There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship – St Thomas Aquinas
Today, one of my friends left for California. Her name is Tanya and she is a living Saint
The above pictures were taken in January this year when we went to Taste of Africa.
A couple of hours later, Tanya asked if I had heard that she was moving
“Oh” I replied…”You’re moving out of your parent’s home? Are you going to Vancouver or something?” [Her parents home is in Surrey]
“No“, she replied….”I am moving to America, California exactly”
“Why would you be going so far?”
“I am joining the Convent, the Sisters of the Canonry of the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph in California.”
{Honestly, the name was too long for me to remember at that time and even now too.I just looked it up. LOL}
At first I was silent, then I laughed, and I asked “Are you serious? ”
To be honest, I was really surprised by the news and when I am surprised or embarrassed, I laugh. I wasn’t surprised because Tanya’s character wasn’t like that of someone called to the religious life, on the contrary, I was surprised out of selfishness. Tanya is too awesome & I couldn’t comprehend that that she was leaving. It was like Lea’s departure all over again.
Tanya is a really awesome person and every time that I have spent with her has always made my heart so happy. We met last year on March 28 2014 when I went to CFC-Youth camp. Lea invited me to the camp but she did not go so she followed me to the venue and introduced me to Tanya. Tanya did really simple acts of kindness that even she didn’t notice because they come so natural to her but I noticed them at camp. .All the girls decided to sleep in a circle in the middle but I didn’t due to personal reasons and then Tanya moved her sleeping bag beside mine. I am pretty sure that she has no recollection about this lol.. but I do.
Later on, when I was invited to CFC Youth True North Conference, TNC here in Vancouver, I declined the invitation because I couldn’t come up with the money by the deadline in May and Tanya agreed to pay for me and she said I could pay her back later. I was like, wow, who does that? Tanya does. Haha.
Photos retrieved from CFC Youth Canada’s Flickr account.
Thank you Tanya! I really loved TNC and I really needed to hear a lot of the messages. Thanks for also inviting me to your graduation and having breakfast with me on my birthday. Honestly, I really was not looking forward to my birthday last year but friends like you made my day way more awesome than I could have ever imagined . Thanks also for inviting me to Liveloud and for giving me the “He Speaks to You” book. I never esperred it(I never expected it).Lol
Thanks also to your amazing parents for always being super nice to me every time we meet. Haha.
You’re awesome Tanya, my friend who can recognize my questions that I asked even when I send them anonymously. Lol.
“Physical separation does not prevent spiritual presence among persons whom Our Lord has united by bonds of His holy love. The stronger this love grows within us, the closer it binds us together.” – Saint Louise de Marillac
I will miss you but I am happy that you are following where God has called you. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.
God bless Tanya! We’re all praying & cheering for you
P.S This year is so exciting!! So many people I know are getting married, Tanya is joining the convent and L is pregnant 🙂 Praise the Lord for all these blessings.
