One night, maybe 10 years ago, I was in my room in a boarding house in Manila crying to God. I felt, at that time, that what I wanted in life were simple things. I did not want to be rich or become a famous architect, I just want to be able to design resorts, churches and retreat houses. I just want to have a small house of my own and enough money for my needs and that I can still afford to paint.

I thought these dreams were simple enough but I felt, at that time, they were so difficult to achieve. That moment, God assured me "I have big plans for you. Bigger than what you have for yourself". On a different occasion He comforted me with words, "You have me." Those messages indeed comforted me but I did not think much of what they meant until I came to the Society and looked at my life more deeply.

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The painting done during my retreat before I made my first vows expresses how I have experienced the love of the Heart of Jesus in my life and in the life of others. The verse from Isaiah was the theme for the ceremony.

I made my vows with joy, gratitude
and assurance of God's love.

"I have big plans for you, bigger than what you have for yourself." "You have me." "I have come that you may have life and have it to the full." "How much more beauty can I show you Beth if you just allow me." These are some of God's words to me some years ago. And my life since I entered the Society has been an unfolding of what these words mean.

I believe that as I made my first vows last March 25, I did not only make a public profession of my response to God's call but that I celebrated what He has done in my life as well. The Spirit was so present filling everybody with joy and gratitude for God's call, for the gift of persons, for relationships (as sisters, as family, as friends) - for Life. I was so affirmed by the words from Isaiah saying, "I have called you by name, you are mine".

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The guests enjoyed lunch
after the ceremony.

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Front Row, from the left : Sol Navidad, Joy Luz, Ayds Sua-an, Lita Walker.

2^nd Row : Digna Dacanay, Lydia Collado, Minda Caoile, Beth Sulleza, Mely Vasquez, Choi Hae Young (Korea), Nancy Murphy (Indonesia), Maribel Carceller.

Back Row : Dindin Villaluz, Sonia Aldeguer, Sandra Clemente, Yuka Arita, Hermie Noval, Shin So Hee (Korea), Luz Dolalas, Chang Man Ling (Taiwan).