My last Blog Post

So this is it. We have decided here in the seminary to totally renounce using the internet, so that means no more blogging. I am actually very happy, it will allow much more time for other things, like praying and studying! Sorry if there is still anyone who reads my blog, but i'm sure you will survive.

I will still have my email address for anyone who would like to get into contact with me!

I wish you all God's Blessings, and may He always protect you.

United to you all in the Heart of Jesus and Mary.

Joe Nicklas Maria

Here we go again

So after getting settled back into Rome, I was able to stay almost a week! Then I headed north to the Czech Republic for a week for the investiture of 5 new sisters from our community. It was really nice, but alot of work! (a group of us brothers cleaned 220 windows in the monestary!!) Now I am in Rome, but as is my life, I leave today for Bosnia to accompany a group of pilgrims to Medjugorie. Should be very interesting!

I am doing well. School starts on the 13th of October, which is fast approaching. God Bless you all, and I'll post when I get back, hopefully with some pictures.

Ciao!

Rome Sweet Home

Hey Everybody,

So I am now back in Rome after a brief but very intense stay in Russia. It was quite interesting to be in Russia during the war that was going on in Georgia. I kept a low profile, but had no problems. We need to really pray for Russia though, they are really flexing their muscles, and there is a very sinister undercurrent running through the nation. They want to return to the top of the world power structure, and they will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

I am doing well. I will try to post some photos sometime soon of my time there. School starts in early October, so getting ready for that too!

God Bless you all,

Joe Nicklas Maria

Now its really been awhile.....

so now its really been awhile since I last posted to my blog....but much to my surprise a few different people asked me about it when I was home, so I will try to update it every so often to let all my friends know where I am and what I am doing.  I have been quite the world travler the past few weeks!  Most of you who would read this know that I was home for a few weeks to see my family and friends, and it was a wonderful time.  I want to thank everyone again for everything that you did for me while I was back, I felt like the king of the world!  I flew back to Rome and was there approximately 12 hours before I jumped onto a bus for Slovakia (22 hours in a bus + Jetlag = Not alot of fun....)  I was in Slovakia for our yearly retreat with our whole community, and it was really nice.  I was there for a week, and then jumped on the plane again for Russia.  So here I am in Bashkortistan in Russia hoping that America and Russia can get along and not go to war over Georgia so I don't end up in a russian prison as an American Spy!  Thats about it for now, but I will try to post some pics and stuff when I have some time, but our internet connection, as you can probably imagine, is terrible on a good day!  God Bless

Send Us Your Peace O Lord

There aren't really any words at a time like this. We can't ever understand why tragedies like this happen, but we can ask God to send us peace and healing, with the confidence that this world is only the short beginning to our everlasting happiness with God in Heaven, a happiness that Meghan and their unborn child are already experiencing. Let us also ask them to intercede for our beloved Josh, that God's will may be done.

All of our thoughts and prayers, from Italy to the Czech Republic, to the furthest mission stations in Russia and Kazakhstan are united for Josh, and for the family.

God Bless, and if anyone would like to speak about anything, anyone of us here are availible.

United to you all

Joe Nicklas Maria

Kazakh Hospital

This photo is dedicated to my good friend Lakshmi who is a doctor at the university of Iowa Hospitals. Four years ago when I was in Kazakhstan in the winter, I got some horrible asian flu that had me down for over a week. When I say "down", I mean 104 degree temperature, wierd dreams, cure me or kill me type down. The best part of the whole thing was the great medical care availible to me. So here's the highlights to note. On the far right, you can see an almost empty bottle of vodka. Vodka is the universal cure for EVERYTHING there. They were rubbing it on my chest three times a day to "invigorate" my lungs.....The next item of interest is the what looks like a coat rack, a plastic bag, and a rubberband, but is actually an IV . Ok actually it is a coat rack, a plastic bag, and a rubber band, which were transformed into my IV. Not bad huh? Next, my two nurses. The one kneeling down on the right is one of the sisters from our community who took amazing care of me, to the best of her ability, the whole time. The other is the local nurse who gave me 5injections, yes 5, every day for a week. She has a special place in my heart............

Whenever I tell people about this week of my life, I have to say that I am really thankful for this week, because I really think that until you have been REALLY sick in a foriegn land, you can't call yourself a real missionary! Anyway, that's todays picture, and Lakshmi, I'm gonna have you on standby next time!

God Bless you all!!

Joe Nicklas Maria

Yes, its been a while

Sorry for all of you who have been checking my blog and not finding anything new. I have been at home in the states, and then I was in Slovakia, but now I am back in Rome and back into the normal routine again. I will try to put some new pictures up today or tomorrow from various things, and I hope that you are all doing well and that you had a blessed and holy Christmas season. Happy New Year to all!

God Bless

Joe Nicklas Maria