Sorry it took me so long to get back to this saga, but I got home Friday afternoon very tired and facing another week of travel. So I "laid back" Friday night and Saturday.

I got to Milwaukee as scheduled on Thursday and faced a minor snow event. We received an inch or so over night with a thin layer of ice underneath. So much for Spring!!! :-)

Upon reflection, in spite of the grounded planes and lack of control on my schedule--and, oh yes, I forgot to mention that the main zipper on my brand new piece of luggage malfunctioned and the bag developed a six-inch tear in the fabric--the trip was a good experience. The situations I faced introduced me to some wonderful people and I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with two of the men thinking about joining our community. While I completely missed an opportunity to meat the third man, I am hoping to pick up the pieces with him at a late date.

God is good and Jesus is Risen. Those are the significant realities of the week and of my life. Schedules, plans, duffel bags, etc. are minor occurrences along the way.

Tuesday I am off to Benet Lake, WI for a meeting of formation personnel from three Franciscan provinces. The Directors of Vocations, Postulants, Novices and the Temporary Professed along with the Prefects of Formation from Saint John the Baptist, Sacred Heart and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary provinces will have our annual meeting to discuss collaboration in the formation of the men joining our communities.