Hi everyone!

 Well another day comes to a close at L'Arche daybreak.  The big news here today was that I got cleared by the insurance company to drive the house van.  We sure needed that as we are really short on drivers.  Word travelled fast as it does here.

 This morning the new assistants came together for another orientation session.  This one was on spirituality. The Spiritual life is so important at L'Arche and you can feel it being lived in our relationships, our daily activities, the routine chores, the chance meetings on the property or off and of course also in the prayer life of the community.

 I was asked the lead the prayer and shared with them the new song I wrote.  This song was inspired by core member Gordie Henry from Church street.  On meeting up with me on my second night here, we shared a big hug.  later that evening at Dayspring at prayer, he prayed for me as I joined them this year and then prayed for Phil also.  He asked God to help me to open my heart to this year.  Well the next morning I wrote this song. Even though you might not have the melody, I share the words:

Open your Heart

(Ref)          Open your heart and dare to walk the road

                   see the path, and walk it without fear.

                   You’re not alone, come and we’ll join hands,

                   Look inside, and all will become clear.

The road we travel can sometimes be so hard.

The path of life full of tears.

But God will never ever leave us in our pain.

The hand of friendship will be there.  (Ref)

Our lives are sacred, our story comes from God.

Fashioned with the hands of love.

Taste and see the beauty our God sees within.

Believe as God believes in you. (Ref)

Trust in our God now and listen with your heart.

Hear the voice that gives new life.

Feel the Spirit’s love, renewing deep within

embracing you with a new start. (Ref)

 This song was used in prayer to invite the other assistants to open themselves to the gift this year could be for each one of us. The rest of the morning just fit in.  It is amazing to see the assistants gathered with or without a spiritual componet to their lives and the sharing they did today.  The sharing we have with one another is really wonderful and there is an openness to the group and a bond forming among us.  Tiago from Brazil and I went out for lunch and had a real good chat.  This young man of 29 studied psychology and has a lot of wisdom having lived much in his life.  I see in him a real L'Arche spirit and he will be good for this community and vice versa.

 This afternoon we went to the Club and went out bowling.  This was amazing and so much fun.  Again I was with Mike Ricci who is visually impaired.  I had to help him bowl and I was not sure how this would work out.  He had a ball and I continue to be challenged by him and amazed by him. Francis, another core member and the oldest in the community at 83 was on his game shooting at 189 at 5 pin.  He was hooting at me and telling me I would never beat him because he was good and bowled twice a week.  I told him he was on steroids and wanted him tested by the Ontario bowling commission.  I said if that wasn't it, Peggy, another core emmber had been paid off to cheat for him.  She denied this up and down. The group howled at this. It was amazing to see Hsi Fu, another core member being helped to bowl using a ramp to let the bowling ball fall down.  Bill Van Buren , another core member, tormented me and jeered me all afternoon. There is a great spirit and it was wonderful.

 I took Mike Ricci and Tom Krusiak over to get their hair cut at Rick's on Yonge Street. Well let me tell you i should take pictures of the inside of the store.  It was just incredible and words cannot truly describe it.  It was a roman theme with shields of gold, golden fig leaf arches and all kings of things like that.  There were wig holders and long women's wigs around the shop.  It took Rick an hour to cut both thier hair.

 Tonight at Supper we welcomed Alan Dobb who ate with us and took John Bloss with him for coffee afterwards.  John is a prankster and likes to pass the salad but hide the salad thongs under the table in his hands and click themn together, all the while looking at Alan with a mischevious look.  It was wonderful.

 L'Arche as I said is about the little things, that build on one another.  It is an overall experience and the touching way this community can form you. I am blown away by how at the end of the day, I can be so thankful for so many little things.  I believe that by doing this blog each night, I get in touch with the deeper level of L'arche and am allowing myself to stay in touch with what I am living.

 So it is now 10:17 and that is enough.  Until next time!

Jeff