State Fair Fun!

Greetings,

This weekend some of us sisters serving in Nebraska gathered for fun at the State Fair! A weekend of prayer and play to rejuvenate our hearts and souls.  Saturday was spent cooking and catching up on all we've been doing since we returned to our missions (our parish and school work).  That evening we attended Mass at Sister's parish where she helps out with caring for others.  A big surprise for me was a familiar face!  One of my students who just graduated was at Mass with us!  He peeked over at me as I was peeking over at him...both of us unsure if we were recognizing the right person since neither knew the other should be there.  After Mass he came over to greet me with a big smile and hug.  It was fun to catch up with him at the start of his new college career...by the by...he was getting ready to show his hogs at the fair the next day. 

I loved seeing all the folk wandering up and down the streets of the fairgrounds.  Here we were watching the folk's check out a hay bale designed to look like snoopy flying one of his doghouses!  There were families with baby strollers, teens sporting their school-4H-FFA affiliations, young couples, and those who had seen many more fairs.  It was fun to watch them go by...

Important to all state fairs is the fried food on a stick! We tried fried Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, HoHos, MilkyWays, Chocolate covered Bacon, Corndogs, and the winner...Fried Peaches!  They tasted like fresh peach cobbler with a little cinnamon and sugar sprinkled over the top.  The peaches were sweet and juicy and all warm with a crunchy batter covering.  Hmmm...luckily we were all willing to share.  Between the giggles, we swapped bites of the sweet and the savory. 

 The fair had a marvelous exhibit with huge sand sculptures about the state.  This one shows a variety of the states fish, bird, flower and rock formations.  It was amazing to see these grand sized sand castles tower over the families and lookie-loos.  It was also amazing because they seemed to hold up against the wind and heat of the wide-open fair grounds.

While strolling through the quilt exhibit, we were amazing at this Triptych of panels telling the story of Christ's love for us in blocks and thread.  Each of the panels had a Bible verse stitched in to tell the message of the fabric.  The first began with "Come to me..." then the next was "I am with you always"...and finally "It is finished."  We paused quite awhile to ponder the images and what they could mean. 

 Sea lions and Tigers were the exotic animals of choice for the fair!  We tried to get to the sea lion show, but it was all the way across the fair and one of our sisters got overheated and needed a cool break.  So we trekked back through the 100 degree heat to a fan cooled exhibit hall and listed to some fiddle and folk music while sipping our cool sodas and lemonades.  Later, we did get to the Tiger experience with many other families.  The tigers were a bit slow and grumpy, but the tamers shared that they like to sleep through the heat of the day or cool out in pools of water.  Still, they thrilled the little kids and intrigued the grown ups.  We sisters decided we agreed with the tigers, hot days like our fair day were designed for laying low in the shade or cooling off in a relaxing pool with friends.

As we left the fair for our little convent home, the lights and squeals of delight from the midway carried all throughout the fairgrounds.  We had been all over the grounds by this time and were too weary to check out the goings-on but it was a beautiful reminder of fun and life and joy of the young and old we had been seeing all day long.  I had to take a quick picture as we made our way to the shuttle-bus, a picture of how I remember fairs when I was little, a picture of how the rural fairs still celebrate today. 

Blessings,

Car Dancin' with God

Greetings,

It has been a crazy couple of weeks and the mad dash to the end of school has begun. I've been very grateful for our morning and evening Liturgy of the Hours with Sister Roommate and Mass with the Monks. My nighttime Lectio and Noon Praise break at school have added some extra peace to my day. All of this prayer has been what keeps me moving forward to going home to the Monastery for the Summer.

The end of the school year has been filled with busyness. The students are already on a mental summer break; especially, the juniors which have been bouncing between classes and AP Tests. Keeping track of students isn't the only diversion; I'm also helping with the planning of our new curriculum this fall. The meetings for the curriculum planning sent me to the Archdiocesan offices, back to my co-teachers, and even the textbook publishers. However, this isn't the only planning! The accreditation committee that I serve with has been madly at work in reading the suggestions, comparing files, and seeking more information. To top it all off, I might recommend to all readers that you don't offer testy teachers more helpful 'suggestions' when they have more than enough on the their plate (oops).

