Recently I visited a wonderful woman for the first time. We have been close online friends for the last five years.  She currently resides in Norway. From Dec. 28th to Jan. 6th I had great times with her in Norway and Denmark. Without question, it was one of the most memorable trips of my life.  I will always love you Meriam! May the good God’s will be done.

If you want to drop me a snail mail, great! It may take about a few weeks to get there, and at least that long to get my reply. Here it is:

CATHOIC DIOCESE OF MENDI

JONATHON BLAUVELT

BOX 69 MENDI S.H.P.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

I found a few youtube videos on where I will be traveling, and one on an annual tribal festival.

(I must say, some of this is humorous )

Tari and the Hulis Wigmen

Huli Wigmen – Papua New Guinea

Campbell Live visits PNG

Mount Hagen Cultural Festival, Papua New Guinea

Enjoy!!

I found this video to be very eye-opening and intriguing. This is primarily approached from a statistical point of view;  it doesn’t get into moral realities, though they certainly exist. For those most interested in the economic ramifications of this issue, the video goes into detail concerning how a declining population will lead to global financial ruin. It also does a great job dispelling overpopulation myths.

I would love to hear your thoughts!

Excellent Video –> Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family<– Excellent Video

“Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family http://www.demographicwinter.com/ :Synopsis: One of the most ominous events of modern history is quietly unfolding. Social scientists and economists agree – we are headed toward a demographic winter which threatens to have catastrophic social and economic consequences. The effects will be severe and long lasting and are already becoming manifest in much of Europe. A groundbreaking film, Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family, reveals in chilling soberness how societies with diminished family influence are now grimly seen as being in social and economic jeopardy. Demographic Winter draws upon experts from all around the world – demographers, economists, sociologists, psychologists, civic and religious leaders, parliamentarians and diplomats. Together, they reveal the dangers facing society and the world’s economies, dangers far more imminent than global warming and at least as severe. It may be too late to avoid some very severe consequences, but with effort we may be able to preclude calamity. Demographic Winter lays out a forthright province of discussion. The warning voices in this film need to be heard before a silent, portentous fall turns into a long, hard winter.”

click—>Leiner overcomes odds to make team

Here is a great little article on my brother:

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I’m proud of you Will! Use your many gifts to serve those in need. In this, you will always be a winner.

My past interactions with woman have varied through the years. In Junior High School I was very popular with the young ladies. In High School, I had a couple different girlfriends, but was largely uninterested. As many of you know, my college years were very transformational for me. During this time, for a period of seven years, I did not have a single “girlfriend!” At best I had four or five dates. This “drought” had a lot to do with choice and circumstance. However, it also had a little to do with social anxiety and insecurity.

Through childhood and much of young adulthood, I found very few females attractive. Even so, most of the time I had little trouble finding a “girlfriend.” Ironically, none of my relationships lasted a long period of time. I had a total of three relationships that lasted approximately three months in duration. Some would say this is a pathetic track record; I would not entirely disagree. Frankly, I don’t know what to make of it. That said, I cannot be sure I was to blame. The young woman I was seeing had their issues. And it’s fair to say that I had mine. After enough “failures” it’s hard to think something is fundamentally wrong with oneself.

Lately, however, I have been optimistic. I believe something has changed within me – something very positive. This is what has prompted me to post some thoughts on this topic. As I mentioned, since a young age there was a relatively small percentage of the female population I found attractive. There was also a period of time where I found nearly all Caucasian females less desirable. My tastes have often been a mystery to myself and others. But I can honestly say that within the last several months, I find most woman beautiful, and in a very pure way. Indeed, for a long period of time, I have not had great struggles with lust. Yes, I have God to thank this tremendous grace and mercy.

So what is my point in all this? Honestly, I don’t know. Perhaps it’s just an observation. Without question, I’m focused on a potential calling to the priesthood and do not have an intense desire for female companionship. And yet, I find that most woman are very attractive, physically, mentally, and otherwise. I see a real beauty that I have not been able to appreciate in the past. And though I don’t know where the Lord is calling me, I do know that no matter where I’m led, I am called to have healthy and pure interactions with the opposite sex. Hopefully the days of lust, anxiety, or even indifference concerning female relationships is officially in the past.

Whatever happens, I have confidence that I am in a better place. Surely I will face temptations and difficulties, but I believe that God has blessed me with new insight, love, and pure interest in the splendor of womanhood. Hopefully this gift will enable me to serve in all the right ways, as I keep my focus on the one who loves me more than any human ever could.

