It's a special day for them..

Yes, it is a special day for them. For my mom and dad. it has been 30 years for their married life together. So first of all I wish them a very happy and blessed anniversary.

When I see the past, it has been a mixed experience for them and for me. Happy and sorrow at sometimes. But most of the time, GOD had blessed all of us and that is why we seem to be successful in the way we think. May be not as GOD thinks. I see one prominent characteristic in their life together with me and my sister as children as well. The leading and motivating factor is my dad. That is he never ran money or reputation. Hence we were never rich but somehow managed our lives. In fact when I mature in my life, I also see the truth he has seen so far and that is money is nothing compared to internal happiness. The eternal happiness that comes from GOD. If you run after money, most probably you might never get that.

And also because of their guidance and good will, we grown up having good heart and became or trying to become closer to GOD. So I pray to GOD to bless them abundantly and keep them safe in his safe hands and give courage to work for him even more and experience more. Which will be the nicest gift that they can get.... :)

is it the end of the world?

Recently, there was much talk going on the world is going to end. The most recent one was saying it is last May 21st. I do not know much about that person but he said what he inferred from the Holy Bible. But one thing I should say that I know is that there isn't any place that you can find that the Holy Bible says the world will end this exact date. What it says is to b ready for it to be any day.

This week, one of my friends sent me a link regarding this may 21st issue. Many who does not know the holy Bible, haven't read enough or think they know say Catholics said that the world was going to end last May 21st. Jesus said that you need to be ready for that judgment day because GOD only knows when it is and it could be next minute, next day or in many years and so on. So how one can claim that the world ends on this exact date if GOD only knows that? I had common sense and basic understanding about this and I even didn't bothered about what people say about the end of the world.

It is another issue that I am not living exactly what I want to and be good as I imagine. In fact I personally believe I wasn't ready if it was last May 21st. Anyways, know the holy Bible, read it enough so that you will know what these people or false prophets claim is not that true. I just wrote this blog post to express my thoughts on this and let my friends know that the time is really unknown....

Spring retreat part II

I will start where I ended last time. I got a good bed and a room which is in high standards compared to my previous retreat experiences (obvious that I am in a developed country). I was able to get up around 7 am (as usual for the second or third alarm). Almost every time I forgot that I am with some foreigners. I was wondering and thinking like I was with them for a long time. The bond I have with my CSM members back home made me feel the same here no matter the difference of the environment.

I always got welcoming wishes from everybody and I kept getting closer to the set of strangers. in fact I felt they are no more strangers. After having the breakfast, it was the time to choose one of your prayer choices and follow that for the morning session. The choices were rosary, way of the cross, painting or drawing in prayers sketching your thoughts in free mind or do the brethren. I chose brethren since I never heard of that. It is a curved path that you follow remembering your life journey, difficulties or any thing that you wish to share with God (that is the idea I got this time and it may be different). It was actually good experience. The weather was quite cold compared to yesterday though. I spent some quiet time there and then we headed towards the room.

then before the lunch it wa the time to one-on-one discussions along walkways for an hour or so. I was paired with Nick Jobe and it was very nice. We talked about various things and I think I spoke too much there :). We exchanged thoughts about our thoughts and he liked my sharing and I was happy that in developed countries you can find faithful people to God. Most importantly I am happy to be friendly with these wonderful people. Then we had lunch. After quite some time I had all american food for all meals for a weekend. Then it was the play time all evening.

Guys went outside to play frisbee and it was windy in front so we played for some time in the back yard. One by one came and joined and it was the time to play the Ultimate Frisbee game. I haven't played that game before and the rules are abit like rugby but you play it with the frisbee. We went to a bigger playing area in front and I was in the Jedidiah's team. The game is played between two teams. Each team has to pass the frisbee from one side to the other and if you miss it and hits the ground, its time for the other team to carry it towards your goal post. Once you catch the frisbee you can't run, you have to pass that. You have to catch the frisbee between the goal posts to get a point. Its an awesome game :). fun. We played for few hours until we felt it was enough. At the same time there was a Prom night photo shoot at the venue. I have never seen a Prom other than in movies. It was a good experience as well.

Then after the game we were chatting and hanging out in the building. Jedidiah played the Piano in the lobby and I was enjoying it very much. Christian, Aaron and two girls played cards. I was having good time..... Then in the evening we had reconciliation program and a service. After that we had a bon fire. Its a fire made outside and people gather around that and roast some marsh mellows and eat, chat and etc. Brandon tried hard to make the fire bright but it was difficult since the wood was somewhat wet. But we had a good fire. hmm good time again. After some time some went inside again to lay some games. We played mafia again. Now I was getting to know the game well. Suddenly Jessie came and said fire is going down and Brandon ran to fire it up again. But he was too late and we all came inside since it seemed like fire had died so far. Some were talking about various things and I said I could show them some videos of Sri Lanka which I had in my lap top. They were amazed and happy that it is a beautiful country :).