All of this culminated into one tired, crabby sister climbing into her car at the end of this day. My prayerful focus had worn away throughout the day. I flipped on the radio and turned it to LOUD hoping to sing along with some grouchy music. However, there are no coincides and God keeps a watchful eye on His beloved. "Walking on Sunshine" poured out of my speakers! This song always reminds me of those days before I entered community. The anticipation filled with a hope overflowing with Love for Christ and the Community I desire to join...waiting for the letter of acceptance. I broke into song, turned the radio up a few more notches, and car-danced with God all my way home : ) Thanks God!
Blessings,

A Final Profession Party!

Greetings,

The weeks have flown by! I have been hustling and bustling about the end of the school year, celebrating my parents 40th wedding anniversary, cleaning-packing-moving our sister from the apartment convent back to the monastery, visiting my family on the western edge of Nebraska, and whew...celebrating one of our own junior sisters!

Sister Junior has gone through many steps in preparation for her Perpetual Monastic Profession (aka Final Vows). After four years of temporary monastic profession, she wrote the Prioress her letter requesting permission to profess her final vows. Then Junior Sister met with the sisters who are members of the monastic counsel.

This weekend she will take the final step in being accepted to full, perpetual membership in our order is to come before the whole community. This is one of the most amazing moments we share in our Chapter Meetings...the Junior Sister stands before us and shares her desire to live perpetually as a Benedictine sister in our monastic family. Some state it simply, others tell a story, some laugh, and others cry as they share their hopes and dreams. After she makes her request, we discern, pray and then solemnly vote on her acceptance. If she is accepted, the Juniorate Director brings the Junior Sister back to the Chapter and she is received with applause, hugs, and tears of joy.

To celebrate our upcoming joy, all the sisters who have been missioned to serve in Nebraska gathered for an F.P. Party. That would be a Final Profession party...all done in fuchsia pink : ) We shared a meal of favorites brought from each sisters best recipes. Played some games...a word search based on our Junior Sister, Apples to Apples, and a few hands of rummy! After our game playing, we shared gifts based on the "F.P." letters of her celebration: flashy prayer beads (hand knotted rosary), flowery push-pins, finger paints and the like. We wrapped up with some Festive Prayer...some celebratory Psalms, readings that illustrated our Profession of Stability, Obedience, and Converstatio, and a sung Magnificat. All in all a wonderful community celebration was had by all...we love her dearly and it will be wonderful to have her as a perpetual member of our monastic family.

Blessings,

A Home Town Game

Greetings,

I finally attended my first ball game here at school. I LOVED it! After teaching in a big school for a number of years, I had forgotten how a small school can take over a building and with fewer folk offer amazing crowd support.

Imagine if you will...

• Our gym is the size of the court with bleachers up 5-8 rows; there are also bleachers on the far end of one side of the court. I believe 'tight fit' is a avid description.
• 100+ high school boys all dressed in black filling one side (3/4 of it) of the court.
• Parents, former parents, grand parents, former students, and teachers from our school and parents/kiddos from the other school flowing over the remainder of the bleachers.
• 2 local teams of 6' ?" boys; ranked 6th and 7th in the state right now.

If you've got all this in your head, you've realized that the game was bound to be tight. Now add these events to the background...We began with a prayer to bless all the players, students, and fans. Immediately after, the boys began to cheer; all the boys in unison while being led by the "Yell Leaders" who were also dressed in black for the night. The leaders take this role very seriously. The cheers from the boys were constant, loud, and chanted with a precision that left the words deafeningly clear (don't worry they were appropriate). The other school's cheer leaders (while the girls did attract attention) were unable to be heard over the din of our boys. During a few questionable calls, the leaders did exercise their control and quiet our boys down to keep anyone from overly vexing the referees calling the game. The varsity game was held to a 5 to 10 point game throughout the night. But it was the speed that amazed me. I hadn't been this close to a court in over a decade. The boys from both teams were relying on a fast paced game. The others were fast on pressing down the court, but our boys passed with a force that made me flinch when the slap of their hands on the ball felt too close to my personal space.

