Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I find myself making a list of things I am grateful for. I don't think I've done this since elementary school when it was a graded assignment...

I am grateful for:

-The wonderful education, opportunities, insight, and life-lessons I received while attending Canisius
-The great relationships I have formed as a result of college
-A supportive and loving family
-Good health
-The wonderful opportunity I have this year
-The opportunity to openly grow in faith and shape my future
-Jumping from no sisters to approximately 1,000 (give or take about 900...)
-My wonderful mentor and program director/fearless leader, both for helping me step out of my comfort zone, for the laughs and for the serious moments
-An open mind

I spent Thanksgiving morning here at the Mount and left for home early in the afternoon. It was nice to see my family, even for just a couple of days.

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent. I am really looking forward to the next month. Oh wait, I almost forgot...present moment, beautiful moment :) I'm also trying to kick a week-long cold, complete with this rather annoying cough. My stomach feels as though I just did about a kajillion, yes, kajillion, sit-ups. Maybe all that coughing is the equivalent of a workout. So should I really be complaining? Hmmm...

Changes

The beginning of this week marks my last few days in my current classroom at St. Benedict Center. The season is ending so the East Coast Migrant children will be leaving and the entire center will be shifting.

I was privileged to have three East Coast children in my room, all of whom I fell in love with. I will be sad to see them go. When I began, 2 1/2 months seemed so far away, but now it's here. Two of our current children will be moving up with me to the older toddlers. 29-37 months is the age range we have, I believe.

There will be a lot of changes. A new set of adults in the room, although one of them I have been working with, 7 children in a new classroom together, a new age group, and a lot of new things to learn. I'll be in the basement level of the building now, so I won't get all the traffic of people walking by to use the elevator :( To be honest, I'll miss that. Since I'm in one room all day, I feel like I never see anyone. But change can be good. I'm sure I'll be just fine. I'll have no end of events to keep me busy! Bring on Winter.

On a different note, Thanksgiving is just a few days away! I'll be at the Mount for part of the day, but later in the afternoon I'll be off to the 'Fane to spend a couple of days with my family. I get 2 turkey dinners...yum!

At It Again

Once again, the Sisters were successful in getting us to try something new. This time, it was a slightly different kind of thing: trying on a full firefighter's uniform.

Every year the Sisters have a dinner to thank the local volunteer fire department. It took place Monday night and the dinner concluded with the fire chief asking for two able bodied people to come up and put on the uniform. The entire dining room looked at Carrie and I. And when I tried the excuse, "I'm on dishes tonight", it didn't quite work. So up we went, and attempted to race each other into the uniform.

First off, the guy that owned the uniform I was putting on was probably over 6ft tall, so on top of the the gear being about 80lbs, it felt heavier than that because it was so baggy on me. I'm only 5ft...

Second, the mask didn't fit me. It was too big for my face, and it wouldn't seal so I could breathe with just the oxygen. I'm mildly claustrophobic too, so having that on my face wasn't too exciting, but I toughed it out.

It was so much fun, though. I spent most of the time laughing because I'm sure I looked ridiculous with all of the gear on. Then we did a lap around the dining room and I almost beefed it numerous times. But I had fun, the Sisters sure got a kick out of it, and I have more of an appreciation for those that are full time and volunteer firefighters. It takes a lot to join a team like that. I'm not sure I could do it.

Below are some pictures that show the process. Enjoy!

Talents

I have recently come to realize a new way to put my talents to use. Yesterday's gospel reading was from Matthew 25, the Parable of the Talents. (Now what is meant by talents here is up to interpretation, at least in my opinion. The way that I have always translated it for my own understanding is one of a few interpretations that I have received from several people). If God gives you certain talents, then you should use them, and hopefully your talents will spread. Well, I think I have done just that. At least I hope I have.

A few weeks ago, Carrie and I were asked to do candle and incense during the vigil Saturday night. Carrie quickly grabbed up the light rite and gave me the incense. For those who knew my dance background, this seemed like the role for me to play that night. To tell you the truth, I was not too thrilled about the idea of being left alone and so exposed in front of most of the community when all I was thinking was "I have no idea what to do!!"

But then I realized, with the help of a few Sisters, that there really isn't a set way something absolutely has to be done. As long as you are doing it for the right reasons, as long as your heart is in it, then anything you do is fine. I took dance lessons from the age of 3 through my senior year of high school, and as I'm heading into my 5th year without classes, I miss it. A lot. While I am now horribly out of shape, not nearly as flexible as I once was, and fighting to maintain the balance I once had, dance is still and will always be my heart's passion.

Since I do not have the means to take lessons at this time, I think I have to consider some new ways to put my talents to use. So, this past Saturday, I was once again asked to do incense at the vigil. And you know what? I really enjoyed it. I did the first time, after my nerves took a rest, and it was a little easier this time around. Now, I realize what I may be doing by making this statement. I'm going to leave it at that...

God gave me my talent. Now it's up to me to use it.


Our fearless leader returns tomorrow night. 'Bout time :)

My Educational and Thought-Provoking Road Trip

This past weekend, Carrie and I took a road trip with two Sisters to Delaware, Ohio to attend a conference on monasticism at Ohio Wesleyan University. We were there selling several of Sister Joan Chittister's books (see below) since she was the Friday night keynote speaker.

The conference was entitled: "Radical Gospel Living-Monasticism Today." It was very interesting. There was all sorts of information on alternative ways of monastic living. One Sister we traveled with gave a presentation on this community's new monastic movement, Monasteries of the Heart. Check it out. 

The second speaker was Shane Claiborne, one of the founding members of The Simple Way, a faith community in inner-city Philadelphia. He and Sister Joan had a very similar message, but very different presentations. Both were interesting, educational, and thought-provoking. Both left me thinking, what can I do to create community and promote social justice both during my time spent with the Benedictines, and especially after I leave? What have I learned from the Sisters themselves? What can I do to leave a positive mark on this world? All valid questions just waiting for an answer.

For those that might think monastic living can only be achieved by taking vows and joining a formal religious community, a lot can be learned from conferences like this one. If one shows up, take advantage of it. And really check out the two links on this post. They present several different ways to live out monasticism, but everything is rooted in the same values.


Sunday was a gorgeous day. Carrie and I drove into the city, walked from 9th St. down to the bayfront, FINALLY got our library cards, and checked out one of Shane's books. I'll let you know how it is.

I am 11 weeks into my adventure here at the Mount and in Erie, and I can hardly believe it. It's been a packed 11 weeks, though. We've experienced Jubilee, a funeral, Community Weekend complete with tons of oblates, survived several game nights with heated competition, and though I can't seem to curb my late nights just yet so 5:30am doesn't seem that daunting, I have not yet dropped from exhaustion. Don't ask how, because I don't know the answer.

One thing I am really enjoying, and I probably say it a lot, is my ministry placement. I don't think I could be happier with the decision that was made. I am having so much fun. The kids are great. I really think it's helping with my level of patience, and I'm learning a lot of skills that will be put to good use in future careers and when I become a mother. It's priceless experience, I really don't know how else to explain it. And to have 8 smiling faces waiting to hug and kiss me each morning is such a great thing to look forward to.

And for the first time ever, I actually look forward to going to work. It can be frustrating at times, but because toddler mood swings go up and down and up and down, there isn't a day that is completely ruined. There are frustrating moments, but not all around bad days. I can handle that.

This morning, Carrie and I are heading out with two Sisters for Ohio Wesleyan University to work and attend a conference entitled: "Radical Gospel Living-Monasticism Today". Sister Joan Chittister is one of the keynote speakers. Looking forward to it!