the rest of the week

Hi all -- Thanks for visiting my blog. Wow, I hadn't realized the last post was Tuesday. So, since then, I've helped the Catholic parish pack bags of household goods for needy (t.p,, soap & other items not covered by food stamps -- orgs from around the area come pick up bags as needed), done literacy work at at drug rehab house, took my truck in for repair ($800+), helped Sr. Judy spruce up workshop by washing windows and shopvac-ing up webs and sawdust, tagged items for sale at the David Appalachia crafts center -- chatted w/ one of the artists about art shows, coal mines, and local and int'l politics, accompanied a pastor's wife on home visits to woman who'd just lost husband after long illness, woman who has brain cancer, and woman whose mother died unexpectedly while sitting on her front porch. In addition, I've helped extend hospitality to married physicians from Belgium who have worked w/ the indigenous people of Bolivia for seventeen years. Though the husband had always dreamed of working for dr's without borders, after they both "experienced a powerful conversion to Jesus Christ," they began their work, which seeks to heal not only body, but body, mind, and spirit. I believe the org's name is Doctors on Mission. Also joining us this weekend is a Lutheran woman from N. Carolina who is considering a vocation. I said to Sr. Judy, "Wow, you're full of protestants this weekend," and she said, "That's our mission. That's our goal." They are ecumenical, and welcome all. One interesting point, you'll rarely hear the male pronoun "he" or terms "father" or "son" in reference to God. One doxology begins, "Praise to the Creator, and to the Redeemer, and to the Sanctifier." Oh, can't forget mentioning that Sr. Jan and I attended Prestonsburg Idol. It was a little hard to hear w/ the portable mic and the traffic noise in the background, but some of the folks, from teens to 40-somethings, could really carry a tune. Have to run now. Need to stop at the store for bottled water (water here is not tasty) and get back for 4 p.m. prayers and return the borrowed car (mine's still in the shop). Tonight I'm attending a revival. Hope to update again Monday. Thanks again for checking in, as well as leaving messages that cheer me immensely.

Sunset from the balcony

Tuesday, 9/18

Hi -- Thanks for visiting my blog. A beautiful sunshiny day. High in the 80's, lows in the low 50's. The air is so clear that it's a pleasure to just BREATHE. My allergies haven't bothered me once since arriving. That's the plus. The minus is that the mosquito bite count is at 21. That's with multiple applications of eau de Deep Woods. T would say that nature is best observed through the window of an air-conditioned car. The convent, The Dwelling Place at Mt. Tabor, is located on Rte 122, which is more like a driveway than a road. Best to hug the edge of your side of the lane when rounding a bend. The monastery sits on 24 acres on a mountaintop. There are six buildings, including an octagonal sanctuary with picture windows through which to view the land and trees, a large gathering house with kitchen, dining areas, t.v. room (satellite - but I think I'll still be missing "Desperate Houswives"), living room, several offices and bedrooms for the infirm (currently unoccupied) and retreat houses. The sisters are: Sr. Judy (prioress), Sr. Eileen (Ass't prioress), Sr. Jan, Sr. Kathleen, Sr. Carolyn, and Sr. Mary. I'll share a bit about each sister over time, but to start w/ Sr. Judy, as prioress she oversees the workings of the convent (are convent and monastery synonymous?), which includes making financial decisions, planning liturgy, and if I understand correctly, guiding the souls of the convent community. She's a woodworking artist and has a studio on site. In addition to all this, she also sings in a community (town) choir and works as a volunteer EMS. She does jaws of life, water rescue and recovery, search and rescue, and one other harrowing task that I can't remember. And, she's 60! Re teaching, today I worked for two hours with a student in Algebra (!). Good thing I learned the equations myself last night. The young woman is a 2002 h.s. graduate who works full time in a grocery store. She makes weekly two-hour round trips here to the College to brush up on her math in preparation for spring enrollment. I also made a lesson plan for literacy instruction tomorrow. Well, it's time to head back to the mountain for evening prayers, supper, and compline (prayer and blessing at 9). Those last moments together when we stand in a silent circle, Sr. Judy going one by one to each to bless her, is a time of pure peace and contentment. Wishing you peace and contentment.

Alive and well in KY

Hi all -- Thanks for visiting my blog. I was beginning to think I'd have to change the name to "Three days on the road," but now that I'm settled in at the convent and (more technologically significant) here at Big Sandy College, updates should be regular. There was no sign saying, "Welcome to Kentucky!" or even "Entering Kentucky," but I knew when I'd crossed into the state b/c the coal industry became immediately evident. Huge plant, semis hauling coal, trains weaving through the hills pulling dozens of cars heaped with coal, a sign for land -- For lease: Coal storage. I'd read somewhere that the coal business has decreased significantly. I guess someone forgot to tell these folks. The hills and mountains are beautiful, certainly not all about coal. Tiny 1-3 road towns and larger ones such as Prestonsburg where I volunteer. When I arrived in the area, google maps got me off track, and I ended up down one of the many narrow, rural roads. Rounding the umpteenth curve, I saw a small store set up in a clapboard bungalow and stopped to ask directions from the man and woman chatting on the porch. The young man (who appeared to have eye issues and lit up a joint as I drove off) gave me perfect directions. Began working today at Big Sandy College. The adult ed programs has many sites, one of which is in the Drug Court. The GED classes, one step in keeping addicts clean and out of jail, are free. The teacher, a woman my age, helped a young mother (21, maybe) study for her upcoming GED. Very low key instruction. The teacher is kind and encouraging and the student was very focused, demonstrating competency in vocabulary, averages, and geometry. I'll go with the teacher another day to work/observe at a drug rehab house. When the students/addicts complete the drug program, there is a graduation ceremony with staff, judges, and others in attendance to celebrate. By the way, the majority here in KY appears to be hard-working solid folks. There has to be a solid base to support programs that help those in need. Ate twice at a local place called Billy Ray's, good down home cooking. Heard the following exchange between two tables when customers recognized one another:
Customer 1 - Well, hi.
Customer 2 - Hi. How are you?
Customer 1 - I'm fine. You?
Customer 2 - We're good. We're blessed. We're so blessed.
Customer 1 - Well, that's good. We're blessed, too.
Customer 2 - That's good. Bless the Lord.
Customer 1 - Yes. God is good.
Toto, we're not in Westchester anymore. Well, don't want to go on too long. Will write about the convent and sisters tomorrow. Here, there, and everywhere, let's all remember to count our blessings.