Jerry and Cricket Aull

Advent 2011: A Reflection from Cricket

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“Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
saying, ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star
in the east, and are come to worship him.’” Matt 2:1b-2

We know how the wise men knew where to go in their search for the One they should worship. They followed the star. God made it very clear---a bright and shining star that no one could miss, as long as they were looking up---a star that would lead them to the Christ Child.

I was putting up some decorations in our home, trying to get the house ready before family came home for Christmas. Above our fireplace mantle, this time of year, I always hang a wreath with our nativity scene beneath it. The rest of the year a large iron cross hangs there. The center of this cross is a flat circle which I always cover with a picture that depicts whatever Feast day or Liturgical season we are in. This Advent I was looking for a picture of Mary and Joseph
on their way to Bethlehem to place in this center of the cross. But every picture I found of Joseph and Mary included the infant Christ. This is Advent! And I wanted the scene to be about this season.

I found, then, a large sculptured star our son had made for us several years ago. A star! It was much larger than the center of this cross, but I hung it there and it was perfect, covering the
center and reaching out to all the sides of the cross. Now I also had a beautiful Christmas card of the 3 wise men which I had placed on top of our piano. But that didn’t look right---the magi
had to be facing the star I had just hung. So I moved the card across the room.

Then I stepped back and looked at the magi---looked at the star—and looked at
the cross behind the star, and a ‘light’ of understanding shone forth: The wise men know to follw the star. As long as they kept themselves in that direction, they would be led to the King of Kings.

Today, the ‘star’ we follow is the cross. It will always lead us to the King of Kings. It will always draw us to that humble place where Christ can be found, adored, and glorified. Like the magi, we must never stop looking, never give up, or stop pressing on. It is our clear and shining sign that we will find Christ. Christ was born with a bright and clear sign, and He died with one. Let us not forget to follow, to keep our eyes on the sign He left us. Let us not forget, lest we lose our way.

November 2011

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Greetings and welcome! This fall, we have been serving more locally, which helps us get ready for our Advent commitments. Our newest CD will be available in a matter of days (watch for announcement!)

To the right is a capture of Archbishop Wilton Gregory celebrating the graduation of many students Jerry had in Theology classes for Spring Hill College Atlanta---this was their graduation and a blessed message and commisioning for them!

We also travelled to Savannah for the Installation of our friend, Bishop Gregory Hartmeyer, OFM! Friar Gregory was Cricket's spiritual director for 15 years as he cared for 2 Fransciscan parishes in the Atlanta area! It was a wonderfully joyous Mass with so many parishioners, former and new, celebrating!

Cricket has become the Spiritual Advisor for a secular franciscan fraternity out east, and we provided a retreat for them in Late October. It was held at a Catholic community retreat center, in St. Joseph's hall, as these pictures show!

This retreat focused on the discernment of our vocations, with plenty of time for walks through the magnificent fall colors and country lanes!

In November, we travelled back to Blairsville GA in the mountains! There we led a retreat for the fraternity there, and focused on Cricket's book Understanding Penance. This was a joyous and highly interactive full house affair! We were so blessed to be invited back, and to serve this ever growing community!

Late Summer 2011

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As jerry writes this update, it is the first morning in a long time that a long sleeve shirt is in order! This summer has meant some travel, but we have been home working on new projects that will be part of our ministry this fall.

Our daughter Laura finished her PhD and promptly walked 500 miles on a pilgrimage called 'the Camino'. Though she carried very little with her, she did keep a journal. Unbeknownst to Laura, so did her mother. And their spiritual companionship of these journeys led to a retreat given by Laura at Holy Trinity parish. My hope is that this collaboration, with some of my music, will become a new cd or dvd. Stay tuned!
Jerry travelled to Arkansas to give a workshop for Methodist Ministers and staff, played a wedding in the Atlanta Cathedral, and did a number of jazz performances including a Knights of Columbus Big Band event at Holy Cross parish.
Jerry led a faculty retreat for a thriving High School faculty and staff named for Pope John XXIII. The leadership of this school seeks to continue the peaceful + evangelical catholic spirit of Blessed Angelo Roncalli. Jerry sang at the event with Benedictine Sister Cathy Anne Lepore, and led the group in reflection on growing Catholic Leadership.
The Highlight of the summer came in NC at the Annual Regional Gathering. Cricket & Jerry were asked to lead sessions around the content given by Franciscan Sister Ilia Delio, primarily on prayer. Cricket's reflections and activities were a blessed complement to Sister's sessions. As the weekend proceeded, jerry felt led to write a song focused on the contemplative exhortation of St. Clare to "gaze on the Cross"; in the way an infant does. Jerry led this song with the entire 325+ members as a choir on the final evening, and this song is on the upcoming cd now being finished. (stay tuned!)
Said trip had exciting travel notes I didn't mention. Our trusty little camper gave up on the side of the road in Franklin NC: we were towed to a very small fix it place, and our friend and angel Joan Furst came by to transport Cricket while I stayed with the van (guitar, cd's, clothes, healthy food, you get the picture). In any case, the little shop (within a mile of two secular franciscans we found out later) took a while but did a great job getting me back on the road a week or so later!
The new cd we have worked on this summer is called "On a Road of Prayer". It chronicles our travels this year in all original songs sung by Jerry and our daughters. It includes songs that were inspired in many different locations in our itinerant service. Jerry feels the stories of these songs are one with the songs themselves. He played all instruments (but our son Jacob added percussion on the theme song) and includes some mandolin, banjo, & harmonica. There are solos from 3 of our daughters, and Cricket is promising it is our best ever! (I would accuse her of plenty of bias!) Please stay tuned!

Summer 2011! 3 year ministry anniversary!

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It was three years ago that Jerry walked into a meeting with a CEO and said, without a 'plan B', that he and his beloved had felt a call to be full time in service to the Church. Although he has been blessed to occasionally consult on special projects, the call was to be 'on call'--- to 'open our calendar', and to be available where we were needed, to offer our service in teaching, praying, and music. Thank you Lord for our opportunity to serve you!

The spring included a few trips into NC and FL, as Cricket is working on a new writing project that we’ll talk about shortly. She did lead a couple of SFO retreats in May/June, and continues to pray with people nearby in spiritual direction. Our Lord has placed her at the bedside of a few friends heading to eternal rest as well. Cricket also helped with leading some prayer teams for the Annual Eucharistic Congress Healing Session.

