My dear friends,

      As you read this, I am somewhere in France. Perhaps I am at Versailles or the Royale Abbey of St. Denis. I could be at Rouen seeing the lovely cathedral. I might be in in Bayeux viewing the famous tapestry or walking the beaches of Normandy. I might be at Mont Saint-Michel climbing over 300 steps to the chapel atop the hill. Who knows, I may have changed course and headed to the mountains or the Riviera. Wherever I am, I will be saying prayers for you and soaking up the wonderful experience of being in the France.

      Right now for me, I am at my desk frantically typing out a letter to meet the bulletin deadline! I am running around the rectory doing all the crazy last minute errands that must be done before a long trip. I am cleaning out the refrigerator and dropping checks in the mail. I am leaving notes for the priests covering me. Right now, I am trying to just get it all done. At a certain point, I need to stop. I need to be out the door in a few minutes. Whether I am ready or not, it will be time to go.

       Life works like this. We may have grand visions of how we think wills will be. We could envision a perfect solution or the greatest day. No matter what we do our how we plan, things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes, we just have to go with it and trust we have done our best to prepare. Sometimes we just have to jump into the experience and trust that God gives us the strength, wisdom, and endurance we need. You may plan for a wedding, but you never know what marriage truly brings until you live it. It is best to prepare for the journey, but you have no idea where it goes. Just trust you have chosen well someone who loves and supports you. You can read the books on parenting, but you never know what is coming until that baby gets home. And no matter how many children you have, each one is different; each has unique gifts and challenges. You may prepare for that big move. You can get yourself ready for a new life in a new town, but you never know what will truly happen until you settle into the place. You can try to prepare your best for each change and challenge of life, but there is always some element of surprise. Seek the guidance of God as you head on that path.

      Do your best to prepare for where you are going, but know it is will never be complete or perfect. At a certain point, you need to just forge ahead and trust you have done your best. You have to rely on God’s provident care and know that Christ will journey with you no matter where you go. You might forget something, but just remember what is most important. You are on a journey with God; enjoy the trip!