Lessons for the Teacher

Greetings,

School as been keeping my nose to the grindstone and Lent has kept my candle lit.  Last week we were gifted with a SPRING BREAK WEEK!  A whole 7 days of time off...I took advantage of the time to visit my family and Sisters.  I enjoyed sleeping in, being a bit pampered by my mom, and simply spending time with my Sisters.  On the other hand, 24 of our junior and senior students with another 10 teacher & parent chaperones traveled to Mexico!

They packed for their Mexican Spring Break with old blue jeans, work gloves, mats & sleeping bags to soften the cement floor, and soccer balls.  These 24 high school students spent their break working between two impoverish villages on a mountainside.  They built two cement block houses, re-roofed several small houses with corrugated tin, and formed simple brick stoves.  They played soccer, duck-duck-goose, and other games with the children.  They traveled with 3 priests...and the people happily joined them for Mass every evening.  And they ate their weight in tortiallas, rice, and beans.

Yesterday, I asked those who had participated to share their experiences with their classmates.  These were some of the amazing lessons they taught us, lessons I couldn't have created...

* We should be grateful for everything we have.  'Cause everything we have is like a miracle for them.
* I thought I knew what 'poor' looked like, but I wasn't ready for how little they had.
* We should be happy, we've been blessed.

* I felt very close to Our Mother Mary while there.  We were surrounded by home shrines to Our Lady
   of Guadalupe and their devotion to her...she was very present to me while I was there.
* I want to find ways to give back here [in home city] too and not just wait for our trip next year.
* The saddest part was sharing our little toys with the kids and trying to make it 'fair and equal'
   between the kids, we just didn't have enough.

Blessings,

Dear God...what the heck!

Greetings, Well, Sisters, family, and friends be warned! God is laughing at Nebraska! One week ago it was over 70 degrees, last Tuesday we had tornadoes; then it got cold, wet and snowy for a couple days. All of the snow melted over the weekend, but now...now...it is hovering just around 40 and SNOWING again! So, I return to my heading. Dear God what the heck is going on? The high school boys were a bit more despondent about the weather forecast. Apparently, snow isn't conducive to running miles of track, shooting trap, passing soccer balls or playing baseball, and they expressed this discontent all throughout the morning classes. I did greet them all cheerily and blessed their "good Monday mornings". I pointed out the beauty of the fluffy snow against the evergreens on the school and monastery grounds. I considered (aloud) the blessing of the nutrients in the snow for the farmers fields. They listened a bit grumpily, and decided that they still weren't happy about the snow. I may be befuddled by it, but watching it now outside of our convent windows...it is lovely. Blessings,

Feast of Saint Benedict

Happy Feast!

Today, we celebrate the feast of Benedict's death. This feast is a bit more subdued since it is in the midst of Lent; our solemnity is celebrated with the Church feast on July 11th. However, we do remember his passing with story and song. My boys at school were a bit unsure of creating a feastday for someone's death, but I did try to point out it could been seen as his birth to new life...they didn't buy it. So I added this story from St. Gregory the Great to illustrate.

"In that same year when he was to leave this life, he foretold the day of his most holy death to some disciples living with him and to others living some distance away. He told the former to keep silent about what they heard and explained to the later what kind of sign would be seen when his soul would leave his body.

Six days before his death, he ordered his tomb to be opened. Soon he was attacked by fever and was weakened with severe suffereing. As the illness grew worse every day, he asked his disciples to carry him into the oratory. there he strengthened himself for his departure by receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord. While the hands of his disciples held up his weak limbs, he stood with his hands raised to heaven and breathed his last breath amidst words of prayer."

We will be commemorating the feast a bit simply here at our apartment convent. Prayer for the feast with special Psalms and responsory, steak on the electric grill, and maybe a game or two of Bannanagrams or Perquacky! I think Benedict would approve of the balance between prayer and play within community.

Blessings,

Sunshine & Snow

Greetings,

The sun has been full and bright these last few days. They have been wonderful days to wander about University Campus and celebrate my the end of my Master's program. I've gotten to study out under blooming trees and sitting next to beds of tulips...a wonderful way to study. All about the grounds students have been enjoying the sun as well: tossing baseballs and Frisbees, tanning, and pretending to study while sunning with their significant others.

MEANWHILE!

