Little Sisters in CA!

So I have great plans of posting all sorts of adventures and exciting times on this blog, but I figure I will start with what's on my mind and then go from there. This past weekend, I drove to California so I could think. With many new experiences in my life, I am continually asking God questions, but sometimes it is hard to take the time to listen for answers.

I traveled to San Pedro, CA for a retreat with the Little Sisters of the Poor. It was a discernment retreat with 8 other women interesting in finding out if God was calling them to Himself to be His bride!

As I drove through the desert, I kept thinking and wondering if this was really what I was supposed to do. Was I just avoiding life? Did I really need to keep discerning? Oh well.. no matter what the answers were, I was going!

I arrived at their home and was shown in by Mother Marguerite. As we walked into the retreat house, I passed Sr. Maria. She turned and smiled, "We were wondering when you would come back", inviting me to join them for singing practice before the rest of the retreatants arrived. I did not know she would be here as I had met her in Palatine, IL about two and a half years ago! She remembered me and seemed convinced that I had a wonderful voice! What a blessed greeting!

I had my own room and was supplied with plenty to read on Jeanne Jugan (foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor) and the community). The weekend started with supper and was followed by silence! How glorious! It was exactly what I needed. We engaged in the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (a way in which you can listen and speak to God with the Scriptures). Adoration and Mass filled my time in between trips to the garden to watch small armies of ants on a mission to provide for their family.

In the silence, my heart rejoiced! How wonderful it is to be able to sit with God and not worry about any other commitments; your commitment is doing exactly this... simply being with God. I had a chance to speak with Mother Provincial, Sr. Maria, and Fr. Michael. Our silence had ended and we enjoyed a meal in conversation with one another, learning more about each other and the community.

On Sunday morning, I had the privilege of accompanying Mother Marguerite to help Mary, one of the residents, get up and ready for the day. What a sweet, elderly woman! We helped her get dressed and I remember standing there as Mother Marguerite washed her back, this gentle woman embraced me for both physical and emotional support, laying her head on my shoulder and we stood together. We took her to breakfast, returned to eat our own, and then headed off to the beach for the last bit of the retreat. Most of the girls left, and there were only three of us remaining.

The last of us wandered through the home talking with residents, spent extra time in the chapel, watched the sunset, and enjoyed the extra time to bond with the sisters. The time went by quickly and I did not want to leave. The next morning, after breakfast with the sisters, I was supposed to leave, but found myself in the chapel begging for the courage to leave, then procrastinating and helping the sisters strip the beds and tidy the refectory (dining area) instead. Finally it was almost lunch time and I had already packed a lunch, so I had to depart.. plus I had a 7 hour drive ahead of me.

I am glad I went on the retreat and I learn a lot from it. I had time to just sit and be with God without any worries that I might be in the wrong place at an improper time or neglecting my duties by being in the chapel. Glory be to God!