There is something nice about being within driving distance of St. Louis. I took a half a day off of work to drive up on Friday. Got to have a delicious chilli dinner and play some games with family, see my brother and sister-in-law's new dog and new fence, feed baby Charlie some prunes.
The rest of the weekend has been spent as part of what we call a Wisdom Circle around vocation/formation issues. It was awesome to share with sisters and associates who are all energized around future possibilities that are coming to be now. In a day it is difficult to delve too deeply into any topic, but I feel like we have a lot of fodder with which to play, and I know the conversation is far from over. It is an interesting balance to dream the future and live the now and see how they come together and when. I love it all.
I don't love the sinus issues I've currently got going on, but hopefully some rest will be healing.
Another week of possibilities ahead. Yeah God!
November 15, 2009
October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween
It seems as if so much happens between one post and the next. That's probably because it does.
.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to drive to St. Louis to share my sisters and motherhouse with a wonderful young woman who is discerning religious life. Neither of us arrived early and we had never met in person before, so we spent the first night talking until what was probably too late to be good for either of us. Saturday was filled with time with sisters, a tour of the motherhouse, Eucharist, a great root beer float at Fitz's, a bit of CSJ sightseeing, prayer together, and a movie (to which we both fell asleep on our respective couches). Sunday was more of the same before we parted ways around noon. I took advantage of the short trip to meet up with some of my family for lunch. Although it put me home a bit later, I was very grateful to be with them. Really, the whole weekend was one of gratitude. It was awesome to be able to share faith and discernment with someone so on fire with listening to God. I've really been very conscious lately of my own prayer time and the need for that place and space with God, and weekends like that only reinforce the desire.
Then, Monday, back to work.
The beginning of the week was spent preparing for our church Halloween party on Wednesday night. Our religious education classes have been getting bigger and bigger with 70 or 80 students a week. Well, we had over 130 children at the Halloween party. On one hand, I wonder where they all are every Wednesday. On the other hand, I'm glad they don't all make it every week--I don't know where we would put them. We had apple bobbing, face painting, musical chairs, a haunted house, pizza--the usual. The haunted house was a big hit. Our teens had decorated with spider webs, hanging legs, strobe lights, a fog machine. One room was filled with balloons that a fan blew around. The other room was decorated cemetery style. Out of every nook and cranny jumped the high school students all too ready with a scream for any unsuspecting little one who walked past. I am amazed at how kids like to be scared.
Then today I went on a long bike ride. One of my cross country runners is getting her gold award in Girl Scouts, and as part of that award, she organized a bike ride. I rode with her mom a couple of months ago and she gave me the flier. For those of you who regularly read my blog, I did an entry at that time about the 20-25 mile bike ride I did that day. I haven't ridden since. So, the 27 mile ride today with some major hills was killer. I cannot tell you how good the barbeque lunch tasted as I rode in and dropped my bike. I did manage to come in a good twenty-five minutes ahead of the serious riders who did the 48 mile ride. Thankfully, after another week of rain, the day is perfect, cool and sunny (although I could have done without the head wind on those hills). It will be perfect for trick-or-treaters tonight.
Now off to work on questions for trivia night next weekend. We are trying to do a bit of fundraising for our youth convention in the spring. Our youth group continues to grow, and I know the interest will be more than double what we had last year, which is wonderful. It does mean, however, that we have to find more than double the funds. Our teens have really been fabulous. They are helping to teach religious ed., they sing every week at mass, four or five stayed until Kate and I locked up Wednesday after the party vacuuming, moving chairs, etc. So, I'll do what I can to get them to Jackson. It's a great opportunity for them to celebrate with other Catholic teens. It's hard down here; yet another way in which they are the minority. If you find yourself in the Ripley, MS area next Saturday, stop by. Doors open at 6:00. Ten dollar suggested donation, although no one will be turned away. Let me know in advance and I'll even clean my sheets for you to stay the night.
Have a great week.
Peace.
.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to drive to St. Louis to share my sisters and motherhouse with a wonderful young woman who is discerning religious life. Neither of us arrived early and we had never met in person before, so we spent the first night talking until what was probably too late to be good for either of us. Saturday was filled with time with sisters, a tour of the motherhouse, Eucharist, a great root beer float at Fitz's, a bit of CSJ sightseeing, prayer together, and a movie (to which we both fell asleep on our respective couches). Sunday was more of the same before we parted ways around noon. I took advantage of the short trip to meet up with some of my family for lunch. Although it put me home a bit later, I was very grateful to be with them. Really, the whole weekend was one of gratitude. It was awesome to be able to share faith and discernment with someone so on fire with listening to God. I've really been very conscious lately of my own prayer time and the need for that place and space with God, and weekends like that only reinforce the desire.
Then, Monday, back to work.