I've caught up on my South Dakota news and they are expecting snow this week! This late visit from old man winter is going to strike not only Western South Dakota's Black Hills and Rapid City area, but also drift far into Eastern and Northern South Dakota! This means my sister and her family should find those snow boots and coats that she already buried in the basement for the summer.


Blessings,

47th World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Greetings,

I hadn't realized there was a day of prayer for vocations until today...I do pray for vocations, but I'm glad there is a day to set aside specifically for those who are discerning Jesus' call in their lives. Pope Benedict XVI titled this day of prayer "Witness Awakens Vocations". The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also opened their new vocation website on this day of prayer for vocations.

The very life of men and women religious proclaims the love of Christ whenever
they follow him in complete fidelity to the Gospel and joyfully make their own
its criteria for judgement and conduct. They become “signs of contradiction” for
the world, whose thinking is often inspired by materialism, self-centredness and
individualism. By letting themselves be won over by God through
self-renunciation, their fidelity and the power of their witness constantly
awaken in the hearts of many young people the desire to follow Christ in their
turn, in a way that is generous and complete. To imitate Christ, chaste, poor
and obedient, and to identify with him: this is the ideal of the consecrated
life, a witness to the absolute primacy of God in human life and
history.

Every priest, every consecrated person, faithful to his or her
vocation, radiates the joy of serving Christ and draws all Christians to respond
to the universal call to holiness. Consequently, in order to foster vocations to
the ministerial priesthood and the consecrated life, and to be more effective in
promoting the discernment of vocations, we cannot do without the example of
those who have already said “yes” to God and to his plan for the life of each
individual. Personal witness, in the form of concrete existential choices, will
encourage young people for their part to make demanding decisions affecting
their future. Those who would assist them need to have the skills for encounter
and dialogue which are capable of enlightening and accompanying them, above all
through the example of life lived as a vocation. ~ Pope Benedict XVI

This is also a good day to remember and reflect on my own vocation history. Before entering on January 3rd, 1998, I spent a fair few years unsure of where I was finding God or following Christ. However, things came to a focus when Sr. Lorraine became my spiritual director as I was finishing up college. We met twice a month to discuss a book about the Rule of Benedict, pray, and share about our prayer lives. She was a wonderful guide and coach as I started to seriously consider my vocation to be a Benedictine; she was also quite direct. Sr. Lorraine challenged me to begin letting go of things, to practice setting aside parties and spending practices. Then she cut to the quick...no more outings with boys who happened to be 'friends'. I was still waffling a bit during one of our sessions before I requested application papers and she gave me some of the most wonderful advice (I think it's why I'm here now): You don't have to enter knowing that you can be there for a lifetime! Give God a year and see how your Call goes and listen to Christ in your prayer. Then give God another year ... Being a Sister doesn't happen all at once, but it grows year by year.

Blessings,

God's Plan

Greetings,

Well, I've received two notices from schools. One school sent a letter regretfully informing me that they decided to hire an applicant with more middle school experience. Another school I interviewed with (and was really hoping for) e-mailed me that they preferred an applicant with more urban experience. Yup, e-mailed, I knew that wasn't going to be good news.

The strange thing is...I'm okay with it all. The interviews were both positive experiences and I feel that I presented my abilities as a teacher well. From here, the schools need to discern who is going to best serve to educate their students.

I'm also continuing my education through this experience...I'm learning to trust. God has a direction in mind "for I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). One of the schools with which I interviewed is still discerning their choice of applicants and I have been reaching out to another school system; however, with all I do, it is still God's will in the end. I just need to keep trusting that God's plans and my love of students and teaching will connect.

Blessings,

Grammar Daze

Greetings,

Today, the 6th grade teacher offered me a task that I felt prepared for...tutoring the boys in identifying direct & indirect objects and predicate nouns & adjectives. Yes! This I have done, this I can do! It felt good to settle in and play with some grammar in the classroom. I tried to make it less fearful, a little funny, and I admitted to my own failure (literally) in grammar as a middle schooler. However, it was more challenging that I anticipated.

The teacher had introduced and taught the concept the previous two days, but it was still elusive to many of the Latino gentlemen in the classroom. I was to review the basics with small groups of three or four and practice a few examples. My background in freshman English was very useful in finding funny examples and sharing my English-algebra equation (Sub + A.V. + I.O. + D.O.). But I could have used one more tool in my tutoring, Spanish.

