A Year in the Life: "Cry Jubilee!"

To say this weekend was simply great would be an understatement. It was tremendous, wonderful, awesome, fantastic, and all around a great time (did I get enough adjectives in there?) It was Jubilee weekend here at the Mount, and it was definitely one to remember.

We have a new Riepper (that's our little nickname around here) on board, she joined us last Monday. We've been getting to know her a little here and there throughout the week. Friday night the three of us were sent to dinner, courtesy of the Mount, because they were having a very special "Sisters Only" dinner for the Jubilarians celebrating 60 years with the community. So we enjoyed a nice dinner at a local restaurant, and caught the last few minutes of the sunset out on the peninsula before rounding the night off with some ice cream. Not a bad way to spend a Friday.

Saturday was the big day, and the big celebration for the 4 Sisters celebrating 25 and 50 years with the community. Alyssa and I were drafted to help in various areas of set up and clean up before and after the event. We set up chairs and tables, and decorated. We arranged some very yummy looking cookie trays (and taste tested, of course!), and we directed traffic in the parking lot (on a side note- I'd like to thank the people who actually 1-stopped and 2- listened to me when I told them where to park. You're all wonderful, thank you!)

The ceremony itself was really beyond words, it was very moving, and there was so much energy in the room. It's really something else to be a part of these women renewing their monastic vows. Lots of singing, dancing, and celebrating. It was a wonderful afternoon.

The ceremony was followed later by a big party in town. Alyssa and I popped in after helping with some clean up here at the Mount. We were about as tired as could be, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate a little more. It was SO much fun. I was finally pulled onto the dance floor by the end of the night, and did a crazy dance to some Irish music. Extra thanks to my dance partner, we were smooth as could be!

Sunday was a less hectic day. After Liturgy in the morning, Alyssa and I spent most of the day running around town. The weather all weekend was immaculate, and we wanted to be out in it as much as possible. We went on a bit of a wild goose chase trying to find Mason's, a local farmer's market type place. We played around, fed some animals, got lost in a tiny corn maze and got some yummy cider and apples. Our next goal is to find a place with a huge corn maze (if anyone has any ideas of good ones in the area, let me know!)

Last night we made it back down to the peninsula to watch the sunset and have a bit of a picnic. After it was dark we headed downtown to the observation deck to get some pictures of the city lights. It was still so warm and beautiful out, it's unreal that it's almost the middle of October and still so nice. It won't last long though, but while it's here it's a blessing for sure!

Today both of my usual ministries are closed thanks to the holiday, but I'm helping work on the Sisters new home page. It's nice taking it a little easier today after such a hectic weekend. Plus I'm trying to kick a crummy cold that's been after me since Thursday.

I'm hoping this beautiful weather holds out for as long as possible. I'm not ready for the cold just yet!