Feeling More Catholic

I went to the library today and got a couple more books on Catholicism. I just finished reading Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic by David B. Currie. That book really helped me to understand the basic differences between Evangelical beliefs and Catholic beliefs. I'm still finding that the Catholic Church simply makes more sense to me and is more logical than anything else. I'm not dissing those that belong to a protestant denomination. I just happen to think that some of the protestant beliefs are flawed. Much in the same way many protestants believe that Catholic doctrine is flawed.

I don't plan to debate any issues here, I'm just stating that my turn to Catholicism is not because of a simple whim. I'm truly learning what the faith is and am growing because of it.
I had lunch with my son today and we discussed some religious beliefs and because of what I've read, I feel that I was able to answer his questions. I am by no means an expert and I have a lot to learn, but I think I'm on the right track perhaps for the first time in my life.

So what does all this mean? I'm changing. For the better, certainly. But it's still kind of scary. I wonder if I can do it sometimes and then I start thinking that the only way that I can is with the help of God. For someone that hasn't been a trusting person for many, many years, it's difficult to do. And as challenges come, I hope that God gives me the strength to endure. But I've found that since I've been going to Mass weekly, praying daily, and engrossing myself in learning, I feel more at peace.

I've always been a believer in that God has been looking out for me. Maybe it's also my guardian angel, but too many things have happened in my life for me to think otherwise. I think everything happens for a reason, and the people that come into our lives are there for some purpose as well.

If I hadn't gotten pregnant with Josh in college, I might never have finished. It was because of Josh that I received grants and scholarships and college was paid for. When I needed a place to live on a very small budget, I found a house for rent for $75 a month. When I needed a refrigerator that was under 5 ft., we happened upon one in a driveway that wasn't for sale, but the guy decided to sell it anyways. When I've needed money because things have come up, I'd suddenly get a child support check or a tax refund. When I lost my house to foreclosure after separating, I was able to move into my parents house after my mother passed away. And because I met Marty, I am taking this religious journey. There's no doubt about it. I'm sure that it's all in God's plan. That's why I don't regret having him in my life. I'm sad to lose him, but I accept that it wasn't meant to be. But I'm thankful for the purpose it served. I still love him and always will in some way.

I'm still open to loving again. I wasn't sure for a while. But I think when it's right I'll be able to give my heart away again. I'm figuring out what I want. Now, what I want may not be what I get, but I know the things I'm not going to settle on. Marty was close, but by no means perfect. I know that perfection doesn't exist and one has to compromise. The thing is one shouldn't really settle on important issues.

I hope I find it again. Because loving someone is one of the greatest things you can do.

T.G.I.F?

Yes, it's good that it's Friday and I don't have to work tomorrow. Went to two schools today. I got one of my ex's divorce decrees that I need for my annulment. The other two I can get in Amarillo next week. Then I can start the proceedings and get it over with. You're wondering why? Since I'm not even dating or have any plans to get married? Because I'm doing it for me. To put that part of my past behind me.

I do have the hope to marry again some day. I pray it's God's will for me to find the right man. Yes, I thought it was Marty. But even though he didn't think so, I know that Marty's presence in my life had great importance. I'm so thankful for that. And yeah, I miss him. I'm not wallowing in sorrow over it, I'm moving on and living life. But I do think about him from time to time. I wonder how he's doing. I pray for him daily. And maybe he'll stay in touch with me. And I have to leave that up to him. But love certainly doesn't fade that quickly.

So now it's a Friday night and what am I doing? Watching Forensic Files on t.v. and reading a book. I'm wondering if I'm going to get to see my friend Bret next week. He's the one that is the Baptist minister in California and is worried about my soul now that I'm converting to Catholicism. The book I'm reading is helping me understand a lot of what I think he's thinking in that regard. I don't want to get into a debate with him, but I am going to be firm in my decision. I haven't seen him in 3 years though and I hope he'll have the time to visit.

I still don't know what to do about the job situation. I haven't gotten an offer for the speech position and I may not. But I do have to think about the possibility. I still have the interview next week for the technology position that might be interesting as well. All I can do at the moment is pray about it which is what I've been doing.

And that's my life as it is at the moment.

And We Have a Winner

Meme game is finished. Thanks to all who played.

Just one more on the Meme Game

Any takers on the Mozart tune? Thanks to Marty's sister-in-law and brother they got 3 more. Come on...take a guess.

So is anyone surprised by my taste in music?

It really is only a small sampling, but these I thought were guessable and were those where I could actually pick a favorite.

