tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116544875377837762024-03-18T20:57:05.224-07:00Innkeeper's JournalAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614353894756607072noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111654487537783776.post-90230230804116090102013-10-01T14:45:00.001-07:002013-10-01T15:02:52.179-07:00Goodbye, Tom...Thank you, Diane!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-a-eW8xY3XAns0HPLa_lCljHvmBuKJEv2fq5xxztR6tnOu6w2d8SwdGetLoPdEw3BszDEnYgSsEuB91AtPpWVA5F7XmIPy1my3r8271KixnxiJWbMDvGudj2-b5PXd3BqUxMhwFRA6iD/s1600/IMG_1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-a-eW8xY3XAns0HPLa_lCljHvmBuKJEv2fq5xxztR6tnOu6w2d8SwdGetLoPdEw3BszDEnYgSsEuB91AtPpWVA5F7XmIPy1my3r8271KixnxiJWbMDvGudj2-b5PXd3BqUxMhwFRA6iD/s320/IMG_1162.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Two people that were guests
at the Inn a number of times were Tom and Diane Weber.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They had a steady and gentle way of getting
acquainted with Sister Chanelle and myself. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I experienced both of them as very people-centered, giving and lots of
fun. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As time went on we learned that Tom had cancer: multiple myeloma. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tom died September 2</span><sup>nd -- </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">this Labor Day. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This seemed to be a fitting day since Tom
extended his hand to so many people during his life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">During the last couple of
months of his life Tom was on hospice at home. Sister Chanelle and I had a chance
to visit them. We were also blessed to
be with Diane, family and friends at the funeral.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tom was an initiator and Diane is as well; persons who make things happen. Because of their ideas and suggestions we
have been able to beautify the entrance of the Inn with a new pathway,
perennials, hanging baskets and colorful flowers. They also led a birding weekend here at the Monastery. They are good friends! We are grateful for Tom's presence and ideas for the Inn and our prayers go out to his wife Diane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGQ-gwu_YLCrRqcYlvB3xy2z6SbByUcb_Wblbn-CWwJLxGf-dvwSKB73AJyuU7nAHKOleHFa-D5CmD9suYxzL12v3EciabfFqn1EENr6LjnXUBi6YTrN0so_wSPiO7MYTfa4lgFkMOE6x/s1600/flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGQ-gwu_YLCrRqcYlvB3xy2z6SbByUcb_Wblbn-CWwJLxGf-dvwSKB73AJyuU7nAHKOleHFa-D5CmD9suYxzL12v3EciabfFqn1EENr6LjnXUBi6YTrN0so_wSPiO7MYTfa4lgFkMOE6x/s320/flowers.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">(A poem
suggested by Diane for Tom’s Mourning Card)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Grief
never ends,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But it
changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
a passage,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Not
a place to stay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The sense
of loss<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Must give
way</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">If
we are to value</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The
life that was lived.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Grief
is not a sign of weakness,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Nor
lack of faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">It
is the price of love.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> -Anonymous</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614353894756607072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111654487537783776.post-60140375944848657012013-07-31T20:46:00.001-07:002013-08-01T11:25:24.425-07:00"A Gift Exchange" by Evelyne Ello Hart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw89vgOJLVKuKLPcLS_b4fmCADaWEZHkfBIwD9dkj7oC8zXWf4zh2KG6Gdql-8O2Y2SctRKMTe0f5k6Hj_Sj8PtwqH3WJOJBWmsXAfmsCnH8LJjamL_ske0FobDbd3vl2aBqhoDiEuLuLM/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw89vgOJLVKuKLPcLS_b4fmCADaWEZHkfBIwD9dkj7oC8zXWf4zh2KG6Gdql-8O2Y2SctRKMTe0f5k6Hj_Sj8PtwqH3WJOJBWmsXAfmsCnH8LJjamL_ske0FobDbd3vl2aBqhoDiEuLuLM/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sister
Corinne asked me to write for her blog. The request came to me as a gift.