Jerry is completing work on the new CD. It is all original music and has again included our daughters and son on the recording! It is born of our mission and prayer trips, and we will update this ‘straightaway’! Our daughter, Talia, whom you have heard on several of our CD’s, has moved to NYC to do musical theater full time. In her first month there, she was able to sing at the Kennedy Center in DC and other significant venues! Jerry has also completed most of the work on the deceased family members’ home in FL, and no longer has to take long trips to there. One of many blessings from that project is a small Catholic school and St. Vincent de Paul society were able to use a huge amount of furniture etc from the estate.

Our next trip begins soon, and includes the North and into Canada. Thank you for your Prayers!

April 2011!

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In mid march we returned to the northern edge of Minneapolis to provide a mission for Saint Patrick’s Church of Forest Lake Minnesota. Some of my photos didn't turn out, but you can see the 4 inches that fell on the last day we were there! But there was nothing but warmth in this parish retreat we led there. Both morning and evening sessions were well attended and the prayers of this community led by Fr. DeGrood and Fr. Joppa and the Deacons were at the core of the Lenten season. We were blessed to stay with Deacon Ralph and Louise for the 2nd time, and were so blessed that Jerry wrote a song called "A Grandparent's Blessing" which he sang one night and will be, yes indeed, on the new cd! Cricket led a special session on Intercessory Prayer and the passion of this parish for the presence of the Holy Spirit is even mightier than the winter winds we left when we came back to GA!

March 2011

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In March we were still ‘back home again in Indiana’ (jerry’s boyhood home) and blessed to do a parish mission for St. Louis De Montfort in Fishers Indiana. This team had also done a remarkable amount of pre work; we were guests in two homes and were treated like family! Father Pat and Fr. Jn were so supportive and the themes of the mission and the readings of the daily Mass were strands they helped weave together in unity. The youth director and musicians were also helpful in this integration!There were both morning and evening sessions, and their parish retreat began with a large gathering of youth preparing for Confirmation. When we arrived, we got to see the kids enjoying a full day of teaching and fun from a parishioner who plays for the Indianapolis Colts. Joe emphasizes faith first, then family, and had brought another Colt with him to share their faith with the youth (and adults!)

On Sunday night, the parish rallied as a community for one of their own! The Knights of Columbus sponsored a wonderful supper for a youth group member named Grace (amazing Grace the T shirts said!) as she battles cancer. There were more people, food and joy packed into the parish hall than I would have imagined! It was such a blessing to have our mission kick off with such a stellar example of service to others in a time of need!

Rosie and Jn hosted us the first few nights, and we found at dinner that they had left their careers abruptly years ago---even with a young family, and headed to South America as missionaries! Their children, other couples, and even the parish have been directly involved with continuing that ministry for years! My leaving the corporate world didn't seem all that profound as I listened to their story, and the way it has inspired others. When Jn told me over breakfast that he didn't think it was all that big a thing, in fact he said, "All I said was Yes". I wrote a song based on that beautiful assent and it will be on the new cd.

We were blessed to serve St John Vianney parish of Atlanta with a parish mission. The Friars of SJV, Fr Gregory and Fr Tim previewed the mission by saying they would be there the whole time because they wanted to renew themselves in Lent as well! It began with a prayer concert for the parish based on "Becoming a Prayer". Monday's sessions included our participation with Christ, and concluded Tueday night with the Eucharist and Cricket leading her teaching on deepening our experience of the Mass. I hope to have more pictures soon, as this experience was a valuable example of Lenten renewal. On Sunday evening, Fr. Tim told jerry that he believed jerry had 'a song in his heart' for a tender poem Fr. Tim's dad had written about the stations of the cross. Well, he was right. Jerry was so moved by the poem that he put it to music in a short period of time and sang it for the mission monday evening. It will be on the new cd, and Fr Tim will play it for his dad this spring!

February 2011!

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February began with a visit from longtime friend bob Halligan of Ceili rain. He was providing music and teaching for a conference north of Atlanta. Bob is a catholic artist, and as a signed staff songwriter has sold over 30,000,000 records of songs he has collaborated on or written. In the middle of February we traveled to Indiana to provide a lenten mission for jerry's boyhood parish. This was a remarkable time of grace to be back in the church where Jerry was baptized, went to grade school, learn to serve mass, was confirmed, and so many important family ceremonies. Father Paul and Father Chris and staff had done a ton of work to make this mission bring the Hispanic and English speaking parts of the parish together. The picture you see above of #8 refers to over 30 discussion groups that were orchestrated each evening and included translators so the Spanish and non Spanish speakers could share their experiences and views on the topics of each evening of the retreat! Franciscan Brother Moises, director of Hispanic ministry for the Archdiocese, translated cricket's teachings into his own style and the musicians of Holy Spirit parish also did nearly all the music in a bilingual format.350- 500 people attended each night, and the retreat was structured so that bilingual translators were always a part of the teaching and discussions. Jerry's brother Kenny, the youngest of his nine siblings, added his wonderful servanthood and humor. We felt we were experiencing a wonderful fellowship in the Body of Christ!

January 2011!

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January of 2011 was marked by a family trip in the motorhome to the frozen tundra of the University of Michigan to watch our daughter Laura become Dr. Laura! She successfully defended her dissertation on her first attempt and we had a wonderful celebration with her faculty and friends!

The month ended with a retreat offered for our fraternity in Chattanooga Tennessee. We were created thereby two people who separately told us that our retreat for them a year ago had helped them make nearly miraculous changes in their life and attitude. What was compelling to me about their comments was that their circumstances had not really changed at all, but their lives had! They felt that they had developed a much better spiritual perspective on their current state, and that we had helped. This is wonderfully affirming because it is certainly at the heart of the service we want to provide.

December 2010!

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December‘s first weekend brought a wonderful ministry to our home. Michael john and Mary Poirier we're giving a couple of retreats in at the Atlanta area; they have had a full Time Motor home ministry for over a decade while raising three children! (they are now off the road). I had contacted them when we first began, and although our ministries are different in many ways, we are able to share a great deal that we have in common. Praying with and learning from their music and message was a highlight of 2010. I have told Michael John he has inspired my music in a brand new way and I owe him a very large cup of coffee! Check the family out at http://www.prayerbreaks.org/

The following weekend we returned to Blairsville Georgia to provide a retreat for secular Franciscan leadership. This included some time on developing leadership when serving volunteers. Since this topic was at the core of jerry's corporate career, Jerry had designed a couple of specialized presentations/interactions on the different skill sets and styles of leadership.

