STUDENT HOPES DASHED!!!

Padre Ron wasn't in the room the usual 30 minutes before class! Could it be something had come up and the exams would be postponed??? Oh, happy day!! Hooray! Hooray! Sorry, folks! Padre sauntered in smiling JUST in time for the exams. Next courses starting next Sat. : Apologetics and Synoptics. Advanced students are taking 2 course on Paul right now. All courses come to an end on Dec. 9 and we have the closing Eucharist on Dec. 16. The new school year begins in March.

Home Again, Home Again!

The St. Phillip's team from Frisco got back to Arequipa today. Early in the morning they head for Lima and a visit with the bishop before returning to Texas. They felt really good about what got done and think that good progress is being made. I know they really appreciate the advanced work that Alan did for them, too. Everyone was in high spirits this evening at dinner and Ron will check on them at the airport to be sure all goes well there. Having set everything up, Vicki is in Lima at the Leader's Retreat for women. By 8:00a.m. the team should be at the airport in Lima. Travel Mercies, and thanks for all the work here in Peru!

"Mama June" Would Be Proud!

We have been trying to take a bit more time to "smell the roses" here although that is a bit of a challenge. Vicki's mom, June, really enjoyed talking to the Lord each morning while she looked at the garden and she made sure we kept pretty flowers inside, too. We have been thinking a lot about her as the flowers bloom here (remember it is spring now!). Vicki has begun trying to organize June's photos so we can show them to Padre Juan Carlos and Maria as they have asked and we realized we did have any handy. Those things have led us to be sure we take advantage of gorgeous blooms on the roses. This was one of Mama June's favorite places to put them and I can hear her rejoicing with the angels:
"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." Song of Solomon 2:12

Sunset

The Lord provided a lovely sunset to finish off the event.

Santiago (continued)

We had a good crowd- 103 folks-many were kids. I noticed a few who had dressed up especially for the event- new straw hat, a bit of lipstick, etc. Padre Juan Carlos was on top of the world, of course! I was the official Regional Director (actually, "holder-of-the -microphone" would have been more accurate!) Afterwards the parish gave out clothing items to the needy. One of the most touching events was a quiet lady who came up and give both Padre Juan Carlos and me three beautiful avocados each as her offering!

Santiago Apóstol

This month we have been sending seminarians out to visit families in the neighborhood of Santiago Apóstol. This afternoon was the first eucharist celebrated on the property. Parishoners from San Bernabé and Cristo Redentor helped set up the outside chapel. One valient candle continued to burn through the whole service!

St Philip's Team

The team from Frisco got in yesterday about 3:15 p.m. They were delayed in Miami so got to spend about 8 hours in the Lima airport before they could come to Arequipa. They are on the way to Cabanaconde to work at the site of a Peruvian "St. Philip's." Father Clay was able to make his connection and hook up with them at 7:45 a.m. this morning. Now for a LENGTHY bus ride to Cabanaconde. I know they will be up bright and early Monday morning to get started. Thanks, guys and gals, for caring!! It is always a testimony to the Peruvians that someone would come so far in God's Name to serve. We were surprised to see the snow on Chachani this morning, too!

Check Up in the Field

We were delighted to have a 2 day visit from Rev. Derek Washington, SAMS pastor for missionaries. We had a good visit and Derek was able to see that our heads weren't spinning around! It is great that SAMS and Derek are as concerned about us as the work we are doing here. They really watch out for their folks. Now, Derek is off to Lima to finish visiting with missionaries there before returning to the US.

Young parishoner

Just thought you'd like to see this little one. Her family, the Casapias, are really involved in the parish. Her sister(an adult!) is in seminary as is her aunt. The aunt is also one of the housemothers at Sagrada Familia.

St. Philip's Visitors

Allen and Diane Piper, who are friends of St. Philip's, Frisco, are down getting things lined up for the construction team coming down. We had a great visit with them on Friday and Saturday while the had meeting with the architect here before heading out Sunday for Cabanaconde. Our prayers go with them for their project.

T-shirt

Maria and Padre Juan Carlos gave Sadie a pretty blue t-shirt at the airport as the Shorters returned to Texas. Christmas is only 2 months away!!

Papi was really blessed to reconnect with Sadie. She was fascinated with the screwdriver for the truck. (It still hasn't been reassembled!)

Sadie's visit

The zoo was a hit-especially the funny monkeys! Hats are ALWAYS fun.

Sillar

Thought you might like to see our visit to the quarry of sillar stone for which Arequipa is famous. The cuts stretch for miles. You can see the thinner line of pink sillar in some of the picks. Of course, the prettiest picture shows our daughter Kimi, son-in-law Brian, and MISS SADIE.