Turn that 5 upside-down!

The Enneagram Made Easy
Ha. That's the name of a book that we have floating around, but as AMAZING as the Enneagram is, it certainly isn't easy!! In the journey of getting to know yourself, as well as appreciate others, it gives you a lot of work to do, I think!

Last year I totally consumed myself with being a 5 - the Observer. The fives are the quiet ones, avoid small-talk and dread large social functions, always thinking, always analytic, the last to contribute to a conversation, but always having a desire to contribute. 5s tend to be introverted and almost always prefer either to be alone, one on one, or in a small, intimate group. Of the Gut, Heart, and Head centers, the 5 is a 'head personality.' I would have liked to say that my personality is more 'heart,' but when I am honest with myself, I am definitely a 5.

That being said, after a year of constantly saying, "I'm a 5" or just raising my hand with five fingers, we had the Enneagram workshop as part of our community retreat. As we went through the numbers, I doubted, "Am I really a 5?" I didn't check off as much on the 5 list as I had the first time, and on the contrary, I had a lot more check marks on numbers that I didn't think I was or could EVER be...so what's the verdict?

I am a five...at my very essence. BUT I realized that I checked off more on the 8 list (where I go in my positive compulsion, when I am healthy) and less on the list of a 7 (where I move to in my negative compulsion). This is good. :) So I feel like I might be a little healthier and stronger, due mostly impart to the experience and openness of last year, as well as my incredible community/support system. Thank you :)

So why did I check off more in the other categories, too? I'd like to think that as we grow and learn...we just become a little more 'rounded.' I feel like a more 'multi-faceted' person after a year of mission. I am certainly not perfect, but I learned a lot about how God is calling me and how to reverence the way that he calls others!

Discussion with Crys
We skyped in Crystal to our CMC Community time on Saturday, and as we took time to share I learned a bit more about all of my community members. I also got feedback from the community about what I shared. And Crystal, who totally needed to mentor me into my gut side empowered me with, "Yeah, turn that 5 upside down!"

The moral of the story is that I'm trying. I'm trying to learn more about myself, and what God is calling me to. When I put those two things together, I started to ask myself, "Are you afraid?" The answer is a big fat YES! The good news is that I'm less afraid then I was before, and realizing that is the emotion that I respond to the most, I can name my fears and work to be less timid...which is funny if you look at the NO FEAR post from earlier! I'm trying...I guess that's all I can do right now - keep trying and praying for the graces that will allow me to witness to God's work among us!!

NO FEAR

NO FEAR

2 Tim 1:7
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

I had the awesome blessing of being able to visit my uncle on Saturday afternoon. I hadn't seen him since the month before I came to Cabrini, August 2009. In January of this year, he was diagnosed with cancer. Since then, he's been making trips back and forth with my aunt to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Philly location. Last year when I was in and out of Philly, I had always been in town for business, and it just kept not working out...at least on my end, to see him. BUT....I spent last week in Philadelphia staying at the college to do some testing and to be with Gina at the office.

I was talking to my mom and we agreed that it was too important for me to see him (her brother), so instead of spending time with a couple of the sisters (though I hope they understand) I stayed with on Friday night, on Satruday I went to the cancer center. This time, about two and a half months ago, my uncle came with my aunt and my cousin, so I was able to see all three of them!

My aunt came in a car from the center to pick me up, which was so wonderful because I've never had a car while in Philly...and it was a limo! I know...rough life, huh? The sisters took me out and met her, which for me was VERY special. My sisters have both come to NY, but up until now, nobody else has had the chance to meet them! "You're meeting them before my mom!" I shared. Either way, the next stop was my uncle! :) I had just been in a conversation the night before about godparents, and I was particularly excited to have the chance to visit with my godfather!