Although time had to be spent in Florida getting the estate in order, Nika and her family came from Spain and spent another month with us---and were soon joined by all the rest of the family. We had felt for a long time that this may be our last Christmas season in this home as we get it ready to sell.

November 2010!

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November began with a wonderful experience of a women's retreat at the gorgeous John XXIII conference center in West Virginia. Cricket's teaching was accompanied by a prayer concert from Jerry, and we were so blessed to be invited to return for the men's retreat next spring. Later in the month, we returned to Maggie Valley North Carolina to provide a Franciscan retreat on inner healing entitled “healing the Franciscan within you”. Thanksgiving is always among our favorite holidays because it is the time the family begins to reassemble in our home for advent and Christmas.

October 2010!

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October began with Cricket and Jerry doing some music and teaching at a Franciscan parish to celebrate the Transitus of St Francis of Assisi. Jerry wrote a song for this occasion that one Friar insisted be on the next cd! But October then became a time heavily involved with Cricket's extended family as her brother Dr. Buzz Stulac passed away after a relatively short fight with cancer. Buzz had spent many years caretaking Cricket’s parents in his home, prior to their passing a few years ago. Recently, he had been taking his 2 well trained St. Bernards to hospices, youth groups, and homes for ‘pet therapy’ for the infirm. His memorial service was held with as many dogs as people! The relative sadness of this event has meant that Cricket and Jerry have spent a lot of time helping with the needs that arise in this way.

September 2010!

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On our return trip from Canada, MN, and KC in September, we visited cricket's high school reunion in St. Louis, where of course, cricket was awarded the’ best preserved’ recognition (since she still looks like she's in high school). She so enjoyed the Friday night celebration that we returned for Sunday afternoon after a side trip to a family reunion in Brown County, Indiana on Saturday. Jerry returned to Indiana a week later for his high school reunion. In grade school, Jerry had a band and the lead singer is now a professor of music at Marian university. That singer is Dr. Jim Larner, and Jim and Jerry provided jazz music for the reunion on a wonderful Saturday evening in Indianapolis. (Jerry performs as a jazz guitarist and vocalist frequently in the Atlanta area, especially as a longtime member of the Sentimental Journey Orchestra, the sjo.com) From there Jerry traveled to Maryland to sing at a wedding and reception near Chesapeake Bay.

August 2010!

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August 2010 was a particularly full month of ministry for us. We were invited to provide a retreat for the staff at Sacred Heart Church in South Georgia on the theme of stewardship of time in treasure. This staff had just completed a remarkable growth and construction campaign with heroic results. We were blessed to serve with music, teaching, and interactivity. Jerry still receives requests to speak at corporate retreats (which was part of his corporate background) , and he was blessed to provide an executive retreat on work life balance for a hospital in Southern Alabama. At this same time cricket was in Northern Alabama providing a retreat for the Bessemer fraternity that also focused on inner healing. [Ever since cricket was asked to develop a one day retreat on the inner healing, she has been requested to do it a dozen more times]

The following weekend began nearly a month of travel. Cricket’s book on intercession had traveled from friends to a small intercessory prayer group in Minnesota. The pastor also read the book and ordered 50 copies! Since we were heading for Canada, we offered to provide a retreat for that prayer group, and we were so blessed to do so! [Our connection with his parish was so blessed that we were invited to return to serve them with a parish mission in Lent 2011!]

Since we had a few days before we were to be in Calgary Canada for the UCMVA conference, we took a trip to Northern Minnesota to visit some of the places cricket went as a child, visiting her family’s roots. Among these was a visit a professional photographers’ studio where cricket’sgrandfather helped produce one of the most famous photographs and the world=Grace.

We spent the next two or three days driving across the northern U.S. and Southern Canada seeing very few people but a whole lot of beautiful prairie. Although I have never submitted music or video for the UCMVA (united catholic music and video awards), I have been blessed to be part of the musicians performing there several times. It was quite an honor to get to fellowship and perform with Tony Melendez, Tom Booth, Greg Walton, Dennis Agajanian, Denis Grady, and Bob Halligan/Ceili Rain! This recognition of Catholic artists is international and was broadcast all over the world via the Internet. Cricket gave a teaching on the spirit and prayer of the catholic artist. Jerry not only performed but was part of a guitar clinic. We were all so blessed to give five prayer concerts while we were there.

July 2010!

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July 2010 we were blessed to return to the annual regional gathering of the secular Franciscans in North Carolina. Cricket presented to a breakout session on the Four Allegories of Saint Francis. This is always a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with great friends and supporters, among whom are people who offer their driveway for our parking our little motor home! Because Cricket’s high sensitivity to wifi and cell tower electronics mean we are unable to stay in hotels, we are housed in a nearby campground where we get to witness on our ministry.

Summer 2010!

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June began with Cricket leading a retreat for the Sisters in Jesus the Lord convent in Kansas City Missouri. She has done several for them over the years, and enjoys a close relationship. This was the first in their new home in KC, where they even took advantage of the basketball court!

The following weekend, she gave a two day women’s retreat at our lady of Lourdes parish. During this time, Sister Josephine gave her a tour of the rosary garden at the retreat center, as seen in the photos.

Sister Josephine then joined us at the regional conference we did for secular Franciscans in Wichita Falls, Kansas, at Newman University.

This Juan de Padilla Regional Retreat was the second time we had done with Friar Felix Petrovsky, O.F.M. Capuchin of Colorado, and we were so blessed the to celebrate with him again. (photos of this event are forthcoming, but here is a beautiful email sent to us after the event.)

Thank you both for sharing your gifts of the Holy Spirit with some of us Secular Franciscans. Cricket's words have been prompting me to ask myself if I am learning to cooperate fully with grace, to rebuild my life just as Francis was asked to rebuild God's church. And since the retreat, I have made it a point to remind myself of the "crazy busyness" of the world and try to set aside some time each day for quiet time. It has not been easy. I have found that just driving my car to the next errand can be a wonderful time of solitude and quiet. I especially liked the words concerning the proper disposition for Mass, particularly the part about anticipating. At this retreat I enjoyed the opportunity provided by Jerry to get to know someone in the group I did not know well. In this way, I got to know so many of my fellow Franciscans in the region. All in all, I believe it was a very grand experience, and I thank you both again!

