Why Best Friends Rock

[Artema]

For a while I've been wanting to convert to Catholicism. I'm Baptist though, in a Baptist family and go to a Baptist church, the whole spiel. I see nothing wrong with being Baptist, but for some time I've known it's just not for me. It feels... I dunno, empty. I know God's there but He's calling me in a different direction.

So I've been struggling with how I felt and why I wanted to convert and talked to friends who are Catholic and friends who are Protestant, researched, joined here and learned so much from everyone. My friends were a little put-off at first though, and I don't blame them. It pretty much came out of the blue when I told them.

My dad's highly supportive, but my Mom... she's another story (my folks are divorced). Rabid Baptist, buys into everything bad ever said about the Catholic church, I tentatively mention Catholics and she wrinkles her nose, loudly asking 'Don't they worship Mary?'. Explaining the difference between reverence and worship is lost on her.

But then I felt more lost. More out of place as I went to church, and I prayed, and prayed, and prayed asking God what I should do.

My best friend, Jess, whom I've known since Junior High, has always been there to counsel me once I descend into a questioning, upset mess. At first she was put-off, like my other friends, and she's a former Catholic, now Charismatic (what a change! n_n'). She continued to support me though, keeping me set straight when I doubted myself and offering to go with me to speak with someone about RC classes.

Yesterday she called me and demanded that I come and see her, to exchange Christmas gifts before she went out of town for the holidays. I humorously obliged and we traded.

She handed me a little box wrapped in silver paper, which I'd peeled back carefully, not wanting to damage it, and I opened the box, finding a folded wad of tissue paper. She'd mentioned something about a set of bracelets that had the ten commandments on them a month ago, so I assumed it was that, so we'd have a matching set.

It wasn't a bracelet though. It was a rosary.

I cried.

And now I know God has answered me, as I sit here typing this out, clutching the string of beads and cross in my hand. I don't know everything to do with it yet, I haven't memorized the prayers except for one, but I know my heart is ready, and I'm doing what He wants of me. He just moved through Jessica to help me come to my decision.

It's the best Christmas present I've ever received. God bless, everyone!

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Welcome home.

May the holy spirit guide your travels down the path to empracing our lords church

 

[KennySe]

Artema,
thank you for posting your story here. It is a true Christmas present for me.

We are here for you:
ask us any questions on the Catholic Church;
socialize with us;
pray the Rosary with us. We have a thread here.


Rest here.

Merry Christmas to you, and may the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and your family.
Kenny

***************

How to pray the rosary
http://www.newadvent.org/faq/rosary.pdf

 

[geocajun]

I cried.

And now I know God has answered me, as I sit here typing this out, clutching the string of beads and cross in my hand. I don't know everything to do with it yet, I haven't memorized the prayers except for one, but I know my heart is ready, and I'm doing what He wants of me. He just moved through Jessica to help me come to my decision.

It's the best Christmas present I've ever received. God bless, everyone!

What an awesome testimony!! thank you for sharing it!!

I recommend you head over to http://www.virtualrosary.org/dload.php and download the application to your computer. Then dim the lights in your office, and light a candle, and start the program
The program will walk you through all the prayers of the rosary, and the dim lights and candle (the program has its own music) should help set the mood for meditation.
If you have any questions, do not be afraid to ask them here, and most of us are here to help in private messages as well.
Your testimony really inspired me, thank you for sharing it!
God Bless you!!

 

[Acceptance]

What an awesome and touching story! Isn't it funny how God talks to us sometimes? I'm so glad that your walk with Christ is re-ignited! God Bless

 

[Col]

What a lovely story Artema. It brought a tear to my eye and I'm not even Catholic.

Bless Ya
Col <><

 

[BAChristian]

Very cool...welcome to CF...

 

[Sleepy Jean]

Great story! Merry Christmas, and God bless!

 

[FullyMT]

Wow...God has blessed you tremendously in many ways! Thank you for your testimony and may He strengthen you in your search for the Truth and defend you from temptation and falacies.

 

[Filia Mariae]

That was a great testimony Artema. Welcome home !


This is a good link to help you with the rosary:

http://www.medjugorje.org/rosary.htm

 

[CeeBee]

At first, I looked at the username to make sure I didn't post that!! The first three paragraphs are exactly like me. Congratualtions!!!!! I am so happy for you. Here is mine: I was raised in a Baptist family, okay? Now, my Charasmatic granny came down and my mother became a Charasmatic Baptist. And my granny was once Catholic and desises greatly the Catholic Church, she made my mom dislike it greatly. My granny and me don't get along, and are oposites, so I thought, I wanna try out this Catholic stuff. At the smae time, I, as well, felt out of place, liek I did not belong in Baptist churches. I kept bothering my mom about it, and finally she was like "Okay, let me get this over with, I KNOW ya will hate it." So I called my friend who is Catholic, and I ended up going to his church. I loved it!!! Now, pretty much nobody but Charasmatics down here talk about God alot, and I talked real Catholic around my friend, and I think it annoyed him. Sooo, his support was lost. Now I had had a Catholic internet friend, and he helped me. I asked for help on the net, and I got links to good sites. I have really been helped! But still nobody in RL supports me. I have one frinedd pretty much that comes over a lot, a Protestant that disliked the change, but now is used to it and says nothing when I do the sign of the cross before I eat. I think my mom is noticing my increased spirituality. I always remind her to bless her food, all the time! But all my cousins and family never mentions my religion, I guess they are used to it.

 

[KennySe]

Cb7777,
I am greatly impressed by your story!

I cannot imagine that I would have the courage to become Catholic without support of at least one in RL.

The Holy Spirit indeed works through his people, and through the internet.

Peace be with you.
Kenny

 

[BAChristian]

Reason: I missed a 7 in Cb7777's handle; added it.

You're weird Kenny...

 

[KennySe]

You're weird Kenny...

Like I didn't know that already?

 

[CeeBee]

Thanks.

 

[CeeBee]

Lol, just CB7 would have been okay for me. Lol.

 

[Artema]

I just wanted to say thanks for everyone's support. Even though I'm going to be late in the program, I've been invited to attend RCIA classes and to attend Mass with everyone who's in the class on sundays so I won't be wading through going 'I dunno what to doooo! eep!'.

They were surprised at my age, I guess us young'uns aren't usually so deeply interested in Catholicism, at least not enough to make the leap into converting. I think I surprised them also by how much of my homework I did before I got up my courage to visit the Parish office. I felt rude sometimes because they'd mention, say, the difference of views on the Eucharist/Communion between Protestants and Catholics and I'd sheepishly have nothing else to say but a polite 'I remember/know/learned about it'.

I feel much better now. I even told my mom, who at first thought I was trying to convert to be different/weird/psycho, but I held my ground and she's come to realize I'm not doing it because it's some bizarre fad or a way to somehow get back at her, it's helping me to feel more complete, more in-line with what God wants me to do.

Anyway, thought I'd give you guys a bit of an update, since you've all been wonderfully supportive.

 

[KennySe]

Artema,
thank you for the update!

Have you prayed the Holy Rosary yet?

 

[CeeBee]

Hooray!

 

[KC Catholic]

Welcome home!