Along the way, I had the opportunity to share with my aunt, who thankfully is close to my mother, about my summer away and about my recent discernment of religious life. I hope that she appreciated that conversation as much as I did, because I think that's one of the first times that I've been able to have such an adult conversation and actually have time to talk to her! A lot of our gatherings are around holiday times, and as I usually spend more time with my cousins, it was really beautiful, I think, to share a little bit of where I am with her! :)

Arriving to the center I dropped off my bags in the luggage room, and headed up to see him! Awwww, I love that! He reminds me so much of my mom...I'm just like, "Stop!" Their humor is EXACTLY the same, it kind of cool...and, of course, funny :) I got to talk to them more about the current status of my time and experience with the sisters, again, something beautiful to share with them. After a bit, we went down for lunch and all sat outside, and when I paid close attention to my uncles shirt I read the verse at the beginning of this entry!

NO FEAR. One of the patients of the clinic had shirts made like that, I believe for himself and his wife? Either way, he had the shirt on, and everyone really liked it, so now they print them, and when he comes for treatment, it's a way from them to share Scripture and God with the patients! That's AWESOME!

Even more AWESOME, is that the sisters use that same verse from a different version of the Bible, reading:
2 Tim 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but rather of power and love and self-control." Sr. Patricia just used it in her talk in the college on Thursday!! :) YES!! I love when we have things in common!!

So...no fear. I found out when I was visiting my uncle, who has been living out the line from Scripture, that my uncle is now CANCER FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks be to God for that!!!!!!! I am just so grateful that he's gotten the treatment and the quality care that he has needed along the way! He still has a little longer to be at the center, but I HOPE that he's not there the next time that I go to Philadelphia!

I LOVED seeing him, and it was so great to visit with them! Me from Wisonsin, and them from Virginia, our family gatherings have always been too few and far between! I pray that my uncle is still doing well, and in thanksgiving both for a great visit and the success of his treatment!!

A week on Long Island!

I was so lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of the Extended Council Meeting that our Province hosted here in NY. It was really special to be in the presence of members of the Cabrinian family from ALL over the world....different languages, different cultures, but the same mission!

I heard the quote via James Martin, that a "Sad nun is a bad nun..."
If that's true, we're in GOOD SHAPE! After a tiring and exhaustive week at the Extended Council meeting, our sisters rewarded themselves with fun! :) They deserved to reward themselves, and definitely had a good time along the way, laughing and singing together in the halls. BEAUTIFUL! :)



Coming from around the world: Spain, Italy, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Brazil, Agrentina. What a blessing to see a team of sisters gather to plan cross-borders and cross-cultures, to talk about the one thing that they all have in common - Passion, zeal, and commitment to the Cabrinian Mission, to be bearer's of the love of Christ in the World. I was incredibly inspired to see sisters that have worked hard all of their lives come together for prophetic planning for the good of their family, the Institute of the MSCs. There are barely even words to describe the admiration I have for these strong, powerful, dedicated and faith-filled women on a mission!



I am grateful, too, for all that they offer for the future of the Institute and carrying out Mother Cabrini's mission to bear Christ's love to the ends of the earth!

Take nothing for the journey...

Last week Wednesday, the Gospel reading, like the one for today, talks about going out and carrying nothing! I remember being younger, and in young adult discussion groups there being talk of what Jesus really means...in readings like today, he tells us to go and take nothing. In other readings, to sell all you have and take nothing...

"Of course, Jesus doesn't really mean to sell all you have and take nothing" they would say...
"What if He does?" I always thought, "...how beautiful! "

Last Wednesday, in the homily, Fr. Tom said that as long as that Gospel passage were true, there would be religious life. As long as anyone finds it attractive to leave behind all possessions and follow Him, then we don't need to worry about religious life fading away. I like that story.

Vince Lombardi vs. Mother Cabrini

I'm pretty sure it would be a close match! I mean, come on, their quotes are even comparable! :)



Last night, Laura and I had the pleasure of going with Sr. Mary Lou to see "Lombardi," the broadway play for event sponsored by the Cabrini Mission Foundation. It was such a blast, and a special treat for Laura and I, both Wisconsin natives! Thank you CMF!!!!