Preface: Holy Spirit Say What?!?

    At the turn of the century, which makes me sound way older than I am, I had no question in my mind that the Holy Spirit was calling me to attend Asbury College (now University).  During my campus visit, I felt His presence like never before and knew the door would open (and it did).  During those four years, I enjoyed the most amazing friendships, was able to intern at the 2002 Olympic Games, and worship in all setting (Chapel, classes, evening services).  I struggled though my Bible classes (like most people who weren't planning to go into ministry), but I earned my BA in Broadcast Communications.   I was a happy Protestant and was ready for where ever God would lead me next.  

    Now, normally a person who gets the degree I did, ends up in New York, or LA; the rest of the country might have a few opportunities, but other than a local news channel, there isn't much demand for broadcasting degree.  The problem was, I didn't feel like I was being led to the big cities.  I had spent spring break in Hampton Roads, VA and really wanted to go back and see why I felt a pull to live there.  In 2004, I moved as much as I could fit in my Saturn 4-door and drove the 16 hrs alone to a new chapter in my life.

    I was able to find a part time job at Panera Bread and a local new channel (not wasting the degree) and then after a few years, I found a full-time job in sales, which included some marketing (still using that degree).  I became involved in a couple of Baptist churches, including a plant church, and through divine providence, met a great group of friends, who would eventually introduce me to my, now husband-Marc.

    When I first met Marc, he seemed...interesting (that was the exact word I told my roommate).  He loved his family, friends, and his church.  Problem was, he was Catholic.  My only experience with Catholicism was a few friends back in high school and a lone Catholic lady in my College Theology class (she was greatly outnumbered, but could hold her own).  I knew that they were a nice folk, they took a lot of Communion, and prayed with beads on a Rosary.  They talked about Mary and the Saints and some held some superstitious beliefs about during St. Joseph in the back yard.  Mostly, I knew that my theology was correct and they just seemed a little off base.

    After several months of getting to know Marc and his friends, I was invited to attend Mass.  I had been in Catholic Churches before, while touring with an International Choir in high school, and I appreciated the art work and the history, but never sat through an "official" Mass.  I knew Jesus was with me, and I would just stay focused in Him if things got weird. To my surprise, when I walked in the worship space and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit.  The service was very nice and I really enjoyed meeting members of the congregation.  It was traditional, but beautiful at the same time.  

    After Marc and I got married, we began attending both churches, the Catholic Mass on Saturday and the Plant Baptist church on Sunday.  This routine lasted a couple of years, but after our son was born, I was feeling restless.   I don't think it was the  Baptist church, per say, but I felt like God was moving and wanted me worshipping in a singular setting-omitting to on body and not stretching myself thin between two faith communities.  The more I prayed about it, the more I felt like it was time to commit to one church...one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church.  

    I didn't become a Catholic right away.  I was involved in the Parish, asked to Cantor Mass and sing in the choir, but it would be about two years before I made a profession of faith and became a fully participating Catholic.  The day was the Feast of Christ the King in 2012.  

    I was surprised by the direction God was taking me, but as I went through the RCIA program, my interest in the Church was perked and I wanted to keep studying this faith that seemed so much deeper then beautiful than I had previously realized.  I began listening to Catholic radio (The Catholic Channel, Sirius XM 129) and the shows were interesting and something I could relate to.  It wasn't a droning preacher, but everyday believers who were a lot like me.  The stack of books, regarding different areas of the faith, grew on my night stand.   I became involved in youth ministry and the Cursillo ministry.  God opened a door to co-lead a Cursillo weekend and plan an additional retreat.  I was now leading other Catholics to a deeper faith-while continuing to grow in my own.  

    After the Cursillo weekend, I wasn't sure what God would be asking me to do next.  I found that ministry brought me so much joy.  While I couldn't leave my nursing position (I may have forgotten to mention that during those early marriage years, I left sales and went to nursing school), I did feel a pull to going back to school...again...and study the one subject that was not my favorite the first time around...theology.  This time, however, I was intrigued and ready to absorb all that God wanted me to learn about our amazing faith.  I applied to the LEMI (Lay Ecclesial Ministry Institute) though our diocese and was accepted to Franciscan University.  I felt like I was being called back to the "Catholic Asbury", although this would all be online learning.  I felt the same Holy Spirit who had led me for the past 20+ years was now calling me to embark on this new journey to become a theologian.  

    So, why the Singing Theologian?  St. Augustine said, "The one who sings, prays twice." Music is a big part of my life and leading worship at our cantor stand is where I am the most comfortable.  I know God is going to use that gift as I go on this journey and we will discover, through this blog, just what that is...classes begin 8/29!