Homesickness

Yesterday, I went down to Milwaukee with my mom to pick up my little sister from a weekend retreat at the Schoenstatt retreat center in Waukesha. As we got into the city, I began to feel like I was coming home again. You see, I was born and raised in Milwaukee/Waukesha area and I did not move up to Green Bay till I was seventeen. I always get really homesick whenever I go back down there and this time was no exception. When we got to the center, a flood of memories hit me. I spent a good portion of my life at the center going to retreats and summer camps and also for the homeschooler's monthly get-together. I did not want to leave. I even saw some of my closest friends whom I had grown up with there, but only got to talk to them for a short while. I really miss spending time with them. I even asked my mom if we could stay down there for the rest of the day. But my mom, practical as ever, said she had to get home, make supper, feed the chickens, etc and that maybe some other time. I just really miss the whole familiarity of those places. It's not that I dislike Green Bay, I just feel like I'm in exile here sometimes because Milwaukee/Waukesha will always be my home no matter where I live or go. My friends and I are going to get together soon and it's a good thing that it only takes two hours to get there but I still feel homesickness sometimes. I even thought about moving back down there sometime but I don't know if that is what God wants. I just want to go home.......

A great weekend!

To anyone who has not yet seen the new Pride and Prejudice, I highly recommend it! :) I have seen it twice and am going to buy it soon. I love all of Jane Austen's works and this movie portrays her work so well. It makes me want to jump in and become part of that world. This weekend was really lovely because I spent Sunday over at Suzanne's house and had a wonderful time!!! She confided to me that I shocked her brother Matt because I could actually put together a 3-D puzzle of Il Dumo! :) I thought that was funny, being a puzzle nut from a very young age. I had a wonderful time on the whole, and I think her whole family is great (especially her mom :)! It started snowing last night, so now all of Green Bay is covered in a white blanket. It is really pretty and I love the picture it creates. Yet, I do hope spring will come soon. I really don't have much else to add. I'm kind of bored right now and am just rambling on and on and on. Ok, ok, I'll stop :) I think I'm getting sick too because I have a non stop headache that has been going on since about 11:00pm last night. So I think I'll get off now and make myself some hot soup and drink some juice. Arrevadeirci!!!!!!
God Bless,
Mary

Lent has begun

"Well, Lent has begun and the time of sacrifice and repentance is here." Father Moreau said this during the homily at Mass on Ash Wednesday night. I have decided as my Lenten resolution to make a holy hour every week at St. Peter and Paul's adoration chapel. I still feel like I should be doing something else though. I am trying to get into some Lenten reading like Suzanne mentioned, but I still feel like I should be doing more. Any other suggestions? At times, I think about my little sacrifices and then reflect on Christ's ultimate sacrifice and I feel like I'm not doing enough. Oh well, I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. I know God is happy with my daily sacrifices and yet, I want to do so much more. Anyway, it's the effort that counts right? Thank you again for all your continued prayers and I will continue to pray for you during this Lenten season.
God Bless,
Mary