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Karen E.
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Oh, Lindsey, your post touched me so deeply.
(And by the way, I've been to both of your lovely blogs. They're just great, and I'm SO sorry about the ugliness you've been facing.)
I can understand a lot of what you're going through -- in my case, there was a time when I left the Protesant church I was in, but I was not yet ready to become a Catholic. I was painfully afloat for awhile, with nowhere to turn.
But, I knew I had to listen to God's promptings, not the human promptings around me. And, I've never regretted that I did that.
"It seems whole to me," you said.
I felt the same way. do feel "whole" in a way I never did before I was a Catholic.
In so many ways, I was born when I came into the Church.
My marriage was reborn when my husband came in, five years after I did.
I'm praying for you, and please feel free to p.m. me if you want to ask, talk, vent ... anything. 
__________________
God bless,
Karen E.
mom to three on earth, and several souls in God's care
Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
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doris
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Dear Lindsey
Thanks for sharing with us. I'm a convert too, and came via evangelicalism. My dh and I had some pretty hurtful conversations with evangelical friends along the way. For example, we were told that we were no longer welcome on a Scripture Union camp as we were no longer preaching the same gospel (dh had led a Bible study on the Passover when the Eucharistic references were well and truly obvious!). The leader also said that he had 'never known anyone to become a Christian via the Catholic Church'!!
My experience was that once I started to read the Bible from a Catholic viewpoint, the scales fell from my eyes. I read passages like 'This is my body, given for you' in a completely different way -- also 'You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church'; 'hold on to all I have taught you by letter or tradition' etc. I could go on and on (and will do so more if you want to PM me  )
Anyway, I won't pre-empt your decision and you are right to take time on the journey, wherever it leads you. For myself, I'm very grateful both for my grounding in Scripture as an evangelical and in Catholic theology when I converted. Be sure that the Lord will guide you into perfect truth!
Prayers and blessings,
Elizabeth
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Home educating in London, UK with dd (2000) ds (2002), dd (2004), ds (2008) and dd (2011).
Frabjous Days
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MaryM
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Lindsay,
I so admire your courage for seeking assitance on this journey and having to face the challenges from those you care about. Thanks for sharing from your heart. I hope that you do continue to come and ask questions as you feel called and partake in the experiences and knowledge offered by many caring women here. I will most definitely pray for your family as you discern your course.
If you are looking for any resources I would suggest some by Mark Shea, a former Evangelical pastor. These include By What Authority? and An Evangelical Discovers the Catholic Faith or Rosiland Moss whose journey took her from Judiasm to an Evangelical chuch then to the Catholic faith - The Passover Fulfilled.
Blessings,
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Angel
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Lindsay,
I grew up Catholic in Tennessee and experienced a lot of that negativism you're talking about. (It started as kids on the playground.) It can be very hard in that area of the country to even confess an interest in Catholicism, so you definitely have my prayers!
Also, I found it interesting that you grew up Quaker. My dh, who wasn't raised in any tradition, first found Quakerism (unprogrammed Meetings), but became dissatisfied with its lack of emphasis on God. I think he's very close to becoming Catholic now, but I think the traditions are what's tough for him. Even though he didn't really grow up going to church, his family still came from a Protestant background, he grew up in the South, and I think he was always taught to see traditions (read "trappings") as "sinful". And then, they're what eventually brought me back to my own Church.
It's really tough. I think you are very brave just to ask questions!!!
--Angela
Mom to 3+2 
Three Plus Two
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Cay Gibson
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Dear Lindsey,
You are in my prayers.
I love your blogs. They are beautiful.
If you have any questions at all about the faith, I know someone here will be able to answer it, pray over it with you, lift you up, and help you to learn the truths of the Catholic faith.
Be assured we are all praying for your journey and your discernment.
God will place you where you need to go.
For now I am so happy He called you here.
