I am sorry that my posting has been sparse lately, but with our trip up North, and our visits to other places in the area, I have had very little time to do any blogging or emailing. Not that I am complaining… I love seeing the different Salesian houses!

Before I start the “me, me, me!” section, please keep the California forest fires in your prayers. They are very bad, and many people have been evacuated from their homes. We are safe down where we are… but we know people who have had to leave their homes - its very scary. We never had anything like wildfires in my part of Illinois, so beginning the year with the smoke and ashes from fires east of us and ending it with knowing people who are affected by it, has been a sad learning experience.

On Sunday I am headed home for a month. I am looking forward to seeing and being with my family and friends. My little brother got his first paycheck this week and he said that he cannot wait to treat me to lunch! (I am so proud of him.)

I plan on watching TV with my mom and dad, cutting my dog’s nails (which, I hear, are sorely in need of a trim and Mom is too nervous to try it), trying to pare down my things that I will bring for next “year” (aka June 21) and then just enjoying being home. Last time I was home it was weird because I felt like I had never left once I got there. I wonder what it will feel like when I go this time.

I am really looking forward to touching base with my friends… so much has changed for all of us during the past year. Most of us moved to other states… but some will be back for a while.

June 21 I will board another plane, this time for New Jersey to work at Camp with the Sisters. It is day camp (thank God… I do not know if I could handle resident camp… but you never know… I never know!). Through most of the summer I will be there, and the on August 4th, my companion-postulants will become Novices. *sniffle*

August 5th we will all travel to the altar of Mary Help of Christians at the National Shrine in Washington DC to thank Our Lady, as FMA, for the 100 years of our Institutes’s presence in the US. I think that it will be a beautiful experience. I have never been to Washington D.C. before. Its all very exciting!!!

August 7th, our formator and assistant will accompany us back to California. We will have to push the walls to fit us all in the formation house… we were all accepted for postulancy (the ceremony will be in October, I think), and there will probably be 6+ women joining us. That means at least 11 in the house, plus the assistant… There are 13 beds, but if the assistant takes an entire room (which she will) then there will be 11 beds… oh it shall be crashing at someone’s house! Sleep where you can! I know the Sisters are working on it… no bunk beds (thank God! I am afraid of them). Always an adventure…

Yep… I am going to be a postulant in October. It has been quite the year. I have had a lot of experiences: joyful, difficult, amazing, strange, and wonderful, but none of them are regretted. I’ve made mistakes… more than I ever imagined I would, but the Sisters have been so understanding and loving… not to mention patient!

Really, if any of you are considering joining, do not be afraid. Do not expect to be perfect; do not fear your mistakes. Take the leap, because even if you are not called to be a FMA, being here for a year will greatly enrich you. It is a beautiful life and there is nothing to lose from trying. I am so glad that I cast out into the deep. You will be, too.

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