St. James Goes to Michigan!
Core members and assistants from St. James House tackled a nine (going on twelve) hour drive up north to Wellston, Michigan. Equipped with a hot tub and fire pit (along with a set of bunk beds in the kitchen), eleven people piled in a cozy Airbnb for one full week. An adventure, nonetheless, L’Arche’s devotion to cultivating a positive environment, through mutually transforming relationships, is reflected in such joyful experiences for our core members.
Planning, packing, cooking, and most importantly accompanying Mary Kate, Richard, and Edward on our trip was the warmest welcoming embrace into the L’Arche St. Louis family. Despite many unanticipated challenges and the unfamiliarity of it all, it was a privilege to be present while learning more about one another throughout the week.
Some of our adventure highlights include enjoying a dinner out at the Fillmore Restaurant (in our matching L’Arche t-shirts of course), spending time at the beach on Lake Michigan, taking a scenic drive along the sand dunes, and eating lots of ice cream. Richard still reminds everyone of the fish he caught in a nearby pond and Edward said, “My favorite parts of the trip were the hot tub, swimming in the lake, and making s’mores by the fire.” Mary Kate enjoyed a sunset dance party on the beach! Personally, my favorite memory is praying with a Christian fellowship group, from Michigan, we met at the sand dunes.
It is safe to say we all are eager to return to such a beautiful place, and quite frequently the question, “Are we going back to Michigan?” is asked at St. James. Summer vacation 2021 brought a lifetime worth of memories but for now, stay tuned for more dance parties and ice cream socials from St. Louis!