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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KC in TX
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All these wise women have responded so eloquently. I will just say that I'm praying for you. These kind and lovely ladies will always be here to help you in any way they can. Welcome.
__________________
KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
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JennyMaine
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I'll be praying that God leads you clearly to where He wants you to be.
My own faith journey was a long one. I was raised Catholic but by the time I finished my public school education I no longer believed in God. I came back to Christ when He brought some wonderful evangelical people into my life. For about 5 years I attended Protestant churches, but new something was missing. The contradictions among the denominations weren't something I could ignore, the way so many do. My search for scriptural truth ultimately brought me full circle, right back into the arms of the Catholic church. And I'm so glad to be home!
Please just know that you aren't alone in your seeking and God is walking with you through it all. Friends and family might say things that are upsetting, but that's because they really love you and don't want you to change. Yet true love wants what is best for the soul of the beloved.
This is a safe place for you to bring your questions to.
__________________
--JennyMaine, Mom to Catherine (17) and Sam (15) "The countenance is a reflection of the soul. You should always have a calm and serene countenance." -- Therese of Lisieux
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Ruth
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Dear Lindsey,
I also enjoy your blog and will be praying for your journey. Welcome to this wonderful family. Have a blessed Advent and Christmas.
__________________
Ruth
mom to 7 miracles
My family blog
Loreto Rosaries
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ladybugs
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| Posted: Dec 19 2006 at 9:51am | IP Logged
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Lindsey,
I will add my prayers and well-wishes to what these other wonderful women have already stated.
I stopped by your blog one day last week (I think) and was very impressed, btw.
Have fun!
__________________
Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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Lisbet
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Lindsey,
It is a wonderful journey, isn't it? I am a convert from, well, nothing. I was raised with no real religion. My family is very anti-Catholic though. My dad is very involved in free masonry. My mother is a fallen away Catholic. They were very negative when I first came into the Church. (baptised, first communion, confirmation all on the same beautiful day!) Like Karen said, it was like I was born on that day. I felt complete, whole, and so AT HOME. Every day I thank God for His Church and calling me to it. This was 10 years ago. For years I have dealt with hurtful comments and remarks from my family. Recently though my mother has been to mass with me quite a bit, and some really wonderful conversations have been happening. There is always hope.
You will be in my prayers. I love your blog, you have a lovely family!
God love you!
__________________
Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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kristina
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Dear Lindsey,
Your post has left me full of hope! Reading all of the responses from these faith filled women is a great blessing to me. I appreciate your courage to seek answers, especially because you have shared that you have experienced reactions from others with contempt for the Catholic faith. It's not easy, but persevere in seeking truth and God will bless you richly.
I have enjoyed your blogs. Whenever I visited your blog, your blog name, Enjoy The Journey, immediately brought to mind the Christian Journey to where I found "home." I converted to the Catholic faith ten years ago. I was raised Protestant (not even knowing what I was PROTESTing). The journey wasn't always easy. I had many confusing talks with dear friends who couldn't understand why I would even consider going to a Catholic church. I was not articulate enough to truly defend why. I prayed for guidance and I found many answers in a book recommended to me by a beautiful couple from our parish. Elizabeth recently posted about meeting the author, Dr. Scott Hahn (imagine my joy seeing my TWO favorite authors pictured in the same post ). Dr. Hahn and his wife wrote about their journey from (anti-catholic  ) Protestantism to entering the Catholic church at separate times. Their story read like a love story and answered all of my questions and especially addressed all of the arguments from my non-catholic friends. I encourage you to find a copy of Rome Sweet Home and if you cannot find it, p.m. me and I will send it to you. I have read several other books on my journey and all have been helpful, yet Dr. and Mrs. Hahn's book spoke to my heart as an answered prayer.
This forum is such a gift. I am so glad to "see" you here! Lindsey, you are in my prayers.