I think that understanding Spanish would have been very useful today. Many of these basic parts of speech show up in both languages and could have helped the boys see how the D.O. and I.O. work in either situation. But alas, I am monolingual (with a smattering of sign language) and need to place Spanish on my "to do" list of courses coming up after I move.

Blessings,

Saints?

Greetings,

If we are called by God to holiness of life, and if holiness
is beyond our natural power to achieve (which it certainly is) then it follows
that God himself must give us the light, the strength, and the courage to
fulfill the task he requires of us. He will certainly give us the grace we need.
If we do not become saints it is because we do not avail ourselves of his gift.

Thomas Merton, Life and Holiness (New York: Image, 1963). p. 17.

I received that quote in my weekly e-mail reflection from the Merton Institute; I felt it was particularly powerful. In my theology course, we are discussing the four marks of the Church and how all are given through the initiative and gift of God and that the Church does it's best to live those marks visibly and invisibly. Plus my prof has given me a bit of extra reading material and it included Lumen Gentium and its Universal Calll to Holiness. Merton's reflection on holiness seemed to fit right into not only my life but also my studies right now.

Tough "Call" this saintly business, but it is the work I've chosen to do by joining up with the Benedictines and the "School of the Lord's Service." Right now I am focusing on learning to seek and trust God as pursue a ministry position...aka looking for a job...while relying upon God's gift of grace to lead me (and the principals) through this discernment process. No present like the reality of searching for work to bring me back to reliance on God.

Blessings,

God's Sense of Humor

Greetings,

Wisconsin weather reveals God's sense of humor. Last week we were graced with gorgeous upper 60 to 70 degree temperatures with sunshine and blue sky. Students were in shorts and T-shirts; playing frisbee or tossing a baseball. Then these last few days we have had monsoon-like rain and wind! I walked about campus as quickly as possible yesterday to no avail; I was drenched to the skin and had to change clothes when I arrived home from class. Last night the weather reporter was almost laughing as he predicted1-3 inches of SNOW for the late night through early morning in the city.

This wild weather shows me that God has a good sense of humor...He's keeping us on our toes : )

Blessings,

Celebrating Baptism

Greetings,

Last night's Easter Vigil was long but wonderful. We celebrated 7 Baptisms in the parish! There were two adult men, a 4th grade boy, and a mom with her three children (one 3rd grade boy, one 2nd grade girl, and a little kindergarten girl). I had never shared in the celebration of an adult Baptism, but to celebrate 7 was amazing. They processed into the church dressed with one of the simple cream colored robes of the altar servers.

The parish had just installed a new Baptismal font. The square basin is raised up about 4 feet or so and runs over the edge into a pool that is approximately 3 feet wide by 5 feet long and 1 1/2 foot deep (or so). Father stood in the pool as he blessed the water and then called each of the Catechumen up the two steps and down into the pool. Then Catechumen knelt in the water while Father poured water over their head in Baptism. As they stepped out of the water, the parish sang a Baptismal song of blessing over them. The two little girls were also anointed with the oils of Baptism while in the pool.

All the congregation was invited to process to the font and bless themselves...this gave the newly Baptised enough time to change into their "Easter Best". They processed back into the Church with brilliant white, knee length, light cowls over their dresses and suits. Except the little girls had changed into new white sundresses (too cute). Now they were all called up to the sanctuary along with the three elect joining the Church in Confirmation and Eucharist to receive a lighted candle and be anointed with the oils of confirmation. There was much singing during all of this and a few tears (I'm a softy) among the celebrants. It was a wonderful way to begin the Easter season.

It was a beautiful night of celebration.
Blessings,

Holy Saturday

Greetings,

The Monastery is a flurry of quiet activity today...no, I'm not home; however, some things stay ever the same. Balanced between Liturgy of the Hours and individual reflection, the sisters are preparing for the Easter Vigil and its celebrations.

The "upper" Chapel needs one last dusting and cleaning before tonight. Banners are hung from the sandstone columns, Easter lilies and baby mums are arranged about the altar, and the Easter candle (designed by Sr. Mary Kay) is checked for a final fit in both the baptismal font and wood-carved stand. The Lenten reminders are removed from all the tables in the refectory, and the tables are prepared (with Sr. Anna's arrangements) for Easter celebration with bright table runners, flowers, and candles. In fact, reminders of Easter glory spring up all over the Monastery as my sisters near the Vigil tonight night.

