I'm Magdalena Tantalean, from the Province of Peru, and three months ago (August 2011) I arrived in England, to form part of the Oxford community.

I'm learning English, and I take part in community life and events, although in a very limited way. I realise that it's important to know the essentials of a language in order to be better integrated, but I feel my experience is different, and I receive it with everything that starting from zero signifies, because it cannot be any other way. I believe that if I could cope with the language I would be "completely happy", but as nothing in life is complete, instead I experience the bittersweetness of this time.

Madeleine Sophie once said "happiness contains a trace of bitterness"; that is what I am experiencing at the moment. I can say that this time allows me to experience what scripture says "I will lead you to the desert and there I will speak to your heart"... this inspires and comforts me, nourishes my hope and motivates me to remain attentive with a ready heart. This is a time in which I ask myself: where do I place my happiness? how do I nourish it?

I am extremely grateful to ENW Province for their generosity in everything: speaking, listening attentively, accompanying and welcoming me. I am especially grateful to this patient and understanding community; I feel as if each one supports me with all that she is and has. I admire this province's gratuitous commitment to my province, by helping with the formation and experience of each one of us who needs to come here.

I want to end by saying that I feel that the Lord is the One who always surprises and upholds me, and so every night I go to bed asking "and what will tomorrow bring Lord?"... and I wake up ready for whatever reply may come. Sometimes I understand the surprises, other times not; so I pray that I may keep my heart and mind open in order to lovingly receive his presence in each person and event.

I'd also like to say that Oxford is very beautiful - thanks to both God and humans - and worthy of admiration, and I thank God for showing it to me and letting me get to know it. The Heart of God is generous; day by day I live this in this concrete experience. Thank you to all who help me to discover and live this.

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15th February 2012: Magda travelled to Rome to begin her preparation for final profession, accompanied by the prayer and good wishes of the community and province.