During one of the time outs, while our yell leaders were leading the student crowd in an imitation of a roller coaster ride, I began to chat with the folk around me. Only one couple had a son on the floor. The rest of the crowd around me were parents of non-basketball students, pep band parents, former students, and even folks whose kids had graduated years before. This was a home town game in the sense of the 'home town' coming together to watch the boys play a tough match. I had forgotten how much fun this could be.

Blessings & Go Knights!

Oh! The half-time show brought immediate silence to our side of the bleachers. The Yell Leaders had the students and parents seated in moments, the lights turned off, and a certain monks black lights and ropes arranged. The cowboy monk wore neon covered boots and hat, and did rope tricks with his lassos, which were also coated in neon paint. He received as much cheer support as the boys on the court. It was wonderful to see.

New Year's Celebrations

Greetings & Happy New Year,

Our celebrations here at the monastery are a unique blend of religious and relaxed. Last night we shared a community holy hour to pray for peace. Our hour of silent prayer was marked into quarters by occasions of vocal prayer: a reading to focus our reflection, a chanted Psalm, a reading of St. Francis' peace prayer, and our closing Magnificat and blessing by the Prioress. The silence between these events was powerful for me...our contemplative, silent prayer for peace in our world, nation, state, city, monastery, and hearts seemed all the more intensified as each vocal form of prayer was shared.

This holy hour was followed by an early new year's party in the chapter room. A small group of sisters had prepared egg nog and treats to share as we began our celebration a few hours before 2011 rang-in.

This morning we honored Mary the Mother of God and continued our prayer for peace. Our Divine Office and Mass helped us focus on Mary's path to peace through reflection.

This afternoon, to celebrate the new year, we gathered in the chapter room for treats and games from two to three-thirty! Sisters young and old played and laughed together. There were a few serious tables of pinochle and hand & foot and one table of 'Scrabble' players consulting a dictionary more than needed, but a good time was had by all. The tables near me were joining in games of 'Apples to Apples' and 'Rummy cube', but had a new game. Sister Elementary teacher had received the gift of 'Quirkle'...sort of like domino's but with shapes and colors. We had a marvelous time learning and teaching this new game.

Next? Why Vespers of course...to complete our day of prayerful focus on peace in the world.

Blessings and Happy New Year!

Gaudete! Rejoice!

Greetings,

Advent grows rosey as we reach the third week of our waiting for Christmas! This week of Gaudete! Rejoice! reminds me that I need to be filled to overflowing with the joy of the coming season. It is not only a time of hope and faith, but also a time of celebrating the anticipation of our Savior's coming again.

This video of a 'flash mob' mirrors our own soul's overflowing with rejoicing!

Advent Blessings,

Merry Advent

Greetings,

Advent is a time of joy-filled waiting for the Lord. So, I believe it is a time we should make merry and set some time aside for holy laughter! Enjoy this video that was shared with me a couple of years ago...

Praise God with Laughter!

Benedictine Horoscope

Greetings,

Oh my dear sisters, you'll love my horoscope from this past Wednesday. I kid you not...it was written this way!

Cancer: Show stability by sticking to your plans and following through on your promises. Older and younger people in your life will be counting on you and you mustn't let them down, no matter what.

I laughed all during supper...the Fransicans thought it was a bit funny too.

If you're wondering about the scribe on the right, she reminds me that I should be staying dedicated to my schoolwork and studying until finals week is over. It will take stability and following through to finish out my school year ; )

Blessings,

Rome...30 Days To Go!

Greetings!

I am so excited! In 30 days, I will be on my way to Rome for a whole month of Benedictine study with 25 other Benedictine sisters. Today, I received my 'updated' schedule and there are some amazing trips on the way!

We have four trips to the Vatican: Celebrating Pentecost with a Papal Liturgy at St. Peter's, a Vatican Rosary, a trip to the Vatican Museum, and an Audience with the Pope. There are also some Benedictine sites that I cannot wait to see: Cell of Benedict, Norcia, Subiaco, and Monte Cassino!

There is so much to be excited to see and do, and it feels like I've been waiting forever!

Blessings,

Hamlet!

Greetings,

An English teacher's dream...an modern Hamlet as done by the Royal Shakespeare Company and taped by BBC. No, it gets better! Hamlet is performed by David Tennant and Claudius is played by Patrick Stewart!

