An Amazing Weekend With Amazing People

 Last week I promised I would try to post about an upcoming trip to Alhambra, California.  This past Thursday we headed down with one of our friends and her mom for the Carmelite Sisters of The Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles' annual Boutique.  There is more information about the boutique in general on their website. ( http://www.carmelitesistersocd.com/ )

 Right when we got to the retreat house the sisters put us to work in the kitchen.  After getting hair nets and aprons on, ( I brought the one I had made here ) we started working with the postulants and novices.  It is such a joy to work with them, especially in the sister's giant kitchen!  Mostly on Thursday we boxed cookies for the boutique, but we also helped with other small tasks.  Friday morning we got up bright and early to go to mass with cloistered Carmelite sisters.  It was so cool seeing them behind the grate, participating in mass, and even getting to talk to one of the sisters and use the round-a-bout thingy to give them a donation!!  You know, the same thing in the movie  Thérèse.  Then we headed back to the retreat house to be put right back to work in the Carmelite kitchen.  There was so much to do, and I'd say we all worked from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, but it was so worth it.  I was always thinking to myself, "Why can't work at home be this fun?"  Being surrounded by tireless, joyful sisters gives you more energy than you ever think you can have.  As well as we would have a few candy or "mistake" brakes.  The mistakes are cookies or treats that can't be sold at the boutique, which the sisters end up eating.  The day of the boutique came upon everyone so quickly, and we didn't even finish with everything until after the boutique started.  My sister, friend, and I went to go get our name tags to see where we were assigned for the day.  They were assigned to go to the front gate to hand out flyers from 12:30 to 2:30.  All mine had on it was my last name.  I asked Sister Gloria Therese what I should do and she told me I should just help out wherever I was needed.  Then she wrote my name on my tag in the Most beautiful handwriting ever!!  It's a certain style of writing, and all the sisters have to learn it.  Even if I don't become a sister someday, I will certainly try to learn it!  Anyway, I helped in the kitchen until there was no more I could do.  Then I went to wander around and see where else I could help.  I ended up heading over to Santa's workshop ( a.k.a. the kids area ) to see what I could do there.  I was recruited for face painting, and those who know me will know I was pretty excited.  I love drawing or painting, and previously I had considered setting up a face painting business, but I had never actually had a real experience.  It was so fun!  I think my favorite part about it was seeing the kids reactions when they looked in the mirror.  Seeing someone so happy with something I did just completely made my day!  I even got a tip! (which I later donated to the sisters )  After the boutique ended at four, everyone cleaned up and went home.  Well, everyone except me, my sister, our friend and her mom.  My parents headed home while my sister and I stayed with our friends.

That's my name badge.

We found these in the Mater Dei Hall during the boutique.  Aren't they so cute?!

Here is where we went to mass with the Cloistered sisters. 

The is the inside of the cloistered sister's church.

That's me, face painting.

 We heard somehow that during their evening prayers, the sisters were going to sing the Salve Regina. We thought that would be so cool to hear.  So the three of us ( me, my sister and my friend ) went into the chapel with our veils to wait for the sisters to sing.  As we were waiting in the back pew, a sister came out of the side chapel and motioned for us to follow her.  At first we were hesitant, but then a sister came from behind us and asked, "Would you like to join us for evening prayers in the side chapel?"  Not knowing what to expect, we all went with her into the chapel that is on the right side ( if you are standing in the pews facing the alter ) of the alter.  It was such a special
 experience that I don't think I could even try explaining it here.
 After evening prayers we talked with the sisters' Chaplin, Fr. Anthony.  He was going to take us on a pilgrimage that had something to do with St. Jude.  We ended up not going because we still had to eat dinner, but hopefully we'll get to go someday.  I just love Fr. Anthony!!!  He's so holy, yet so hilarious, plus he adds these little points that make everything personal.

 Anyway, we went and had dinner at Wahib's Middle East Restaurant.  It was the first Greek food I've ever had, and it was good!  I especially liked the baklava!! ( Of course ;)

 Sunday morning we went to mass with the sisters, and after mass we sang happy birthday to Fr. Anthony.  Then we packed up and headed back home.

 To sum it all up, this was one of the best trips I've ever taken.  I want to thank my friends for making this trip possible, and the sisters for their hospitality.
I had so much fun and was surrounded by joy the entire time.  Would I do this again?  Even after all the hard work I had to do?  Totally!!! I will never forget that wonderful experience!!!