I'm in Washington!

I had a very easy travel day yesterday – we got to the airport in plenty of time, and I got to see my sister Alyssa off on her flight to Ireland with a bunch of other Bennies and Johnnies. I sat next to a sweet elderly couple on my 3.5 hour flight to Seattle and finally finished my book, The Blind Assassin (I’d highly recommend it). Then S. Maureen and S. Monika met me with a big yellow welcome sign as I came down the escalator to the baggage claim, and we drove the 55 minutes from Sea-Tac to St. Placid Priory, my new home! The trees are huge here – Douglas firs mainly, but lots of deciduous trees as well. And I could see Mount Rainier as we drove along the interstate – I was very lucky the mountain was out, the sisters told me! I’ve been here for 24 hours now and it hasn’t rained yet, so I’m taking that as a good omen.


Today I went to St. Martin’s University, where S. Ana Maria and S. Redempta (the sisters from Tanzania) go to school. We went to the Holy Spirit mass (like Convocation at CSB/SJU) and then had lunch in the cafeteria. I missed having flex points! Then we went to the public library so I could get a library card since I can’t live long without one! We walked there and back, probably about a mile or so one way. It’s so beautiful here, just like everyone told me it would be! I’m regretting bringing only one pair of tennis shoes…they’re going to be worn out pretty fast at this rate!  And as I was getting tired this afternoon, I had some wonderful Pacific Northwest coffee.  The sisters get it for free from a local organic roaster - my coffee addiction is going nowhere but up!


I've also been to prayers every time I've been around for them, and I really love the pace (very slow) and the inclusive language (Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier instead of Father, Son, and Spirit).  The sisters have been incredibly welcoming – I feel at home and loved already! I have my own room on the ground floor with more closet space than I’ve ever had in my life (or at least it feels like it since I only have 2 suitcases-worth of stuff to fill them with), my own sink and counter and mirror, and a view of greenery. I have blue towels and blankets and a pink bedspread, so I feel like I’m back in my college housing (KLM, I miss you!). I share a bathroom/shower room with four other sisters, but there are 5 showers so that shouldn’t be a problem. I’m still adjusting to the time difference, but getting up at 6:45 here felt like 8:45 at home, so it’s working out ok. My stomach started growling during mass, though, since it was 1pm my time!
More about my volunteer duties once they get underway, but I know this already: I am going to love working with S. Redempta and S. Ana Maria! We laughed so much today just hanging around at St. Martin’s – it’s going to be a wonderful year.


And my lesson: I’ve mostly been learning the orientation of the building/city and the sisters’ names, but I’ve also learned that Benedictine hospitality never fails. This is the fourth Benedictine community I’ve visited, and I have felt taken care of, loved, and truly welcomed at every one. I’m excited to be able to extend this hospitality to others who visit St. Placid and to the sisters themselves!
And finally, as my fellow volunteer Ashley would say, “Peace and love, peace and love!”