Two weeks of summer camp and a few days at the motherhouse later, I am now at my mom and dad's preparing, with the rest of my brothers and sisters, to drive to Springfield, MO for my sister's wedding this weekend.
After visiting Mobile for a few days, I rounded up some of our Ripley youth for two weeks of Glenmary summer camp. The rustic setting, awesomely hot temps, and wonderful counselors from all over the country provided lots of wet and wild entertainment.
The last few days have been spent touring CSJ and St. Louis sites with a friend. Some fun gatherings and full days.
When I got to my mom and dad's last night it was just in time to help my brother and sister-in-law (a different set than the one getting married tomorrow) pack vans and load trailers with belongings to bring to the new house they had just closed on. So last night I unloaded furniture and scrubbed bathrooms. A really cute house with lots of potential not far from the motherhouse, actually. I'm sure they neighbors were wondering just how many people were moving in with all of the family help that had taken over their part of the street.
And now, wedding time. I'm hoping to have a little time to head to the store this morning before driving down to Springfield, MO. The girls have a hotel room together where we will paint nails and primp in high style. That is, after we decorate and get everything ready, of course. So many family happenings these next months. Lots of trips to come.
July 03, 2009
June 11, 2009
Vacation Mini
From Jackson to Mobile to a quick day trip to Biloxi and back. While it seems like a whirlwind to write, it was actually a relaxing long weekend.
Tuesday morning we left for a day trip to Biloxi, MS. We started with a walk on the beach. The beaches in Biloxi are protected with little island reefs out a bit, so there are no waves and the water is very warm. We didn't have time to swim, but I did, of course, manage to get the bottom of my capris wet and sandy. Luckily they were dark colored capris and the mess was not noticeable as we then headed to a wonderful, French restaurant called Mary Mahoney's for lunch. 
We met Clare, a young woman interested in our community, and her family there for a delicious lunch. Dessert was included in the meal, but unfortunately, I was so stuffed by then that I'll have to go back some time for the bread pudding. Even better than the food was the company. Clare and her family are great fun. We were regaled with wonderful tales of family history, heard some funny jokes that I wish I could remember, and were even treated to seeing her grandmother's martini stockings she had on that day. Clare and her mom will be joining me on a trip to St. Louis in a couple weeks, and I am looking forward to it already.
I stopped first in Jackson, MS to see Sr. Donna. We had dinner with a two week volunteer there to help with a summer enrichment program. Sunday I had the opportunity to pray with the congregation at Sacred Heart in Camden. Sacred Heart is different from my usual St. Matthew's community, as it is primarily African American, a culture very much reflected in the liturgy.
Sunday afternoon I then headed to Mobile, AL to be with my good friend Sr. Becky and her family. I just sent them a thank you card this afternoon, thanking them for opening all their doors for me--front door, a bedroom door, the refrigerator door... Becky and I always have a great time together, doing a catching up sharing of the heart. There was time for sleeping in, doing puzzles, taking walks, eating ice cream--the usual R&R activities.
Tuesday morning we left for a day trip to Biloxi, MS. We started with a walk on the beach. The beaches in Biloxi are protected with little island reefs out a bit, so there are no waves and the water is very warm. We didn't have time to swim, but I did, of course, manage to get the bottom of my capris wet and sandy. Luckily they were dark colored capris and the mess was not noticeable as we then headed to a wonderful, French restaurant called Mary Mahoney's for lunch. 
We met Clare, a young woman interested in our community, and her family there for a delicious lunch. Dessert was included in the meal, but unfortunately, I was so stuffed by then that I'll have to go back some time for the bread pudding. Even better than the food was the company. Clare and her family are great fun. We were regaled with wonderful tales of family history, heard some funny jokes that I wish I could remember, and were even treated to seeing her grandmother's martini stockings she had on that day. Clare and her mom will be joining me on a trip to St. Louis in a couple weeks, and I am looking forward to it already.Yesterday, on the way home, I stopped at the camp where I will be spending the next two weeks (so don't look too much forward to a post during that time). It is a Glenmary church camp, to which a dozen or so of our young people will be attending. Mass in the morning, arts and crafts, swimming. I'm helping with "Catholic Corner." Pretty rustic, as camp should be.
Anyway, there's the update. More when I get back from two weeks on bunkbeds and camp food.
June 05, 2009
God's Great Gifts--Vacation Bible School 2009
Vacation Bible School has come and gone. A very full, wonderful week. We looked at God's gifts of creation, each other, and Jesus and had a very fun time doing it. From story telling to flower planting, puppet shows to Eucharist, I can't think of a more delightful way to share Gospel.
Sam and Adriel, our two volunteers for the week were awesome! A big help in so many ways, just fitting right in and making themselves at home. I think they've made some lifelong friends.
Sam and Adriel, our two volunteers for the week were awesome! A big help in so many ways, just fitting right in and making themselves at home. I think they've made some lifelong friends.May 31, 2009
And...Go!
Our last day of work at school for the summer was Tuesday and I have already switched from busy, school-year mode to overly busy, summer mode.
