Sister Melissa Anna Letts, OSB I am a native Oklahoman. I grew up a Baptist. After high school I enlisted in the United States Air Force in active duty for four years and a reservist for 6 years. During this time, while visiting a friend in Texas, I attended a Catholic Church service for the first time. It felt right. I found a comfortable place within the Catholic Church, took instructions and became a Catholic in 1986. God surrounded me with people of faith who enabled my own faith to blossom. Through participation in the Pastoral Ministry Program, sponsored by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, I continued to be stretched in my faith. Joining with others in the Pastoral Ministry classes placed a desire for community within my soul. I sought out a spiritual director to aid me in discernment. Not knowing anything about religious communities, my director guided me to the Benedictines. This seemed to be the place for me. It is the simplicity of life in which we 'seek God' together in prayer and community life that drew me and has helped me to remain faithful to my commitment as I continue my spiritual journey. I could not have chosen a better way of life. I ministered as a hospice chaplain in the Oklahoma City area. Now I care for the elderly in their homes. Sundays I serve as director of religious education for Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Calumet. Continuing to learn and play the autoharp for community prayer is of great joy to me. I am a gourd artist and was juried into the Red Earth Native American Festival in 2006 displaying and selling some of my pieces.