Touching Hearts

"Close your eyes. Imagine yourself: you are alone, sitting on top of a hillside on the west side of the town, overlooking the mountains. Think about your life. Concentrate on your breathing. Breathe in, breathe out. Now think for a moment. Think of the people who love you. Think of all they have done for you in your life. Think of the sacrifices they have made for you. Think of all that you have. Breathe again. In and out. Now think of God. Think of what he has done for you. He gave you his only son. The son of man, the Lord. He died for each and every one of you. He gave his life so you could live yours. He suffered for you. Breathe once more. You are back on the hillside. It is dark, and the sun is setting. It is dark. You are cold and alone. You have nothing but the clothes on your back and with whom to thank? The Lord, our God." 

Dylan helping students

These were the words spoken during the homily by Father Murray at the school mass we attended this morning. It was quiet in the church as he told this story. Everyone was still, sitting with their eyes closed. It was a time to think about what is important in life. It was a time to gather your own thoughts about all you have and how you should appreciate it. "You never know what you have, until it is gone" is what they say. It is not a hard saying to understand, but it is touching to experience. Coming out to Montana to help these students is more than a perfect example. Living in a very compact bunkhouse with 13 other people will certainly make you realize just how basic the good things in life really are.

The town is small and there is not much around. For example, think of the last time you were bored one Friday night and called up a friend to go see a movie. If you lived here, there is no such thing as going to the movies. If you wanted to, it's a long drive. It is astounding when you realize just how much you really do have and how you really should appreciate it. If this trip has taught me one thing, that is exactly it. This journey was a life changing experience and I wish everyone could experience something like this. The world would be by far an amazing place to live if anyone would realize what they don't have. Appreciation is key in life. Think of what you do have, even the small things. Disregard what you do not have because if you do not have it at this point, you probobly do not need it. Right now you are probobly in your nice, warm home sitting down reading this. Think of your home. Think of how fortunate you are to be living in it. I guarantee you have not thought of how fortunate you are to even have a place to live and how there are people that do not even have homes. This is one of millions of examples of  how greatful you really should be. "You never know what you have until it is gone" is what they say. Now close your eyes. Imagine yourself. Think of what you have in life. Think of where you would be without the people in your life. Think of God and where you would be without him. Think of the people you love. Have you touched their hearts? What have you done to let them know you love them? That was our goal of this trip, and I am more than greatful to be able to experince it. It has honestly been a life changing experience and I realize how fortunate I am to be here. Live how you want, but love how you should. God bless.

D. Junker '13

The Wolf Awakens

 

"Beware of Sleeping Wolf" with dancing stick

On Wednsday night we had a guest speaker named Marty, but his Blackfoot name is "Beware of Sleeping Wolf." When Marty arrived, I was already outside and therefore had the privilege of helping him move his vast collection of Native American artifacts into the bunkhouse. During dinner, Marty discussed his past experiences in Catholic schooling, his childhood in Seatle, and his time in the Army Airborne. 


Beaded gauntlets

 After dinner "Beware of Sleeping Wolf" started to show us his collection of artifacts with the warning that if we dropped an eagle feather, he would have to perform a ceremony to protect us against bad luck.  He had many interesting artifacts each with their own unique story. He had three war bonnets, the feathered hats that chieftains wore, as well as many beaded articles of clothing. He explained to us how an Indian earned feathers for their war bonnet and the difference between a blackfoot war bonnet, whose feathers stand straight up, and a Sioux war bonnet, whose feathers slope back. He even let us wear one of the war bonnets which was in the best condition. As time progressed he took out many artifacts including; yarn dolls, beaded gauntlets and belts, eagle wings, his dance outfit, rattlers, pipes, mocassins, and so much more.


Jacob wears the wolf headdress

 After discussing all of these artifacts he took out his most interseting piece, a wolf skin headdress. He let us wear it and then explained how ancient Native Americans would use the disguise to approach a buffalo herd without scaring the animals. Overall the presentation was very interesting and enlightening to both the hardships the Indians of past times experienced and their rich cultural heritage. I enjoyed it greatly and feel fortunate that we were able to hear his stories and narratives.

J. Ploschnitznig '13