Recently, I have been reflecting on my life experiences through each decade
lived so far as I am preparing to enter a new one. I realized that God showered
me with gifts and graces. Every morning during my stay at St. Gertrude’s, prior
to my morning meditation at 4 am, I watched the sky and observed the horizon. What
I saw was again a gift from God that left me speechless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLS3oNMzLo3GlH3qgiCVJ7pcNeWnWaYqd2ZhySM0a6J_P3mjNGFzDu_EdvMPlWg4EIx80I42xRG37mG-ezcD96YcTa7doCwnif3-FeakaJZ6Ekk1_ziWp1x53xlUpkTDjMYGOnheVXsYUf/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLS3oNMzLo3GlH3qgiCVJ7pcNeWnWaYqd2ZhySM0a6J_P3mjNGFzDu_EdvMPlWg4EIx80I42xRG37mG-ezcD96YcTa7doCwnif3-FeakaJZ6Ekk1_ziWp1x53xlUpkTDjMYGOnheVXsYUf/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
counted my blessings/gifts and I realized that God had matched my love for
writing with journalism and my love for speaking with radio broadcasting and
medical interpreting. Currently, I am pursuing a doctoral degree in Leadership
Studies and a Spiritual Direction formation at Gonzaga University in Spokane,
in order to gift my love of teaching and my experience of the communion of the Holy
Spirit to others. I kept hearing that a gift received should be a gift shared.
This transaction leads us to a joyful place, where our spirit is renewed.
Coming to the Monastery of St. Gertrude was a gift from God. My thank you to
Him was to give back. Indeed, gift my hosts with my presence, my talents, my
passion, and a taste of my culture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkohpfBNLiRsLhqMC6ejZBJLSPh26D5Dn2gUbYHHG2zGw5hMPZneVePs9pShqNWM_omj3EP-lBtkwL5pNPvPqzRx494wWtFjuiSgx-YMjHPUuIkF9UAbw7aH-x41UwSHpowSjQjIGhDbWZ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkohpfBNLiRsLhqMC6ejZBJLSPh26D5Dn2gUbYHHG2zGw5hMPZneVePs9pShqNWM_omj3EP-lBtkwL5pNPvPqzRx494wWtFjuiSgx-YMjHPUuIkF9UAbw7aH-x41UwSHpowSjQjIGhDbWZ/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My
8-year-old daughter Alexis Mérane also said thank you to God. She gifted Sister
Placida with her enthusiasm when she rode Foxy bareback. It was her first time
to ride a horse. She saw that moment as a special gift for her 8th birthday.
She was fully herself in the Monastery, present in all activities, so committed
that one afternoon while I was working as a housekeeper for the Inn, she left
me a note that read, “Dear mommy, went to evening praise” and left me the key
of our place on the note. I was so moved that I decided to capture it as one of
our souvenirs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTMCPUB6Lu5EawO2zAZD8CdLFNTrL4yXKDsdPnUXiQpPhHe3jFir3kXd8HckxiqmsrQVELBf54XO-pEg9X_t2e7xtrqgxPCHUWpaArhclEcQqkbLWz5WqUlItfcbl-vHCE1egWHo2KQoA/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTMCPUB6Lu5EawO2zAZD8CdLFNTrL4yXKDsdPnUXiQpPhHe3jFir3kXd8HckxiqmsrQVELBf54XO-pEg9X_t2e7xtrqgxPCHUWpaArhclEcQqkbLWz5WqUlItfcbl-vHCE1egWHo2KQoA/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In
this amazing gift exchange the Lord reminded me of what it is to be a lay
missionary. I was missing my home in <span style="background: white;">Côte
d'Ivoire</span></span>,<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> my land and my family, especially in the upcoming of my
big birthday, and God brought to my attention the commitment that the Sisters
made to live at St. Gertrude’s. I saw the connection between their way of life
and mine. I saw the missionary thread in all of us reunited in the renewal
room, on the fourth floor of the Monastery. Like me, they left their families,
their homes, their lands to come as missionaries in the Nimiipuu’s country to
serve, to love God, to simply be servant-leaders. Robert Greenleaf wrote in his
seminal essay, <i>The Servant as Leader</i>
that “the servant-leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling
that one wants to serve, to serve first. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwed9Buj7RHGEfmnMMPXm7XC9_a2ShrcchgLwGIY7X1vAL5FQHDpCIGj9FU-ElLWVSbvqS1wurHsgBy5pbCSzysR764h-0GiPSiXOBYDDjb_aBMD08IhbInYmSQ3qwZWKekio3DEXUe9e0/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwed9Buj7RHGEfmnMMPXm7XC9_a2ShrcchgLwGIY7X1vAL5FQHDpCIGj9FU-ElLWVSbvqS1wurHsgBy5pbCSzysR764h-0GiPSiXOBYDDjb_aBMD08IhbInYmSQ3qwZWKekio3DEXUe9e0/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then conscious choice brings one to
aspire to lead”. As a scholar in Leadership Studies, I believe that to lead is
also to inspire, to influence others to become who God called them to be. While
at St Gertrude’s, the daily life inspired me to make the connection between my
relationship with St. Benedict and my leadership philosophy, which is Servant
Leadership. I clearly saw while praying in the chapel, the seed of a scholarly
paper in my heart. I saw how Robert Greenleaf walked in some of St. Benedict’s
