Time is Pressing On...

I just looked at the clock and was shocked to see the time!  We'll be heading toward Birmingham sometime this evening.  Fidelio's post was beautifully written and - I must admit - the emotion conveyed by it prevented me from adding another post for a couple of days.  Nevertheless, she was able to change her plans (mostly on account of my begging) and will be flying in tonight so that she can be at the ceremony tomorrow.  No one else of my family can make it. 

Mom plans on updating this blog every once in awhile with pictures of my future life, so keep checking to see if there's something new.  Otherwise, thank you for being active readers and, in the case that I will not be present in the blogging world after this, Au Revoir! 

~May God Bless You!

Only 2 days more...

Here are some Highlights from my last week at home:

Mom took me to Fehn's Restaurant which is, as a matter of fact, a renovated convent/school that was established for Irish children.

I attended my last Mass as cantor of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and got my picture with Monsignor George (who baptised me, gave me First Penance and First Holy Communion, and was present at my Confirmation).  That was a melancholy day.  :)

I had a party with Dad's family, who were - besides sending me off - also celebrating five birthdays.  (I was helping Cousin Jon with his iPhone.) 

I also spent time with Mom's family.  Cousin Brittany and I posed in front of the Fall decoration. 

There's my buddy!!  - Oh, and Uncle Scott, too.  :) 

I finished the puzzle of Chamberlain's Charge, including the chewed-up piece that Benny had hidden behind the TV.

More Goodbyes

Here are some pics of the party we had on Wednesday:  (I could kick myself for not getting everyone's picture with a LEGO.  Oh, well :)

 

 

 

Almost There(!)

Today is the 10 day mark before entrance. Yesterday I went through my things to make sure that I have everything on the list packed. I had to exchange a couple things that were the wrong size, but it looks like I'm ready. It's a little ironic to be entering a part-Franciscan convent with two suitcases full of stuff and seven hangers with my shirts, vests, and skirts on them. And to think, it's just a person's bare necessities! (sort of)

News

I was blessed this week to attend the first professions of two Sister Servants and to spend more time with my future sister-in-Christ, Brooke.  The two of us, Mom, and two friends from Texas visited the shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament before the profession.  We had two meals together and then attended three separate parties after the Profession Ceremony and Mass.  We had a great time!

Us Girls at the Shrine

Braving the Poison Ivy ;)

Hanging Out

Novice Running :P

Two Happy Sisters - Two Happy Bishops!
(The Newly Professed)

Then, this morning I got up (although still struggling with a cold/allergies) and drove an hour to a DMV in the middle of nowhere to take my driving test.  (I had several bad experiences with my local DMV and so decided to take a chance in travelling to another one.)  The people there were very nice and understanding.  And - can you believe it? - it only took them 45 minutes!  It took me three hours to get my permit.  I'm just SO glad its over with!

Wazzup?

I was given a task from my soon-to-be novice mistress: pray the Divine Office.  So, if I'm lacking in blog posts, its because my mornings, evenings, and nights are otherwise occupied.  As far as anything else I've been doing, I've written and scheduled many posts on Saint Cecelia's Press Online, two of which are up for viewing.  Big Bro and I are going to see The Avengers again today and we're thinking about seeing Brave and maybe For Greater Glory this weekend when its suppose to be 104 degrees here.  :'(  I'm not sure if I want to see an extremely violent and intense movie (For Greater Glory) in the theater.  I might just wait to see it when the Sisters view it for the bookstore. 

There are possibly going to be two more postulants in September...  Please pray for these young women in their application/discernment process!

Return from Maine and Other News

We had a most wonderful vacation in Maine two weeks ago.  It was as beautiful and peaceful as I expected.  Since we were flying, we took Dad's compact camera and, of course, forgot to bring the SD card with us to get the pictures off.  In that case, I will postpone the narration of our trip for when I have the pics to illustrate it.  :)

I did buy the Helm's Deep LEGO set when I was with Fidelio and it is sitting, almost complete, on our coffee table.  Speaking of Fidelio, I spent a few days with her painting, eating, painting, sleeping, painting, eating, and loafing before the mover truck came with all her furniture.  It was great!  We watched Cinderella Man which I loved (and which I hesitate to recommend due to language) and she took me to the Fredericksburg Battlefield which I had not seen before (and which she and I agree should be called a "battletown").  It looked totally different from what was portrayed in Gods and Generals.  All the bodies of the men (such as those from the Maine regiment) that were buried in haste on the field were disinterred and removed to the National Cemetery and houses were built all the way up to the stone wall!  So, its basically a stone wall, a cemetery, and a few old houses. But, I can say that I've been to another place where Chamberlain was!

The other, and more important, news is that my entrance date has been moved to September 8th.  It was a bit of a shock for us, but the sisters reassured Mom and I that it is actually quite common.  At least the wait is an opportunity to be thankful for the gift of being accepted at all.  And, there will be two months more that Mom doesn't have to be lonely. 

Most of my readers probably already know about Mike, but I'll go ahead and fill you in...  He is a seminarian again!  He was accepted back by our diocese and is in the process of being "adopted" by the Military Archdiocese.  The plan is for him to study at Mundelein Seminary, get commissioned next Summer (or the Summer after that), be ordained in four years, and immediately get stationed with a Navy or Marine unit.  Please pray it all sticks. 

So, if all goes as planned, (with God's Grace) Big Bro will be ordained the same year I will take First Vows!  I choose to be optimistic.  :)

Pictures

Here are the CSTHEA graduation pictures after a lengthy delay and enjoy these pictures from Casa Maria, Rock City, the Seton graduation and the Seton dance!

