Rose getting ready to get in the van for 7 hours for our trip to the Big Lake - Michigan!
Shared
prayers in the van on the way. Morning prayer on in the office on
line reminded us that it was the feast day of two amazing Saints
Peter and Paul! The trip seemed short and painless as we left from
the Cities fairly early, and arrived late afternoon, made a nice
family meal and enjoyed some books, walks, Ruth is starting on her
Christmas stockings for her new little boy, Nancy is working on come
crafts for her blog, we had a mini celebration for Paul and Simon's
feastday.... there was some ice cream left in the freezer that we
used to celebrate. Thanks to those that bought our party for St
Peter and St Paul. I found a novel it the bookcase called The
Apostle by Sholem Asch. I will give it a try and think that it will
be a great find! I will let you know if it is.
It
was so good to see the grandkids so happy here and to see little Rose
so big and happy crawling around – on the verge of walking for the
first time. She probably will walk here... especially when Grandpa
gets here to encourage her with his big fingers. Mary and I just
took our first walk down at sunset to see the fossils and to check
out the water temps. Mary says that it is warm. I agree that it
doesn't seem too cold as we are conditioned with the spring fed pond
at our state park by the farm.
The two celebrate their feastday at the cabin - the beginning of super family time !
The two celebrate their feastday at the cabin - the beginning of super family time !
The
feastday reminded us of this day 3 years ago when we were in Kansas
City to say goodbye to Hallel. Many times today the Community came
into our conversations as we traveled here. Nancy and Bill shared
how wonderful their visit was to Vienna ,Austria – the small
monastery sandwiched between two huge apartment buildings. They had
a the most wonderful meal on their entire trip there with course
after course and lots of great joyful visiting and laughter. Then we
talked about going in September for the dedication of the little
Monastery in Kansas City, and the Postulant, Marie taking her habit
and changing her name the day before. The other 3 Americans will
take their habits in France, I am told. There is a chance that
Hallel will be here for that... so team Verly could very well be
there in force. Time will tell. It is hard today as even before we
got into Wisconsin on our trip we got a call from Maria having us
look at their blog with all the things listed that they wanted us to
do while in Michigan. It is very sad and hard to not have them here
with us and there were a few tears as we read their wishes for us to
do here, and knowing that they are with us in spirit. We miss you
our special family in Texas! We miss Pat back home, and we
know that he is yearning to be here with us too!
Mary and I take our first walk on the beach - she thinks the water is warm, and it isn't near as bad as I thought it would be. So good to be here, and having her here reminds me of my days with my sister Mary under my arm!
Mary and I take our first walk on the beach - she thinks the water is warm, and it isn't near as bad as I thought it would be. So good to be here, and having her here reminds me of my days with my sister Mary under my arm!
Jesus,
we are so blessed by our family time, and this place holds so many
glorious memories of special times here. Fossils, and watercolors,
and family meals around the big table – there are 12 of us here!
Grandma was in grandma heaven with the two baby girls all over me on
the couch. I know grandpa will be so jealous when he reads this.
Thank you for all the laughter and the love and the JOY. Jesus, we
trust in YOU. Amen and Halleluia
sunset on the rock shelf and fossils!
sunset on the rock shelf and fossils!
Bless-bless,
Barb



