“ I predestined you from the eternity to be elected among the people ” 

When it looks you are far from God, he is nearer to you. 

My dear friend : 

Do not think you are too far away to be called by God, because He could inundate your heart with his love at any moment so that you couldn’t leave it. This was what happed in my life. When I couldn’t imagine it possible and at the hour I never expected, the Lord touched my heart. 

My name is Beatriz and this is my history. I was living in Mexico state with my parents and my brothers and sisters. I was devoted to my studies, and the feasts, and walking with my friends, and going to the cinema, listening to music, dancing, and practicing sports like Kung-fu, not to mention fashionable living. 

Like many young people I didn’t go to church frequently, I never had time for it. When I was 19, I began my career as an industrial specialist in quality systems administration. I practiced it during eight years with great success. I never could have imagined that my life was going to be changed by God’s calling. We usually don't expect things to happen to us which we have not planned for; especially at this time when we plan every thing. 

But God had his plans for me and He intimated to me that my current way of thinking was different than His way and He did not want this. Over the course of three years, I began to understand that I could not find hapiness in the life I was living. Although many people thought my life was ideal for a person my age, The Lord had His own plans for me. 

He wanted me to follow Him, embracing an evangelical life in obedience, in poverty and in chastity. This is the life of Capuchins Poor Clares Sisters according to the spirituality of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi; living in contemplative prayer, closed in a monastery, but free in spirit. 

God asked me for a total renouncement that at first looked to me like craziness. How can I leave my life which I have worked so hard to buid and fit into a new, unknown way of living? 

At first I resisted and this went on for a while I decided to accept God's call and respond. On October 12, 2003, I accepted this adventure of faith and renounced my family, my friends, my career, and my native country because my heart was moving towards God. 

God has rewarded me with a bigger family. Everything has been a profit. He has given to me my sisters in Alamo, Texas, with whom I am living joyfully, learning by their good examples. 

Now, after three years of my religious life, I can answer to people who ask me if I miss my former life. This religious life is now my career, more difficult, but more fruitful for every man or woman. But God is always with us giving His grace and His strength so that we may reach the end. Now I don’t work to attain material goods, but instead I work interceding before God for all people. 

If you are invited by God’s grace to take this way, don’t worry because He gives everything you need and He will do great things with you. 

All man’s life is a risk, but you risk it for a very great thing. May it be to the glory of God. 

A sister who prays for you.