Sharing some of my love with you...

Love is surrounding me from all sides and I am so, so grateful for everything that everyone has done for me. My email has been filling up with love notes...I selected 2 that were so touching and decided to post them. Names were changed but the love stays the same...

From one of my college students who now is on the East Coast...
I heard you were moving.I can't believe this is actually happening. You are doing this! You are moving across the country andstarting on the process of becoming a "sister." I feel spiritually unprepared to have a friend who is a postulant, like I am a nun by association.Speaking of association, do you think I could comeassociate with you and your new family up in Holy Hill sometime? I miss you like tortillas, but more so. My advice, as one recently separated from all those I hold dear in California, is to thank God for the timeyou've spent with them and trust that God, who brought you together, delighted in your friendship even morethan you did. Trust that She knows what She is doing when She takes you to a new community.I love you so much

From my dad---
Hi Monk_1975----no my dad does not call me that--- I tried to call your cell phone today but it has already been disconnected. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I love you and that I will miss you. I had a great time with you on Saturday and as always Albert kept the evening very entertaining. I have been and will continue to pray for you to ask God to give you wisdom and discernment to do what you feel in your heart is the right thing. I love you. Dad

My response to my dad's email--which made me cry as I was typing this.

Dear Dad- I could not be doing this without you!!! You have been such a support to me and I should have turned my phone off on Friday instead of today. I have been staying with the priest this past week and that has been fun even though we never really see each other since I've had appointments and dinners and lunches with everyone. It's been a very, very busy week. I'm so loved down here and my community is amazing here in the west coast and at times its been hard to realize that I'm leaving but I know that I'm doing the right thing. I leave at 730am tomorrow and arrive at Holy Hill around 1pm west coast time. I have been running around also getting what seems to be everything that I forgot from phone cards, to socks, etc. I don't know about phone access but I will have my internet access up and running probably by this weekend. I will miss you so much and it was a lot of fun seeing you again in Berkeley. Thanks for being in my life and being such a big supportive and loving part. You will be with me at Holy Hill or wherever I go. All my love and thanksgiving- monk_1975

Well, this is the last blog from the west coast. It's been a busy morning again. I went to a store looking for a slip and the salesgirl looked at me like I had 10 heads. Doesn't everyone shop for slips? Last night, I had the most amazing dinner and fellowship with an amazing couple who are such gifts to me. One of their kids is fascinated and perhaps a bit freaked out by the concept of nuns and she watched me as I was folding my clothes since when you invite me over for dinner, I bring my laundry along. My mom would die if she knew that I did that last night. Anyway, I was folding the clothes and I was folding a grey tank top which I think the kid thought was some special nun issue. I showed her that it was an OLD NAVY top and she looked relieved. I jokingly told her that when I land, a cross will be shaved into my head. AS my friend said, "You wish they would shave your head." :)

I am meeting with my spiritual director today and then a college roommate and then my last dinner. The priest will drive me to the airport tomorrow bright and early as I have a 730am flight out of here.

If you're reading this blog, you're probably a friend and to all my friends, both old and new, you will travel with me to Holy Hill and beyond. I am so lucky to be coming from such a great community. You have taught me so much. You have loved me beyond belief.

Til I blog from Holy Hill---
much love and grace to you---
monk_1975

ps--I know how dramatic this sounds....bear with me....:) Wait til it starts to snow.