Hi everyone,

I have said it before that L'Arche is not an over all experience, but rather little God moments that is L'Arche.  There are so many moments that the core members touch my heart through a word, a gesture, a mini break through.  There are those playful moments when I feel so loved and accepted in the house.  There are those moments when God is so present and I know that love flows through me. Let me share a few God moments from over the past week in no particular order.

Today we were sitting around the living room and Mary Anne (core member) came over to me as I was sitting on the floor. She playfully untied my shoelaces.  Kara (another core member) came over and knelt and tied them back up.  Mary Anne came back and untied them again and then threw herself down across my legs and took off my sneakers completely.  I tried to wave my feet in her face. Tom (core member) jumped in and took them outside.  Camilla (house assistant) ran out and came back in wearing them. We broke into John Bloss' game of "where is the......".  Then Tom came over and got his slippers and bent over and placed them on my feet.  Finally after Mary Anne hiding them under the couch, the wonderful moment came to an end.  It was a foot washing moment for me and I felt Jesus in the core members.

Yesterday Gordie Henry (in picture above) was raking leaves by himself.  I stopped and talked to him and got "Well it's the meatball...." followed by a hug.  I told him to pose raking leaves and you ee him above horsing around.  Gordie keeps asking me how long I am staying.  He is trying to get me to stay longer than one year.  He is a deep spiritual man and calls forth in me something special that touches me immensely. He asks me to keep my heart open. I am doing that!

This past Friday we celebrated the 50th anniversary of priesthood of Father Bill Clarke, s.j. at Dayspring.  To start off the Eucharist, we sang "Come all you People" which has an African chant and rythum to it.  Well Linda Slinger, a core member who is also a member of the Spirit Movers dancers got up and led the community in gestures.  She soon went into an African wiggle and we joined in from our seats. She has a way of helping you free yourself for liturgy.   The music was so powerful that night and Linda helped us sing with our bodies as well as our lips.

Another moment has been the tough decision of what to be for Halloween.  Well Tom Krusiak has settled on Elvis Presley (after my visit with Priscillia Presley).  Today Carmen our house leader went shopping and got him an Elvis outfit. Well when we informed him of what we bought, he became so excited (evident by the rubbing of his hands together very quickly and a big grin, follwed by happy happy happy).  Another wants to be a Princess and the discussion continues.  It is really a major event for the house and Carmen is decorating more each day. L'Arche celebrates this events wonderfully and with great care.

Another moment last Friday on our way to Daypring for Eucharist, I had Mike Ricci and John Bloss (both core members here at the house).  Mike loves music but stays pretty quiet while I love to sing along good or bad. John does not say much and often just listens. Well on the way to mass with the radio on, didn't they start to play "YMCA" by the Village people.  Well John and Mike both started singing and pretty soon Mike and I were singing the refrain and John would grunt the ocasional letter. Many might think..."so...", but this was a magical moment when two men found their voice.  Mike who is blind, spoke of dancing to this song with Trish, the asistants co-ordinator at the barn dance in September. It was just incredible to be there at that moment.

There are so many other stories, and the joys of just being present to the core members and sharing love and wasting time wonderfully makes this journey so awesome.  Sven, a young German assistant was remarking over coffee today with me and his sister how these two months have been an unbelieveable experience for him.  His sister spent time with L'Arche in Amos, Quebec and so she can identify with his stories and sense of wonder.

So tonight I go to sleep with a big smile...... We'll share again soon.

Jeff