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left coast mystic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 10th, 2008 |
| Location: | La Honda, California USA |
| Posts: | 167 |
| First Name: | Marcee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nondenominational charismatic, Presbyterian, long-time lover of the RCC |
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Posted: Wed Aug 6th, 2008 11:04 pm |
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Since I read Truthseeker's update it seemed like a good time to tell y'all what's been going on in my neck of the woods (and by the way, Kermie, that "y'all" comes honestly - my father's family are Catholics from New Iberia).
We found that the parish nearest to us is small and friendly, and have been to services there several times (me AND my DH!). One weekend when my DH was out of town I went to mass and asked the priest afterwards if he was going to have RCIA classes. Now this priest is brand new at the church - he had only been there two weeks - so it was pretty obvious he didn't have anything set up yet for that, but he invited me to come and talk to him.
When my DH got back, I told him what I had done and said that I wasn't expecting him to go, but I wanted to get some questions answered before we go to Mexico for 3 months this fall. We had a great talk and he said that he DID want to go talk to the priest, but his main concern was that I wouldn't run ahead of him and become a Catholic without him (and as he said, he's "not there yet"). WOW! It seems that his suspicions are being melted away!
Anyway, we went to talk to the priest and my husband told him that he's uncomfortable with the idea of praying to saints and Mary, and the priest was SOOO gracious - he just took all the tension out of the question and said "you don't have to do those things to be Catholic". He focused on the importance of following Christ (of course, but my DH needed to hear that from a priest). He was very welcoming and said that we could take as long as we want to explore the RCC and decide if it fits us, and even if we don't want to "go all the way" and join the church, we're still welcome to be a part of their community.
Of course, I'M ready right now, but to calm my husband's fears I promised him that I won't join the church without him. So all you prayer warriors, here's your opportunity to bring another one (two actually) into the Church!
I told my husband that my plan when we're in Mexico is to get as involved in the church there as possible, because that will embed us in the community (of course that's not my only reason, but it's the one that makes most sense to him). I'm hoping that he'll be willing to join me in going to mass there (I believe he will). Father said that he'd give us some RCIA reading materials to take with us, plus I'm going to take some books that have been most helpful to me so far. So I hope that my DH keeps his promise to me to examine the reasons why I want to join the church.
So all in all I'm amazed at how much peace is surrounding me. But of course that's one key way of knowing that you're in the right place: "the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace" (Ro. 8:6). I have total confidence that God who is drawing me will finish the good work that He started and get us into His church.
Marcee
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Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)
In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength. (Isa. 30:15)
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rbo4u2
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 16th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sunnyvale, California USA |
| Posts: | 517 |
| First Name: | Rich | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Formerly Christian & Missionary Alliance then became Presbyterian |
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Posted: Wed Aug 6th, 2008 11:32 pm |
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Marcee, I'm rejoicing with you on your hubby's softening. God is working. Please pray for a softening for my wife too.
God bless you on your trip to Mexico. I love that country. We have a timeshare in Mazatlan and love going there. The people are so friendly.
God bless
Rich
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1423 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Aug 6th, 2008 11:42 pm |
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left coast mystic wrote:
Since I read Truthseeker's update it seemed like a good time to tell y'all what's been going on in my neck of the woods . . .
Marcee, can you believe that I was feeling sorry for myself today because of you? Yep, that's right. I was feeling sad and depleted and thinking up all the good reasons I had to feel sorry for myself. Among them was that you haven't posted much lately.  
Granted, there were other much more significant causes for self-pity; but, I swear, your not having posted much lately was on my list of reasons for feeling discouraged!
I drove over to the shrine for some adoration time--my way of showing God I knew an attitude adjustment was in order. After half an hour a young woman with two kids entered and began a nonstop conversation with the children about the stained glass windows. Hard to do much with contemplative prayer in those circumstances; so I left. I had been there long enough to get straightened out, though (took Mother Teresa's Total Surrender with its no-holds-barred lessons on obedience and sacrifice along in case the Holy Spirit needed extra help).
Anyway, I drove home, logged on, and found this nice newsy letter from MARCEE. God is smiling. 
Wild horses couldn't keep you and your DH off my prayer list, girl! 
I'm thrilled to learn of these developments. So happy for you, Marcee.
You will be staying in touch with us while you are in Mexico, I hope?
Grace and peace,
Becky
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Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. . .the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. . . NAB James 1:2-4,12
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Free
Member
| Joined: | Wed Nov 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 357 |
| First Name: | Jane | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, Gnostic, non-denominational, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 01:17 am |
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I will joyfully pray for you and your hubby, Marcee! That's great that he wanted to visit the priest with you!
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left coast mystic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 10th, 2008 |
| Location: | La Honda, California USA |
| Posts: | 167 |
| First Name: | Marcee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nondenominational charismatic, Presbyterian, long-time lover of the RCC |
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 01:36 am |
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rbo4u2 wrote: Marcee, I'm rejoicing with you on your hubby's softening. God is working. Please pray for a softening for my wife too.
God bless you on your trip to Mexico. I love that country. We have a timeshare in Mazatlan and love going there. The people are so friendly.
God bless
Rich
Rich -
You and your wife are on my daily prayer list, and of course on those of many others in the forum as well, so it's only a matter of time!
And Becky, yes, I'll have my computer with me and plan to keep tied firmly to my "lifeline" (you all) !
Marcee
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Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)
In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength. (Isa. 30:15)
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 2169 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 10:28 pm |
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| Wonderful news, Marcee. We often see this sort of progression in conversion odysseys, with spouses. I hope it encourages everyone in a similar situation: that things can slowly change if the one who is further along doesn't "push" things too fast.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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tedjenczewski
Member
| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 345 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 01:49 am |
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| Praise God in His angels and in His saints. god bless you Marcee.
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"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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