I can't believe pre-postulancy week is almost here! I've been looking forward to spending these five days with the Sisters of Mary for a very long time and now the day is almost here. I'll be leaving on Monday for five days and I'll actually get to see and do what the Sisters do everyday. I'm very excited yet very nervous. I've been having so many doubts about if Christ is calling me to be a Dominican Sister of Mary or if He's calling me to stay within my own Chaldean Community and join the religious Sisters here. At the same time, the SMME are only a half hour away so I wouldn't be too far... The SMME have such a beauty about them that every time I see them or think about them my heart just yearns to be there, but I also have to keep in my mind that it's not my own will that I should be following but Christ's will. Discernment is such a struggle, but I know there will be peace at the end of this rigorous road. Keep me in your prayers... I'll be keeping you all in mine during my stay with the Sisters.
The day after pre-postulancy week I'll be going to California to visit my friend, Sr. Miskenta Mariam, who just took vows and received the habit in a new order she helped to form, the Workers of the Vineyard.http://www.kaldu.org/2008/05/May16_08E1.html We'll be going on a pilgrimage together around CA to all the different missions. I'm sure it'll be fun

I'm hoping the Christ will give me clarification sometime during these two weeks while I'm with the Sisters and in CA!

You are going to be very busy during the next few weeks.!! I hope that you have a lovely time during your pre postulancy visit to the SMME's and also with Sister Miskenta. God Bless as you continue your discernment.

I'll keep you in my prayers that Christ will give you the peace beyond all understanding which will help you to best understand his will!

Thank you both so much! I'll be praying for the both of you as well!

Good luck, have fun and you'll be in my prayers!

God bless you as your discern your vocation with the Sisters and enjoy your travels with your friend. You will be in my prayers!

PUL-lease post when you get back and give us your impressions! I hope that this trip really helps you make up your mind!

Oh I will. I'm pretty nervous. Anyone have any words of encouragement or advice?

I'm stuck in a vice between the SMME and the Chaldean Daughters of Mary Immaculate. You can see a couple of pictures of the DMI here and http://www.st-thomas-retirement.org/PAGES/staff.html (the third picture in the first link is not a Sister, all of the Sisters wear habits). There hasn't been an American born Chaldean girl to enter the DMIs yet and my best friend and I are being extremely encouraged to enter. I actaully spoke to the Mother General, Mamer Phillip, a couple of days ago and I know she really wants me to enter with them. What I like about them is that they're Chaldean and I can still participate in the Chaldean Liturgy and traditions and I'll be within the Chaldean community here in Michigan. In the SMME, well I practically won't be Chaldean anymore, but what's not to love about the SMME! The SMME have amazing fomation, habits, motherhouse, a schedule all the Sisters follow, a common apostolate, young, holy Sisters, not to mention I just love them all and I love being there. The DMI are all pretty old. The youngest Sister here in Michigan is 49. The DMI don't have a novitiate here but Mother General told me that if my friend and I entered she would send a Sister from Iraq who got her masters in formation from Rome. I would pretty much be setting an example to other Chaldean girls within the Community and I can work within the Chaldean community and I did kind of feel at peace when I was there at the convent with her. But everything is so uncertain in terms of what I'll be doing if I enter there. I don't know who the Novice Mistress to be is and I don't know how things will turn out with them when I get there. The worst thing about this is that I can't get a hold of my spiritual director and I won't be seeing my confessor untill a week from today! The funny thing about is that they both wear white habits and black veils

If Sr. Mary Michael, O.P. is there, tell her "Patricia" says hello!

I have many friends there...(or they may be out and about...who knows where all my sisters are these days!)

I was there a few years ago...when the community was still "small." :-) Things certainly have changed quite a bit.

Have fun on pre-postulancy. You will love it!!

God bless!

I'm leaving tomorrow for pre-postulancy week! I'll be back on Friday afternoon. DominicanSoul, I will tell Sr. Mary Michael that "Patricia" says hello! Now I have to go get packing!! God bless you all! Please keep me in your prayers! I will also keep you in mine!