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Post by Susan Peabody on May 17, 2023 12:55:16 GMT -8
Missionaries As I say in my new book, God Stories, I have always wanted to be a missionary, but I decided they work too hard. A few weeks ago, I joined the Catholic Church and met some nuns who belong to Mother Teresa's group, The Missionaries of Charity. I now go with them to Berkeley to feed the homeless, and the nursing home that took care of my brother-in-law. I am now happier than I have ever been. I am writing, I am cancer free, and I am feeding the homeless in the town where I raised my children. This picture is of Sister Mary (of the Missionaries of Charity), Rosa (a volunteer), me, and John (one of our homeless friends). May God be as good to you as he has been to me. Attachments:
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Post by Susan Peabody on May 25, 2023 7:37:24 GMT -8
I have always wanted to be a nun, but my love addiction got in the way. When I got into recovery, I got distracted by my career and I had two children to take care of. I think this is why I enjoy being around the nuns at the Missionaries of Charity. Last week, Sister Sharon invited me to a ceremony where the nuns were taking their final vows. I was so excited that I showed up an hour early. But that was good because I got a front row seat. This seat was reserved for families of the nuns, so I was willing to move if the family showed up, but they didn't. As the ceremony began, and I watched the nuns walking in, I felt so sad. These young women were doing what I had always wanted to do. Eventually, the priest began the homily (sermon) and he read a passage from the Bible. The verse said that Jesus told his disciples that they were now his friends because they knew everything about the Father. He added that the greatest thing in our spiritual walk was to lay down our lives for our friends. He went on to say that these young nuns were laying down their lives for Christ. Suddenly, I realized that I have also dedicated myself to God. Nuns take a vow of chastity, poverty, and obedience. I have done all three. This made me a spiritual nun. This may all sound kind of bizarre, but this is what I really feel. Up to now I have felt awkward and embarrassed about my devotion to God, but with the Catholics I fit right in. I think this is why God helped me find my way to the Catholic faith. Attachments:
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Post by Susan Peabody on Jun 7, 2023 13:20:57 GMT -8
Dear Friends: I am so happy today. I went out to feed the homeless in Berkeley with the Missionaries of Charity. They gave me a free lunch. As we were leaving Berkeley a homeless man stopped the van and asked if any food was left. I hesitated for a moment because I love food and then handed him my lunch. For some reason, I am full today without lunch because the Holy Spirit has filled me with love which is even more satisfying than food and much more nourishing. May you all be as blessed as I am. Attachments:
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Post by Susan Peabody on Jun 17, 2023 16:53:29 GMT -8
Today, the nuns from the Missionaries of Charity took me to get my fingerprints so I could help them at this summer's Bible camp. I am really looking forward to working with the children. We had to go to three places to get it done, but we accomplished our goal. I do have a record of three arrests, but that was 52 years ago when I was a love addict and did not know any better. I am so grateful to God and all the self-help writers, like Robin Norwood, who saved my life. Now I am in recovery and no longer do the things I have done before. You too can recover. Go to meetings. Admit that you are a love addict. Change how you think and behave. Change how you feel about romantic love. It is a "want," not a "need." We can actually live without it if you reach out for help and surrender to your Higher Power. If I did it . . . so can you. I must admit that I was one of those love addicts who committed crimes. I rarely talk about it because it is humilitating. But if my story can help even one person out there, I will be happy.
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Post by Susan Peabody on Jul 10, 2023 18:28:40 GMT -8
Today, I assisted Sister Sharon to teach Summer Bible Camp for the children of St. Mark. Everyone is Hispanic, so I am brushing up on my Spanish. Why was this significant?
I always wanted to teach children, and I even got my teaching credential, but I always felt inadequate, so I did not pursue it as a career. Furthermore, when raising my own children, I did interact with them much. There was no emotional connection which is what children desperately need.
In 2015, Christ told me he wanted me to work with children. I went to my church and asked them if I could teach Sunday School. They said no. So I got busy with other things.
Now, I am finally doing two things: teaching and interacting with children and making a living amends to my children. All this is very gratifying and I thank God for this opportunity.
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Post by Susan Peabody on Jul 11, 2023 13:47:23 GMT -8
Dear Friends: Today was my second day teaching children at the Summer Bible School with the Missionaries of Charity. I can only wish I had a fraction of their energy. I spent my time cutting up drawings of spiders as a prop for our play which will happen on Friday. At one point a young girl sat next to me. I asked what her name was? Cómo te llamas?" We talked a bit, and I asked her if she was happy. She said, "no." I asked her if she wanted to talk. She said, "yes." At the end of our conversation, she asked me what I did for a living. I told her that I was a counselor. She was only ten years old, but she blurted out, "I think I need a counselor." I gave her my card and told her to talk to her parents. I talked to Sister Sharon about it and she said to be careful and go slow. She volunteered to go with me to the child's home and discuss some counseling with her parents. I do not know if anything will come of this, but this experience made my day. When my children were young, I volunteered at their nursery school, but I did not engage with the children emotionally. Both of my children suffered because of this. I wish I could turn back the clock, but I can't. I can only move forward. Attachments:
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