Peace and blessings!! Alice

Here are a few comments from the Day Of Reflection we served for the American Council of Catholic Women (AACW) retreat .... pictures to follow!

I, personally, felt the Day of Reflection was perfect. The timing, the presentation, everything. It was a very difficult time for the three sisters, in light of all they had just gone through, but I think it was also good for them to be with us, knowing how much we love them and share in their grief. Cricket and Jerry were awesome and helped in identifying some stressors in our lives that we can eliminate and it was just a seemingly perfect day! This is what a RETREAT is all about!!!

Cricket's gentle and humble message combined with Jerry's gift of music intertwined to bring us a message that we are all important in the eyes of God no matter where we are in life; even in the darkest times we are never alone and when necessary He will carry us. Each of us are called to strive towards having a Mary’s heart, to find the time to sit at Jesus’s feet, to renew our spirit, to refresh our soul in the busyness of a Martha’s world. NOT EASY BUT WITH HIM ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!

Spring 2010!

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April 2010 We just returned from visiting our daughter Laura where she is completing her doctorate at the University of Michigan. We got to meet many of her friends inning and faculty associates, and our daughter in Adrienne went along for great family time. We were accused of bringing southern weather with us, as Ann Arbor was 80° in April! It was a beautiful time together, and we extend the debt by visiting my mother in the Marquette nursing home on the way home. We also got to meet personally with a large church about an upcoming mission we will be directing.

The latter part of 2009 was quiet enough that we refined some of our offerings. Cricket was editing some of her writings and incessantly praying with people. Jerry finished producing the “My Favorite Picture” CD, and then fulfilled Cricket’s five year request for a Christmas CD with our daughters entitled “Angels: from Advent Through Christmas”.

Jerry was asked to do a concert for the Women Catholics’ conference; it was held in the evening after a long day and a celebration of liturgy with the Archbishop. I believe the Holy Spirit may have been tickling many people there as it was a boatload of fun. Father Tim Gaziela, with whom Jerry teaches Theology, traded barbs and laughter and it was very late when we finished. But it was a holy and blessed night for sure!

Jerry continued to teach the college theology class and a lot of music throughout the winter. We were blessed to do a parish mission in Greensboro, Georgia for Christ our King and Savior parish and Fr Phil. The choir sang with Jerry every night, and the theme of Discipleship coordinated with a parish wide effort they had begun earlier and continue into 2010.

Cricket and I provided a day of reflection for the secular Franciscan regional conference in N. Carolina. We were guests in a home next door to the Carmelite monastery there, and celebrated liturgy with the sisters. The pictures attached were taken by one of the Sisters who also led a day of the retreat.

Our Christmas CD with all of our six children involved was finished in December, but not released until Christmas Eve! As Catholics, of course we don’t sing the Christmas songs until Advent is completed. We were very pleased with the prayerful spirit of these lesser known Advent and Christmas songs. We had all of the children and grandchildren, including those from Spain, at the old house for a whole month. It felt like the best gift we’ve ever received. Our children have always collected money for Christmas to give to a charity, and in this year, on the feast of the Epiphany, they made their donation to our ministry! We are so blessed.

2010 began in earnest with Jerry being asked to consult on a project for one of his old companies, so he traveled some and get to renew some old friendships and share our ministry story in some corporate cultures. Cricket and I were honored to help with some Franciscan days of reflection in Augusta and Chattanooga: the format for these usually include Jerry providing some music at mass and at different intervals in the retreat. Cricket has typically researched the Saints and many Catholic writings for her part of the presentation. Jerry usually adds some interactive activities based on her content, as well as some of his learnings from his academic background in theology and business.

As Lent began, we were asked to lead a parish retreat for Saint Gabriel in Fayetteville. The theme was Lenten preparation, and each night of the mission began with a celebration of the holy mass. The third and final night concluded with the sacrament of reconciliation. Several priests heard confessions and Jerry played hymns quietly for hours while people knelt and prayed before and after their time with the confessor.

This mission was followed by the Lenten retreat we were honored to provide for St Philip Benizi in Jonesboro. The pictures can tell a lot of the story of this wonderful time, and the concluding night was a mass of healing. There were certainly moments of light but there were also some light moments as we looked at the Lenten path two prayer and holiness.

For the third week in a row, we were asked to help out in the parish mission at our home parish of holy Trinity. Father Lee and Father Jacques led the retreat on the theme of healing, and Cricket assisted by leading the women’s discussions. Jerry had to be “on his toes” musically as Father Lee would quote an old spiritual in his teaching, and then look over to see if Jerry could lead the congregation in singing it. (Jerry did fine, thank you Holy Spirit!)

The Easter season has begun and we are contacting parishes to offer our help for their retreats and conferences and days of prayer. We have two or three long trips planned for this summer, and Jerry continues to teach theology part time and do a lot of music. Cricket is spending some time in Florida helping to take care of her brother with cancer, and she continues to teach a class on her 10 disciplines book.

Summer '09 Journeys!

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We began our journey on a Saturday and had four or five days to actually arrive at our location in Northern Colorado. We spent Saturday evening with Vincente and Sharon Ambrossetti in Nashville Tennessee. They are wonderful supporters of our ministry and we spent hours and fellowship with them.

It was late, but we headed up to Clarksville Tennessee and camped in a rest stop and with the truckers and the tired. We arose early and made it to our alma mater, St. Louis University. This is where we met in 1971 at a coffeehouse Cricket was opening on the campus mass was celebrated by Jesuit father john Kavanaugh, one of the famous St. Louis Jesuit musicians responsible for so many of the hymns now sung all over the world. We got to visit with Father Kavanaugh and I attempted to remind him that he and I had both played in Cricket’s coffeehouse a few hundred years ago. He teaches philosophy in the college and grad school, and I later discovered has written a book on the topic of being Catholic in a consumerist culture, which was exactly the theme we were using for the Franciscan regional conference we were leading. After mass we wandered the campus which has grown so much since we were here and found the place where the coffeehouse had been.

Later, we traced our roots to the Saint Louis Christian home, which was an orphanage/Foster Care center where we worked and lived so that Jerry could finish his undergraduate degree. Jerry worked days and went to school at night and even did the converse as well. For a time, after our son Jacob was born, we lived in a large storage closet in the residential center. This center still functions for the city of St. Louis as a refuge for victims of abuse.