For more about the upcoming event on Great Perfomances and a video clip go to the GP Website!

Blessings!

Saint Patrick's Day...

Greetings or Top O' the Day to You!

Today, I've been substituting at the girl's middle school, and it's been quite the adventure on this St. Patrick's Day! I'm glad I had my coffee this morning...

We began the celebration with a presentation about mummies. Yup, mummies...a cardiologist from the area heart hospital shared his adventure researching heart disease in Cairo, Egypt. It was fascinating; the doctor had a 'slide show' of the team scanning the mummies in and out of their coffins! The doc and his partners were able to show that thousands of years ago even ancient Egyptians had heart calcifications. I'm not sure if the assembly was to interest the young ladies in different medical or science fields, warn them of the danger of poor diet and no exercise, or just share the interesting discovery with them. However, it was a fascinating way to start our celebration of Patrick!

The next assembly took over the 4th period of the day; one of Milwaukee's Celtic dance troops performed! The show included the brand new girls with the head of false curls and soft shoe jigs, all the various middle level performers getting in more practice, and was topped off with their competition level kiddos. The middle school girls especially appreciated the group of competition level boys...they were quite good and kept our attention with a hard shoe dance of stomps, mid-air clicks, and high kicks. The elaborate costumes were also a topic of conversation throughout the rest of the day. The older girls dresses were ornately embroidered and not just trimmed but bedecked with sequins.

Lunch? Well, traditional Irish fare it was not...Nachos and black beans & rice. A great way to top off the multicultural celebration of Saint Patrick. A good time was had by all and interesting it was. Now, I plan on stopping at Kopp's on the way home for a bit more "Irish" celebration. The flavor of the day is Bailey's Irish Cream Coffee: a vanilla cream custard is spiked with Bailey's Irish Cream, Irish whiskey, deluxe coffee, and a sprinkling of specialty coated walnuts. A wonderful way to wrap up my day.

Blessings,

PS...Yes, I prayed a bit too...my Benedictine Breviary has a lovely reflection on St. Patrick.

Two Favorite Irish 'Blessings'

A Prayerful Blessing
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

A Tongue-in-Cheek Blessing
May those that love us, love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles
So we will know them by their limping.

Needed: A Wheedle

Greetings,

When we were little, Mom and Dad's Marriage Encounter friends from Seattle gave us a book that soon became a family favorite "The Wheedle on the Needle." I love the story of the Wheedle as he gets grumpy from the whistling and noise in his formerly quiet corner of the world. The story goes on to explain the Wheedle is the one who brought all the clouds and rain to Seattle to keep the people from whistling--Ah-ha! Later, the Wheedle is able to sleep and his red nose blinks as he snoozes on top of the Space Needle. This leads me to the topic of this post.

Milwaukee is foggy--AGAIN. For several days now, the city has been foggy, rainy, and gray. I didn't know it could rain and be foggy at the same time! As I was driving back to the house, I realized that I coudn't see the tops of some of the buildings or the water-tower; that is when I decided, we need a Wheedle in Milwaukee. We could ship a few in and settle them on the tall towers and nearby water-towers...snuggle them in and get those red noses ablinking.

I'm praying for a bit of sunshine for the city by the lake.

Blessings,

"Wheedle on the Needle (Serendipity Books, 1974), written by Stephen Cosgrove and illustrated by Robin James, was about a large, round, furry creature called the Wheedle who lived in the Northwest. Bothered by the whistling of workers first settling the city of Seattle, the creature was unable to sleep and became irritable, eventually moving to Mount Rainier to escape the noise. The Wheedle slept there peacefully for many years, his red nose blinking, until the region's growth brought people- and their whistling- to his doorstep once again. In an effort to silence the noise, the Wheedle gathered clouds in a large sack atop Mt. Rainier, returned to Seattle, climbed atop the Space Needle, and threw them into the sky to make it rain. With their lips wet from precipitation, the city's residents were unable to whistle, and the creature once again had some peace and quiet. Upset, the people sent the mayor to try and convince the Wheedle to stop the rain; when the creature explained his problem, the mayor had a giant pair of earmuffs constructed to drown out the disagreeable warbling. When they were presented to him, "The Wheedle placed them over his ears, and smiled for the first time in years." In appreciation, the Wheedle gathered up all the clouds, put them back in his bag, and fell fast asleep - and once again, his big red nose began to blink. The book ends with a short poem: There's a Wheedle/On the Needle/I know just what/You're thinking/But if you look up/Late at night/You'll see/His red nose blinking."~~Borrowed from Wikipedia.

