A Day full of Mom

First off, I want to wish everyone a Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary!!! May Mary bless and watch over you today and everyday.

So, I'm on fall break this week and I was trying to think of something to do with my friend Abby. I wanted something that could combine God, being outside, food and talking. I came up with the idea of going to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, so we packed our lunches and headed out for a day of adventure!

I was really excited because I had never been there besides to look at the Christmas light displays (which are fabulous btw). I was looking forward to being able to enjoy the gorgeous weather, with a good friend of mine all while surrounded by Mary awesomeness. What kind of day could be better? I sure couldn't think of anything! :)

Upon arrival we ventured into the vistor center, to grab a map and check out the gift shop, because who can pass up a good Catholic gift shop? I surely can't! I could spend all day in there looking at all the epic Catholic things. But alas, I finally gave in and decided it would be best to head back outside to begin the real adventure, so that is what we did.

The first place we stopped, was the Agony Garden in which was a beautiful statue of Jesus praying fervently. Looking at his face, expecially his eyes was so amazing. They were full of longing, fear and questioning...ahh they were just emotion packed. I could have looked at Jesus all day.

But, that too came to an end and we ventured across the path to the stations. We walked along quietly reflecting on each scene, while testing our knowledge of identifying each station. This was probably one of the first times I actually reflected on the stations, instead of just reading along with the pamphlet. Oh, how awesome this was. While we were relfecting on the stations, I would try to place myself in one of the people's shoes and see what I would be thinking if I was them. It was a powerful experience, and I came to the conclusion that I need to pray the stations more often because it is not only during Lent that I am carrying a cross but rather everyday that I choose to follow Christ I am carrying a cross. So that is a goal of mine, to pray and reflect on the stations on a more regular basis, what that basis is has yet to be decided.

After grabbing lunch, chatting all the while, we jumped right back into our adventure. Next, we visited the Ressurection garden which had a beautiful stone tomb in the middle of it. Then we headed over to the annunciation garden, which had a statue of Mary and the angel Gabriel as well as a reflection pool with bells in it. We arrived there shortly before one o'clock so we decided to stay until one, so we could hear the bells. Oh how you should have seen how we both jumped when they began going off!! I bet the family on the other side of the pool was probably laughing at us, it was pretty funny.

We then walked down some path that went through the woods, which was really awesome, and led to the Lourdes Grotto. I really like this grotto quite a bit, it was just full of awesomeness. There were so many votive bags with prayer requests written on them surrounding the grotto, and candles at the front, you could really tell that many people had a strong devotion to Mary. Since today was the beginning of my consecration novena, I decided to light a candle asking for Mary's protection, guidance and love.

Leaving the grotto, we marched off to visit the hill of Guadalupe. Upon arriving, we noticed some cacti in the landscaping, so being our typical selves we deemed it necessary to touch them. If you've never touched a cacti, they feel pretty weird kind of like foam mixed with something, I'm still trying to figure this out msyelf so if you have any input let me know :) At the hill of Guadalupe, there was of course another marvelous statue and a WATERFALL!! Besides the waterfall, I think my favorite part about this place was the seclusion of it, pratically hidden from the road it was very intimate and peaceful.

All that was left on the map now was the visit the main ampiteather and shrine. We got to the main part and there was a huge statue of Mary it was so beautiful. Then we ventured around to the back, and oh snap there was so many little places of goodness back there!!! We first ventured into the Mary Chapel, which had gorgeous pictures of Mary everywhere and awesome stained glass windows. It was here that I officially began my consecration, and I couldn't have picked a better place without the help of God. Then we headed off to this walkway which had mosaics of Mary, which too were simply amazing. Ooo then we went into this other chapel, which had mosaics of the sorrowful mysteries at the front. They too were amazing, I could have sat there looking at and reflecting on the mysteries all day. Probably one of my favorite places of the whole Shrine. Then we saw this other walkway that had mosaics of Jesus' life, just as awesome as everything else.

It was such a blessed day, full of God and Mary and joy, peace, and love. I'm still working on processing everything that happened, but one thing I know for sure is that I am definitely going back to the Shrine, and hopefully it wont be too long before I do!! If you get the chance, I recommend it completely!! Actually, don't go if you just get the chance, make the time to go! I can guarantee that it will be an amazing experience!!