Although Cricket grew up in north St Louis, our relatives were not in town that day so we headed for Leavenworth Kansas. Along the way we visited a beautiful state park and hiked along its rocky ridges (blue springs, mo). We arrived that evening to spend a couple of days when our good friends the Anderson’s in Leavenworth. Paul took us to see a church that is in the Guinness book of world records, because it has one floor for Protestant services and another for Catholic services; I believe it is the only church holding simultaneous Catholic and Protestant services in the same building. They were wonderful hosts, and while Iran and did research and prepared music, Cricket did her final preparations for the retreat we were giving.

On Tuesday we headed across the great state of Kansas with the intention to stop at the beautiful “cathedral of the plains”, St, Fidelis church.

It is a beautiful and remarkable Capuchin parish that you can actually see from the interstate. We spent the wonderful time there and then headed to a remote state park for the evening. Although it is called Cedar Bluff, I call it “walking stick” park because the road was covered with those finely created insects. The late night held a typical Kansas thunderstorm which cooled the air. For this entire trip, we never hurried. We left early enough and spaced things well enough that we could start, stop, and side trip whenever we desired. We were surprised as we drove across the plains to see a few big Catholic churches in very small farmer towns. I know something of why this is, as my home state of Indiana is similar in its history.

As it was a Franciscan feast day, and we wound up having to drive all the way to Denver to find a weekday mass we could attend. This was at Our lady of Loretto which is a beautiful and vibrant parish even in the middle of the week!

We so enjoyed the evening mass that we camped nearby in a state park (within the city limits of Denver) and attended mass the next morning.

That afternoon, after visiting the Colorado State university nature center, we spent the next two days with Cricket’s college roommate Mary and Dennis Sovik. I remember joking with Denny in college about how impractical people thought my theology degree would be, and even moreso his degree in geography. But Denny and Mary have lived a very full life and raised a family, traveled, volunteered, and served as a wonderful inspiration. Denny has always had a successful construction team business with solar and ecological emphasis.

We arrived at Saint Malo on Friday afternoon and began our retreat. The first evening concentrated on “seeking in the desert”. Jerry had felt lead to write a song based on psalm 34, “there is one thing I seek,” and while he was writing it a small bird landed on the window and began singing nonstop. Jerry practiced other songs and the bird wasn’t there, but returned whenever the “one thing” song was played. Jerry couldn’t believe that the participants would believe this happened, so he had Cricket verify it. It was a wonderful evening with Cricket’s anointed teaching and a social time afterwards. Saturday began with mass and Friar Felix brought us together. We had three presentation times which included “Becoming Prayer”. Both Cricket and Jerry’s presentations were interactive with the group, but there was plenty of time for socializing and reflection as well. The meals were not rushed, and on Saturday night we found they had a tradition of a sing along in the lodge; I’m not sure how often Glory and praise, Motown, rocky mountain high, and southern spirituals get mixed in the same venue but we all laughed and sang until we collapsed. Sunday morning was the final presentation and then the celebration of the mass it was a very special time up blessing, and so many of the 60 participants wanted to maximize the time we all had together. As we were leaving, Cricket happened to ask in which room Pope John Paul the second had occupied when he was here---and sure enough, Marianne and the team had given us that room.

Heading back across Kansas, we provided an evening of Franciscan reflection for a group of 3rd Order Carmelites in KC! They welcomed us wonderfully and we were blessed to pray into the late night with them!

We drove back across the plains and somehow got lost trying to get back to walking stick park. Cricket guided us to a road that I believe still had the wagon Ruts of the Pioneers’. But we had a wonderful late night and morning “Rough camping” (without hookups) and Cricket prepared the retreat she would give in Kansas City for a group of third order Carmelites. We knew this would be a small group, but as always, the right people were there and we went well into the night in prayer and celebration. Cricket stayed with her good friend Maria in Kansas City but Jerry headed down to Little Rock to give a workshop. There is something so renewing about driving on the smaller highways our grandparents had as Jerry headed through the southern half of Missouri to Arkansas. On Friday, we had a rendezvous and headed to see our daughter Talia in a major role in the Baton Rouge little theatre’s production of The King and I. (Talia can be heard, as can our other daughters, on our CDs.

Our son and daughter inlaw, Jake and Liz had also come down to see Talia’s performance, so it was a nice little reunion at the end of our trip. We had stayed the night before at the trail of tears state park and had a wonderful evening walk along the Mississippi river. But late Saturday night we headed home after more than two weeks. We attended a wonderful Sunday morning mass at Our Savior Church in Mobile. We met Father David Tokarz whose engaging yet challenging style was so fitting for the eucharistic readings of the day.
We arrived home on Sunday evening and thanked God for our trip and all of you!

Spring Part 2!!!

2009-05-29T04:45:00.000-07:00

Our new year began with some finishing, that is within a week our son & daughters headed back to their respective worlds with grandchildren. Before they left however we began work on one of two new recording projects for 2009. We laid down the vocal tracks for the Christmas CD Cricket has requested for years. Nika literally laid down her songs while Cricket occupied her babies and she packed to fly back across the ocean to Spain. There will be both advent and Christmas themes on this record with many instruments and most of the family (and pets) involved.

Our unstuffing began in earnest this year. We vowed to get rid of half of our stuff, and as I tried to discern how to do that, I was led to “15 things per day”. So that has been ongoing; we give away, throw away, or sell 15 things per day. Like most inspirations, this sounded a lot more fun and romantic than it has turned out to be. It is truly releasing in the first weeks, but it starts to become hard choices very quickly. Extra and neglected clothing, books, CDs and dvds, computers and printers, and whatchmacallits are easy to unload. And moving from our large home of 20 years into a motorhome the size of C S Lewis' wardrobe makes the visualizing tangible. But even beyond the emotion, there is the practical question that arises when you realize that it will cost a lot more to replace this if you wind up needing it. It is at this point I believe the spirituality demands more attention: what do we really need? It is natural to consider this with perhaps a memento or nice sweater in mind; but the “rub” comes when it’s actually a book you love that no one else would want. And this same description could apply to a pillow or book of music or video or picture. I’ve heard some Franciscans say that they believe this is why the gospel is a essentially one of itinerancy; of motion, of not being held back or held down by “stuff”. (especially in Luke.)

We lead two retreats in February, traveling to Greensboro where Cricket led a woman’s day of reflection. It was a wonderful day and we are invited back to do a parish mission there later this year. We also gave a retreat with Father Bob Cushing of the Savannah diocese out at the monastery at Conyers Georgia. This same father bob is the man who introduced Cricket to Jerry in 1971.

