We are preparing for a third convent visit! This time, Ruby and I are heading to the lovely but very far away state of Massachusetts to spend the first week of November with the Sister Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Harvard, MA. The Sisters have a wide variety of apostolates, and I am excited to see within which Ruby finds joy.

In addition to their lives of prayer and their domestic work, the Sisters are teachers and school administers, writers and graphic designers, embroidery designers and sewers, and altar bread bakers. They operate a Catholic girls' camp, maintain the Order's websites, distribute their magazine "From the Housetops," work the gift shop, and serve as sacristans. There are places for many callings and many types of personalities.

The cover photo was taken from the Sisters' website. If you would like to learn more about them, please visit: https://sisters.saintbenedict.com/

I wish I could say we had the ability to run a card or write a check without a second thought whenever Ruby needs to visit a convent, but we don’t. And actually I suppose you could say this fundraiser isn’t really for Ruby’s trip. It’s for those who are staying home. The truth is, we can fund this trip, but it’s happening at the expense of everything else.

A friend who also has a daughter in religious life told me once that their yes is our yes, too. Their sacrifice is our sacrifice, and that is 100% true for us. We are not sacrificing the same things, but we *are* sacrificing.

Every little bit helps. It makes things just a tiny bit easier on our family. *Anything* is greatly appreciated, $10, $5, even $1 is one less dollar those staying home need to worry about.

Thank you for praying for us and for Ruby. Having not grown up Catholic, I had no experience with religious discernment. Maybe like me, you thought it was a simple decision: pick a convent and just go there and that’s it. I guess it might happen that way for some, but certainly not for the majority. It’s tough, especially at 17, trying to figure out where God wants you to spend the rest of your life serving Him. Please pray that she hears His voice and has the courage to obey.

Thank you for sharing this fundraiser. I haven’t shared this one much because I know what it’s like to want to help and not be able to, and I didn’t want to do that to my friends. But I’m asking you to share now because you never know who might see your share and feel called to help and be in a position to do so. Please share on whatever social media platforms you use!

Thank you for prayerfully considering a donation. We pray daily for all those who help in any way, but especially for those who are able to contribute financially. We feel that help most clearly.

God bless you all, and thank you for your help!