


After morning Mass and some additional reflection and prayer time, we enjoyed a hot breakfast of pancakes and sausage before heading out to work. The morning hours passed away quickly, as we got to work repairing and creating new trails. This took the form of destruction and clearing, as well as much hauling of woodchips with handy wheelbarrows all pushed by hnad. Who knew serving God's creation and those who enjoy it could be so much fun and hard work at the same time?
We are here live from the upstairs typing this wonderful message just for you. (And yes you should feel special) This day has brought fun adventures, strengthened friendships, and continuing competitiveness with the morning routine. The race for points continued this morning with a mad dash to the Maria Goretti Center… unfortunately our team still hasn’t figured this out! We began our morning prayer by reflecting on the Eucharist and what it means to receive it. (It took a little bit cause being outta the house in 30 seconds doesn’t help) Alison gave a wonderful talk on how to hug a bear… well figuratively. She explained to us how receiving the Eucharist is similar to hugging Christ. (Between early morning yawns, that is) we left Maria gritty and trekked back to our home sweet home for some breakfast, a tad slower than we came.
We had a nice breakfast… cereal, bagels, and toast, YUM! This morning routine also included a morning dance party to get our blood flowing and pumping through our veins. After this fun jolly time we got ourselves packed and ready for the day and crammed into the cars. We enjoyed some more team bonding, including the sharing of several new talents. (Dylan’s parents should be proud) Our group bonded really well today, and so did all the others, as we learned later. We headed downtown to the campus church of St. Paul.
There we were given the wonderful opportunity to confess our lovely sins that we keep near and dear. Thanks to the priests we won’t feel guilty for not telling out parents the whole truth... Just kidding we love you very much and would not even dare to do a dumb foolish thing like that. The experience was really touching for several people. Mass began at 12 o’clock. It was a special mass because one of special people in our special group got to read quite possibly the longest reading in the entire Bible. After mass we once again loaded up the cars for the trip to the Schlueter’s house to finish our special missions.
We had to even sacrifice our precious lunch time to arrive a little earlier by eating in the cars… too bad for speed limits. We split up into three posses when we got there: The manly men worked on flooring the dining room, a clothes-putting-away crew, and an outdoor flowering team. Flowers were planted, dressers were organized, and plans were plotted. Oh… and by some miracle Matt Williams was actually able to cut a piece of flooring in under five whole minutes.
Soon the outdoor team became the grilling team…and let me say, the hotdogs were excellent because they had some good looking grill marks. By the end of the day the house was looking like Extreme Home Makeover actually did come. The new hardwood floors were shining, newly painted walls were gleaming, and the furniture was spicing up the place like oregano on a pizza. Wow, punny. Although a lot was accomplished, we were all feeling a little sad. I don’t think anyone could believe the last full day was here already.
This afternoon we were visited by the family’s priest from St. Dennis. He played an important role in helping Bart and the entire family make it through the toughest times during Clare’s illness. Bart sang and played the guitar for us and Father prayed over the home and for us, blessing us for the hard work we had done. We were also concerned for Clare, who had to leave earlier in the day because she had a fever. (Because of her cancer, this could be dangerous to her health, so she needed to go to the hospital.) So the end of our day was filled with prayers for Clare along with the satisfaction of a job well done.
We left the home around 8, bound for swimming! After a quick stop at the house, Jeff forgot a shirt… and another quick stop… for Gina’s swimsuit…we finally managed to arrive at the pool. After a long, sweaty, and thus far shower less day, we were all excited for a long luxurious cool deserving swim in the pool. It felt good to feel refreshed. Frisbee, cannonballs, and swan diving (lessons courtesy of Slade, James, Dylan, and Matt) soon were on their way. We also shared the ways we saw God in our day…in da pool!
After swimming was over, we adjourned to the gym for Collatio. Gina spoke to us about the meaning of the Eucharist and we had another round of sharing time. It was amazing to hear all of the ways our group was touched by this trip. Our faiths were strengthened, just as much as the bonds of friendship we made in this short…oh, and we had a TON of fun in the sun! Who knew all of this could come from making other people happy and helping a deserving family?
Phil played the guitar and we sang, reflecting on the day. I have to say, a few tears were shed…but the number of smiles greatly surpassed the tears. We packed up once more for home, but our car got a got a little sidetracked. (we really shouldn’t mention this) The stop may or may not have involved Frosties, though…. just sayin’. It was a late night (it’s 2:43 AM after all) but well worth it. As we sit here and think back on the day, we can’t help but wonder when we’ll all be together again. Surely, this trip will be forgotten by none for a very long time.
Signing off to the lovely serenade of Abby’s snoring,
Matt and Liz =)
We’ve made it to mid-week and the enthusiasm hasn’t waned in the slightest! Many of us have actually started to settle in to the routine and are finding the days easier and easier as we go - both in work and in our relationships with each other. :) This morning at prayer we challenged ourselves in a reflection on how we are to see Christ in everyone, and so to serve Christ through everyone we meet; the rest of the day seemed to be the fruit of that mediation.
But before we get to the service and to the labor of the day, how can we forget the fun. Our pool games are getting more complicated and surprisingly more fun. Today we raced. It began with my personal favorite: the butterfly... my favorite not because I’m particularly good at it, but because the truth is actually the exact opposite of that case... it’s my worse... and it seems to be the worst for most people... which makes the racing quite the entertainment for both the swimmers and the spectators.
After Mass, we were back down to business. Today we split up into two groups: one went to the laundromat, the other stayed at the house to paint and finish the flooring. The four and a half hours leading up to dinner flew by, and by the time we knew it, almost an entire bedroom was cleaned and painted, most of the living room floor was in place, and the laundry crew did many, many, many loads. (Ask any LBH participant what that means...)
It’s a good thing that Papa John’s on the East Side of Madison gave us a sweet deal on the pizza for dinner, because we were all grateful for the sustenance and time to chat with each other about the good times that had been had thus far. Post-dinner was the daily rosary, asking for some Marian help in the work we were still going to be up to. Leaving the house close to nine, one car made a quick stop at the grocery store, so we could celebrate John the Baptist’s birthday with locusts and wild honey... or, ice cream sundaes.
Collatio brought us deeper into knowledge of each other, the humor of the day, and God’s infinite mercy as the night revolved around preparing for Confession tomorrow. As we wound down the night, the kids simultaneously wound up... perhaps to be expected? After night prayer, there was much bonding to be had, minor theft of LBH mascots, and more jocularity.
All in all, we would have to say it was our best day yet. Please keep the prayers coming as we finish the work on this family’s house. We will be praying for all of you - our readers. (We were glad to break into the 70’s on our daily number of visitors. Keep spreading the word about our blog!!)
St. John the Baptist, pray for us!
Our inspiration.