rooms for a time-out, some email or just plain rest. Now we’ve been having a little “fun” during our London stay with the “no onion/garlic/pork” guidelines around our meals. At almost every meal we’ve gotten one or the other in at least one if not more of our dishes, and/or we’ve had to deal with strong cigarette smoke (we’ve certainly been spoiled living in California and the no smoking in the restaurants there). No matter how I would try to control the situation through sweet talking or firm talk about dire consequences to our health, we were still experiencing smoke or an onion or garlic surprise. Well, I was the lucky one at lunch – I managed to get both onion and ham in my entree. My lunch break was just about up so, Oh well, the Pringles in the refrigerator looked good, and with a reminder from John to bless them – which I did – I consumed them with gratitude and hurried back to the workshop room (holding for myself the image of one last tea-time treat I’d give myself at the workshop’s end).
In the afternoon session John wrapped up the last few exercises of the workshop and topped off the day with a blessing that took most of us right out of our bodies. Wow! What else could a gal do to get grounded but of course, have tea. I felt downright proper sipping on tea and munching on those lovely ginger biscuits in between running back and forth with other assistants and helpers finding and coiling cable, packing the sound cases, hugging participants and friends good bye.
We had our trip farewell dinner at Indigo Restaurant at 1 Aldwych. It was the nicest restaurant of the whole trip and TA DA, not a hint of onion/garlic or pork. YEAY! Ana Maria joined our merry little band that now was made up of John, Vincent and Marilyn, Mario, Luciana, Wendy Demarco and MaryAnn Settembrino, and myself. We would have loved to linger more but some of us had to pack for traveling the next day. Mario, Luciana, and Ana were staying at least a day more – Mario would be doing the last London services. More hugs and then off to pack and catch a wee bit of sleep before the taxis would arrive.
Oh! that was a short night, and then it was 6:50am and John and I are in the hotel lobby shortly to put our luggage into the taxi. We’re bound for Heathrow airport and then Los Angeles. Marilyn and Vincent will be following in another hour as they head to the airport to fly to Paris to begin the French section of the trip. Wendy and some of the others leave later today for their various destinations. Mario heads back to Philadelphia tomorrow. There’s been a lot of learning, loving, laughing and Spirit along the way! And there’s more to come! By the way thanks for all the Light that was sent – I did make it on the same flight as John and we’re now safely back in Los Angeles, trying to keep awake for a few more hours!
Until the next trip! God bless us all!
LL, Angel
Click here to read Angel Gibson’s on the road report from Sweden
Click here to read Angel Gibson’s on the road report from Spain