A New Find

Greetings,

Sister OSF popped into my studies this morning with a good idea. "Let's go out for lunch today, I have two for one coupon for this little place over on Silver Spring." I am always open to a lunch out and had been curious about the little diner.

Irina's Kitchen was a wonderful surprise! There was a wonderful variety of sandwiches (we just missed the breakfast special that boasted Bailey's Irish Cream French Toast) and I found my favorite...Hot tuna with cheese. As the co-owner and waitress took our orders, she corrected my request for 'grilled tuna on white'. "I would recommend the pumpernickel and Swiss, it is better here," she shared in Ukrainian accented English. I'm glad I listened to her...it was great. The bread, cheese, tuna salad were perfect partners in a sandwich I wouldn't have ordered without her help.

The next time I go (WHEN not IF), I plan on being there in time for breakfast. It could been sooner than later if I hear tell of the return of that Irish Cream French Toast. I'm also adding this to my list of 'outings' for visiting Sisters, family, and friends.

Now, I must return to the pages and papers that await me!

Blessings,

A Night At The Symphony

Greetings,

After I learned not to believe all you read about the weather, I accepted an invitation out to the symphonic orchestra. While most of South Dakota has been soaked with a winter rain, only parts of the state have been experiencing the freezing rain and destruction of power lines. My Sisters and family are among the soggy but still electric section of the state. So, I shall just transfer said prayers of concern for heat and health to those who have been left powerless...and go to the symphony.

One of the Franciscan sisters had been given a gift card to the symphony's performances. She shared her gift with the whole house and we were blessed to share in her gift last night. First the orchestra symphony was joined by the symphony chorus and two guest soloists for Faure's Requiem, Opus 48. After the intermission, the orchestra symphony returned with a guest violinist for Edward Elgar's Concerto in B minor for Violin and Orchestra Opus 61. The music was amazing!

The Requiem was very smooth and mellow. The chorus was beautiful and the soloists divine (get it). I was struck by how their singular voice could be heard so clearly above all the chorus and orchestra. They were without microphones as far as I could tell; yet, their voices were crystal clear up to the farthest balcony (our seats). The second half was more energizing, the violinist was brilliant! I don't have the musical language to explain how awesome he was, but it was like listening to a family dynamic in full swing. The interplay between the orchestra and the violinist seemed like so many conversations happening at once; a family's chatting leads to exclamations of joy, lively disagreements, and loving reconcilliation.

I don't know what the composer's storyline was for the piece, but I could hear us in the music. When I am blessed enough to enjoy music like this, it amazes me. God's gifts that are present in the composer, each musician, and the conductor...amazing.

Blessings,

PS...Don't worry, I am also working on my course reading and writing! I also return to the middle school tomorrow!

A Chuckle at My South Dakota Heritage

Greetings,

A former student sent me this chuckle via e-mail...Jeff Foxworthy on South Dakota.

