Week I of Advent

Sr. Catherine, my roommate Lee and I visited a nearby Trappist Monastery today.  Trappist monks pray Liturgy of the Hours (structured community prayer) seven times a day, often beginning in the wee hours of the morning (around 3am) and ending in the evening around 7:30pm. The community also earns their living through the production of commercial goods, such as cheese, bread, jam, and coffee.  These men devote their entire being to God, living for Him and offering everything for His glory.  Pretty amazing...

In other news, the first week of Advent has come to a close.  This week was fairly remarkable:
-Spent time with the Brommer Family in PA 
- Ran 15 miles
- Celebrated the last days of ESL and Mentoring for the year
- Instituted daily reflection and began personal hiatus
- Considered running a Half-Marathon in PA

Who knows what the next few weeks will bring...