New Mexico Trip

I was so immersed in my trip to New Mexico that I didn't get a chance to sit down and write any blog posts while actually there. However, I plan to process the trip and write a couple posts about the many different things that I did. Actual pictures of the trip will come later (the ceiling in my office collapsed while I was gone so downloading pics from my camera was out of the question).

I went on a mini-pilgrimage to the state of New Mexico to visit my friend Graham, a Norbertine novice at the Priory of Santa Maria de La Vid (Holy Mary of the Vine). Graham's blog has been featured here on Church of Turtles in earlier posts and I encourage you to check it out. He doesn't post often, but when he does it is always worth reading! Pictures of the priory can be found there.

Every morning we would rise and attend morning prayer and mass with the community of priests and brothers who live at the Priory. It was a unique experience because the Norbertines sing the office instead of simply reciting it… I have never been a good singer, but I was tremendously moved by their singing.

During the day, Graham took me on tours of many different churches and cultural attractions around the state of New Mexico. Once I have downloaded my pictures, I will post about some of the more unique and historical things that we saw.

We returned to the Priory each evening for evening prayer and dinner. After dinner, I retired to the little hermitage that they set aside for me to stay in. It was set apart from the priory just a short walk into the desert. At night I would pray, study, relax and sleep (which I cherished!).

The Priory is on the outskirts of Albuquerque, which is surrounded by mountains and vast open stretches of desert. Sunrises and sunsets were more spectacular than firework shows!

If you are interested in learning more about the Norbertines in New Mexico. Check out the following video:



Peace turtles!

Lights Out

I started writing this post over a month ago... then my computer battery died and I forgot all about it.

A series of terrible storms passed through Chicago in June and a very serious one left nearly a quarter of a million people without electricity. My roommates and I were some of those people.

One the first night of the blackout, I was home alone. I lit some candles, prayed Lectio Divina style, practiced some yoga, spoke to two close friends on the phone to catch up and eventually fell asleep listening to the rain in a cozy camp chair on my balcony.

On the second night of the blackout, I was home with two roommates and we stayed up talking and playing a board game by candle light. It was very relaxed and intimate.

On the third night of the blackout, I again spent time with my roommates. By this time the apartment had gotten so hot that I fell asleep laying on our hardwood floors because they were cooler than my bed and our couches.... it was fantastic.

The refrigerator couldn’t humm... the fans couldn’t buzz... the doorbell couldn’t ring and slowly, the laptop batteries died.... the phone batteries died.... the flashlight batteries died... it was a very peaceful series of evenings.

I don’t knock technology. As an IT professional, I understand the many wonderful things that technology can do. But regardless... it was nice to get away.

Next week I am going to get away one more time. I will be visiting my brothers in the Norbertine Community of Santa Maria de la Vid Priory in Albequrque, New Mexico. I will make sure to take lots of pictures and post them here for you.

I hope you can get away too... even if that just means turning off the computer and shutting off the lights. Peace!