Help Hayley Discern Religious Life

It all started in June 2015, when I began my one year dating fast. It was the beginning of my first year as a missionary with Fellowship of Catholic University Students. FOCUS asks all new missionaries to commit their first year to Christ and the mission in a profound way. Through fasting from dating we are free to go deeper in intimacy with Christ. During this time I was not really thinking about the religious life at all but God was absolutely planting seeds for what was to come. At the end of the year with a lot of prayer and spiritual direction I made the decision to extend my fast another 6 months. During this time I committed myself to actively discern the religious life because something about it began to intrigue me. Was I scared? Heck yeah, but I couldn't shake this intuition that maybe just maybe this was His will for me.

I began spending time here and there with a few different orders and exposing myself to opportunities that the Lord presented. As time went on, sparks became a small flame. The Lord's grace kindled that flame into a fire. By my third year as a FOCUS Missionary my desire to be a sister was greater than anything I have ever desired and greater than anything I could have imagined desiring.

This past year I served with FOCUS at The University of Florida, where God blessed me tremendously. With much support from my team mates, students, Catholic Gators Staff and religious priests and sisters Jesus was overflowing my heart with graces. This past February I was able to go on a retreat and complete the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, and boy did God provide! I went into the retreat with 3 questions for God.

1. Should I go with FOCUS on mission to Rowanda this summer?
Very early on into the exercises, I knew my answer was no. I didn't know why, but I knew it was a no.

2. Should I stay on staff and do a fourth year with FOCUS? (I really wanted it to be a yes)
During the exercises, the Lord communicated with me that His desires were different and He was not actually calling me to continue with FOCUS.

3. Should I apply to enter the religious life with The Servants of The Lord and Virgins of Matara? (The order I have fallen in love with)
He didn't even have to say yes. As I gazed at Him in His monstrance up on the Alter, my soul entered a new depth and I KNEW! I KNEW this was it! This was everything He had been preparing me for my entire life. Since the moment I was created He has been preparing me for this gift! However, I still had questions.
How can I do this with so much college loan debt? (Like any religious order, I cannot enter with any sort of debt and I have $30,000 in college loans)
Leaving the Spiritual Exercises I made a game plan and that was to apply to enter as soon as I could. God wants me to do this now and I didn't want to delay His will or the gifts He wants to give me. Apply now and keep discerning, asking God to provide the means.

God is calling me to do is trust and be diligent in following His will. Trust that He will provide for me the support of generous people.
Just like during my time with FOCUS where He surrounded me with the support of my team mates, students, Campus Ministry Staff and religious priests and sisters, He will do the same now.

My Goal is to pay off my loans ASAP so that I am able to keep saying "Yes" to God without my debt holding me back. Anything you can give is a great act of generosity and I am sincerely grateful for the prayers and support of all who will join me in this great adventure!
Be assured of my prayers for you!

In Christ Through Mary,
Hayley Tomilson

Lord Prepare Me, To Be A Sanctuary.