footsteps. I saw Servant Leadership in the rule of St. Benedict and shared the
beginning of that inquiry with the Sisters. That was one of the highlights of
my stay. It tasted as sweet as the sweets I made for the guests at the Inn.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
can now return to Gonzaga replenished and ready to submit to the action of God
as the plaque reads in the back of the statue of St Ignatius standing in front
of College Hall. My time at St Gertrude allowed me to say again my yes to the
Lord, to live my life as a lay missionary and to serve others using all my
birth gifts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9D1oYbryquHOEh65kNpWZWZeQMxlwZVhyphenhyphentyruAgvlRfoka7g4L2QXqGNYFzG2-_Y5cemfOr0AL32dM9ODX-vDFPgghxQGYqFEChRxx9Tia8U4v4lWTqPp6L_APLs_kOMMfPGBtOEY1LbP/s1600/Alexis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9D1oYbryquHOEh65kNpWZWZeQMxlwZVhyphenhyphentyruAgvlRfoka7g4L2QXqGNYFzG2-_Y5cemfOr0AL32dM9ODX-vDFPgghxQGYqFEChRxx9Tia8U4v4lWTqPp6L_APLs_kOMMfPGBtOEY1LbP/s640/Alexis.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614353894756607072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111654487537783776.post-92023248499284399482013-01-31T20:47:00.000-08:002013-01-31T20:47:26.268-08:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This post features Francie Ford, who generously agreed to be the volunteer innkeeper during community week last fall.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41Ukp4hHROnfSP6p8LenJ2FHLtt_fjyAfuRmwBAkM36H6zbvajt8gv8gkgemo4wVmuWukNco38SWF35dG55bmWW4eaA2-Nn5rbfIIZUBqAc7IHMzmYg-QPx2Af2iZwDGs30hHnhRxqLjV/s1600/FrancieFord.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41Ukp4hHROnfSP6p8LenJ2FHLtt_fjyAfuRmwBAkM36H6zbvajt8gv8gkgemo4wVmuWukNco38SWF35dG55bmWW4eaA2-Nn5rbfIIZUBqAc7IHMzmYg-QPx2Af2iZwDGs30hHnhRxqLjV/s320/FrancieFord.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During Community Week last autumn, when the Sisters conduct
the business of the Monastery, a family
requested several days of reservations for the entire Inn. Because they did not want to disappoint their
guests, the Sister innkeepers turned to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt like a little girl, playing house; it was going to be
“my” space, into which to welcome the guests. I would serve the treats; I would get the breakfast. But, shortly before the guests arrived, the
reality hit me. This week was my
responsibility. It was going to be up to
me to see to the credit card transfers, the assignment of the rooms and the
sorting of the proper keys, the maintenance of the flower gardens,
the coffee and food. And, although I
knew I could interrupt the Sisters if an emergency occurred, I did not want to
have to do that. Yikes! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My greatest concern, however, was that I would not provide the
true welcoming hospitality the Sisters give. And for this lack there was no panic button; I could not ask a guest to
wait while I found someone to take over welcoming them. Yikes, again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, me of little faith. I had not counted on the grace that abounds in that place. The Sisters would never have asked me had they
not believed I could do the job. They
had carefully trained me, so gently that I had not realized how much I had
learned. When the guests arrived,
welcoming them was natural. When I had
difficulty with the credit cards, the guests were patient. When I did anything for them, they were
unstintingly grateful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I received in turn were blessings beyond
imagining. When my friends ask what I do
at The Inn, or why I continue to volunteer, I reply that being there provides
the way to experience what really matters to me: service, hospitality,
conviviality. I can hardly wait to go
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Francie Ford<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614353894756607072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111654487537783776.post-67463978998942238552012-10-31T19:48:00.000-07:002012-10-31T19:53:12.090-07:00Many reasons to be thankful<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyZRxzVLcH30LqqOZ4HhAH8kwLzegVC04pp56JFpvYtXXvulxlaJ1OXhhr_-zNY42lQL3a8bGyEjX9WjN0HhC96zYAWb_K6rlXBC8msUZKyQLS1EWqBS7HJs_A9q6zrsLlMGXQGWOVWqT/s1600/DSC02102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyZRxzVLcH30LqqOZ4HhAH8kwLzegVC04pp56JFpvYtXXvulxlaJ1OXhhr_-zNY42lQL3a8bGyEjX9WjN0HhC96zYAWb_K6rlXBC8msUZKyQLS1EWqBS7HJs_A9q6zrsLlMGXQGWOVWqT/s320/DSC02102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November is here; Thanksgiving will soon be here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have many things to be grateful for at the <st1:place w:st="on">Inn</st1:place>, our Bed and Breakfast at St. Gertrude’s. I will ponder a few briefly and then reminisce about one of several items
