As a young married couple we were searching for the best way to raise our children. My family was very actively Catholic. We went to church every week and religious education was mandatory growing up. My parents were members of parish council, religious education, parish festivals and in other ways active in our church. My sister and I both went to Catholic high school and on to Catholic college as well. Shane's family was not active in any religion when he was growing up so, we felt it best to raise our children Catholic. We had them baptized as infants and went to church regularly. When our oldest, Jack, was about 4 we received a letter from our church that stated in no uncertain terms that since our tithing was inconsistent our attendance was as well. The truth of the matter was that we did not use the provided tithing envelopes, we put cash in the collection plate. We were angered and outraged!
That was what began our search for a church that taught what was important to us: FAMILY. We were looking for answers to our questions about Jesus Christ, marriage, family, scriptures and other important topics that were never addressed in the Catholic church anyway.
We chose to attend church with Shane's family who is now very active in the Lutheran church. We attended each week and completed the new member classes offered at the church. We had some unanswered questions but found the congregation to be friendly and pleasant. The pastor was very eloquent and we looked forward to hearing his sermons. Unfortunately we never felt like we fit in. We struggled as a couple to find our niche but we were unable.
Because I was a stay at home mom I looked for other moms when Jack was still an infant and found the Greece MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club. I met a mom that I was immediately drawn to. She was articulate, funny and just had a cheerful personality. She invited us to the blessing of her second child. She also sent two young men to our home to give us some information about her church. Over the years Summer and I became great friends. She was someone who just had herself together.
For about 7 years the missionaries from Summers church visited us. We fed them and learned from them but always kept a polite distance from their in depth discussions about religion. Then came a set of missionaries who would change our lives forever. They not only had their acts together but they had answers to our questions.
We began attending Sunday worship at The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints in the spring of 2006. Within a few months we were baptized and confirmed members of the Church. Our lives have been blessed in so many ways.
When the children were in preschool Claire asked where she came from before she got in my belly. I assured her that she was with God until he was ready to send her to me. Years later we would learn that the Church teaches that very principle about premortal existence. We are all children of our Heavenly Father.
Church teachings have enriched our family, our marriage and our lives as we continue to learn and grow. Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ we have found answers to all of our questions. We have friends who have similar morals, values and goals. We are taught by the words of President Harold B. Lee "The most important of the Lord's work that you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home". We know who we are, why we're here and most importantly we are working towards our eternal progression!
As we prepare to go to God's Holy Temple next month to be Sealed For Eternity we are grateful to our ward family for their love and guidance. We have been blessed with Gospel Truths to guide us on our way.
That was what began our search for a church that taught what was important to us: FAMILY. We were looking for answers to our questions about Jesus Christ, marriage, family, scriptures and other important topics that were never addressed in the Catholic church anyway.
We chose to attend church with Shane's family who is now very active in the Lutheran church. We attended each week and completed the new member classes offered at the church. We had some unanswered questions but found the congregation to be friendly and pleasant. The pastor was very eloquent and we looked forward to hearing his sermons. Unfortunately we never felt like we fit in. We struggled as a couple to find our niche but we were unable.
Because I was a stay at home mom I looked for other moms when Jack was still an infant and found the Greece MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club. I met a mom that I was immediately drawn to. She was articulate, funny and just had a cheerful personality. She invited us to the blessing of her second child. She also sent two young men to our home to give us some information about her church. Over the years Summer and I became great friends. She was someone who just had herself together.
For about 7 years the missionaries from Summers church visited us. We fed them and learned from them but always kept a polite distance from their in depth discussions about religion. Then came a set of missionaries who would change our lives forever. They not only had their acts together but they had answers to our questions.
We began attending Sunday worship at The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints in the spring of 2006. Within a few months we were baptized and confirmed members of the Church. Our lives have been blessed in so many ways.
When the children were in preschool Claire asked where she came from before she got in my belly. I assured her that she was with God until he was ready to send her to me. Years later we would learn that the Church teaches that very principle about premortal existence. We are all children of our Heavenly Father.
Church teachings have enriched our family, our marriage and our lives as we continue to learn and grow. Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ we have found answers to all of our questions. We have friends who have similar morals, values and goals. We are taught by the words of President Harold B. Lee "The most important of the Lord's work that you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home". We know who we are, why we're here and most importantly we are working towards our eternal progression!
As we prepare to go to God's Holy Temple next month to be Sealed For Eternity we are grateful to our ward family for their love and guidance. We have been blessed with Gospel Truths to guide us on our way.
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