I'm back from the Interviews

I made it to my interview with plenty of time to spare. I found out that I was going to be interviewing with the principal later that morning after the interview with the personnel director. I wasn't really nervous. The questions were easy and she nodded her head at a lot of the things I said. She was very nice and I feel very good about it.
I then headed to the high school. I was early, but waited until the principal and the other teacher was ready. The other teacher was the lady currently in the speech position that is wanting to retire and I've known her for a number of years. I was not nervous at all, questions again were nothing I couldn't answer. I think it will really boil down to who the teacher wants to replace her. I know that she likes me and has a good opinion of me, but I'm also not certain if she feels I would be the right person to take over. I think if there aren't a lot of other applicants, I stand an above average chance at the position. So I still need to think about whether I want it if it's offered.
I called Amarillo and have an interview scheduled for next Friday for the Instructional Technology Specialist position.
So now it's the wait and see game.

Interview Today

Well, I'm heading off for my interview this morning. If you're inclined to do so, send good thoughts, prayers, vibes, or whatever my way this morning. I'm not really feeling all that nervous... yet. It will probably hit me seconds before I walk into the office, but all I can do is be honest (mostly) and go from there.
Hope everyone is having a great day today!

Not much to tell

I don't have a lot to share today. I visited two schools and spent a good portion of the evening going over potential interview questions. I'm not sure if I'm ready for it, but going to keep plugging away. Some of the questions are a lot harder than I imagined. If I do make it past the first interview, the second is in front of a panel of teachers and the principal. I wasn't really nervous about any of this until I started checking out possible questions. At least I have another day to think about them. It will be an early day tomorrow as I'm heading out dark and early to Sunray. I'm off to bed.

Meme Game Continued

O.k. I promised some clues on the meme game, so here you go:

1. Faith Hill - Breathe (Guessed by Patrick)
2. Huey Lewis & the News - If This is It (Guessed by Norma)
3. Journey - Faithfully (Guessed by Patrick)
4. Survivor - The Search is Over (Guessed by Patrick)
5. Christina Aguilera - Beautiful (Guessed by Summer)
6. Prince - When Doves Cry (guessed by Patrick)
7. Mozart - Symphony No. 25 in G minor (Guessed by Norma)
8. Garth Brooks - The River (Guessed by Norma)
9. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (guessed by Patrick)
10. Bryan Adams - When You Love Someone (guessed by Travis)

If you want to see what's already been guessed, click here.

What I Did Today

I hope I don't bore you to tears, but here's my day.

I slept late. It was nice. I had strange dreams this morning though. In one of them I dreamed that my mother had come back to life. But it was weird, she was a version of her much younger self, but it was very strange altogether. Anyways... so I slept late. I got up and read some blogs, then got ready for the day. I went to the bank and got some money, went to the Catholic bookstore in town and got stuff to finish my rosaries that I'm making. Then I dropped my reference evaluation forms in the mail so they can be filled out and returned to the district I'm applying at. Then I came home, briefly chatted with my friend from Austin, and then headed to one of my schools.
Did the school visit with no issues, then headed to another school, but it seemed like they didn't have school today so I passed on by. Then I headed to Lubbock. I needed to get copies of Richard's marriage and divorce papers so that I can proceed with my annulment. I got the marriage certificate without a problem (other than the extreme long wait) but he must have forgotten that his divorce was filed in another county as it was not on file in Lubbock. So I called him to check and he now thinks, that maybe it was in another county and he's supposed to let me know.
Then I headed home. I have a yearbook person coming over this evening to discuss some issues with her proofs. I hope I can resolve everything.
And that's it. Tomorrow proves to be just as exciting. I'm not sure about sleeping in though... depends if I have the 8:30 visit or not.

A Great Homily

I went to Mass today. It was good to be back after missing last week. I'm starting to get the hang of things and can almost participate in all of it. There's a few things I still need to memorize, like the Nicene Creed, but I'm not doing too bad so far.
I really enoyed the homily today. Father said that he had just read the book 7 Habits for Highly Effective people and said that many of those are similar to being an effective Christian. Father gave us his list of 7 Habits for Highly Effective Christians. I wanted to share them with you.

1. Prayer - One cannot have a relationship with God without this. It should be done daily.
2. Faith - A gift from the Holy Spirit.
3. Forgiveness - One must be able to forgive to be able to love. This even when the one you are forgiving doesn't change or show remorse.
4. Conversion - We must change in ourselves to serve Christ. We must be open to change in ourselves.
5. Charity - We must show charity to one another.
6. Patience - Our timing and God's may be two different things and we need to have patience in all matters of life.
7. Simplicity - Keep your life simple and not cloud it with so many things that God is placed on the backburner.

I thought it was a very good list and I took it to heart today. I'm still a work in progress, but I'm going to be working on this list.