Everything must change...

On our “stay-cation”, we have been busy……painting, unpacking, exploring, connecting with friends, meeting new people,…..just figuring this place out. We learned a lot about parts of the city but realize that there is SO much left to discover. With the rolling in of September, changes began to roll in too.

Brad began orientation this past Monday. He was up and out every morning for Morning Prayer at 8:00. His days have been spent signing up for classes, meeting with advisors, learning about his new “duties” as a first year seminarian, meeting with the financial aid office and business office, etc.

With him beginning school, the children and I attended the children’s orientation. There are around 12 children here at the seminary ranging from 10 months to 13 years old. They are a great mix of children. And so far, they seem to get along fine. The older ones look out for the younger ones. They seem to give and take appropriately. In the orientation, we had a lunch that ended with a water balloon toss. There was a scavenger hunt that ended with the busting of a piñata. We went to the water park where bucket after bucket of water was thrown on each other.

My personal favorite was going into the chapel with the chief sacristan. The kids were able to ask whatever they wanted to about the chapel. It was great!!! It was fun to see how Joe (the chief sacristan) answered the questions with a humorous reverence that was on the kids’ level. He showed them Jesus in a “disco” move in one of the stained glass windows. They were introduced to the idea of acolyting…..which Addison and Parker are so excited about doing. They were shown the “behind the scenes” of the chapel….where the robes are and where the bell is rung from. They climbed into the pulpit and went behind the alter. They even learned the secret of the floating Mary……this is a small “statue” (about 3-4 inches tall) of Mother Mary that is always in the chapel but never in the same place.

So September brought the “winds of change”. The weather is cooler. Brad is beginning his schooling. The kids are anticipating the start of school next Wednesday. And I am beginning to look for employment. The reality of life is settling in on us. Our “stay-cation” is slowly coming to an end while our school life is beginning.

But as I look at what has happened in these last three weeks, I think we are ready for this change. Change always brings the unknown into focus……but who says the unknown is so bad. It may be a challenge, but don’t we grow from the challenges we face? GJ