We were blessed to be very involved in Holy Trinity’s “100 hours of devotions” in the second week of march.

We then traveled to Baton Rouge to see our daughter Talia in the lead of “singin’ in the ring”. Many of you have heard Talia and her sisters voices on HRS CDs: knew she who sang the Panis Angelicus on our Presence cd and the Salve on the Crown Rosary cd.

Later in march we were blessed to do a mission for Saint Philip Neri church in fort mill South Carolina this was the week prior to holy week and we were so blessed by the opportunity to serve this wonderful parish. Though Father John offered to have us park our motorhome next to the Church, there were 2 cell towers nearby so we enjoyed the 'night shift" at a local Wal-Mart! We never lack for invitations to stay with people, but our little 'home on wheels' is a fine place.

Cricket and I got to visit with the family of Natalie and Paul Burt and their four little ones extensively. Natalie's parents are close friends of ours from our Brown County Indiana days; but Natalie and Paul have a childrens' ministry we strongly support. They will be presenting at the Eucharistic Congress in Atlanta in June, and we have advertised their children's cd's because they are so well and prayerfully done.

Although this was the week just before Holy Week, we had great participation every evening! We were blessed to conclude this mission with an Evening of Reconciliation with Fr. John, and Fr. Ed, and Fr. Joseph from India. (I believe he could hear confession in a dozen languages!) On this night, Jerry spontaneously began singing songs of healing and forgiveness quietly on classical guitar as people returned from their time with the confessor. This solemn time of prayer lasted for over 3 hours as many stayed in a quiet time and prayed. I believe the Lord provided a spiritual oasis during this mission, but especially on the closing night! Here is a quote from a letter we received from the founding Pastor (I love his comment about our being 'low maintenance'):

"Recently Cricket and Jerry Aull conducted a Lenten retreat in my
parish. I recommend them whole heartedly because they spoke to issues of prayer, Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation in word and song. They were low maintenance, as far as no trouble, and very grateful of what the people gave. It was the first time that we had a lay-led retreat and it was very well received by our people.

Jerry and his beloved wife Cricket have a very deep spirituality upon
which they draw upon the lives of the saints and their contemporary
experiences. Sincerly, Fr. John Giuliani, C.O. Pastor of St. Philip Neri"

Spring update!

2009-05-28T10:58:00.001-07:00

It is difficult to say when and where this all began, but certainly an igniting moment was when our oldest daughter and grandsons returned to their home in Spain and our baby, (of six), headed off to the university of Georgia. This was our first “empty nest” in over 35 years.

We immediately left for Minnesota, where cricket led a weeklong retreat or a convent. I traveled into Pennsylvania for one of my last corporate gigs, and returned in the motorhome to carry us to Arkansas. We then spoke to the catholic association of musicians conference at the little portion hermitage with john Michael Talbot.

We have attended this conference several times, but this trip was special and many ways. It was our first relying solely on the motorhome, staying in campgrounds and truck stop parking lots, and receiving tremendous encouragement all along the way. It was that this conference that we made a special connection with Pierce Pettis, an award winning professional songwriter based in Nashville and Alabama. (check out Pierce’s Bio at stable music dot com) we were blessed to be invited to Pierce’s church for a mass saying goodbye to the Sister who had administrated the parish for over a decade

July found us in preparation for what the rest of the year would bring , partly beginning the process of “unstuffing” our lives and making ready to spend longer periods on the road. Jerry also began the process of recording our newest CD,” my favorite picture”, which is a collection of original and other songs we use in our ministry.

In August, we were blessed to serve the Franciscan regional gathering in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. Jerry provided music at mass and in the context of Cricket’s workshop, which we have recorded and made available to those who desire it. We also provided a Franciscan retreat at the Trappist monastery in Conyers Georgia.

September began with our leading the night of prayer and song at Most Holy Trinity parish in Augusta Georgia. We celebrated their with our own “archangel” Father Michael Lubinsky, whose prayerful encouragement has become a constant miracle for us.

Words about Jerry and Cricket Aull are my gratitude to them for coming to Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, GA September 9,2008 , and offering our community an unforgettable evening of prayer and song and reflections that pierce he mind and heart and soul and spirit with mystical holiness, joy ,and love of God.

Jerry's singing lifts the soul to God in exquisite beauty. He is complemented by the message of Gospel truths and values by Cricket Aull as she focuses us on the mysteries of Christian faith in Jesus to keep us single-minded in His purpose for the honor and glory of God and the sanctification of our lives. What a powerful duo of talent and Christian faithfulness to God's plan for them to sing His praises
always. I am totally recommending your parish to call upon Jerry and Cricket to give you the opportunity to hear and see for yourself the beauty of their calling to our Church."
FR Michael Lubinsky parochial vicar at Most Holy Trinity Church

In the middle of September, we reconnected with many friends in our previous parish of Saint Agnes, in Nashville Indiana.

We were blessed to lead a retreat for the Franciscan fraternity in Hendersonville North Carolina, and stayed in our camper “on the street where Greg lives”.

Autumn brought some beautiful scenery on our trip up to St Louis for Cricket’s high school reunion and reconnection with good friends there. From St. Louis we traveled to the national secular Franciscan convention where Cricket spoke on while Jerry again provided liturgical and workshop music.

Later in October, we were honored to serve the Franciscan fraternities in Chattanooga Tennessee for the day of reflection on [photos etc.] And were the guests of John and Faye Martin. We found at this retreat that we were out of sync with the heating system in a meeting room and were freezing inside while it was gorgeous outside! We celebrated youth and balance of nature by warming up outside in the wonderful Tennessee sun.

Early November took us to Sioux City Iowa, where we were so blessed to serve the Church of the Nativity with the parish mission on harvest.

Father Jerry Fierfeldt and his community held us in their souls from Saturday through the following Thursday. We had camped in this area on our way there, at Graham cracker state park (my name). It went below freezing that night and our heater wouldn’t function, and the win sounded like something out of the wizard of oz. Needless to say, we were the only campers at night, but it was actually quite cozy as we rolled the rest of the way into Sioux City. We did a brief description of the mission at the masses, and Jerry provided music with the parish as liturgical musicians. Monday night was focused on the seeds of harvest, the parable of the sower, and a hearty group of folks braved the first big snow and ice of the season to join us.
It was after this “polar” experience, (at least for us Georgians), that Father Jerry and his dog
Invited us to stay in the guest part of the rectory. It was like being in a mansion compared to the motorhome, but this dog’s enthusiasm and gregariousness is almost as nonstop has his master, Father Jerry. We are dog lovers from way way back, and Father Jerry reminded me of Father Griffin constantly walking across the campus of the University of Notre Dame with his dog when we went to school there.

