Thank You and Update

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for all of the Birthday wishes, calls, and cards. My birthday was very blessed and there is a full account of my celebration on the postulant blogsite: http://fsppostulants.blogspot.com.

I can't believe I'm 27...and still don't know what God's plan is for me!

I have discerned, as many of you may already know, that religious life is not what the Lord is calling me to. I have been meeting with my formator and spiritual director many times over the past few months and we are both at peace with my decision not to do a second year of postulancy.

The year has certainly been very blessed. I have so many great memories and life lessons that I've experienced with the sisters. I've written about God's faithfulness so many times on this blog! I feel so honored that I have been given this opportunity to live this life, even if for a short period of time.

It came down to where my passions and desires are. I do have a passion to be united to Christ and serve Him through evangelization. But I've discerned that He is calling me to use those desires and gifts as a lay minister.

So please continue to pray for me as I try to listen to where the Lord is calling me next. I am finishing my semester of classes here until May 11th- the feast of Pentecost and Mother's Day!
I entered on a great feast- the Queenship of Mary- it is only fitting that I leave on another great feast, one where the Spirit is sending us forth!! I'm gonna stay with my sister Janet for a couple weeks and hopefully in that time look for an apartment and job in the St. Louis area. I'm open to wherever God will lead, but I feel like He led me here for a reason. I've met some great priests and ministers here and it's a really strong Archdiocese with a passion for catechetics and evangelization- perfect for me!

Thanks again for your prayers. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. I hope this doesn't come as too much of a shock. Like I said, I've talked to lots of people and a few of the sisters, and everyone has been very supportive and Jesus is giving me much peace! I trust in Him because He has led me in beautiful paths so far.

God bless you all! Keep in touch!
Peace,
Julia


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Special Pictures from the Special Place

"sculpture park"
Yes, that is 55 steel balls in the middle of the woods.

note the large "eye" structure in background

The Special Place

So it's been a special week in a special place I like to call St. Louis, MO. I really do like this town. It's got a nice city feel to it, even in the suburbs. And these people love their Church... and their crazy art.

All the classes I've taken through the diocese have been great, many holy priests, and we've met so many people faithful to the Church here.

We've also found some really crazy places of art!

So two of my favorite things in one city: the Catholic Church alive and well, and abstract art!

On Monday of this week Alina and I once again went an a recylcing jaunt which always puts us in high spirits. Seriously- if you don't believe me, see the pics I posted from a few weeks ago.

And as usual, we pro-long our jaunts and explore the surrounding area before returning to the convent ;)

This week we stumbled upon a truly special place. For those of you who have facebook, I posted a whole album of pictures.

We had always passed signs for a "sculpture park" on our way back to the convent, but we had no idea that it was acutally acres and acres of woods and land with HUGE abstract structures in random places....

it is special because not only is it striking, weird art, but it's in the middle of the suburbs.

Anyways, it was mind boggling for Alina and I and we spent a good portion of our Monday morning there (instead of studying...whoops!)

Emily's brother came into town this week and so we had to take the two of them to our special place. Yesterday we went to the City Museum (also have old pics posted from when we went w/sisters around Christmas) AND the special place...how much crazy art can you experience in one day?? We were trying to find out!

Enjoy the special pictures from the special place...and please say some prayers for me. We are starting to pray about whether or not we want to continue postulancy for another year. I've talked to my formator a couple times already this week and I have a lot to pray about. It's been a blessed year, but a hard year. I know there is supposed to be much 'death' and sacrifice, but in the hope of giving life. I miss my old life alot still, and I know God wants me to be happy, I am still discerning where I can best use the gifts He's given me. So please pray for us! Thanks!

Peace,
Julia