Catching Up

 

Well. It has been a while and a LOT has happened!!! 

Our family is bigger, and there are new horizons to be explored! 

At the end of May I finished up my course work for Franciscan. There were some pretty big hurdles, like Fr Henry, who has been my supervisor, fell and sustained a really bad break to his femur. That was a terrible couple of months for him. He was in the hospital and rehab for quite a while. Praise God, he came home and has mended very well! He is getting around and is back to most of his activities! I am so glad. 

We got my paperwork squared away and I was able to finish with a couple of weeks to spare. I have been directing 8 people, and it is such a blessing and a privilege. 

Paul came home from school, and stayed here so that he could work for a while before heading down to Louisiana for the wedding. He was able to save up some for expenses. The plan was for him to drive to Houma the week before the wedding, and since his car is getting on in years, I decided to leave early and head down with him. I got us a hotel in Chattanooga, and the car took to the road like a champ! She made it the whole way without an issue! 

I was able to get an Airbnb home at a really good rate from one of the friends of the family. What a blessing! It was right on the Bayou and very quiet. Perfect for our needs. Paul and the groomsmen stayed there for several nights, and Laura and Andrew came in on the Thursday before the wedding. It was so much fun to share that time with the kids, and Paul and Madi. Very exciting! Madi's family is so wonderful! So hospitable and gracious. 

The guys went down to New Orleans for the bachelor party and had a great time! The girls had a fun evening as well! Madi's grandparents hosted the rehearsal dinner, and the food was amazing! A Cajun feast! We felt so welcome and part of the family. 

On Saturday we all spent the morning getting ready, and headed to the church around noon. 

Madi was tucked away where Paul couldn't see her, and it was very special. Many of her bridesmaids are in her household at school, and they were able to have some beautiful prayer time before the wedding. What a gift! The priest who officiated is such a holy man, and God was certainly overseeing every detail. 

Once we were all inside we waited for the wedding party who lined up at the back of the church because it was about 97 degrees outside. Paul seated us. I was just so full of joy for him. He looked so handsome in his tux. The procession was lovely and I was really kind of stunned when I saw Lucy walking down the aisle with Patrick, Madi's brother. Wow. She is so grown up and beautiful. No little girl anymore. She got her license on the way to Louisiana! 

Then it was time for the beautiful bride! Oh my! Seeing her come down the aisle and seeing the look on Paul's face when he saw her. It was one of those moments that a mom just never wants to forget. 

The ceremony was so beautiful. The Mass was very solemn, and the readings were some of my favorites! The story of Sarah and Tobias, and the Wedding at Cana. 

The vows were said and the rings were exchanged and Paul and Madi were proclaimed Mr and Mrs Merkel. A new family! This is life! 

We then headed to the hall for the reception and it was all so beautiful! Madi and Paul did a wonderful job planning everything, and everyone enjoyed fantastic food, dancing and being together. Andrew made a friend. Madi's little cousin, Henry, took such a liking to him that he held him almost the whole time! Paul and Madi danced to  La Vie en Rose, by Louis Armstrong and Paul and I danced with Madi and her dad to "Butterfly Kisses". He had been waiting her whole life to dance to that at her wedding. So many Blessings!

The happy couple was headed to New Orleans for the night, and the next morning the went to mass and ran into Suzanne and her Mom! What a surprise! She saw Madi's jacket, which has "Mrs. Merkel" on the back, a gift from her Maid of Honor, and caught up with them outside. God is so good. 

The honeymoon was in Tennessee, and that same morning I hit the road for the trip to Ohio to finish my last year of the School of Spiritual Direction! 

What a grace-filled two weeks it was. It is truly a mountain-top experience, being there with all the wonderful people in my class and the staff who are really more like friends by this time. We had our course work and practicums to do, and we also did so many special things. Rosary walks, mass in the Chapel, Holy hours every night. It's really more of a retreat. 

On Saturday, July 2nd, I was commissioned. I am now a fully certified Spiritual Director, by the Grace of God, and only by His Grace. 

 This vocation is such a precious gift. I still can't get over the way God has worked in my life over really the course of it. I look back and I can see how He has been preparing me from the beginning. Since I was first called to the mission of SD, I have been thanking Him for His many gifts that make this something that I can do for Him. It is not work, it is truly just sitting at His feet, with another person, and listening. He speaks into every moment. It is pure gift. 

And now it is time for some big changes. God has sent my youngest off into life with a beautiful wife, I have finished school, not learning certainly, that will be forever, but school. And the next chapter is opening. We have been called away from Maryland and we will be moving to Texas!

We have been looking at houses, and I will head down there next week to work on that. While I was at Steubenville, the Lord gave me His word on where to look. "Find the church with the most Adoration times." Check. Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Braunfels has Adoration almost every day. "The house will be within 10 minutes of the church." So, that's where we are looking. He will provide, as He always does. It know it will be a huge change to leave Maryland and all the people that we have here, but this isn't pioneer times. I'm pretty comfortable with hitting the road, and I will be back here often I am sure. 

I am continuing to pursue certification at the Theology of the Body Institute, and surely God has something in mind for all of this. It is all so exciting!! 

I will post an update when we find "the house".