Birthdays

Sunday is my niece Alison's 14th Birthday! I saw her over Thanksgiving and she is indeed grown up. Amazing how quickly that happened!

Sunday is also the 3rd Birthday for this little corner of the blogosphere. I thought I'd repost my first blog post for what it's worth:

Hi there! Glad to have you stumble upon my "blog." Funny how big the decision was to create a "discernment blog," considering that the chances of anyone actually reading it (let alone any one I know) are fairly slim. Nevertheless, it just seemed like the thing to do. I've searched the blogsphere myself, looking for the "What should Susan do with her life website" to no avail. I have, however, been lucky enough to stumble upon the stories of others who have been able to stop and listen to what God might be calling them too. I've benefitted from the struggles, the sharing, the hopes, the fears of complete strangers. And so, I figured it was worth the risk to start documenting my own journey in the hopes that it strikes a chord with someone else. Gives someone else the thought that it's not so crazy to listen to that voice deep down inside that won't go away, the idea that maybe there's something more to this life thing. And, hopefully this new form of what is essentially an exhibitionist journal will help me along on this journey of mine.

And what is this journey? The following scripture passage has been very present to me the past few months...

You have been told, O people, what is good, and what Yahweh asks of you: Only this, to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God. - Michah 6:8

Is it possible that it's really that simple? All I know is that my paying gig as a glorified bureaucrat doesn't seem to be the answer. More and more, I'm inspired and energized not by my "real" job, but by my work volunteer work, my activities working on behalf of social justice and peace. And that work makes the most sense in the context of faith. And so, this past summer I finally decided to give in, to start exploring women's religious communities. In part it was a reality check, to see what religious life is really like in 2004, and also to see if it was for me. I'll admit that the plan was to rule it out as an option (and the jury is still officially out). But once I finally said yes to the journey, I've been pleasantly surprised again and again by the amazing women living this life. The joy, the humor, the unceasing work to help build the kingdom of God. The invitation to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God is just too good not to at least check out .... and so I am. Stay tuned! Peace, Susan

Amazing what the past three years have held! It turns out that some people do read my random musings. I'm not sure how I feel about that truth be told, but it has certainly helped me to continue along with this little blogging experiment. For one thing it's good to get my thoughts and feelings sorted out enough to share them with my bloggy friends. Plus I have my story thus far well documented. And hopefully, some of what I've written has been of help to someone else in their own journey of life.

Speaking of journeys, I'm headed back to the US Monday. I'm posting this anniversary post a few days early because I'm going to be busy this weekend packing and saying goodbye.

I'll be back at the Novitiate House in New Jersey Monday evening. We're apparently having problems with our internet connection at the Novitiate House, so it may be a few days before I check in again.

Peace,
Susan