The beginning of the week was spent preparing for our church Halloween party on Wednesday night. Our religious education classes have been getting bigger and bigger with 70 or 80 students a week. Well, we had over 130 children at the Halloween party. On one hand, I wonder where they all are every Wednesday. On the other hand, I'm glad they don't all make it every week--I don't know where we would put them. We had apple bobbing, face painting, musical chairs, a haunted house, pizza--the usual. The haunted house was a big hit. Our teens had decorated with spider webs, hanging legs, strobe lights, a fog machine. One room was filled with balloons that a fan blew around. The other room was decorated cemetery style. Out of every nook and cranny jumped the high school students all too ready with a scream for any unsuspecting little one who walked past. I am amazed at how kids like to be scared.
Then today I went on a long bike ride. One of my cross country runners is getting her gold award in Girl Scouts, and as part of that award, she organized a bike ride. I rode with her mom a couple of months ago and she gave me the flier. For those of you who regularly read my blog, I did an entry at that time about the 20-25 mile bike ride I did that day. I haven't ridden since. So, the 27 mile ride today with some major hills was killer. I cannot tell you how good the barbeque lunch tasted as I rode in and dropped my bike. I did manage to come in a good twenty-five minutes ahead of the serious riders who did the 48 mile ride. Thankfully, after another week of rain, the day is perfect, cool and sunny (although I could have done without the head wind on those hills). It will be perfect for trick-or-treaters tonight.
Now off to work on questions for trivia night next weekend. We are trying to do a bit of fundraising for our youth convention in the spring. Our youth group continues to grow, and I know the interest will be more than double what we had last year, which is wonderful. It does mean, however, that we have to find more than double the funds. Our teens have really been fabulous. They are helping to teach religious ed., they sing every week at mass, four or five stayed until Kate and I locked up Wednesday after the party vacuuming, moving chairs, etc. So, I'll do what I can to get them to Jackson. It's a great opportunity for them to celebrate with other Catholic teens. It's hard down here; yet another way in which they are the minority. If you find yourself in the Ripley, MS area next Saturday, stop by. Doors open at 6:00. Ten dollar suggested donation, although no one will be turned away. Let me know in advance and I'll even clean my sheets for you to stay the night.
Have a great week.
Peace.
October 18, 2009
The Ultimate Gift
Regan and Heger give it two thumbs up. Just finished watching the movie, The Ultimate Gift. If you haven't seen it, I'd get it and a box of Kleenex for a thoughtful evening at home. Life--God--offers so much. For every second of awareness I do have during the course of a day, there are a million during which I have no clue. Kate reminded me that one can't change a life just like that. It takes time. Little-by-little. Moment-by-moment. Choice-by-choice. One of the lines I am remembering is about dreams. Jason shares that he doesn't know if he has a dream of his own, but he does know that he has the ability to make others' dreams come true. If that could be the dream of all of us.
Ahhh...so much to learn. So many moments in a day during which to be aware. Aware of what? Who knows for sure.
Yeah, it's one of those feel good, sentimental movies where you have a pretty good idea of how it is going to end. Happily, of course.
May our week be filled with unexpected surprises, moments that make our jaws drop, and bright lights we can't see beyond.
Peace.
Ahhh...so much to learn. So many moments in a day during which to be aware. Aware of what? Who knows for sure.
Yeah, it's one of those feel good, sentimental movies where you have a pretty good idea of how it is going to end. Happily, of course.
May our week be filled with unexpected surprises, moments that make our jaws drop, and bright lights we can't see beyond.
Peace.
October 04, 2009
Haiku
It drizzles outside
Drips gentle my waking soul
Good morning, Dear Heart
____________________________________________
Rain patters above
Won't need walking shoes today
Called inside instead
_____________________________________________
Moon rises early
But I'm not ready for bed
Won't anyone stay
______________________________________________
Trees' red-tipped branches
Our sun's warmth through cool breezes
Autumn glory has arrived
October 02, 2009
Thought I'd Share
One of the birthday gifts I got this year was a fabulous homemade t-shirt through which I get to share my adorable, little nephew. I had to share it with you in picture here.I also thought I'd throw in a wedding picture of my handsome brother and gorgeous sister-in-law from the wedding two weekends ago. (When I get the pictures from my sister's wedding this past summer, I'll post one of those, too.)
It has been a wonderful week. We went from hot and humid, to having 18--yes, count them, 18--days of rain in a row (there was actually a count on the front of the newspaper), to this amazing, fall-ish weather. I ran with my volleyball girls today during seventh period athletics and then again after school. After school, I went to the lake near here, ran a bit, then laid on the dock and listened to the water rippling in the wind. Then home for some delicious homemade chicken nuggets--it might be my new specialty--to here on my living room floor sharing my day. The football game is away tonight, so I didn't feel obligated to go. I will, however, try to make it to the cross country races tomorrow morning. Then off to spiritual direction. It has been way too long and I am in such different space now than I was the last time I went, I doubt Sr. Eileen will know what to do with me.
This week has been one of desire. I have been e-mailing a delightful young woman, currently in college, who is considering religious life as her vocation. Her sharing about her relationship with God and her hopes for deepening, expanding, and using that are inspiring. I suppose it is like any love relationship; there are times when the sparks are flying and there are times when it is a slow, steady burn. My prayer today was that I allow myself the emptiness for God to enflame my heart.
For now, maybe some ice cream and a movie. Happy weekend.
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