The Trappist Monastery

I thought this was a good excuse to return to blogging... I received this link the other day from a friend.
While I grew up in Ogden & the Monastery was a weekly, yes weekly (I'll explain in a minute) part of our life. I'm so surprised to find out how many people don't really know about this beautiful place.
When we were young the Monastery was thriving with young monks who farmed the 200+ acres, raised chickens & cows & made bread & honey. This came second to their serving God in prayer & silence. I remember visiting the monastery quite often, it is and always has been a place of quiet solitude. I secretly wanted to be a boy so I could go where the girls weren't allowed...
As for the weekly part: mom had eggs & bread delivered every Wednesday at about 7 in the morning. The coffee would be on & Smitty (the caretaker) or one of the brothers would bring them. We could have a slice of warm bread,& honey..... Friends would come on that day to buy these & mom would collect the money & have it for the monks the next week, orders were always called in the first of the week so they would know how any dozen eggs & loaves of bread to bring... I think this went on for more than 20 years.
So while there are only 13 monks left & most of them past their prime, they are all in their 80's. They lease the land to a very kind neighbor, there are no more chickens & the bread and honey are not made... It seems so sad that a simple way of life is dying away.......   literally...
The buildings are run down & in need of repair, but the grounds are still beautiful.... If you go you simply must visit the chapel & stop by the gift shop & talk with one of the brothers. Most take a vow of silence, but some are allowed to talk...
Don't forget to by some of the lovely items they offer.....  You can also get the recipe off this link for the bread... I know I'm going to make some very soon just to relive a few of those childhood memories....


http://www.holytrinityabbey.org/store.html

The slow path

God,  
"We pray for another way of being - another way of knowing.
across the difficult terrain of our existence we have attempted to build a highway and in so doing have lost our footpath.
God lead us to our footpath; lead us there where in simplicity we may move at the speed of natural creatures and feel the earth's love beneath our feet.
lead us there where step by step we may feel the movement of creation in our hearts.
and lead us there where side by side we may feel the embrace of the common soul.
nothing can be loved at speed.
God lead us to the slow path; to the joyous insights of the pilgrim; another way of knowing - another way of being."
Amen.
~Michael Leunig

Coyote Buttes

I often wonder does everyone enjoy all the beauty that god has given us? I love nothing more than to catch a sunrise & sunset & numerous other things too many to list....
I also love rocks, yes rocks always have. Daddy would collect rocks when we were on our trips or just out driving around. So many that he built two fireplaces, six pillars & a back wall on our patio. I remember many  trips when mom would "mention" that if he picked up another rock there wouldn't be room for Ivan & I...

So why the reminiscing?  Because my cousin sent me the following link, Coyote Buttes in Utah & Arizona I have not been here, but now I know it's on my bucket list....

Want to join me? I hope you can open my link?!?


http://sz0062.ev.mail.comcast.net/service/home/~/Coyote_Buttes_in_Utah_Arizona_11.pps?auth=co&loc=en_US&id=458781&part=2

Friends

     I think this is adorable...
                                                             So very true no matter how where your friends live                                    some days you just  have to go there & spend the day....

Old Age???

Couldn't resist sharing this... pretty sure I'm the one on the right...

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 - A Child's Perspective

In his beautiful book, "I Shall Not Want," Robert Ketchum tells of a Sunday School teacher who asked her group of children if anyone could quote the entire 23rd Psalm.  A golden-haired, four-and-a-half-year-old girl was among those who raised their hands.  A bit skeptical, the teacher asked if  she could really quote the entire psalm.
The little girl came to the front of the room, faced the class, made a perky little bow, and said, "The Lord is my shepherd, that's all I want."
She bowed again and went and sat down.
That may well be the greatest interpretation of the 23rd Psalm ever heard.


The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Friends...