I have specially marked.** I will journal about the others at some future
date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To begin, I am grateful for:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the many new guests we have had the last year and for you
that have returned for a second, third, fourth time;
you come from many places and many walks of life</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the warm and creative affirmations and suggestions from you, our guests</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the warmth and graciousness of all of our guests</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the presence of your children at the </span><st1:place style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" w:st="on">Inn.</st1:place></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am also thankful for:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the effort to continue to enhance and beautify the outside
of the </span><st1:place style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" w:st="on">Inn </st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">— special thanks go to Tom and
Diane Weber and Suzanne St. Pierre**</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the first ever </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Birding at the Monastery </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">event</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the generosity of the Wilson family and friends**</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the volunteer innkeepers at the </span><st1:place style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" w:st="on">Inn.</st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am grateful for:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the immediate attention by Sr. Carlotta when there is trouble with a TV</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the awesome work of Theresa Henson — our artist and
communications person — her brochures, website,
etc. are commented on by us and many of you, our guests!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the support and interest of our Community members</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the Support and Visionary Committee, t</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he Supervisory Group, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sr. Clarissa.</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Birding at the <st1:place w:st="on">Inn</st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoCmzOeeGaw6VTABDDpMul6BOuEBi1VKDafdrBt1CXb9ndWOFt5C8DN4bYZLFDqS31tDglznCXITUgQK1Kr8xtcGT8zapJHguShXJMqFKkUiC68kg-oP1bwAwVS-naHk2i-uomuC3QN2q/s1600/Birders1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoCmzOeeGaw6VTABDDpMul6BOuEBi1VKDafdrBt1CXb9ndWOFt5C8DN4bYZLFDqS31tDglznCXITUgQK1Kr8xtcGT8zapJHguShXJMqFKkUiC68kg-oP1bwAwVS-naHk2i-uomuC3QN2q/s320/Birders1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tom and Diane Weber have been frequent guests at our <st1:place w:st="on">Inn</st1:place>; they have also taken a personal interest in the Bed
and Breakfast as well as its future. While talking to one another during
a stay they wondered if doing some “Bird Watching” would be an
attraction. The Webers are avid bird watchers and so we
agreed on a date and some advertising. The date was September 25- 27,
2012 and two people signed up. I found myself
disappointed at first; however, this was the perfect number to start with. Some of the quotes from attendees: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“My days with you opened up a
whole new interest in my life and I also have found myself surrounded by
birds.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “As I move over to the <st1:place w:st="on">Inn</st1:place> or
climb the hill I am so much more aware of birds, their size, their sounds, and
their habits. The visuals used for presentations were so informative regarding
our flying friends of Mother Earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Generosity Is Their Name<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following speaks of the concerted effort of our two
leaders and two guests:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a foursome they went to dinner on the first night of the
bird watching event. While at the restaurant one of them noticed two people
who seemed in great distress. The mother and son had serious car
problems, were planning to travel a great distance and were looking for a place
to stay overnight. The four birders knew that we had a vacant room at the <st1:place w:st="on">Inn</st1:place> and encouraged them to come. They called and
