January 2, 2009 - A Beautiful Day in Colorado

Here's a photo courtesy of Alessandro taken at Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House on Friday. It was unseasonably warm (around 60F/15 C) and only a light breeze. I have made two 8-day retreats at Sacred Heart in past years and it is beautiful in every season.

Alessandro & I met on my 40-day retreat. You might think that strange on a silent retreat, but we enjoyed listening to after-dinner music in the lounge while watching the sunsets. He is a Jesuit from Italy, taking a 9-month spiritual direction program offered by Loyola House. The Colorado Jesuits lent their mountain home to the Italians studying in the US and Canada and Alessandro was able to stay a couple of extra days to tour the Denver area with me.

I am staying with Michelle, a good friend from my college days at CU, and she graciously opened her home to Alessandro as well. After our hike we met at Michelle's brother's home for a shared a wonderful Sabbath dinner with her family. It is always a gift spending time with her family and my understanding of Jesus use of 'Abba' always deepens after I hear Michelle's nephews and niece running around the house calling to their dad. Please keep Michelle and Bob's abba, Jack, in your prayers. Out of ICU today and in much better spirits, he has been in the hospital since 12/22 following complications from hip surgery. Also for their mom, Margo, who is spending lots of time at the hospital.