The plans that God has in store for you, will forever remain.
A Transformative Journey
Through my vocation journey, I learned that the plans that God has in store for you, will forever remain.
I was twelve years old the first time I thought about becoming a sister. After I said my prayers and was in bed for the night, I started imagining what it might be like to be a sister. Then I realized what I was considering and thought, “This is being an Angel on earth!” But I continued to think about it anyway and felt a wave of deep peace settle over me. I remember distinctly thinking, “A twelve-year-old is is becoming too Holy, wao!
The next days that followed, I decided that even if it was true and even if I did become a sister one day, I will be the happiest woman in this world. After all, I was born in a family of many girls, few boys, so why not become unique in my calling. Really, my parents and siblings would love and support my calling.
How My Family Supported Me
As children growing up in primary and secondary schools, our parents introduced to us prayer as one of the ways that unite families. They made sure we have learnt how to pray by praying every day, especially the Rosary of our Blessed Virgin Mary, to an extent of praying by heart, (not reading from the book) and at the end of the Rosary, we could mention a number of Saints to pray for us. In addition, we attended confessions in the parish, moreso on every first Friday of the Month, (Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus). Gradually, I developed an attraction of the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which the flaming heart shining with divine light, pierced by the lance-wound, encircled by the crown of thorns, helped me experience the meaning of the love of Jesus though I did not understand it in depth, but my heart could settle at peace with the image.
When it was time to discern which religious community to join, I was given a small book by one of my brother, who is now a priest, to read through the different congregations and see which one inspires my heart. I came across two congregations but I chose one and made an application. It took time to respond and I started being impatient because my heart felt the urgency to serve God. I then decided to share with my brother whom I felt could understand what I was going through. He gave me another option to try my application in another congregation which was Dimesse Sisters.
Joining Dimesse Sisters
I applied and within a short time, I received the response asking me to visit them soonest. I remember that night, my feelings were that of a happy person. I could not wait to see myself in a convent environment, imagining myself dressed in white clothes, because I did not know what sisters put on is called a habit. The invitation was soon and so, I did not stay at home for long. When the day dawned to visit the Dimesse Sisters, I was accompanied by my Father half way of the journey and my brother received me in the town of Nairobi, where I did not know, A or B.
On arrival in Dimesse Sisters, Oh my God, the welcome I received from the reception from one sister dressed in white, followed by another hearty welcome from the postulants, it was amazing. Looking on my right and left, songs and ululations were part of the companion. I said in my heart, “I have reached where my heart always searched and longed to be, Thank you Lord.” Minutes later, I was offered a plate of food because it was lunch time and a few sisters and postulants accompanied me as I enjoyed my lunch. For the first time I used a fork and a knife to cut meat, but I can tell you, the drama I had of meat rotating around my plate and out side of the plate, was fantastic and at the same time, a feeling of shame. It was only later, that I learnt from others how to use them, as time passed by in my visit.
After several visits and being helped to discern my choice of life, I was admitted and I begun my faith’s journey in this Religious family, where I have learnt and grown in many areas of my wholistic being. I enjoy community life as one of the best pillars that could happen in the life of the religious, who are set apart and sent forth to make more disciples. Yes, just as we don’t choose our parents, we don’t choose the community and the members with whom we want to live with.
The formation of every human person begins in a family, whatever its condition may be; healthy, religious, irreligious, broken, or divorced. Held in the tender loving care of our God, the family prepares, according to its state and condition, every child to know, love, and serve God.
The Lord declares “You are my witnesses,” in Isaiah 43:10; and “you shall be my witnesses” in Acts 1:8. So, vocations and witness are interconnected, beginning with the family values and family prayer as the primary place to sow seeds of vocations.
Alice
“My advice to the young people: It is important for you to listen to the voice within your heart. There are many things that you may have in your mind, ask for advice and listen to the voice within and follow what the spirit of God whispers in the depth of your heart. Heb 3:7-8”