Today, I participated in three new sacraments of the Catholic Church; Confession, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
These sacraments aren't really new to me, I've known of these in the church ever since I was confirmed in Jr. High. I've participated in them throughout my years since. Never were they recognized as sacraments, but big faith events in my life.
Today is special because I start a new chapter in my faith journey as a Catholic.
Thanks to my wonderful parents, I've always known the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. I was baptized as a baby. Ever since I can remember (maybe around 4-5 yrs), I've had a prayerful life; first it started with prayer before dinner. Then it was prayers before my fake dinners while I played.
The first prayer I remember kneeling and asking for help was when I was about 8 years old. There was an uncontrollable ditch fire that Mom was attending to and she was running the hose at it....I ran into my room kneeled at my bed and prayed with all my might that the fire wouldn't rush down to the neighbors and hurt them and prayed that Mom would be able to get it out.....She Did! My prayers were answered!
This started a whole new communication with the Lord that has grown deeper as I have grown older. It started out just chatting and talking with him before bedtime and now probably since High School has it been more reciprocal.
The First United Church of Christ, Pleasant Valley has been my home church since I was born. I was baptized there, went to Sunday School, Bible School, had my First Communion, was Confirmed, taught Bible School.........attended many Sundays there as well as Weddings and funerals.
Pleasant Valley Church is unique in that my ancestors actually partook in building the foundation of the church. Way back when before the building was erected, the Minister would ride horse and carriage to one household where families would gather to have service. I believe it was my Great-great grandpa Weinberg or Wedeking????? Georg (he was German) that participated in these services and helped build the church when they outgrew each other's homes........My history may be a bit inaccurate but you get the gist, right? Not only have I had a great Christian foundation from this church, I literally had an ancestral foundation as well.
I've always kept that Christian faith, along with scriptures, with me. My Mother has been a big influence, she's one of the most faith-filled women that I know. She has graced me with messages that have kept me on my path throughout my life. My Father has also graced me with guidance and deep ponderings to keep me thinking.
College, I searched here and there and everywhere. Did a bit of Lutheran, Open Bible, etc....it all made sense to me, but I just couldn't pinpoint a home. So that is when my prayer life was more abundant than my church-goings. At the end of my college years I did find a nice group of friends and fellowship with the Vineyard...I liked the contemporary style at the time, I witnessed miracles that were happening in my life. The summer before I graduated I had probably had 50$ to my name, living on my own, living on cream of wheat daily for all three meals, didn't want to bother Mom and Dad for money and so I prayed and prayed for courage to search for a job and the first job that I wanted I got and many blessings I received from that job as a Student nurse technician. Again, lots of prayers went out when I wanted this job At Iowa Lutheran, and again, immediately landed the job!
My first year in Des Moines I was dating a guy who was emotionally and verbally abusive. He was catholic and forced me to take communion at his church told me that I had no choice I was to convert to Catholicism. Well after he punched his hand through a door, I walked right out the door and thought THOSE CATHOLICS ARE ARROGANT and SELF-RIGHTEOUS JERKS!
Ironic wouldn't it be that a month and a half later I meet Paul and then a few weeks into getting to know one another, he was catholic! There I had an epiphany...that old arrogant guy was no Christian at all, and I just generalized his personality into the catholic category. Paul showed me what true Christianity is through the Catholic eyes......plus he introduced me to the most gracious people in his life (that are Catholic); his friends and family which reconfirmed to me that God does surround me with good people.
So as you all know how the story goes, Paul & I got engaged, had a baby, got married.....yeah, not the way we planned it either but Connor has been a big blessing in our life and I wouldn't have it any other way. Had another blessing, Olivia....then I was riding the fence wondering what to do and really Connor helped me make a decision to convert into Catholic religion. He was getting to the age of questions and I'd answer them but was conscientious in making sure I was correct in teaching him.....so I had questions re: Catholic religion ......the other reason is that I wanted our family to go to church as a unit, we started going to St. Mary of Nazareth (Paul's home church, which is such a welcoming and great church) then I was tired of not receiving Communion, I believed everything that the parishioners did and I wanted to receive Jesus body and blood as well.........after I was sprinkled with Holy Water last year at Easter Service, (a huge splash on the forearm!) I knew I wanted to start the RCIA process.....and here I am......throughout the journey it has been a closer walk with the Lord......The Catholic church believes in everything that I believe in and just reconfirmed my faith and then there were bonuses......I found a love in the Rosary and talking to Our Blessed Mother, new prayers, all these Saints! Many blessings have been received during the process, Connor learned the rosary and the meaning of the Eucharist, Paul's Mom is excited that I brought Paul back to church! I was granted patience & preserverence as a clinical instructor.....well, at least I didn't give up in the middle of it. and now I've been asking pt.'s (especially our really sick ones) more about their spiritual health and ask them if I can pray for them
My thanks to all of you for your wishes and prayers......my plans are to help be that teacher for Connor & Olivia, but teach gingerly as my mother did....not to push or scare or rush....but to shower them with messages that may grace their life. I continue to walk with the Lord and maybe walk right on home and meet him some day!
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
Hallelujah! He Has Risen!
Easter Egg hunt at Aunt Angie's; Connor found an egg!
Connor loved hunting for the treasures!
Olivia tried out her bubbles....nothing like getting a good taste of them!
Connor was very excited about his blue peeps!
I was excited to have my ritual egg-salad on toast for Easter breakfast!
Paul was excited that his coffee was brewing!
Olivia loved the Chocolate more than the egg hunt, a girl after my own heart!
Anyone for a twirl before bedtime?
CHEESE!
Sitting on her nest of clothes that is left out for the Easter Bunny.
Posing on his nest of clothes for the Easter Bunny.
Olivia playing with playdough.
Thursday night, Connor making up his own concoction. He wants to be the next Top Chef.
Animal Crackers, green beans, raisins, oatmeal, and a lot of oregano, paprika, and italian seasoning....he did a taste-test and didn't like it so much.
Olivia cheesing it up again....(oops bit of red eye again)
Olivia was actually awake this year to participate in the activities......
Marin wouldn't go to sleep, she was afraid she'd miss something.
Busy at it! Note: Connor chose underwear to be his choice of dying clothes today! I hear those June 9th babies like that sort of thing! (ahem.....Brett!)
Olivia had a good time rearranging the eggs while they were drying. Her hands were a bit colored and a few eggs were cracked in the process. The kids also broke out into some piano playing and bootie shaking.....darn, I didn't have my camera available for that!