Nearly all returned under the same conditions for Tuesday night, where our theme focused on the cultivation and the growing of our catholic faith and harvest. This worked well with the examination of conscience, and then our celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation. Several priests came from neighboring parishes, and it was so wonderful to visit into the night with so many people for prayer and fellowship.

Father Jerry and several others had recommended that we visit the shrine in Sioux City before we finished our mission. The pictures we’ve included were taken with a lousy camera on a an overcast day but here is a link for better visuals. http://www.trinityheights.com/ We spent several hours roaming the grounds and appreciating the wonderful testament and teaching of our catholic era teach present on this holy ground.

We finished the nativity mission on the theme of harvest, with a wonderful Mass celebrated by Father Andrew-Bao Vo from Vietnam. We always knew that one of the blessings of our itinerant ministry would be the stories that we got to share with people we met. Father Andrew and his family lived for seven years in the jungles of Vietnam after their father was arrested. During that time the family still grew in their catholic faith so much so that this young man this now a wonderful priest in Iowa. By last night of the mission, we felt truly as though we were at the dinner table with wonderful friends and believers, and we look forward to our next visit to the nativity family.

Our trip home allowed me to visit with my sister Mary Pat, who is on staff at boys town research hospital. Many of us I’m sure recall the story of father Flanagan and boys town, symbolized by the beautiful song, “he ain’t heavy father, he’s my brother”; and even though my sister and I are among nine children of a deaf widow, it was transforming to see my sisters' passion and results and dealing with deaf infants, children, and their families.

We were honored later that week to serve of Franciscan retreat outside of Kansas City, and one page of the newsletter below tells that story well.

Morning of Reflection, Saturday, November 15
It was cold and snowy that Saturday morning, but inside the Sanctuary of Hope there was warmth emanating from the words and music of Cricket and Jerry Aull. The Secular Franciscans gathered were treated to a presentation on “Understanding Penance.”
We were told that the official commentary on the Rule of the SFO describes a person who does penance as one turned toward God. We need to be the presence of God to the world. Penance also means that my life can be offered to God in such a way that I help to call forth more of creation, in addition to myself, to loving God wholeheartedly. Everything we do has potential to bring others closer to God.
Penance should be a way of life for the Secular Franciscan. We do this best by following our promises of simplicity (planting the seeds of patience and love), purity (everything done purely for God), and obedience (serving others) as best as possible according to our state in life.
God uses all of our situations in life to bring about a transformation to holiness. God, in loving wisdom, has made the painfully difficult circumstances which work to fashion us into holiness and that also serve to present our beloved Lord to a world that needs to see Him.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.” A form of penance is detachment from preferring our own opinions; also detachment from material goods; denial of one’s self. The love and imitation of Christ is present in all penance.
In faith we embrace everything as a gift from God because we trust our gracious and loving Father to take everything we go through and use it for His will and our good.
It is JOY (a) to be freed from a self-focus; (b) to know Christ intimately; (c) to know the great depth of the love of Christ; (d) to realize that all of our sufferings of life and the cross are valuable, redemptive, and used by God’s design to make us holy; (e) to allow the Holy Spirit to take us through all life’s experiences and relationships with love’s pure desire to give of itself.
We must try to remember that God uses our sufferings to transform ourselves AND the world. Think of lifting up someone else rather than myself—love lowliness!!
Cricket and Jerry gave us much to think and pray about. Visit their website at jerryandcricketaull.com to check out their book store and music store.
Let us pray for the Spirit of Penance:

“O seraphic father, St. Francis, I venerate in you the living image of Christ crucified. Your Love transformed your whole life into one long martyrdom. It made you strive by means of severe penances to satisfy the ardor of your desires, until at last it impressed on your body the wounds it had long before engraved deeply in your heart. It thus made you a living crucifix, preaching sweetly to all people the sufferings and love of Jesus. Obtain for me, O holy father, that I too may banish from my heart the spirit of the world; that I may esteem poverty and humiliation above wealth and honor; that I may mortify my passions and advance daily in the knowledge and love of God, until at last, detached from myself, from the world and from all creatures, I may live for God alone, and like you say with my while heart, “My God and my all,” my God, my inheritance and my joy in time and eternity. Amen.” (from Secular Franciscan Companion, Franciscan Herald Press, p. 54)

December began with our celebrating an advent evening of reflection with holy Trinity parish in Peachtree City Georgia. Despite the hurry and flurry of the season, the room was brimming with people fully desiring that graces of advent prayer. (sorry the photo is dark, but you know how candlelight mixes with a cell phone photo!)

We were so richly blessed to give an Advent retreat in the last week before Christmas at St. Peter Chanel Parish, who had just dedicated their new sanctuary!

Fr. Frank McNamee, now at the Cathedral in Atlanta, worked with us on a wonderful 3 nights of Advent waiting and living in hope and grace. We concluded on Wednesday evening with an Evening of Reconciliation with over 20 priests there, and the choirs helped with the songs of quiet reflection! (more to come!)

Climbing Down the Corporate Ladder

2008-10-28T06:17:00.000-07:00

In the summer of 08, we experienced the first time in 35 yrs that we weren’t ‘parenting’ on a full time basis. Our ‘baby’ of 6 graduated high school and was heading to UGA, and we were led to begin something we had heard a call to for several years.

Both of us had degrees in Theology, and had been in part time ministry for decades; teaching, doing music, speaking, volunteering, etc. Jerry had traveled extensively being a keynote speaker and management consultant, and Cricket had been a speaker and leader for the 3rd order Franciscans and many days of reflection, retreats, etc. We decided to leave the security of our job and home and purge our possessions. We began to hit the road in a motorhome not much bigger than a closet and be ‘on call’ for where the Lord would lead us to serve with our gifts.