God bless you and your dear ones,
__________________
kristina
yesterthoughts
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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Lindsey, you are all certainly in my prayers. May you find peace on your journey, and may God grant you the support, if not the understanding, of those around you. It is terrible how mean people can be when all you're trying to do is walk the road toward Home (heaven).
__________________
Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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onemoretracy
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Dear Lindsey,
I just wanted to add my prayers along with all of these other wonderful ladies. I have a similar story to several others in that I am a came back to the Catholic Church after several, very involved years in a giant non-denominational church. My husband converted as well.
I love your blogs and how you are exploring tradition and de-mystifying it for so many people. I was born, raised and still live in the South so I know how many misconceptions the are here in the 'Bible belt'
You are in my prayers this Advent and Christmas.
God Bless,
__________________
Tracy
DH Lee
DS Jake-10
DS Ryan-9
DS Luke-6
DD Laine-6
DD Mary Clare-3
DD Sara (Dec.6 '08)
My Blog
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Erin
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Lindsey,
My heart goes out to go how hard it is to endure our crosses at times particularly when they include the hurt of our own family and friends not understanding you.
I will pray for you as you travel along in your journey with Our Lord. Feel free to come here anytime and share, cry or ask questions with the ladies here they are an amazing group from many backgrounds and so supportive.
Just wanted to let you know how you have touched my life. I was so tickled when I found your blog that had beautiful advent traditions, as your profile inlcuded the fact that you are an evangelical christian I thought, "aha evangelical christians are now celebrating Advent" so I started sharing more about Advent with my Protestant friends because it was alright it came from YOU and you were legit!! it wasn't just a Catholic idea! I've been sending them links to your blogs and talking about what you are doing 
Praying for you
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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Mama Moon
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enjoythejourney wrote:
I have this deep desire to see all of God's children work together for the glory of God, no matter what denomination they come from.
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Thank you for sharing. I want to be honest with you too and share that often I think about how all Christians can be together as God intends, right?!
Sometimes I step back and ponder about the church before the great schism - the split of the original church to Rome and Constantinople. I don't understand why it is not something all christians are not trying to work at coming back to.
During my many travels (spiritual and physical!) I have visited different chrches. I am not going to go on about the Roman Catholic church because you are already discovering that in your time and way. I would just wnat to share that I also spent time discovering Anglican Churches because I realised that the majority of my friends were Anglican - the equivalent in the US would be the Episcopal Church. They have taken the traditions of the church before the great schism/split - in some ways they are closer to the Orthodox Church (the Constantinople side). From what I have experienced the Anglican churches are made up of an enormous variety of christian types across the spectrum which is all accepted (or tolerated!). I found this very inspiring and learnt a lot.
It is difficult when you are already brought up in a certain tradition to be truthfully open to learning about another.
I certainly don't believe that one church or religion has a monopoly on truth or good. I don't believe that we should be picking and chosing different denominations as it takes our fancy either. But if you have found yourself on the journey, it is important to explore thoroughly so that finally you will know if you have found the right place where you can fully love and worship God and feel part of the church body.
I pray for you, Lindsey, to have courage on your search, however long your journey may take.
__________________
Mama Moon
blessed with 2 precious ones
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Mama Moon
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By the way - I just wanted to add that the Anglican Church considers themselves a Catholic (not Roman Catholic) and Reformed church. They are in also in communion with the Old Catholic chruch (Germany) who broke away from the Roman Catholic church. At the same time they are Reformed - so are also considered Protestant. Some people like to keep her just classified Anglican. In a place like that you should really be able ask questions!
__________________
Mama Moon
blessed with 2 precious ones
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enjoythejourney
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I wanted to say a thank you to all of you for your sweet words of encouragement, PM's, emails...you are beautiful people.
I've been away from the computer much these past few days (as I'm sure we're all really busy getting prepared for Christmas!). I wanted to say thanks. I'm humbled by your generous welcome and prayers.
Hope you all have the most blessed Christmas ever.
Lindsey @ enjoythejourney
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Question with a sincere heart
