faith story ~ part 2

Continuing from Part 1

When I started college I was confident of my Christianity but did consider the possibility that I was Catholic because that was all I knew. I had the good fortune of making several good friends in my dorm that year, two of whom invited me to attend their church and join Inter-Varsity an inter-denominational group for students. The church was Baptist and while the service didn't really do anything for me, the Bible study beforehand was wonderful with a dynamic and caring leader. So for much of my freshman year that is what I did, Sunday morning was Bible study and then staying for service and then attending Mass in the evening with my roommate. During the week there was prayer meetings in the dorm-room of one of my new friends, and the large group meeting of Inter-Varsity. There was also wonderful activities at the Newman Center. I learned about Adoration for the first time and became an Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist. Busy, happy and learning a lot.

Early in my Sophmore year the bible study leader changed, and I was pressured by the minister to actually join the church ~ so I stopped going which was completely fine because by that point I had learn about more about Eucharist and the 'True Presence' and was now very certain of my faith as a Catholic. During that year I also became involved in liturgy planning, a committee where I made several (hopefully) lifetime friends and met the person to whom I am now married.

What an amazing blessing it was to, as I started my twenties, meet someone as on fire for Christ and committed to the Church and her teachings as I was seeking to be. No pre-martial sex ~ good by him, NFP ~ lets investigate together, going to Mass a priority ~ him too; PRAISE!! A bit older than me he was patient and loving as I dealt with 'ghosts from the nursery' and supported me as I got the help I needed to stop cutting. Without applying pressure but by his loving example he helped me return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (I had a couple of bad experiences as a child and teen and so would attend Penance Services but couldn't make myself go to Confession for about five years).

The story since then is one of learning and seeking, trying to discern God's will ~ which job to take, when to marry, when to start a family. Seeking God's wisdom and strength as life takes loved ones away (including both our fathers) and brings new challenges and gifts. The current chapter has me learning about my vocation as a stay-at-home mom.

As I say in my introduction I'm learning, laughing and loving in the light of Christ. I know that there is still so much to learn, but I also see the great love and joy which surrounds me as my story as a Child of God continues.