October 11, 1903

Finally! Here we are in Sion. To get here, we saw all the splendors of creation. The Gulf of Mexico is a magician, the land of Costa Rica is a fairy, but here there is a tabernacle. The first impression is very good on both sides, I think. I was received well and pleasantly by the sisters; as for the rest, everybody everywhere was always so good to me that I can do nothing but say thank you, and above all to you more than to anyone else. […] On Sunday morning, we took our place on the "Olympia", and I don't know how to tell you all the splendors we admired during that crossing. A splendid sea without even a hint of movement. You could have thought you were sailing on the Seine if you had had the bad idea of closing your eyes. But on the contrary, we had them wide open. Everyone was wonderful with us. In short, all was for the best except that we again arrived late in Limon, which meant that we had to wait there from Friday, 11 o'clock until Saturday, 9 o'clock to get the train. Sr. Caridad isn't exaggerating anything when she sings her country's praises. It is beyond all description, it is exhilarating, and you wonder what Paradise might have been like! That sweet Paradise, where we will have God and all whom we leave for Him, is ever more the goal of all my desires, but to get there, I want to become stronger (physically and morally) here… and also really to mortify myself. I believe in the help of God and of my Mother.

October 19, 1903

You’ve given me a wonderful reputation. Everybody thinks I passed my exams, but I never even attempted a single one! And here I am now with a scholar’s reputation. What a usurper! And I just hope they don’t come and ask to see my diplomas. Well, God surely permitted this error to happen for the good. We shall do everything to persuade the children that studies are important. I took on some of the drawing.

October 24, 1903

Last Tuesday, Mother Ambroisine and I were at Tres Rios. I would have liked to have all the sisters there. I greatly enjoyed that short holiday. I admired everything, and I was delighted with everything. I am almost as much a country girl as I am a Parisian, and Royan formed me for life as a farmer. If I no longer have the sea, I have the mountains and the rio, which rushes along with such a beautiful sound. And then there is a chapel, where God keeps us company during the vacation. All that makes me love Tres Rios very much, just as I love the whole mission very much. (…) I am learning Spanish with all good will, although I hardly have a fixed time for studying; but I feel that it is very necessary to speak it fast and well. (…) I am very well and very happy. I am trying to keep the resolution I made during my retreat not to complain about being superior. I often hold myself back, as that comes out all by itself, but I don't want to think about myself anymore. I think of God and of you who carry such a heavy burden!