made arrangements. When the newcomers arrived at the Bed and Breakfast the four
were so attentive and used their unique gifts to help the newcomers as well as the innkeepers. The travelers truly needed a good night’s sleep and comfort. The
next morning one of the birders went with the son to solve the problem of the
car. Soon the mother and son were on their way. It
was such a collaborative effort. I am full of amazement at such kindness and generosity!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614353894756607072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111654487537783776.post-62513816977221126762012-06-28T14:30:00.003-07:002012-06-28T16:52:25.335-07:00Finding Goodness on Mom's Weekend<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKgRyjqbpyK92qCIO4toOmVKD9QYlP1NnuOBNLyufjAPPuDmay6dz3-zZKTg3UX0YXKPQlXY8aYaCPB5lZSSR9FJNvaA7pfgKkcBNFtzSjvZ4ZKtFHUUItiyRZCUuwusT1tBDdlDE44KI/s1600/DSCN1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKgRyjqbpyK92qCIO4toOmVKD9QYlP1NnuOBNLyufjAPPuDmay6dz3-zZKTg3UX0YXKPQlXY8aYaCPB5lZSSR9FJNvaA7pfgKkcBNFtzSjvZ4ZKtFHUUItiyRZCUuwusT1tBDdlDE44KI/s200/DSCN1348.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Many years ago, when I was in my mid 20's, a woman I met taught me the value of trusting in the goodness of people. I don't know how it happened, but it did happen. I saw differently in my journey of life. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This trusting in the goodness of people, especially young people played itself out during a weekend at the </span><st1:place style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;" w:st="on">Inn</st1:place><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> during April of this year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZOJvYYw7C0uBKTEaTioAPvnBFornyEv4WJiHdjOEhyyrNIlgLgD256TvY4ueRcOXOlaGfUvG5TWxhzhyj-_Q_3WXpWjMP8GfC391tYsAg3fOWRBgv-_uEDJHN7Hk_t1_Rgpr8kXE9HDz/s1600/DSCN1282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZOJvYYw7C0uBKTEaTioAPvnBFornyEv4WJiHdjOEhyyrNIlgLgD256TvY4ueRcOXOlaGfUvG5TWxhzhyj-_Q_3WXpWjMP8GfC391tYsAg3fOWRBgv-_uEDJHN7Hk_t1_Rgpr8kXE9HDz/s320/DSCN1282.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Washington State University in Pullman had Mom’s weekend the 14<sup>th</sup> of April. The particular Mom has two sons in college. Her plan was to pick up the one son in
Central Washington and then for the two of them to meet the other son in <st1:city w:st="on">Pullman</st1:city>. To make this a
special son/Mom weekend the Dad figured that renting a convertible sports car
for the event would be cool. In the meantime
the youngest son in <st1:city w:st="on">Pullman</st1:city> came to the
conclusion that his Mom would enjoy coming to the <st1:place w:st="on">Inn</st1:place>
at St. Gertrude. He had read a newsletter
of the minister of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries who had made a retreat at St.
Gertrude and spoke so highly of his experience. This son figured that his Mom would appreciate being at the <st1:place w:st="on">Inn</st1:place> at St. Gertrude rather than staying on campus for the
weekend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdyDvfDAAv6jVFAOwT3_alu6QjNUpLXVL-Ilp6t6eEW-_LVsSb1-mMapVVsDih1fWJl6cShcdbD26wN5BGJiA2RqCLxOzJpKE52swjbENY3dTIsj5rEN_gCGfnMdPkeuWc8YL0q2ddpPJ/s1600/DSCN1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdyDvfDAAv6jVFAOwT3_alu6QjNUpLXVL-Ilp6t6eEW-_LVsSb1-mMapVVsDih1fWJl6cShcdbD26wN5BGJiA2RqCLxOzJpKE52swjbENY3dTIsj5rEN_gCGfnMdPkeuWc8YL0q2ddpPJ/s200/DSCN1309.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Their stay was filled with hiking the trails through the
Monastery Wood, eating, meeting people, studying and driving their rental to
the warmer river country on highways 13 and 12 which pass through Stites,
Kooskia and Kamiah. Needless to say they
speeded along with their convertible top down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl-LMGxsucw-L02NroG2n4oFmyd3xc2erBE17BYPr9yQkUERVpLswjejcemJ4HmWhY5T0quYMljyb5qJp4UaRa9xZMsN34L2H2g6pDO-ZAliJC6v71utm_ygXKXWCFu14xlSju-a83flu/s1600/DSCN1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl-LMGxsucw-L02NroG2n4oFmyd3xc2erBE17BYPr9yQkUERVpLswjejcemJ4HmWhY5T0quYMljyb5qJp4UaRa9xZMsN34L2H2g6pDO-ZAliJC6v71utm_ygXKXWCFu14xlSju-a83flu/s200/DSCN1278.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When asked what they liked the best towards the end, the one
thought the hide abed was the best ever and the other “grooved” on the homemade
bread at our place. I mentioned to the
Mom that she and her husband must have great parenting skills. She shook her head “no” and replied, “Oh, no. We have a great God!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://innatstgertrude.com/">Visit the Inn at St. Gertrude</a></b></span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614353894756607072noreply@blogger.com0