Simple pleasures are priceless treasures

God sent us rain yesterday and again this morning. Our rain gauge said a little over 3 ½ inches last evening. And so far this morning we've had nearly another inch. (I just talked to Lisa and she said they had 5 inches of rain yesterday.)

We are most grateful for the rain, but it surely did NOT help the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair event on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday it was hot -- 92 degrees. IF one could find shade and a breeze, it was quite comfortable. I spent most of Saturday at the Fair. I had to come home a couple times to re-charge the batteries on my scooter. Again, I marvel at all the beautiful things Crafters make. They have and USE their talents. On Saturday, I saw most of the booths on the east side of the Mississippi River. On Sunday, most booths were closed or the vendors had packed up and gone home. Gina, from the Chamber of Commerce, said, “We are sorry about the weather. We hope your time here was worthwhile. We hope you come back next year.” Tom Epperson (vendor on Kidder Street) was a caricature sketch artist. Here is the drawing he made of me.

We had all the rooms at St. Francis Center rented out to vendors. They like staying here because it is quiet and comfortable…and they can park their vehicle in the parking lot and walk to their booth once they are set-up Friday evening.

Last week we celebrated Sr. Julien’s birthday. She is the Motherhouse Administrator and does a marvelous job taking care of so much scheduling and taking care of so many details so that things run smoothly. God bless you and thank you, Sr. Julien.

Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., we had prayers in Chapel every hour praying for no war in Syria and a peaceful resolution to the violence going on in that country. Violence does not solve anything and just leads to further violence. Please join with us in this continuing prayer for peace in all the troubled spots in our world.

Every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., a group of Sisters gather in Chapel to say a Rosary and pray for vocations to the Religious Life. Please join us in that prayer, too. You don’t need to come to Chapel to pray. You can do it from wherever you are.

Wednesday morning from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Clothes Review is having a Bag Sale…all the items you can fit in a grocery bag for sale for $3.00. It’s a good deal.

On Thursday morning we will celebrate Sr. Bea Eichten’s birthday. It’s always good to celebrate, no matter what the occasion, but especially birthdays. Happy Birthday, Sr. Bea.

God bless your comings and goings in peace and joy. 

Pax et Bonum. 

Sr. Mary Lou

It truly is a small world we live in

How can we be into September already? Summer is fading fast. School begins tomorrow. How can it be? The elementary teacher in me runs from September to May. In a couple weeks I’ll be heading over to Lindbergh School here in Little Falls to again read to First Graders in Mrs. Hanson’s room. What joy.

On this Labor Day I finished a task I've been putting off for some time. Now it is completed and I can go to sleep tonight knowing it is finished. How did you spend your Labor Day? I was reminded, too, of the many people who would like to have jobs and cannot find work. And I thought, too, about the dignity and value of work. I am grateful that I can still work and use my time profitably.

Last Wednesday I had one of those “It’s a small world” experiences. I took Sr. Donna to an eye doctor appointment in St. Cloud. After I finished my errands, I went back to the office to wait for her. She was in a back waiting room and that is where I joined her. A lady asked her if she was a Nun. Sr. Donna said, “yes” and “That is Sr. Mary Lou.” At which point one of the other ladies in the waiting room pointed at me and said, “Sister Justin.” (From my Reception Day in 1953 until 1967, I was “Sr. Justin”, then I went back to my Baptismal name, “Mary Lou”.) Anyways, Barb Loher was one of my second graders at St. Mary’s School in Morris in 1960. She also said, “I liked you as a teacher.” That was nice to hear, too. Barb now lives in Paynesville. The rest of the time in the waiting room went very fast. It is a small world! Pictured are Barb, me and Sr. Donna.

On Sunday we accepted three new Franciscan Community Volunteers into our volunteer program. These young adults, college graduates, volunteer 8 months of their time working in organizations that help the poor and needy in the St. Cloud area.

One of those 90+ degree days last week, I took a ride on my motorized cart to look at the flowers and gardens just to see what I could see. I saw lots of beauty. I was also trying out my new camera. It has many features that I don’t yet know how to use.

This coming weekend is the big Arts and Crafts Fair in Little Falls. I am Block Host for my usual two blocks—Broadway to Kidder Street and Kidder Street south. Please pray for good weather and safety for everyone. One things I like about the Arts and Crafts Fair is to see all the beautiful items the crafters make. They know how to use their talents.

Pax et Bonum (Peace and all good.)

Sister Mary Lou