CSTHEA hat toss

V glad its all done

Friends came to watch!

Becket with one of my Sisters

me with my soon-to-be sister

Uncle M. and Becket

V and Fidelio looking at rocks

Becket's got the "Sleepies"

Me shaking hands with Dr. Clark, President of Seton (with Johnette Benkovic)

Seton hat toss

O Happy Day!

O Happy Parents

Goofing off

My teacher and I (Sshh!  She's undercover...)

Dancing with 'my' Marine  (I LOVE that uniform!!) 

Thanks, Joba!

My Hectic Life

Alright, I know most of my readers have already learned the reason for my mysterious last post.  Its been a whirlwind of a weekend/week.  Mike's coming home from OCS with the possibility of going back to the seminary...  Just pray the Holy Spirit guides Michael and gives him perseverance. We're so hoping that he can be settled soon. 

On another note, the ladies' group at the local parish gave me a convent "shower" on Sunday.

I gave them each a nun

Got lots of great stuff

Had some cake

...and chocolate...

And, yesterday Mom asked me to wash the van, which I did, and then I asked if I could give my own car a bath.  We proceeded to have a discussion about my claiming the Focus, but Mom said I can say, while I'm here and Dad's on active duty, that the Focus is "my" car!!

I promptly spent two hours wahsing it (from brown to white), drying it, cleaning it, polishing it, and conditioning it!

No, I was not paid for my work - I was rewarded with getting to drive!  I love my little white car...

Look what I did:

Yes, its all my voice!  I've had fun with a few 3-4 four part harmony pieces so that Mom's choir could hear how the music is supposed to sound a few weeks before we get a chance to practice it with each other.  Keep a lookout for like videos from me.  (The picture is one I took of the Sister Servant's statue.)

Two Truths Tuesday - April has Arrived!

Among other things that are happening in my life, there are 104 days left until my entrance into the convent.  If I were to tell you what I have been doing, you would be incredibly bored, as I have done little but sleep in, exercise, read, and write.  However, I have attempted to scramble a few interesting things together for a TTT.

1.  I purchased the X-Wing LEGO set for myself!  I'm waiting till Easter to open it.

2.  I found the ultra-extended-extended edition of The Lord of the Rings at McKay's for a total of $22!!

3.  I will have a fellow postulant in July!!!  She is from Texas and plays the viola.

Oh, and by the way, I agree with Mr. Z_; the purple birds are my favorite, too!

Next Step

Got the clothing list late last night.  There's alot.  Here's a few of the items for your curiosity:

1 dozen white handkerchiefs
1 pair tennis shoes for sports (black, if possible)
2 pair black shoes (SAS or other walking shoes)
7 pair dark brown knee-high socks
1 London Fog or similar style all-weather coat (if possible, with hood and zip-out lining), beige, black, or dark brown
1 pair warm gloves
1 clock: electric or battery with alarm
1 wristwatch
Four-volume set of the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours) with Franciscan supplement


If you would like to help out in any way, you can email me.  I think all of my readers know my contact info.  :)

For Life

I got a phone call yesterday from Sr. Rita Marie.  She told me that she had news, finally.  Mother Mary Gabriel has finished reviewing my application and has decided to accept me into the community.

SHOCK!!!!  or no? is what people are asking me.  Yes, a shock, no, not a surprise. 

Excited or nervous? they also ask.  I'd say both.

In this particular instant, I find myself short in words, probably because the news was greatly anticipated and the moment is passed.  Now's just the waiting period.  For a reason I cannot really explain, I am somehow humbled by the process.  Thanks, everyone, for understanding!

TTT, finally.

In case you think that I have fallen off the face of the earth, I have.  Not literally, thankfully, but theoretically.  I'm in the heat again.  sure, it's not bad - but for one that likes Winter more than anything, going from 50 to 80 again does not make me happy. 

Big Bro was denied a flight school position - :( - but he gets to be an NFO - :) - which is a back-seater.  NFOs usually handle the aircraft weapons, navigation, radio, and intelligence factors in an airplane.  He won't be "flying" but he will the pilot's right-hand-man and the most qualified member of the crew.
So, I've missed TTT for, what, 2 weeks?  So, this one is a little weak, but its all I've got for now:

1.  I spent the morning watching Curious George with my nephew.

2. I have heard from the sisters: they say that they'll contact me "soon"...

3.  Captain America comes out today!!!

This Weekend

Now an agonizing 14 days to wait, pray, and wait some more, I submitted my application with grand reception.  I await only one phone call that will discern my destiny.  I highly doubt that I will be refused, but one should not set their hopes too high.  A line from a profound novel that I have since forgotten even the name, said thus: "Expect the worst and hope for the best and you will never be disappointed."  (If any of you know from whence this line came, I would be much desirous to know.)

Here are some pictures for your amusement.  In case you are thinking that Sr. Clare Marie and I look cold as we feed the swans - you would be right! 


Left to Right Back: Sr. Joseph Marie, Sr. Louise Marie, and Sr. Clare Marie.
 Front: Sr. Mary Anthony, me, and Sr. Marie Therese.

  

Feeding the Swans


 

From Afar



 

Private Audience with JPII (mi fav'rit) and Signed



Donations, anyone?

  

Very soon I will be visiting this place to submit my application.  This drawing is a little out of date.  Since this was taken, the sisters' and retreatants' bedrooms have been completed.  Only the chapel and dining area are yet to be completed.  Consider making your charitable donation to the Sister Servants.  Here's where you can contribute.  God Bless!