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faithfl1
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 21st, 2007 |
| Location: | Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 64 |
| First Name: | Sharon | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | protestant, non-denominational (born-again), Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 02:16 pm |
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My story is quite long as our many other's, but I will try to shorted it up without leaving out the most important parts.
I was raised (non-participating) Protestant. Never really wondered if there really was a God or not. (How sad huh?!) When I was 24 I lost my Brother. He died of a heart attack the day before his 33rd Birthday. He was one of my best friends. Needless to say, it made me wonder what happened to him after he died. Was there a God and Heaven?? Well I suffered with anxiety after this and my Doctor (Who is Catholic) recommended counseling for me to help me deal with my stress (never mentioned my struggle with believing in God etc.). He recommended a Priest and I made the appointment. I knew nothing about Priests but I wasn't even thinking about that. I just needed help.
Well I parked in the back of the rectory walked around and entered in the front(This sort of pertains to the story, you'll see why later). We went into his office and I admitted that I wasn't sure if there really is a God, heaven etc. As our conversation went on I noticed that it got very dark outside. Then very windy. I started to get nervous (only because I didn't know if we should hit the basement or something, being a little afraid of the storm that was starting.) We continued our session and all of a sudden the door opened slightly, we turned and looked-no one was there. We joked saying that God was letting us know he was with us. He shut the door, started talking again and sure enough the knob turned and opened slightly again. Now I did get kind of nervous (not really scared though), but still chuckled. After the hour was up, I was getting ready to leave. I noticed the storm had stopped. He led me to the back door that led right to the parking lot. I walked out, there was a statue of Mary. I thought "What a beautiful site to see right now". By the way I did know who Mary was. I started on to my car, the sun was shining as bright as ever, I looked up and there was a beautiful DOUBLE Rainbow!! I have never seen a double rainbow before. Tears came to my eyes, I felt Joy, comfort and peace. That was my very own little miracle from God, who I felt just sent me a message saying, "Yes Sharon, I DO exist and I have your Brother with me!" Needless to say, I felt that I needed to learn about the Catholic faith now.
I decided to go check out one of the Catholic Churches. I had gone to Catholic Churches before as a guest, but never felt the need to convert. But now it was a different story. I told this to a friend of the family (a devout Catholic woman) and she was excited for me. She said that I was like a little flower growing in a field and that I should read a book about St. Therese called the Little Flower. That all of my experiences yet to come would be like climbing a mountain and every so often you'll look down and be amazed at how far you have come. Well all I was concerned about was getting to Church the next morning. To my astonishment, the Homily was about "the Mountain" that she had talked about. Tears of joy came again. I went immediately to the Priest after Mass and introduced myself. Asked him how I go about becoming a Catholic and the rest is History!!! I have never felt such a hunger to learn about Jesus. Well, I have and then some. That was about 20 years ago and I'm still learning of course. I still hunger for knowledge about the Catholic practices and many prayer's, chap-let's, saints, etc.
I have to admit, after being Catholic for a few years, I did stray and check out other Churches, but, that was because I have more questions about Jesus. To be honest with you it was because I had friends that were Born-Again and they were getting to me. I did feel a deeper spiritual awakening, not deeper than the one at the Rectory, just in addition to. I went to a bunch of different Churches. Non-Denom., Methodist etc. But I never felt as fulfilled as I was at the CC. Thank God that he led me back home. This was about 7 years ago. I went back, went to Church faithfully and about 2 years ago stopped going to Church (still a devout Catholic just didn't go to Church) altogether, due to illness among other things. Now I am back. Signed my 9 year old son up for CCD felt so good to be in Church. Sunday was my second week back and I can't wait for Church this weekend. I am so happy and am constantly giving thanks to our Lord for being so loving and forgiving and welcoming me back with loving open arms. Thanks be to God!!!!! I'm so glad to have found this site and other's like it. You all are true friends in Christ. God Bless!! Sharon
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Sharon S.
...I love you, Lord, my strength Psalm 18:2
I have the strength for everything through Him who empowers me. Phil 4:13
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5080 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 02:30 pm |
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faithfl1 wrote: I am so happy and am constantly giving thanks to our Lord for being so loving and forgiving and welcoming me back with loving open arms. Thanks be to God!!!!!
Amen! Welcome, Sharon, we're glad to have you here with us. Let us know if there's any way we can help.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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faithfl1
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 21st, 2007 |
| Location: | Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 64 |
| First Name: | Sharon | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | protestant, non-denominational (born-again), Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 02:37 pm |
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| Thank You CajunRick!! I'm sure I will have questions as I continue on my Journey of faith. Thanks again for all that you do here and for the warm welcome! God Bless!
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Sharon S.
...I love you, Lord, my strength Psalm 18:2
I have the strength for everything through Him who empowers me. Phil 4:13
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1268 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Sep 26th, 2007 12:17 am |
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| Thank you Sharon for sharing that story with us, because it shows how we just have to keep on keepin on sometimes! Even though we stray away and think we are finding something better, we always find out what we left was the best. I joined the RCC in 2006, I'm still learning a lot too. It is like climbing a mountain, and sometimes we can't see too well what's up ahead. But we know our Lord is with us and won't let us stumble or fall if we look for His lead. You were given an extraordinary gift with the double rainbow! That's awesome. Keep us posted on your progress. God bless
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beachmoss
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 270 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Wed Sep 26th, 2007 01:25 am |
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Sharon,
What a beautiful story! I got chills reading it!
Welcome to the forum!
Beth
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faithfl1
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 21st, 2007 |
| Location: | Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 64 |
| First Name: | Sharon | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | protestant, non-denominational (born-again), Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Sep 29th, 2007 01:04 pm |
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Dear Rick, Marsha and Beth,
Thank you for your responses! Tears came when I read them. Tears of thankfulness and joy that it actually touched these people that don't even know me. I went through about 2 1/2 years of not attending Church, just praying somewhat lazily at home. I finally started going to Mass again two weeks ago and have really needed the fellowship that I have found here and on other forums (This one being my favorite of course ). Thanks again for listening and responding! God's Blessings to everyone here!
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Sharon S.
...I love you, Lord, my strength Psalm 18:2
I have the strength for everything through Him who empowers me. Phil 4:13
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Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Sat Sep 29th, 2007 04:06 pm |
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Yes, this forum is Greaaaat!
As Tony the Tiger would say. 
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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Lisa
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Kennerdell, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 41 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lifefime Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 01:46 am |
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Hi Sharon!
This is a wonderful site, and I thank you for the Blessing you've given me in reading your beautiful and heartwarming story! I got chills and tears just reading your words! Thank you!! I love reading about others travelling the path that we're all taking - the path to Jesus! And, thankfully, with a site like this it is comforting to know that none of us is travelling this path alone! Besides, it is always more exciting taking this walk with friends!
Lisa
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Don't be afraid to try something new! Professionals built the Titanic, and Amateur built the ARK!
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faithfl1
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 21st, 2007 |
| Location: | Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 64 |
| First Name: | Sharon | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | protestant, non-denominational (born-again), Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 03:44 pm |
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thank you Lisa! I agree wholeheartedly. I'm learning so much of what I haven't learned yet as a convert, just by the post's here. Anyway, thank's again, I look forward to learning and sharing more!
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Sharon S.
...I love you, Lord, my strength Psalm 18:2
I have the strength for everything through Him who empowers me. Phil 4:13
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