How many times can one say "Wow!" on a vacation? Today was another pilgrimage day where I got to visit some places that are very holy in my life journey: the OMI Novitiate in Godfrey and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.
It was 17 years ago (starting with the famous flood of 1993 -1994) when I spent my novitiate year with the OMI's. We arrived back then to a water boil ban, limited road access, high humidity and record temperatures. I journeyed with 14 other novices from Canada, Mexico and the USA as we discerned religious life over the year. This location is loaded with memories and stories which I will treasure for a lifetime. It was a gift to return with my family to the very site and allow them to witness "where Daddy prayed about being a priest and God's will for him." I hope my boys give sufficient time to do the same in their own way and time. The Oblates who welcomed us today were friendly, generous and bearers of Christ to my entire family. They humoured my "memory lane" musings and inquired about how things were when I was there. I reflected on the man I was then and who I am now. I can't believe how far I've come. It's amazing when you're 23 you think you know it all and know God's will. Now that I'm almost 40 - how much I still feel the importance of discernment and need to plug into God's will all the more. Thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity to review my time here.
At the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows I see how big a space was given to the faithful to strengthen their faith with others. Huge facility and can only imagine it at full capacity! Thanks to Orin Johnson of Oddwalk Ministries and his wife Erin, we were able to spend the afternoon touring and learning about this beautiful place. It's great to actually see the place which sends us so much Catholic junk mail! Orin and Erin were a gift in themselves and watched the kids as we got unpacked here in the hotel. The kids will always remember them! Then after the tour, and praying for those we promised to, we went to restaurant and had a perfect supper with everyone. Lots of "bests" parts of the day shared over the meal. The hotel is extremely comfortable and wish we could stay much longer. Blessings to you Orin and Erin!
Looking forward to our family breakfast, loading up and heading to Nashville next.
BTW - got something of an itchy bite on my right wrist. Thinking it might be a spider bite...it really is uncomfortable. Hoping it goes away soon and is nothing more than a bug bite.
Continue to pray for us!
Warren
Hey, sounds like a great blessing. Give me a call on my cell, now that I am back. Want to make some plans.
ReplyDeleteHurry up and get here!
ReplyDeleteBro - we're trying...but we are sticking to the schedule. See you on Friday.
ReplyDelete