Where there is a will there is way

CHILE, María José Reyes. At sometime, everyone has heard the famous phrase, “Where there is a will, there is away;” however, how many times have we doubted it? Personally I have many times. It was November 18, 2013, I had only ten more days of classes, and like many other “eighteenths” of my life, I went up to our homeland of Mount Schoenstatt (Lo Banechea – Santiago) to go to Mass and to renew my covenant with my beloved Blessed Mother. The homeland is literally on the hill and before you arrive, you cross a small bridge. Well I was driving, and only God know why, I noticed the decrepit little sign that announced the name of the bride, which sadly read: “La Carbonera” (the coal bunker or hole).

I remember that I immediately decided that I did not like it, and I realized that it bothered me that the name was not adequate in the context of where it was placed.

I doubt that it was legal to use my own hammer to change it

Obviously the best way to solve the problem was to change the sign as well as the name of the bridge, but in order to do this it was necessary for someone in authority to do it, because I doubt that it was legal to use my own hammer and sign to change it. Then I began to mentally recall the people with “authority” whom I know. And I hit the nail: Felipe Guevara, the mayor of Lo Barnechea.

Life has made it possible that I know Felipe for as long as I can remember. He has been a great support and a great help to me. Immediately I knew that he was the perfect person to help me with my small plan, so on that Tuesday, the 19^th, I called him. Once I had explained everything to him and I asked him for help, to carry it out, he responded that there was no problem in making the change, but before that happened, he had to know two things: 1. What would be the new name for “La Carbonera” . 2. What was I going to do to accomplish it?

“The Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt Bridge”

The first one was easy; the bridge had to carry the name of something that would transcend generations. I asked that the bridge be named “The Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt Bridge”. That way, no one could doubt where he/she was going, and everyone would feel welcome by her when they passed by there. However, the second one kept turning in my mind. I thought, “Haven’t I done enough already? What else should I do?” And he said: “Raise your final average a tenth from now until the end of the year, and I will change the name of the bridge. OK?” I don’t know if you remember that I mentioned that I only had ten days of classes, and I had an eight, so I thought: “Impossible.” However, the desire for the name was even greater. I told Felipe that I would do everything possible, but that I truly did not think I could accomplish it, to which he replied that we would talk at the end of the classes and he hung up.

To this day, when I am asked how I was able to change the name of the bridge, I answer that the merit is not mine; it is that of the Blessed Mother. A part of me is convinced that if she did not want the name changed, I would not have raised that tenth that allowed me to fulfill the condition. Two days after receiving the average, I went up to the Wayside Shrine to thank her for her collaboration, I had to ask my mother to stop the car when I saw the majestic green sign at the edge of the road that announced: “The Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt Bridge.” I did not know what to think, or how to feel, but I remember that in my sub-conscious, I felt satisfaction within me. Mission accomplished, because sometimes where there is a will there is way.

Mission accomplished

Today our Wayside Shrine also has a beautiful temporary meeting hall and the construction of the Family Center advances in giant steps. Everyone desires that very soon so we can function– as the Schoenstatt Family of Lo Barnechea – on its premises and we are excited to see our dreams become a reality. I invite you to continue to follow them and to demonstrate that “where there is a will there is a way.”

Original: Spanish – Translation:  Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA