So Many Adventures

Climbing a tree in Ava, MO

So much has happened over the past couple months. I have done a bit of traveling and wanted to take some time to share a bit of the highlights from these adventures. My first adventure was a trip to San Antonio. I went to San Antonio for a conference and while I was there, I had the opportunity to visit several different colleges and to visit with some friends. I also had an opportunity to travel back to a place near and dear to my heart. Camp TECABOCA. TECABOCA is a camp owned by the Marianist Brothers. Each summer when I lived in Houston, before I entered the Benedictines, I spent several weeks as a leader at LIFE Workshop, a camp training high school students from all over the US to be leaders in their local campus ministry programs. It was one night during camp that God first finally got my attention, and I realized that I was being called to religious life. Going back to camp brought me back to those days and to that initial call from God. Below are some pictures of this magical place - a bit dryer and less green than when I was usually there but just as special.

Cross at the outdoor amphitheatre

Field where I first heard my call - except it was late at night and under the stars

Altar by the water

Window in the indoor chapel

A bit after returning from San Antonio, I traveled to Ava, MO to a Trappist monastery for a gathering of Benedictine Vocation Directors. It was a great meeting and it also gave me the opportunity to experience prayer in the middle of the night. Each night the Trappists rise at 3:15 for 3:30 am prayers. The prayers where sung in the dark at first for the first 1/2 hour and then the lights were turned on for the last 1/2 hour of prayer. I found that I loved this prayer time. I decided that this prayer was so different because my brain was still asleep and so I could enter into the prayer without the inner thoughts that sometimes distract me or break into my mind. It was a very different experience of prayer but one that I loved.

After our meeting, we took some time to visit the monastery's fruitcake shop and then later we took a side trip to the house of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Below are some photos from this trip.

Fruitcake made in Ava, MO

House Almonzo built for Laura after their house burned down - Rose grew up here.

Finally, a couple weeks ago I went on a trip to Copper Canyon with my Dad and his siblings. My Aunt Sis turned 80 and for her birthday celebration, she wanted to take this trip and I was invited along. It was a beautiful train ride through some really amazing parts of Mexico. On the trip, I saw some awe-inspiring views. It was a great chance to see a canyon that is even larger than the Grand Canyon, to spend some time with my dad and his siblings and to be grateful for the amazing gifts that God has given this world. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Aunt Sis and Dad Copper Canyon El Fuerte Hotel - view from my room

From the top of the Canyon - I loved this tree!

So those are a few of my most recent adventures. This week I am glad to be home and ready for the wonderful liturgies that Holy Week has to offer. Have a peaceful and blessed Triduum.