The trip and arrival at our cabin - welcomed by a cloud of misquitoes!

The feast day of St Peter and St Paul – our first day at the cabin!

 

 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 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!

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!

Bless-bless, Barb