And Finally...

This new church was very different. It was lively though. The people loved being at the church and interacting with each other. There was fellowship. Joy. Love. Happiness. I wanted to be a part of all of it!
After attending the church with friends for several months, "it" happened. I was singing one of the songs and literally felt my heart lighten and was filled with overwhelming joy. I was singing and crying at the same time as I realized I had found what was missing. 
I gave myself to God, Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit on December 9, 1997. I knew Lord Jesus had died for my sins and I was unworthy. I said it out loud to my friends as we rejoiced and I cried. The greatest person to ever walk the earth....one without sin....died for someone as lowly and undeserving as me. Overwhelming to say the least. I was humbled and grateful!
I knew in my heart that I was a changed person. I didn't fully understand what this change would mean, but I was certainly grateful I was now a Christian. 
In my excitement, I told my family when visiting for a holiday. My Mom thought I joined a cult. My younger brother told me two things: "You have the right to believe the way you want. Do NOT talk to my children about this at all." My Dad was curious but did not ask any questions at the time. 
Over the next few months, I was assigned a mentor to answer questions and help me understand my new life. I was so happy 😊
The journey was just beginning.

In the beginning

I was born into a Catholic family. We attended church as often as possible. My family had statues and crucifixes everywhere. I attended a Catholic school where nuns and lay teachers taught all the basics and the Catholic religion. Sacraments were all a part of the growing and learning process. I was so happy to meet each 'goal' of the church. I read my Bible. I prayed all the time. Everything in my Catholic life went very well until I was 10. 
Preparing for one of the sacraments, confession, I started to ask questions of the priest advising us and my parents. The answers were not to be found. Nothing about the Bible, even the Catholic Bible. (Yes, it is different!) Most of the answers were about tradition. What? God nor Jesus said it? Someone else decided and now that is what we do? That did not seem right to me. 
---There are those that do not believe I questioned the church and traditions and beliefs at the age of 10, but I did. ----
I knew there was something more or different. There had to be. My mind and heart knew this without a doubt. A confused girl living in her Catholic family started searching for that 'something' that was different. I no longer considered myself to be Catholic. 
The search continued for many years.