MaryAMAZINGknoll week one

Wow. I can't believe that I have only been here a few days. Everyone feels like family already. The 8 other lay missioners have such diverse backgrounds and life experiences and we all share a passion for life and service that it feels like Bethany really is overflowing with joy and peace! Bethany is the residence hall, contains a chapel, the administrations offices and classrooms where we spend our time. There are also three maryknoll sisters who just took their vows this past August in training with us who are also preparing for overseas placement. That makes a group of 12 of us:-)

I am so excited for all that we will be doing in these upcoming weeks, and am looking forward to a week long trip to Washington DC the first full week of October! I have already musically participated in Mass here at Bethany and have visited the Congregation (maryknoll sisters) and Society (Fathers and brothers) buildings which are a pleasant walk away. There are apple trees around the property so we will be picking them and using the press in the kitchen to make cider in the fall. From our classroom windows we can sometimes see deer wandering across the property. We have to be EXTREMELY careful though- because there is a very high level of lyme disease in the area (and while beautiful the deer don't help!) We all check for ticks anytime we are outside. I am eager to take pictures of the area to post because it is so nice around here, but that is for another day!