Less than TWO weeks to go!

Yup, exactly two weeks from today, at this time, I will be fully Catholic! Time goes by fast, but I'm also getting more and more impatient!

Today a group of us went to Mass at a convent, prayed the rosary there, and hiked the Stations of the Cross. It was a really neat experience and a BEAUTIFUL day for the whole thing. I think my favorite part though was right after we prayed the rosary. All of us who will be coming into the Church, some in two weeks and some at Easter, made a circle and then everyone else gathered around us and laid their hands on us and prayed for us. It was really special. It is so encouraging to know that there are so many people praying for us and really excited for us!

Today before Mass this evening as I was knelling there praying, I was thinking about my First Reconciliation. Monsignor and I have spent the day playing phone tag trying to set up a time for it, so it was on my mind. I'm a bit nervous, as I think pretty much everyone is, but I'm also kind of excited. It will basically be my first officially Catholic thing, before I'm even officially Catholic. So just the idea of doing it is exciting! It means I'm almost there!

I was also thinking about finally being able to go up in the Communion line and hold out my hands to receive Jesus instead of crossing my arms for a blessing. I almost cried just thinking about it, and I don't cry very easily! I really can't wait. And thankfully, I'm sure the next two weeks really will go quickly!

Funny

It is funny how some days I can walk into Mass and feel totally at home like I've been doing this for years. And other days I walk into Mass and think this is totally crazy, how did I end up here?!

Today was one of those second days. It isn't a bad thing, I'm firmly convinced this is where I belong, it is just a weird feeling. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that this is where I would end up. And some days the craziness of all of that hits me.

And at the same time that craziness makes me insanely excited! Monsignor got to the part in Mass where he says:

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.

It just kind of hit me again. Here is this little piece of bread and soon it will literally become Jesus! How crazy is that and how EXCITING!

Tired, but a Good Day!

I'm totally exhausted right now, but in all, it has been a good day.

I went to the traditional Mass this morning. At this point, I'm not sure I really have a preference on which one I go to. Since there are really only a couple of songs and everything else is pretty much the same, I don't think it matters quite as much as in a Protestant church. Everyone did tend to dress up a bit more for this Mass though. Not too fancy, but a lot more dresses and skirts and I don't think I saw any jeans. The other Masses I've been to seem a bit more casual.

Not receiving communion is still hard at any Mass, and it doesn't help when the deacon tries to give it to you. He wasn't paying attention to the fact I had my arms crossed and started to hand me the host, but then noticed and put it down and blessed me instead. He also told me he was glad I was there which I thought was really nice. But I still want Jesus! Less than two months to go hopefully!

Then this evening I went to our parish Fiesta. It was kind of awkward at first since I don't really know anyone and just went by myself. So I sat and listened to some music and played games on my cell phone. But then they started cleaning up so I started helping with that. I
really enjoy that kind of stuff and then I'm not just sitting around by myself. I also figure it is a good way to start being part of the community. It worked well at St. Paul's (my old church), so I figure it will work here too. They are always in need of people to do grunt work, and often it is the same people doing it, so you start getting to know them.

So I ended up stacking a bazillion chairs and tables! I'm sure I'm not exaggerating at all! I ended up working a lot with a guy named Rob. We stacked chairs and then ended up stacking tables. And there were A LOT of both! Then some of the other people who were working the Fiesta were sitting down drinking a beer and told us to join them. So I did for a little bit and kind of just chilled.

Now there is another big difference between Protestant churches, at least all the ones I've been to, and Catholic Churches. While I know plenty of people at St. Paul's drank, there were also probably plenty that would have been offended by it, and there was no way they would serve beer at a church event. But it isn't a big deal at the Catholic Church. Not a big issue for me either way. Just an interesting difference.

But now I'm off to bed. We'll see how sore I am tomorrow!

I Get It!

I've read a lot of people conversion stories in this whole process of thinking about converting. And one thing I never really "got" was this huge anticipation for when they could finally receive the Eucharist. I mean I kind of understood that it would be a special moment and important and all, but I didn't really "get" this impatient waiting. I guess I kind of figured, I haven't received for 25 years, what is another few months. The you can't miss something you've never had kind of idea.


Well, I get it. The more sure I am about all of this and the more I go to Mass, the more I get it! I want to fully participate! I want to receive Jesus! I don't think it helped this week that I was reading the sections on the sacraments in my book, so that make me even more excited for the time when I will be able to participate. It is getting harder and harder to go up an cross my arms for a blessing. I get it!!!