In 2000, jerry had visited a caravan of 25 motorhomes who were ‘full timers’, ie, they lived in them. This bunch were plumbers and pastors and physicians who followed the red cross to areas of need. In their semi-retirement, they gave of their career expertise to help people. Cricket thought we could do that for people in parishes, through service, prayer, and music. Jerry’s extensive career in education and consulting had led him to believe that corporate cultures are places full of wounded people; folks who had let the time + mental demands of their careers relegate the very time the soul needs to pray and rest and lead become an ‘afterthought’.

We thought the best way to challenge this trend was to live an alternative; with little preparation Jerry left his Directors’ position and salary and benefits and did not accept several offers to continue in the career that had blessed him. With gas prices doubling weekly, financial markets drowning in crisis, and most people thinking that ‘holding their own’ in the present would be a good thing, we embraced a ‘spirituality of subtraction’ in the tradition of St. Francis.

Jerry’s music is recorded with our daughters doing wonderful vocals, and these cd’s are to help people pray. Cricket’s books and talks are focused in how to follow a call to Franciscan spirituality in family and society. Our retreats, missions, and days or nights of reflection are offered wherever our wheels will take us!

Reflections on the Face of Christ

2005-09-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

“And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples and there I will enter into judgement with you face to face.” Ezekiel 20:35
I usually hesitate to mention my more personal prayer times because, though they are very meaningful to me, I do not mean to imply that everyone should regard them with the same importance that I do. This is one of those reflections, however, that I have been told left a great impact on others. I share it only as a perspective that might help us view other people with greater love and sincere attention.
Several years ago, every time I began to pray, I would see the face of Jesus in front of me. His face would then change into the face of someone else – usually people I did not recognize. This happened repeatedly so that I began to seek the Lord for the meaning to this. A week later, again in prayer, the Lord placed it clearly on my heart to look up every scripture which mentioned being ‘face to face’ with God. I got out my concordance and, beginning in Genesis, read every scripture listed under that phrase. When I came to this scripture in Ezekiel, I immediately had a profound vision that has forever changed my interaction with other people.
I saw people reaching the end of their life, and when they died, they experienced a ‘flashback’ of every encounter they had with other people during their lifetime. This flashback included everyone, whether it was a close relative, an occasional friend, or a passerby they saw only once very briefly. Any person with whom they had come ‘face to face’ was now coming before them, one after the other, in succession. But with each person they encountered, I saw that Christ was using only the eyes of that other person to recall a remembrance. I would see Him looking, through their eyes, into the face of the one who had died and He would say something like: “I remember you, you were the one who helped me when I was having such a difficult time,” or “you were the one who brought me groceries when I was out of a job,” or “you were that one who helped me across the street… (or) …said that kind word to me.” He spoke from some recognition of good that could be recalled in the heart. But if the Lord could not find some recognition like this, something that reflected His own goodness, He would search and search for one. He sought through the mind and heart for anything that could recall a reflection of His love, because it was only His love and goodness that could live eternally. After searching the depths of the heart, if He could still find nothing of good, He would slowly shake His head and say, “I never knew you.”
“Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?” Matt. 25:37-39
I don’t really know if our judgement upon leaving this world happens in this way. I don’t know if this is the way that “everyone of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Rom. 14:12) I do think, though, that we tend to assume our ‘judgement’ will include our personal excuses and reasoning. Perhaps God will only recognize each of us in eternity by the way we have recognized and responded to Him in the people He has created. It is something to think about.
“And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matt. 25:40.
May we abide by the words of Christ: “that you love one another as I have loved you.” Jn 15:12

Reflections on Discernment

2005-08-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

August Newsletter – 2005
“Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes
all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

I often hear from people who are trying to discern something. It might be a decision to be made,
the way to view a certain circumstance, or how to follow God’s will. When those situations arise, I have found a few things to be helpful in our process of discernment.

Prayer, of course, is first because it is God we need to seek above all for wisdom and guidance. God knows what we need before we ask, and all our ways are before Him. (Matt. 6:8, Ps. 119:168) So, we seek His perfect guidance, but especially, we remember to seek and desire God first. The best and most profitable thing we can start with is simply to love and seek being closer to God. This puts everything in the right perspective and gives us the proper detachment we need to begin discernment. Our mind and heart are in a correct attitude for receiving God’s pure and eternal knowledge. One way we honor Him first is by giving to God the ‘first fruits’ of our day, the first fruits of our attention, and our time. In all matters, our attention and devotion to God should come before other interests or needs. When we do that, we are naturally ‘in prayer,’ and sincere prayer naturally prepares us for receiving God’s direction.

Practicing faith is another necessary step. By this I mean that we continually believe in God and trust Him. Practicing implies that we are working at it. Sometimes we need to make an effort to have faith because it is not a natural part of our response. We need to remind ourselves that “the Lord is faithful in all His words and gracious in all His deeds.” (Ps 145:13) Or, as David sang to his soul, we “bless the Lord….and forget not all His benefits.” (Ps. 103:2) Actively using our faith is important because it is the avenue God works through in our life. Once, when I felt God asking me to do something that required a great amount of faith, I prayed, “Lord, you can do all things, but do you know how hard it is for us to just step out in faith and believe that something is going to work?” When I prayed this, I ‘heard’ in my mind a clear ‘Yes!’ in answer to my question. And in that ‘yes’ was also this explanation: whatever level of difficulty we have in trusting God, becomes the same difficulty God deals with in helping us. He works through our faith in Him. We can think a certain problem is not difficult for God because of His sovereignty, but we forget that He does not force His will on us, that He freely gives us choice and faith, and He still works through our cooperation with His grace. Our ability to discern is always benefited by actively using our faith to turn to God and trust in Him.

A third, and sometimes more difficult, step is patience. We do not see all that is taking place while we pray for discernment. The patience we need to exercise brings our faith to a deeper level where God’s grace can work in a deeper way. We have to wait. We have to let go. We have to trust. There is time to consider and avoid the traps of doubting, complaining, and becoming anxious. God is able to move more effectively without our self-focused obstacles. We gain much from the need to be patient. A deeper work is occurring in our souls - our sanctification, which is the will of God. (1 Thess. 4:3)

A fourth step is mentioned in the scripture from Philippians - thanksgiving. We give thanks because this gives honor and glory to God at the same time it shows our faith and reinforces it. Thanksgiving expresses love to our Creator. And in all of this – prayer with God first, faith that is active, patient waiting, and thanksgiving – the outcome is the peace of God which keeps us centered in Christ Jesus. It is in that peace that we are in the best place for discerning.
Blessings, Cricket Aull