Michael's Monthly Message - September 2007
Dear Family, Friends and Supporters:
Welcome to my monthly message for September 2007!
Well it looks like fall is right around the corner and my daughters should be starting another year of school. I hope they continue to do well because it will definitely help them in the future.
The fall season also brings football, I hope my beloved Patriots live up to the hype this year and make it to the Superbowl. I have a feeling the Red Sox are going to make it a nail-biting year but maybe they can still make it to the World Series. I hope all of you try to do some walking or hiking while the air becomes crisp and cool which is perfect for breathing. Please take advantage of the weather!
On a more serious spiritual note, I want to share with everyone my new found appreciation for Mother Teresa. I know most of you remember Mother Teresa and the nobel things she had done over the years. But many of you, like myself, didn't know how much she struggled with her relationship with God. I always thought she had the perfect bond with God that would make most of us jealous, and that's where she got her strength to do her agonizing work.
However, we now learn -- due to her brutal honesty that everyday for (50 years) while she talked, helped and prayed with people that were moments from dying; she was actually struggling with her belief in Christ. Although, her love for God was so strong in one statement she says "I want to love Jesus as he has never been loved before." Yet, time and time again she referred to Jesus as "The Absent One." What's remarkable to me, is she never once stopped loving God or doing what she believed was his will even when she had some alarming feelings of abandonment such as, "I just have the joy of having nothing -- not even the reality of the presence of God."
Why has her story touched me so? As bad as my life is at the present moment, I sometimes share her thoughts. But now I realize how selfish I am being. Although, I dearly miss my children on a level that is comparable to her love for Christ, Mother Teresa has given me strength to understand I must continue to show love for my daughters regardless of the fact I may never hear from or see them again.
Anyway, please take a moment out of your busy lives to read the September issue of "Time Magazine" about Mother Teresa, and you will understand why she is one of the greatest people to ever walk this planet.
On a different note, still no response from the Attorney General's office concerning my federal habeas. And, the NEIP continues to work extremely hard with trying to prove my innocence.
Also, I'm still waiting to be transferred, but I will keep you updated as soon as anything happens.
The last of the 23 South Korean hostages were released from the Taliban in Afghanistan with only two causalities -- so thank you for all the prayers.
My movie recommendation this month is "The Count of Monte Cristo." This is one of my three favorite movies of all time. Most likely, because I feel like I'm living part of it. Seriously though, it's the ultimate movie concerning betrayal, revenge, true love, and self control. I promise you it's a great movie. The main actor played Jesus in "The Passion of Christ."
For my profound quote I chose: "Sometimes you can change what's there . . . and sometimes what's there changes you." (author unknown).
Until next month --- take care and remember; the answers to the mysteries of life hide in the pain of our most difficult experience.
Love and light to all,
Michael
