I keep thinking that I have to do more in order to invite people to apply to live here. But I just need to accept that I may never be completely ready! One of my weaknesses is that I don’t like to complete things. I could be describing the monastery until the end of my life, and not make an effort to really publicize it. But today, I am determined, God willing, that I will write a blurb that serves as a classified ad to inspire people to look into joining the monastery.

Yes, I will keep writing about how I envision the monastery to unfold, but I need to let go of my fear of failure. Perhaps that is what it is. If I don’t put out the word about what I am doing, then if no one comes–I have a good excuse.

When I think about trying to find someone who lines up with the core values that are described in the words Christian Universalist Conservative, and someone who is willing to eat a plant-based diet living in a small apartment dormitory style–it seems impossible.

But I need to try!

And I am praying that God will send me the right two people. Ideally, two people would come forward and we could be the serve as a core group in order to attract more women to the monastery, as well as act as an experiment to see how we want to structure our days and our life together. I have spelled out an exact schedule and all kinds of things–but until people are actually living together, I can’t guarantee that this will work.

Of course, I can’t guarantee anything except that I will do my best to be a good facilitator and leader of this community. I have a good track record in managing projects and groups, and I want to apply my experience to this undertaking.

Okay, I am committing to myself. Right now I will work on the short description. Here is the rough draft:

Wanted: Adventuresome Christian Universalist Conservative women who want to dedicate their lives to following Jesus in a monastic environment located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Patricia Mikkelson is getting this project off the ground, and is looking for 2 people to experiment with this project and get it off the ground. If you are passionate about being healthy–body, mind and soul, willing to live a celibate lifestyle and eat a plant-based diet, serve humanity and the earth in meaningful ways, practice joyful spiritual practices that help us connect to each other and to God, please visit http://www.wellspringmonastery.wordpress.com