1. If "vacation" to you means going shopping for the weekend in Rapid City, Sioux Falls , Spearfish or Sturgis (while the kids swim at the Comfort Inn). - You might live in South Dakota.
I remember taking these very same vacations as a kid and now my sisters take similar vacations with their own! If you got to go to the Comfort Inn in the winter time, your vacation was even cooler!
2. If parking your car for the night involves an extension cord. - You might live in South Dakota.
I thought everyone had a heavy duty cord to 'plug-in' at night.
3. If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 8 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by. - You might live in South Dakota.
Um...Too chilly of a sport for me : )
4. If you're proud that your state makes the national news primarily because it houses the coldest spot in the nation. - You might live in South Dakota.
We've been colder than Alaska several times!
5. If you have ever refused to buy something because it's "too spendy". - You might live in South Dakota.
My mother, my aunts, my sisters, my religious sisters, and I have all used those exact words!
6. If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March. - You might live in South Dakota.
7. If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there. - You might live in South Dakota.
I've offered assistance to others in a store, haven't you?
8. If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead. - You might live in South Dakota.
My Dad's suntan has a curve not only on the forehead, but also where his short shirt-sleeves and neck line end.
9. If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time. - You might live in South Dakota.
I've worn shorts and parka, and during college--sandals whenever the snow was swept off the sidewalks.
10. If your town has an equal number of bars and churches. - You might live in South Dakota.
11. If you know how to correctly pronounce Pierre , Huron, Ipswich and Pukwana. - You might live in South Dakota.
I think they should add Belle Fourche to the list!
12. If you measure distance in hours. - You might live in South Dakota.
I grew up measuring distance in minutes and hours! We were two hours from 'everywhere' which included Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, and Yankton.
13. If your family vehicle is a crew cab pickup. - You might live in South Dakota.
14. If you know several people who have hit deer more than once. - You might live in South Dakota.
I have hit more than one deer in my own life : )
15. If you often switch from "heat" to "A/C"in the same day and back again. - You might live in South Dakota.
Oh yeah!
16. If you can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching. - You might live in South Dakota.
I've done it in college, but now that I'm a grown up I wouldn't do it again.
17. If you see people wearing hunting clothes at social events. - You might live in South Dakota.
18. If you've installed security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked. - You might live in South Dakota.
He, He, He, He...I know folks who've done this!
19. If the largest traffic jam in your town centers around a high school basketball game. - You might live in South Dakota.
Actually, our town traffic jams tended to be around football games, it was a much more popular sport.
20. If you carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them. - You might live in South Dakota.
I was offened by this sexist remark. The women in South Dakota have their own jumper cables, we don't need to use someone else's...and yes, most of us know how to use them.
21. If your town's Christmas lights parade is actually called the 'Christmas Lights Parade' rather than the 'Holiday Lights Parade', and everyone in the parade actually greets you with 'Merry Christmas!'- You might live in South Dakota.
This is one of the things I love best about home. We might be a growing multicultural group in South Dakota, but we still share our faith and beliefs.
22. If there are 7 empty unlocked cars running in the parking lot at Wal-Mart at any given time. - You might live in South Dakota.
23. If there are more people at work on Christmas Eve Day than on Opening of Deer Season. - You might live in South Dakota.
The school my Dad works in takes off the opening day of pheastant and deer season...
24. If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit. - You might live in South Dakota.
My sister Joy regularly sets up Halloween costumes to be over warm clothes or to be warm themselves...Lisa is a bit luckier since her town is still warmer at Halloween time.
25. If driving is better in the winter be cause the potholes are filled with snow,- You might live in South Dakota.
26. If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction. - You might live in South Dakota.
27. If you can identify a southern or eastern accent. - You might live in South Dakota.
And those other areas think we have accents! Okay, a bit...we do have heavy consonants and a strong "O".
28. If you consider Murdo exotic. - You might live in South Dakota.
29. If your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your cottonwood,- You might live in South Dakota.
30. If the sunbelt to you means Mitchell. - You might live in South Dakota.
31. If you know where the 'banana belt' is. - You might be from South Dakota.
For those not from South Dakota, Yankton is the 'bannana belt'.
32. If a brat is something you eat. - You might live in South Dakota.
33. If finding your misplaced car keys involves looking in the ignition. - You might live in South Dakota.
This doesn't happen as often, but I've still done it in the past.
34. If you go out to a fish fry every Friday. - You might live in South Dakota.
This is more a Wisconsin thing! South Dakota folk do fish fry's during Lent for the most part.
35. If you find 0 degrees "a little chilly." - You might live in South Dakota.
36. If you actually understand these observations, and you forward them to all your South Dakota friends. - You must be from South Dakota.

Nieces & Nephews

Greetings,

There are moments that the nieces and nephews are sweet, and there are moments they are funny, but they are priceless all of the time. My favorite moments are the quiet ones.

Lisa's little Hope (1) decided she liked me after we played 'peek' for a while...her laughter is enough to make any heart melt. James (almost 5) was too busy to sit most of the time, but he did plop next to me in a chair at brunch and we chatted about his favorite cars. Lisa's other two girls, Rita (9) and Grace (almost 8), were quite taken with Grandpa and Nana, but I did offer a comfy shoulder to snuggle into after a long day of play.

