sometimes i feel like i am dreaming because i have such odd/fun experiences for a 21 year old. most 21 year olds are worried about their tan, being a hipster, or drinking. i don't think i fit that description at all, although i just made a huge generalization of our society. tonight i went to hang out some of the Franciscan sisters i befriended. for my interpersonal and intercultural adjustment class we have to become familiar, hang out, and "study" a sub-culture here in LA. about a month ago i went to a conference and worked for The H20 Project. i did not realize that the conference would be swarming with sisters (nuns), priests, and a ton of catholics. so i got the idea of hanging out with nuns! i called about five convents in LA to ask them if we could hang out with them, do charity work with them, see their convent, etc. the franciscan nuns of LA were the nicest and most welcoming of them all. random snap shot: franciscan nuns take a vow to poverty, chastity, and obedience.
the first day we went to the children's mass with the sisters and the children at the preschool that the sisters run. it was really precious seeing preschoolers do all the catholic traditions and customs during church. when i was in preschool all i did was color when my mom took me to mass. the children's voices were high pitch as they sang songs about Jesus loving them. not joking, i almost died because it was the cutest thing i have ever heard. we had the opportunity to meet with the most welcoming, devout, and loving sister ever: sister mary magdalene. she shared her story of coming to be a sister, her hardships, but most importantly the joy she has had because of saying yes to God's call for her life.
i feel so incredibly blessed even to just type this out. tonight ashlee, justine, emily, and i went to the preschool to meet sister mary and then drove to the convent.
side note: once i called sister mary to see if we could initially meet with her, she let me know that only people who were considering being a sister could come into the convent.
anyways, sister mary, 3 weeks later, invited all of us over to dinner and to join them (5 sisters) in their private chapel for evening prayers. hello trust bond! Jesus is good :) we laughed loudly, hugged, cried together, prayed together, sang songs of praise together, and heard stories from the sisters hearts. the Holy Spirit was present, Jesus love was deep within our hearts, and obedience to God was first and foremost among us all. there is unity in Christ.
i am so encouraged. this is not just a project to understand people other than myself, this was friendship building. i let them know several times that i value my time with them and that they are my new friends, whom i have already come to love deeply.
i am inspired by their love and devotion to God. whoever said nuns were boring was totally off their rocker. these nuns or sisters, as some would say, are hilarious and very enjoyable to be around.
i love that my life consists of random things like this. my perspective on life has broadened even more tonight.
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