It was around 2 am in the morning then. We some went outside again. Hanging out near the island and Christian brought hit fighting swords and they played with them for some time. Then someone brought out a strange idea of driving out for a coffee. Brandon at once second it and we set off. Brandon, Aaron, Jessi ad Marissa in Brandon's car, Christian, Jedidiah and me in Christian's car. Brandon headed the way saying he will show the way. Actually he drove for 30 mins and it was eventually abit far :). what to do? Some drank coffee listening to Brandon's talks :). When we came back it was around 4 am in the morning. Some were already asleep in the car. ha ha ha. nice outing. That was it for all saturday and what a day I had. good friends ad good days.

Sunday morning, we had breakfast and then after a short discussion we had the mass and the program came to an end. All left taking the lunch and man it was a good weekend. It helped me to get many new friends and get abit closer to God as well. I was happy that I made the decision to go on the retreat. It made a good environment for me be in the rest of my stay here. I now have more opportunity to work closely with the church and with people. I am happy.....

Spring Retreat - part 1

A month before Easter week, I got to know there is a retreat organized by the Catholic Campus Ministry of Wright State. I had no idea what this retreat was and wondering whether to go on this. In fact when I was an undergrad in Sri Lanka, we used to organize retreats once a year. I only had 4 years as an undergrad and when I remember those years they were unforgettable solely because of the time I had in Catholic Students' Movement activities. I shall also say that our unit was the best among other universities. No doubt about that. Others always wait to see what is coming out of us. We always introduced new things and activities. Printing a t-shirt annually is one such thing. Talking about my CSM memories can be set aside for now. I will talk about it later. This is about my new experience....

Sometimes I feel lonely, sometimes I feel enthusiasm. All because I am in a new country and living alone. I have been living in my home country for a very long and suddenly I had to come to a totally strange environment. The only consolation I have is God and trying to get closer to him. Sunday mass is one such thing. So the retreat also has very little cost compares to living expenses and rest is covered by some funds. Since it had some charge, I was thinking whether to go on this or not. Furthermore these people are not that familiar to me as well. Then one day I talked to Brandan about this and asked what is the schedule and what is going on. It seemed like the same thing we did earlier. So one positive thing. I do not know how it happened and I decided to participate.

On the same week when the retreat is organized we were having mid term exam for a core course. So I was really busy and wasn't thinking about the retreat but studying and doing many other work. Exam was on Thursday and just as it was over I was thinking about the retreat. I was abit scared and also more happier. It might be of thinking like going on a trip. I was scared because I am a stranger here. My color is not matching as well. All those thoughts were going on. Above all, I was happy that I was going on that on Friday. I packed the bag and waited until Friday evening. Christian phoned me and said he's ready to go and I left the lab to meet them at the church. I had mixed feeling at that time. happy and scared.

I told Theresa that I need car pooling since I do not have a vehicle. So Me, Christian, Eva and Jedadiah set off by Christian's car. I talked with them on the way and they were really nice. I met Jeradiah on wednesdays at Bible study but I haven't talked with Christian and his sister even though we occasionally meet at Sunday mass. We had to get dinner on the way and we stopped at the restaurant and I have never been to there. We ordered breakfast menu. I had no idea on that menu and I asked Christian to order what ever he orders. I got pan-cakes and it was delicious. I really enjoyed them. At the end Christan paid the bill for all of us. Such a nice guy.

Even though Christian had a GPS he never turned that on and we missed the road on the way and had to find the way back using the GPS. that was fun though. When we reached the place, Maria Stein, it was around 7 45 pm. Most of them know each other and I am the stranger. There was the welcome talk and then we had some play time. They played Ninja. I didn't because I have played that before. While there were playing, I got a piece of paper and drew a sketch of their play. And I got some good comments from girls. That was a positive sign and a move.

So then they started playing Mafia. It seemed like a cool game and I decided to play even though I didn't have any clue. Gino helped me with all the information and I played the game until almost the end. They didn't kill me because they might not know me well or gave me a chance :) . It was a really cool game. very interesting and thrilling. One of the most exiting group games I have ever played. It was fun.

Then we had a walk in the outside late night. I am so grateful that they all welcomed me really well and I felt no discomfort. But once in a while I got reminded by my self that I am with foreigners. That is because I have slight skin color difference :) . But they didn't care as I guess and I neither. We walked around until 1 am. Some stayed outside and others went inside. I also stayed for some time outside hanging around for sometime ( near the lake shown here). I didn't wear shoes and felt cold. So I went inside. Some played inside, others waited outside. I was reading a book in the lobby found in that area and it was about some faith experience article. Many passed by stopped and spent some time with me. It was really nice for me. I was getting the feeling that it is the same. Very same things that we did when I was a undergrad when we went on retreats. I remember, CJ, Hasitha, Derrik, Susantha, Anton, Mahesh and many other friends (love u guys for those days). I am getting back those days again and I am thankful to GOD.

Then after sometime around 2 am, I went to sleep and wanting to get up early around 7 30 am and get ready for breakfast around 8 am. This is how my first retreat experience started on the first day and I was welcome really well and I am thankful to everyone for that. I got to know many here and made many friends. Good friends with great faith. The rest of the story to follow (next two days) .....