August Update #3

After the assembly, I did not join the Lodi sisters on the bus back to New Jersey. Instead, I went with our sisters from Michigan. I did not stop at our big convent in Livonia, though; instead I went straight to the retreat center that we run in the nearby city of Holly. There I went on a six-day directed retreat based in the spirituality of St. Clare. The structure of a retreat like this is: I met with my director for an hour a day, where I shared and she gave me readings and reflections to do. The rest of the day was mine to read, pray, rest, and enjoy the grounds. There is a lake there, different kinds of animals, and paddle boats that we could use to see it all better. There was plenty of room to walk and places to sit. It was a blessed and holy time, during which I reflected and prayed as I prepared to renew my vows for the first time. I benefitted greatly from the silence, as those of us who were on retreat ate and lived together without talking that week. This was so that God could speak to our hearts. I know that He reached out to me during that time!