October 11, 2007

Honeymoon in the Rain

Ahhh, the novitiate continues... While I'm not living at the motherhouse with novitiate classes and as many canonical laws, discernment, prayer, and community continue. It is kind of fun to see how the things that I learned last year are being integrated into my days.

I am appreciating my prayer days even more than ever--kind of my "honeymoon time" with God right now. I did go last Friday up to the shore of Lake Superior and to Gooseberry Falls, a beautiful state park along the shore. It was rainy and cold, but it was also the peak weekend for the leaves up north and I knew I wouldn't be able to go this coming weekend. So, with a rain jacket and my camera I went. I love nature and the power and beauty of creation. I crawled about as close as I could get to the falls. My favorite sight was a sign just up from the largest of the falls that said, "No swimming." Well, duh! I guess not duh; since there was a sign there I suppose someone must have tried it. Many of the paths were not only muddy but covered with a couple of inches of water, so some I didn't walk. I did get to the lake shore. At one point I held on to a tree as to not get blown in. I didn't think my cell phone would be much help from inside the lake. I thought far enough ahead to bring a change of clothes so I would have something dry in which to drive home. It took me a little longer than normal to change since my fingers were so cold (I reminded myself again this morning to find my gloves as I biked to work). I stopped at any little shop I found on the way home and at a little cafe overlooking the lake for a rather late lunch. Being alone I enjoyed observing a table of five women, in their forties I would guess. They must have been there for hours. Lunch, coffee, shared dessert. They appeared to be catching up and having a great time doing it. It was nice to share in their enjoying one another.

Prayer day tomorrow will be a little different. My brother and sister-in-law are in town for a wedding so I am going to meet them for breakfast before heading to Green Bay for meetings this weekend. Sunday when I get back I get to have dinner with our Director of Associates who is also in for the weekend from St. Louis. Why is it that the weekend I go out of town all of these people come in? Anyway, I'm looking forward to it all already. So much to be thankful for!

--Sarah

4 comments:

  1. I check everyday (almost) for the latest from the North. You even write "cold"! What a day of inspiration! Pat Bober is bringing 12 volunteers who are in town for dinner Monday night. I'll be sure you hear about it. I hope your time in Green Bay is wonderful. Enjoy. Marianne

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  2. Dear Sarah,
    I'm really enjoying following you "away from home" in your second year novitiate. I hope this gets to you.
    The doctor is satisfied with my progress. Still restrictions, but at least I could SHOWER this morning. Enjoy every minute of your time to carry over as memories.
    Love, Paula

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  3. Looks cold! It's been cool, but not really cold here in Belgium since I came in August. The weather forcast shows us in the single digits later this week (that's in the 30s F).
    Enjoy the honeymoon!
    --Amy

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  4. I forgot to add: Happy Feast Day! This is the day we count as our beginning: Founder's Day!

    Love again,
    Joan H.

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