Last weekend was fabulous amounts of fun, traveling back to St.
Louis for my sister Christie's wedding shower and girls' night out. The weather couldn't have been more cooperative as we sat out at my mom and dad's playing our version of "The Newlywed Game." The "soon-to-be-weds" Christie and Chuck tied with my grandparents, married 57 years, for the most questions answered correctly. The next day we asked random strangers wedding questions and had fun trying on dresses. (For Christie's sake I mention that the picture is one of those fun photos, not the actual bridal party wear.) I think one little girl had the best answer. Maybe 9 or 10 years old we asked her and her little sister how they know someone is old enough to be married. She pondered and gave the answer of, "After they have a college degree," to which my mom high-fived her mom. Smart little one.
Friday, Sr. Linda, one of our sisters (of the CSJ variety) came down with her younger blood sister and two nieces, Sam and Adriel, who will be staying with us for the week.
Yesterday Sam and Adriel came with us to a Hispanic youth Encuentro (Encounter)--kind of a retreat day. Much of it was given in Spanish, which I think the girls actually enjoyed. Our teens were great; very welcoming, as always. Last night they were texting each other to make sure everyone will be coming to church today so they can see them. We've got bets on one young man.
After church today we will be working in earnest on the details for our "God's Great Gifts" vacation bible school that starts tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have some great pictures from that.
For now, off to church myself.
Peace.
--Sarah
Last weekend was fabulous amounts of fun, traveling back to St.
Louis for my sister Christie's wedding shower and girls' night out. The weather couldn't have been more cooperative as we sat out at my mom and dad's playing our version of "The Newlywed Game." The "soon-to-be-weds" Christie and Chuck tied with my grandparents, married 57 years, for the most questions answered correctly. The next day we asked random strangers wedding questions and had fun trying on dresses. (For Christie's sake I mention that the picture is one of those fun photos, not the actual bridal party wear.) I think one little girl had the best answer. Maybe 9 or 10 years old we asked her and her little sister how they know someone is old enough to be married. She pondered and gave the answer of, "After they have a college degree," to which my mom high-fived her mom. Smart little one.Friday, Sr. Linda, one of our sisters (of the CSJ variety) came down with her younger blood sister and two nieces, Sam and Adriel, who will be staying with us for the week.
Yesterday Sam and Adriel came with us to a Hispanic youth Encuentro (Encounter)--kind of a retreat day. Much of it was given in Spanish, which I think the girls actually enjoyed. Our teens were great; very welcoming, as always. Last night they were texting each other to make sure everyone will be coming to church today so they can see them. We've got bets on one young man.After church today we will be working in earnest on the details for our "God's Great Gifts" vacation bible school that starts tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have some great pictures from that.
For now, off to church myself.
Peace.
--Sarah
May 21, 2009
Patch of Earth
So, we don't have recycling here in our little town, but we do our best.
This is a picture from our back yard. The black can on the left is for cans and plastic that we take to the closest bigger town. The white barrel in the middle collects rain water (the barrel a gift I received when I made vows from one of my dear CSJ sisters). There is a hole on the top with a wire mesh strainer over it and the water just flows in. I can attach the hose to the spout on the bottom or just let the water run into a bucket. I washed my car and watered my garden with rain water this afternoon. On the right is our compost. It is a mix of food scraps and lawn stuff. Hopefully, eventually, it can be used in the garden.
This is a picture from our back yard. The black can on the left is for cans and plastic that we take to the closest bigger town. The white barrel in the middle collects rain water (the barrel a gift I received when I made vows from one of my dear CSJ sisters). There is a hole on the top with a wire mesh strainer over it and the water just flows in. I can attach the hose to the spout on the bottom or just let the water run into a bucket. I washed my car and watered my garden with rain water this afternoon. On the right is our compost. It is a mix of food scraps and lawn stuff. Hopefully, eventually, it can be used in the garden.Our garden is a small patch of earth. I hand dug it with the help of our neighbor who was out watching that afternoon. We have tomatoes, beans, zucchini, squash, cantaloupe, peppers, and cucumbers. Only a few plants of each since our little plot is small. Yesterday was actually the first day since I planted the garden about three weeks ago that I had to water. We have had so much rain. We've actually had a little too much rain for the liking of the tomatoes, but I think they'll make it. If not, at least I had fun getting my hands dirty in the earth.
.
Last weekend was clean up day in our county. Volunteers met at 7:00 a.m. and were assigned streets as groups. Our church group had cleaned two streets at religious education the Wednesday night before (a story for another night), but Sr. Kate, our friend Clare and I were out nice and early for another assignment. It is amazing the amount of trash that was collected. Lots of McDonald's Happy Meal bags. I was doing well until I punctured the tip of my finger on some broken glass (No I was not picking up the glass, it was under something else I was picking up and the weeds were too high to see it. Yes, I've had a tetanus shot recently and my finger is just fine.). We finished up with hot dogs and soda at the fire station. Maybe next year we'll have somewhere in town to recycle our soda cans.
.
--Sarah
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