RENEWING GOD’S HOUSE THROUGH LEARNING AND GROWING:  2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

Growing up in a large Catholic family my earliest memories are of course learning to survive as you will – with two brothers older and two brothers younger and then finally a sister nine years younger!  I remember praying really hard for that one!

Our days were filled with chores, school, paper routes, and helping to care for not only my younger siblings, but for the many, many newborns we cared for right from birth!  See my parents became foster parents through Catholic Social Services so Mom could stay home after Bobby, #5, was born.

Going to a Catholic grade school and high school, religion was a part of our upbringing, and there was always a Sacrament to celebrate.  Whether it was a Baptism or a Marriage, we were all there.

With all the religious exposure you would think I would know what God was teaching and continue to grow as I got older!  But sometime in my late 20’s or early 30’s, I got lost. I struggled with some of the teachings but did not want to turn my back on what was my foundation.  As the years passed, I dove into life and whatever was thrown at me and pretended to believe I was doing OK!

In 2004, I was sent an angel in the form of a DJ!  Karla Franzon Wegrzyn invited me to a Sunday Church Service to hear the choir sing.  I went and never left! I remember feeling like I found my home. I was welcomed by all and began to grow in my faith from that night on.  With every change in my life, I know my Salem family is there and will help me continue my faith journey.

Dear Lord, Thank you for my faith family and the opportunity to Grow.  Amen.