(from left to right: Me, Sr. Mary Rose,
Mother Paul Marie, Sr. Maximilian, and MJ)
Mj and I just got back from spending a weekend with the Daughters of Mary Mother of Healing Love who run the St. Charles Children's Home in Rochester, NH. Let me just say that this won't be the last time I visit them or a convent. They live in a Victorian mansion! It was gorgeous.Staying with them was a great experience because not only did I learn a lot about myself but I also felt my bond with MJ became so much stronger. We realized things about each other, like how different we are from each other, but we still have such a strong relationship because we help each other in our shortcomings. One of the boys actually pointed out that we were total opposites and he found it peculiar because we're best friends even though we're nothing alike.
Now, I'm sure a lot of people are wondering if I've decided I want to be a nun. So I want to take this opportunity to tell you all that I'm not going to figure it out in one "nun visit". But I can say that I see the Religious life as much more desirable than I saw it before. I did see the beauty of the vocation before this visit but I now feel as if God has revealed to me the many other beautiful aspects of being a bride of Christ which I did not fully understand before, so now I can adequately start seriously discerning. Prayers are welcome.
I can't forget the kid's from the home. They all come from broken homes and parents who cannot take care of them for various reasons. For example, one of the boys comes from a family of many half brothers and sisters whom have different fathers but one mother. Also, many of the girls come from homes where their parents were part of the occult, so there are a few girls who hear voices. One kid was sleeping next to a bloody knife when they found him. I can say, for the boys at least, that they are the most well adjusted kids in their situation I've ever seen. What a wonderful influence that have, I mean the sisters are ideal caretakers for these kids.
If you read about the kids in the link I posted above, you will see that the sisters have developed the idea of running with the kids every morning to work off the bottled up anger and anxiety. They run four miles everyday and it really makes the difference.
The last night we were there was one to remember because we stayed up late eating junk food with the sisters. It all started when Mother Paul Marie kept bringing bowls of popcorn from the huge popcorn bag someone had donated to them. Then Lydia, the aspirant, brought out the cookies. Then Sr. Mary Rose pulled out the ice cream, and well you get the idea.
Please keep the Sisters and the kids in your prayers. Also consider visiting a convent or monastery if you haven't already. It's made me think more about improving my prayer life. Being able to spend so much time with the Lord in their chapel was one of my favorite aspects from the weekend. These women are so devout and so in love with their beloved spouse. It really was a liberating experience spending time with them.
I hope my readers haven't stopped visiting my blog. I haven't really had a chance to do anything lately, especially after the wedding, which was beautiful by the way. Please forgive me! I hope everyone is well.
God Bless,
~kathryn
P.S. I'm meeting the the coordinator for the Birthline Pregnancy Center to talk about volunteer positions. Pray for me!
