Well we survived a wonderful white Christmas here at the monastery.
With Puppies
Yummy snacks on the knask table,
more puppies,
creative pastry treats,
more puppies,
wonderful presents under the tree,
and maybe one more dog.
Once the pecan pie was gone and the wrappings cleaned up,
it was time for prayer and thanks for a year of blessings and mercy.
After a reasonable amount of time, the tired tree was returned to our woods.
Then it hit, the snow and the cold. Days with highs of 10 to 20 BELOW zero Fahrenheit,
A few ice storms that reminded us we were gonna be walking up the drive way for a while, a good half a mile stretch, but on ice so hang on to each other!
Most of the time the car was sitting sideways at the bottom of the driveway, but on ice, so it only took a little push to turn it around to face the road.
But for a few days, the road for 10 miles till town was more or less an ice skating rink/water park, only chains advised.
Then once the ice had a thaw and melt and some rain we hit the deep freeze temps again. but this time even colder. Back to hiking up the driveway with groceries.
In a break between the sleet and freezing rain we got the hay in for the goats.
The roles are working well, cumbersome to lift at 500 pounds but easy to roll!
The goats are enjoying their winter quarter in the renovated green house all with fresh hay.
But you know goats, as long as there is food and warmth, it's all good.
But when the food for that feeding runs out and it's time to head outside, it is a little different for them.
Outta the way, make a hole we're going' outside,..baaa.
Outta the way, make a hole we're goin' back inside!
Sub zero is hard on everybody...but not retreaters!
You may remember this retreater from Burlington who came last spring when the baby goats were born.
Sub zero temps wouldn't stop her from praying, reading and even taking her dog for walks in the frozen fields and woods.
It's good to have retreaters here all year praying and finding their way to God through Mary, especially ones like this kind and energetic woman who brings us baked pepperoni bread!
So retreats, snow, ice, cold, prayers and blessings all the things that make life worth living. Today it looks like a blizzard is coming in,.we're all getting over some sort of flu, but chores to do, and the Chapel calls. Where ever you are we hope you too find your attitude of gratitude and that God's graces surround you.
Deus Tecum
from
The Mary Theotokos Center
Happy New Year,
John Walker
manager/caretaker
