Dear Crista,

You can be sure of my prayers as you continue with such openness of heart to search for Gods will.

In answer to your question, I would first like to put you on guard against wanting a perfectly clear, fool-proof answer. Not that you have said you are looking for one, but it is simply a tendency we have. Only in exceptional vocations does this absolute certitude exist, and even then it is based on faith and left in Gods hands, if it is his will.

The main obstacles or impediments to a vocation fall under the four headings of the usual signs of a vocation (sufficient health, intelligence, maturity/freedom, and proper spiritual motives). When there is not enough of one or another of these, we have an impediment. Some impediments are temporary (for example, you can develop spiritually and acquire the proper motivation even if it wasnt there initially) and others may be permanent (an incapacitating physical handicap). But to answer the question, how much health or how much intelligence is necessary, you have to be thinking of a concrete vocation in order to know. For example an order dedicated to the medical apostolate will have different minimum requirements to one dedicated to teaching in grade schools.

I think you may find it helpful to get to know particular orders, read about them or go visit them if you can, and sooner or later you will come across one that attracts you in a special way. That is when, speaking to the vocation directress, you will be able to see if you are called there or not.

Right now my advice would be to talk a lot with Christ about what he wants you to do, how you want to give your life to him, and tell him you trust him and put all your hope in him. Keep your friendship with him and your conversation with him top on your list of priorities, and dont let anything get in their way.  If you do this and start looking into orders you can be sure he will lead you where he wants you to go.

God bless.