Why wait? My family and non-Benedictine friends have been asking why we would wait to the last minute to do all this work. The answer is very simple, Benedict asks we live Lent well, to learn from it all we can, and Lent doesn't end until tonight. So, we wait to change our liturgical season until the great celebration nears. Also, I love the preparation...the quiet, reflective arranging of flowers, banners, and candles. Even in our work, we carry the prayerful nature of the day.

Why the reminiscing? Well, I'm not in a situation to help with preparing a celebration while here at school...in fact...I'm reading Theology homework about the history of the papacy and researching a bit for an essay in my education course. So, I thought that taking a moment to remember and reflect on home would be a good way to remember the importance of the day.

Blessings,

Paperwork

Greetings,

I've hit a bit of a flurry in paperwork this week! All of a sudden the department paper I had been writing went from a relaxed discussion of "Oh, just follow the general rubric. If you tell a few stories about your teaching, you be fine"...to a series of reminders.

"It's due by April 1st! Have you had anyone read through your paper?" I had been asking about this for some time previously and was phoo-phooed. Now, I'm going to be hard pressed to get a 'reader'. "There will be several readers." What! Readers! I didn't know where the paper was going or who held all the grading power, but I wasn't expecting multiple readers for this paper. I know it's a final paper or Capstone, but it's nowhere near the level of a thesis...paperwork blizzard.

Then I have a happier paperwork. Amid all the schools to whom I sent interest letters, a few would like my transcripts! Yeah, a bit of paper blizzard in contacting all the colleges/universities, but I'm very excited. I hope that this helps them see me as a part of their charism.

And all these flurries just in time for Holy Week.

Blessings,

Palm Sunday

Greetings,

I know I'm a bit early on the Palm Sunday posting...but I was one of the readers for Mass this evening and long readings leave time for lots of reflection time between lines.

There was alot of action going on during this Mass. Extra folk were trying to squeeze into pews, while finding missal and song numbers. After we had all found a place to sit, Father invited us to the gathering space to hear the first Gospel, bless our palms, and process outside around the Church building. It was a nice part of the service, but I'm glad I reserved my seat with song book and my Lector papers taking up my space in the pew. Many other folk lost their spots tonight.

Little kids are always a blast to watch with the palms. There are the pirates playing sword fight behind Mom's back. The future dress designers making bows for their hair, tying the palm around their sleeve, or threading them through their belt loops. A few kiddos were watching their parents or grandparents make crosses out of the palms during the proclamation of the Passion. Some tried to imitate the process, but it was usually up to grandpa to fix it in the end.

How did I see all this? I was the Lector for the reading to the Philippians and so by default Lector number three for the Passion. The Passion in the books we were given was written out so each Lector and Father were given long blocks of reading (2-3 paragraphs); no Jesus voice, narrator, and other voice. You read the whole block; each of us had 4 to 5 blocks of reading. So, I had time to look out into the congregation and see what was happening when I wasn't reading.

One of my parts was near the end. Joseph of Arimatheia is taking Jesus' body away to the tomb and the faithful women are following. They stay with Jesus while He is being wrapped and placed in the tomb; only after the stone is in place do they go to prepare the oils and spices they will need to anoint Him after the Sabbath. I am always struck by their courage and dedication to follow Him to the end. They care so completely for Jesus that they stayed after all the other disciples and apostles had left. How dedicated am I?
Tough question to ponder during this Holy Week.

Blessings,

The Feast of the Annunciation

Greetings,

"...for Nothing Will Be Impossible for God."

The English teacher in me found great comfort in the future tense of the verb "Will Be." I know, I know--it is scripture and not an grammar test, but that promise of the future held my attention.

Mary's "yes" needed support against the impossible not only at that moment of the Annunciation of her conceiving Christ, but also during the many difficult days and years that followed this revelation. I need God's support too. My "yes" to community, to new ministries, and whatever else might come doesn't need support only at the moment of decision, but also in the days that follow. The impossible moments sometimes sneak up on me and surprise my faith long after I thought the tough decisions had been made.