Okay, okay…   Once in a while I can be a flirt. Lord please protect me from myself…

From October 8th through the 12th, 2008, I visited The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity in Corpus Christi, Texas. My visit there was excellent. The most meaningful dimension of the trip was speaking to a wide variety of individuals concerning their experiences. This included several who were part of the Formation program. Their spirituality is essentially exactly what I’m looking for. They appear to be very orthodox and progressive, in that they are completely in line with Church teachings, and are flexible in reaching the surrounding culture. They are open-minded Traditionalists, but they are certainly not isolationalists.

They are primarily a Missionary Community of Priests, Brothers, Sisters, and Lay Members, making them unique within Catholic Church. This is their charism: Ecclesial Teams. It appears to be one big happy family. And they are growing, both here and abroad! The founder is regarded by some as a living Saint, and others in the community are clearly very holy and dedicated. The Holy Spirit is moving in a very powerful and supernatural way through them. It’s not hard to be inspired by their zeal and love.

The first step would be to do volunteer work in North Dakota, on a Native American reservation. From there, I would enter their formal Formation program. The first step is Candidacy, which is one year in Belize (Central America). After Candidacy comes Novitiate. That takes place in an isolated setting in Colorado. After Novitiate comes Philosophy studies in Corpus Christi, Texas, which is approximately two years in duration. Theology studies follow Philosophy, and most individuals go to Rome during this phase of Formation. This lasts about three to four years. Finally, there is approximately one more year of discernment before the aspirant becomes an ordained Priest in the Society of Our Lady. So as you might gather, this is a rigorous and lengthy process, designed to provide unique educational experiences to help equip their people in the areas they will serve. The acadmenic program also seems to be a cut above many others.

This opportunity seems like a great adventure to me. However, I do not pretend to know what the future holds. It just seems like a great Religious community and Formation program that’s worth pursuing. Therefore, by the grace of God, I will take life one day at a time.

May God’s will be done. Please keep me in your prayers.

http://www.societyofourlady.net/

Has the good God given me grace to say yes to join a Religious Order? A couple weeks ago, an intense longing for such a calling has been rekindled. In times past, the desire was there. However, I lacked courage and certainty. It appears that this is the path God wants me to take. I’m not sure where it will lead, but a longing to becoming a Holy Missionary Priest remains. My fear is that this vision will dwindle like other hopes. But this desire has persevered for several years, and I will soon be ready to take that step. By grace alone will I become the man who God wants me to be. Please pray for my vocation placement in accordance with His perfect will. This decision has been paved with peace and joy.

It appears I have a new job at Lehigh Valley Hospital as a Support Partner. The position requires a lot of cleaning; however, some of the responsibilities are the same as that of a Nurse’s Aide. The job is entry level; the pay is not great, but the experience I should gain will be very helpful if I am interested in becoming a Registered Nurse.

It’s a fairly long process to achieve this goal. There will be hurdles to jump and a hill to climb, but this is something I am very interested in pursuing. Please say a prayer that the Lord would grant me strength and perseverance as I blaze this very different trail.

It has now been one week since the deadline passed. It was mutually decided by myself and leadership that my trip to Papua New Guinea was not God’s will. Practically speaking it made sense; they had to make arrangements so the students had an English teacher.

On the deadline (3.7.08) there were a number of significant miracles which confirmed (in my own mind) that I would not be going. I won’t go into details, but it there was a lot of symbolism, convincing me that not extending the deadline for the visa was indeed the right choice. There is still a great disappointment nonetheless. After all, I spent about 10 months training and preparing for this. My heart was definitely in it. Furthermore, I cannot imagine a place in the world that would be more exotic and exciting. After five years of seeking to get into a mission program, I have become discouraged to pursue something like this again any time soon.

My new game plan is to find entry level work, either in human/social services or health care while taking classes to become a registered nurse. Honestly, I cannot say that this goal will come together either. Even though I have some good ideas, other options are on the table. I’m having a hard time seeing how things will play out. My faith is being tested. I feel like a broken man, not only from this “failed” attempt to serve abroad, but also because of a very painful and unexpected breakup with my girlfriend. Perhaps these are all good things…

All of this has left me a little disillusioned; however, I’m definitely open to encouragement. The truth is I’m still hopeful. How could I not be after all I have experienced??

I hope it won’t take long for me to rekindle my gratitude, a sense of self-esteem, and a real sense of direction. Please keep me in prayer. I trust that God still has a plan.