It's Back. A Pope. Friday.

Let's just bring you all into the sage you're not invested in. 

The van came back. It came back. And I am going to cry. Though it isn't currently in my spot, which is something. 

We have a Pope! 

Let me tell you a story. See in my office and in my life, I am known as the person who knows things. Every personality test or strengths finder or any of those tests agree: I like to learn things and then I remember them so can spout off details to people. If I don't know an answer,  I will look it up. 

I am sure it's annoying to some people. I am also 100% certain that some people in my life use me as a resource. So it balances out. 

Anyway, all day Wednesday I was on chimney watch. 

I set my alarm yesterday for 3:30 to check. I checked again at like 5:00 to see the black smoke. 

And then I went to work and it was our work retreat day. To the Deacon's cabin in the middle of nowhere. I was terribly annoyed, not thrilled that I wouldn't be able to live stream the chimney all day but I had a plan. My lovely and retired father would watch and text me immediately with updates. 

And as I was snuggling the sweetest baby. (My co-worker came from maternity leave with her beautiful 3 1/2 week baby) and supposed to be meditating on what my soul wanted to say to God... I got a text that said White Smoke! 

Well I quickly broke the meditative silence, called out to people, and everyone came running back from outside or downstairs or wherever they were. 

We gathered. We rejoice. I cried. I told that sweet baby that we had a Pope. (To be born on Holy Monday and already be on your second Pope...) We prayed a decade of the rosary together for whoever He may be. We moved up our lunch so we wouldn't waste retreat time. 

We saw Pope Leo XIV and I started learning some details before the Wikipedia page was updated. 

And it was a really special moment. 

A principal, a priest, and two deacons sat on a couch... there's a joke there somewhere. 

My mom is tickled that she guessed Leo as the Pope name. I knew with CERTAINTY that it would happen while we were on this retreat. 

Several people in the above picture told me that I didn't need to worry because it wasn't going to be until Friday. But I knew it. I just knew it. And not that I would ever taunt them with the fact that I was right... but I was and we all know it. 

I am genuinely so glad we have a Pope. I think Pope Leo has very kind eyes and I think it's awesome he's from Chicago. Though I love that he didn't speak in English. I am willing to bet somewhere in the Archdiocese of Chicago they're suddenly finding the funds to revamp the vacant church where our Pope grew up at. (Building still exists but it not an active parish.) 

This made me laugh out loud today. 

And this picture makes me so completely happy. 

This morning was also May crowning. Always a treat! 

Happy Friday!