The Armament of Love

I did make it to adoration last night, the temp cooled just enough to be okay for walking.

I found a beautiful sermon in my brievery that I thought I would share part of:

The Armament of Love: "Love, indeed, is the source of all good things: it is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven. He who walks in love can neither go astray nor be afraid: love guides him, protects him, and brings him to his journey's end.

My brothers, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together."

I thought this was so beautiful, and a great example of what I need to remember while I am here and what I can practice when I return home.

It was a very peacefull feeling to leave the Mother House with, but was quickly overtaken by the ridiculous choas of the streets. The streets become so crowded at night and walking home last night left me wanting to yell "shut up!" to everyone around. For the most part I have been able to just walk ahead and not let the honking and yelling get to me, but for some reason last night I was very impatient. Rikshaws will come up right behind you and start ringing their bells and yelling at you even though they can see that you can't move either. And then taxis honk until you finally can move. There is never a time when someone will just wait for room to go by. They are always expecting everyone else to move. And then the boys and young men on the street will say "hello hello" which normally I would want to respond to and be polite, but here, as soon as you look their way they make some sort of rude comment and then laugh or they flip you off or worse yet, try to sell you something. Once someone thinks they can sell you something they will follow you all the way across town. Oh man, if it wasn't for that, I think I could stay another month. Of course all of this is what makes the city the way it is and I have to remember that just because it makes me angry doesn't mean it should be different.

I went out this morning and found some hot lemon with honey...which ended up being "hot lemonade" (mom) and was excellent and helped my throat for the time being. After breakfast I started feeling stomach cramping so I'm not really looking forward to the rest of this day. I hope I can just feel normal for my last few days here! I really would rather be in Daya Dan than sleeping on my hard bed. I did finish the murals and explained to sister that I probably wouldn't have enough time to do the other two that she wanted. I have a little bit more shopping to do so that I'm not doing it at the last minute like everyone else that has left has done. Maybe tonight if I'm feeling okay I can venture over to New Market...picture Pike Place times 15 with guys following you around asking if they can help you shop and then expecting a commission. Oh and there's a meat market in the center...the worst smell ever. I will never compain about how "crowded" Seattle is ever again!

Well, I think I'm off to sleep a bit more, or read. The people in my dorm think that's about all I do because that's all the ever see me doing! Always sleeping! Oh well. Take care and be good! Love you, Corina