“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up…
It is truly amazing how God gives us the wisdom and understanding we need at the moments we are not expecting it. After a particularly long, hectic and draining day, I sat on the window seat of the Corps bedroom, admittedly feeling a little sorry for myself. I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook when I…
A Journey in the Desert I truly believe it was God’s grace that led me to Maggie’s Place and His will that I should learn the language of love in action there. The 2nd day I was at The Elizabeth House for my interview, I knew God wanted me there and I had this conviction…
When I came to Maggie’s Place in the summer of 2007, I came with many questions waiting for answers in my heart. I had chosen to come to Maggie’s Place because I loved to be involved in pro-life work and was discerning with a number of religious communities, including the Sisters of Life. The Sisters…
It was not until I was at Maggie’s Place that I truly understood Divine Providence. I had the privilege to be a MissionCorps member at The Magdalene House in 2009, right after the house fire occurred, living in a convent that we affectionately called the “Magvent.” Each day, after Morning and Evening Prayer, we would…
Death and life, destruction and renewal, pain and growth. We all experience these dichotomous but connected realities, but they are especially present in life at Maggie’s Place. By our very mission, we are a place of birth, new life growing and coming into the world. But our homes have purpose only because of the need…
I will never forget the first time I bit into a piece of homemade bread. I don’t remember where I was or who I was with, but I can vividly remember the soft and spongy texture, the subtle salty sweet flavor, and the warmth inside my mouth. I remember feeling shocked at how flavorful it…
Transitions are a constant part of life, especially at Maggie’s Place. If you are like me, you probably have a bittersweet relationship with change. On the one hand, change brings unexplored adventures, opportunities and relationships; on the other hand, it brings different challenges, struggles and sorrow. Change can be exciting, refreshing and absolutely terrifying, all…
On Sunday I heard a beautiful sermon about the woman at the well and her encounter with the living God. I will turn 51 before I leave Maggie’s Place. I’ve spent this year of service also praying for my future husband. Unlike the woman at the well, I’ve never been married, but I can relate…
When I was a tween I was obsessed with celebrities. I had pictures of my favorites all over my walls and could tell you a million factoids about all their lives. I idolized them because I wanted to be just like them: famous, attractive, important and rich. A few years later my focus had shifted…