Shyla is her mother's daughter when it comes to diplomatic gift reception. She may not have wanted a book (auntie is an English teacher) but she thanked me. After she realized it was all about her favorite ghostly stories, Shyla (almost 9) tucked in next to me on the couch to read a bit of the book together. Tate (5.5) colored me an Elmo picture of my very own to decorate my bedroom. Cade (also 5.5) was content to snuggle up in the evenings so I could scratch his back while told me about all he did that day.

I keep my sisters, their husbands, and all those kiddos in prayer. I love and miss you all already!
Blessings,

PS... Ahem, I am also reinforced in my celibate vocation as a Benedictine nun. I'm happy to return to my schdule and times of work and quiet. They are beautiful children of God, but they are energetic and filled with vim and vigor. Whew, I just pray my sisters, and their husbands, can keep up.

The Family Monster Mash

Greetings,

I remember halloween being a great time growing up in small town South Dakota. Older kids dressed up in costume or if it was cold painted up faces and met friends to start walking through town in search of treats. Little ones dressed up too and walked with parents around a few blocks. If you were lucky, you caught a ride with a friend who lived out of town and rode around in the back of a pickup to stop in at a few farmhouses...they gave regular size candybars not just those 'fun' size things or wonderful homemade popcorn balls.

In high school toilet papering was the sport of the night. Even geeks like me joined in occassionaly, but it was an interactive sport and you needed to see well in the dark and move fast if the teacher or principal came out their door. However, I always found the pumpkin smashing that accompanied the toilet papering very sad. Not only do I love the color and festiveness of the pumpkins and the designs the kiddos would carve into their faces, but there is also a horrible mess when you smash them.

Still, I loved halloween as a kiddo. My family still celebrates halloween as a night to dress up and have some fun. Both my sisters help their kids either make or find costumes, go trick-or-treating, and maybe even to a school or town halloween party or two. Me? I have kept a few items that are not technically 'costumes' to wear to school on my favorite secular holiday :) tiara, star trek communicator pin, headband with cat ears, and a few clothing items such as orange/black stripped tights and an orange scarf...I loved to play dress up as a kid and I always will.

I've also embedded a Halloween video from my sister Joy and her family to all her family and friends. It was just too good to not share with my sisters, family, and friends too!

Mad Scientist=Shyla
Frankenstien Monster=Dad
Wife of Frankenstien=Mom
Wolfman=Cade (Twin 2)
Vampire=Tate (Twin 1)

Blessings,

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Halloween Approaches!

Greetings,

As halloween approaches, my reading and viewing seeks out vampires, werewolves, and other monsters of the night. I do agree with this Foxtrot comic...I prefer my vampires scary and dangerous; not dark, brooding, and wickedly handsome but heartbroken (psst...they don't have hearts).

Yoga?

Greetings,

Sr. Marcia sent this on to me via her e-mail. I love it! My family has been practicing 'yoga' for years and we never knew it! Yup, I think we should add it to our Monastic practices.

“My friend Doug Wilson has developed a potent, new spiritual practice,” writes best-selling spiritual author and the founder of Bread for the Journey, Wayne Muller, in his book, Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest (Bantam, 1999). “He calls it Slotha Yoga. It consists of one simple precept: When you wake up, don’t get up. Stay in bed. Give yourself time to review your dreams. Notice how it feels to be in your body this morning. Do not be hurried by your impending responsibilities, but rather luxuriate in the softness of the bed covers. Watch how the light comes into the room today, read a little, daydream, wonder about breakfast.
“Many couples begin their Sabbath this way,” says Muller in this beautifully simple collection of gentle solutions to the “violent enterprise that a successful life has become.”

Blessings,

Laughter Keeps Us Close to God ; )

Greetings,

The show that makes me giggle, laugh, and gafaw is "Psych". Their clever combination of who-done-it mystery and humor makes it a great show to just sit back and enjoy. Two or three times a season they change the show's theme song to reflect a certain episodes character or the season. My previous favorite was the Hispanic style them when Shawn got a job on a Telemundo soap opera set...very funny...but this new reflection of an upcoming Bollywood episode may take the cake!

Blessings,