So, I'll say a prayer for those sisters, family, and friends who are reading today...that the God who's future promises never run short, carries you through the impossible obstacles that come from your open-hearted "yes" to His Call.

Blessings,

Belate the Celebration

Happy Feast of St. Benedict...tomorrow,

Today is the Feast of the Death of St. Benedict; since it is Sunday, I know they are moving the celebration to Monday at the monastery...but here in Milwaukee, I'm celebrating a bit today. We are hosting Archbishop Weakland, former Abbot, Head Abbot of Benedictines, and Archbishop of this diocese. A grand meal with a tasty dessert is being prepared as I type at the computer. I get to plan our prayer for this evening. We will be using the Liturgy of the Hours from home...minus the chanting. It will be enough to add our slower pace and additional psalms and readings to the prayer. However, I cannot wait for the day when I will get to celebrate our feast at home in the monastery again.

Blessings,

A Prayer Attributed to Saint Benedict
(first given to me by Sr. Doris)

"A Spirit to Know You"

Gracious and holy Father,
please give me:
intellect to understand You,
reason to discern You,
diligence to seek You,
wisdom to find You,
a spirit to know You,
a heart to meditate upon You,
ears to hear You,
eyes to see You,
a tongue to proclaim You,
a way of life pleasing to You,
patience to wait for You
and perseverance to look for You.

Grant me a perfect end,
Your Holy Presence,
a blessed resurrection
and life everlasting. Amen.

Hopefilled Lent

Greetings,

I enjoy the readings from Isaiah, but I usually associate his prophecy with Advent and not Lent. I was surprised at the Old Testament readings for today...surprised, but glad for it. "...see, I am doing something new."

In the midst of my Lenten reflections of repentance and forgiveness, God reminds me that it is not good to continually dwell on the past. He has conquered all that stands in our way and He wants me to go forward with Him. This might mean I have to set aside not only the sorrows of the past that hold me back, but also the successes that I continually turn to.

"...see, I am doing something new." Isaiah reminds me that I need to look forward with Christ as my guide. God's plans are not my plans, and they can be infinitely more interesting. This reading was a gift this morning since I've been brooding a bit about finding a new place to minister. I continue to seek a new teaching position so that I can serve both students and my sisters, but I cannot rely on my ideas alone, God too has a plan and I need to continue to seek what that might be.

"see, I am doing something new."

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.

Midterms and Prayer?

Greetings,

I have a midterm test coming up this week. Just one. However, we just received the study guide for the test, and I found myself protesting some of the material much like some of my own students in the past. Sigh, among the list of terms and ideas, there were a fair few that were not discussed in class. Thank goodness, I took outline notes of chapters as I read through them the first time...geeky, yes I know, but have I ever denied it? Ideas discussed during side-bars or inspired by random student questions, but in no way associate to the reading, were also included in the study guide.

My response, I'm not proud of it, was more than a wee bit whiney. I've read the texts and tried to understand the theology language behind the writing. And I admit, when I saw topics not part of the syllabus on the midterm study guide, I felt a bit cheated. This doesn't reflect a good side of me, so I'm trying to meditate a bit on how I might learn from those side-bar discussions and see the bigger picture.

Learning comes from what I anticipated and what I did not expect. I should listen to the wisdom that comes from those off the topic discussions in class, the students questions and answers can show me new ideas and points of view. So...I should not let this disturb me; in the long run, it is my choice whether to learn or be grumpy.

A Prayer from Teresa of Avila
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
For all things pass save God who does not change.
Be patient, and at the last you will find all fulfillment.
Hold God, and nothing will fail you.
For God alone is all.

Blessings,

A Ladies Weekend!

Greetings,

It's final, they are on their way...in about 50 days! My Mom and two younger sisters are coming to visit at the end of April! I'm so excited to have the ladies of my family come to visit me at school! It will be wonderful to get the chance to show them all around the city and university. Well...better go, I want to keep ahead of myself and homework!

Blessings,

ps...The Icon of the Visitation has always been a strong symbol of Sisterly Support for me. Mary goes to Elizabeth not only to serve her elderly cousin, but also to celebrate with her. Elizabeth greets Mary with joy as she realizes the presence of the Christ and recognizes that here is a woman whose life had also been touched by God's Spirit. The icon is an expression of how important it is to share our deep love and care for each other, and how God too celebrates with us during these moments.