So phamily....
I've kept this under wraps long enough....
On July 1 I am headed to San Rafael Argentina where I will be living, working, and praying with the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara.
I am really excited to be going, and I hope that while I'm there I will have the opportunity to grow closer to the Lord through regular prayer and service (as a college student, my prayer life is sporadic and random). It's a chance for me to discern a little more deeply what the Lord is calling me to.

Please pray for me as I prepare (and practice my spanish )

I know how excited you are - I have started my countdown too. Blessings on you!

Congratulations and prayers

Congratulations and good luck! Las Servidoras are wonderful! I have been discerning with them and hope to enter , God willing!

Congratulations and good luck..I hope that you will enjoy your stay with the Sisters.

Oh how exciting!!! Prayers, definitely!!!

Thank you all for your prayers!

Now what are the chances of two phatmassers going to Argentina :-).

Congrats ... where is San Rafael (North, South, etc. portion of Argentina)?


BTW --- July 1 is winter down there (don't forget).

They look like beautiful sisters. Are you discerning with the apostolic sisters or the contemplatives?

Ok -- I got my own answer. San Rafael is part of Mendoza (Mendoza is the province).

How long will you be there for?

I am discerning with the active Sisters. I love them because they still live lives of deep prayer despite of (and partially because of) their busyness.

I will be in San Rafael, which is about 250 km from the city of Mendoza and is the 2nd largest city in the region. I will be there for 1 month (I leave July 1st and come back July 31st), and I will be "playing mom" to the 40 or so children at the home for abandoned children.

I'm really excited, although a bit nervous, because I feel like my Spanish isn't up to par. But one very wise Sister (Sr. Mary of the Sisters of Life) reminded me that love is the universal language and needs no words, just presence.

If you go to the Servidora website (SSVM) and go down to the photo gallery from the trip to Argentina, you can actually see where I'll be working (I'll be at the Gianna Beretta Molla home for abandoned children).

Thank you so much for your prayers! Please keep them coming!

Carmen,
When are you going to be in Argentina (and where are you going to be)? Anytime soon??

For everyone who doesn't know Argentina, I'll be in the central part of it on the western side.

As it's in the southern hemisphere, it will be winter there, although from weather.com, it seems as if it won't be as cold as the winters up here in NYC. But then again Either way, I'll be prepared.

Thank you all so much for your support and prayers!

In Jesus and Mary,
Lauren

15 DAYS!!!

Thank you all for your continued prayers! It's unreal to me that its so soon!

Wooops ... my appologies for missing this question.

Well that's an interesting question. Original plan was April (now its public). New plan was September ... New new plan may be Jan 2008 -- depending on the sisters and my spiritual director. My debts look to be 1/2 way paid (I'll be able to tell definitely this weekend).

I'll be in Salta, Argentina -- that's up north fairly close to one of the borders (I don't remember which of the multiple countries at the north is the closest to Salta).

Dear Lauren,

only two days and you´ll be off to Argentina!

Can you remember this day in Munich last year (May 2006) when we met? (How´s Clare?) When I asked you about your way of discernment, you said: "I don´t´know what community, but Iam discerning!" And know you have found it! Well, at least you give it a try...

Unfortunately I never got an answer to the email I sent you when I changed my Email-Addy... but nevertheless I had the chance to read your posts here! I am so happy for you and your way!

I´ll keep you and your way in my prayers - and I´ll always think of you...



Lots of love,
Laura

That's Right!!! 2 days!!! (well, about 62 hours till I fly...)

Praise God!!! Prayers everyone, please!!

Have a wonderful trip! Will be praying.

I pray for you! When exactly do you leave?

Have an excellent trip and don't worry about your Spanish. I was able to learn a lot of Spanish through dialogue with Spanish speakers. It is the best way to learn the language. And just remember, Latin remains the universal language so if all else fails, you can just pray in Latin

After looking at the website (http://www.ssvmusa.org/ssvmhome.htm) I'm also glad to see that the order wears a habit.

But confession could be a bit difficult in Latin... probably...

I leave at 6:20 pm Central Standard Time tomorrow evening and will arrive at the Blessed Gianna Beretta Molla Home for abandoned children in San Rafael, Argentina at roughly 10pm the next evening (July 2)
Unfortunately, I don't know many prayers in Latin (really only bits and pieces), and I hope to make confession before I go (in English!) just to make it easier on myself. If not, I can probably make a decent one in spanish, as long as I can do my act of contrition in English.

Countdown: 26 hours exactly to liftoff!!!

So, how are you going to spend those "last hours"?

Packing! 18 hours to go!!! I'm super excited (and getting super nervous!) Please pray for me!

prayers for you! shouldn't you be sleeping silly? its 4 am....

I'm at home in St. Louis... It's only 3!!

haha i'm in MN... i know that... its still late and i'm off to bed soon... lol

if i were going to argentina for a month i probably wouldnt sleep either :D

I'm off everyone! Please continue to send your prayers!

In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Lauren

Does you being online mean you made it safetly?

Huzzah!!! :D How is it?

Unfortunately, no.

My flight to Dallas was delayed (as in 2.5 hours) and was going to cause me to miss my flight to Chile (from there I connect to Argentina), so my departure was pushed back to tomorrow (after I had spent almost 3 hours in the airport)

Oh well, God's will be done! It seems as if it will still work out ok (if not better), so my new departure time is at 3:30 Central and I'll arrive on the 3rd at about 5 at the SSVM convent.

Praise God!

5 hours and 20 minutes!!

Praying for you sister!

:-) Hopefully you've arrived ... when I came back from Argentina my 21 hr trip turned into at least 36.

Praying that your trip is a blessed one and that He fills your heart with His will.

So, how was your trip?

Yes, as a fellow Servidoras-fan I'm very curious too

curiosity kills the cat ... I wanna know too!

It's coming, I promise!
Right now I'm packing for school, and I haven't had time to write anything specific. Let me just say that it was amazing and the Lord gave me many graces!
Thanks for your patience!
Lauren

I am glad to hear that and am looking forward to your story