Discernment - Am I ready?

The first weeks of the Maryknoll Lay Missioners orientation program are considered a time of discernment. It has been a time of learning about the program and about ourselves so that we can make an informed decision before committing for 3 1/2 years overseas.

It seemed a challenge to ponder once again a decision when I already felt like I already made when I sold my house & moved away from friends and family.

As is no surprise to most of you, I have decided once again to go. I feel that there's no place I'd rather be.

One activity we were asked to do was to write our own mission statement.
Here's my first attempt:

As a believer in God's boundless love, I seek to follow Jesus in serving both the people struggling to survive in Kenya and the US Catholic community that supports me, by joining my life story with those in poor communities in Kenya, working with them to improve basic living conditions so that we all might have life abundantly.

The beauty of the fall season emerging around me has been incredible. Each day has been more beautiful than the last.

Our front yard!


Croton Falls - just a few minutes away from where I live.
Croton Reservoir & the infinity edge that feeds Croton Falls

Rockerfeller State Park Preserve - where we spent our last day of discernment
Stone barn Center for Food and Agriculture adjacent to the park

Check out the little turtles sunning themselves on the rock.

The Maryknoll Orientation Program Class of 2009:
Back row: John, Sr Anastasia, me, Lindsay, Nan, Stephen
Front row: Sr Laura, Minh, Cindy, Rena, Sr Genie, Erica

Wishing you all the abundance of the season!