the next step

I have decided to join the church. It was always something I was thinking about doing, but now it is something I am doing, not because my peers are, not because it is the right thing to do, but because I want to. Because I have come to a new place in my religious discoveries wherein I can now say that just because I belong doesn't mean I agree or believe in everything. Look at marriage for example. No one would be married if the rule was that you have to agree with a partner 100%. What you do is find someone with whom you have some similarities and with whom you can respect despite differences. And then get ready because the dirty socks that you thought weren't so bad start to pile up... Anyway, I am now prepared. I know my partner, although I believe we will both continue to grow and change, and I am willing to make a commitment. I am ready to love and embrace, as well as be frustrated and angered by my official association with religion.

Funny how things happen...I used to drag Bob to church on special occasions. Then, when I started going regularly in October, I decided to drag the kids instead. (They were lighter to toss in the car seat!) So we went a few times. Then Bob decided to come too...a few times. Someone asked him to be an usher for the last week in January and he said yes...(he's a sucker for the older ladies!) On the way home he says to me, "That wasn't so bad." Hmm I thought. Then I'm making lunch and he says, "You know, if they were ever, um, shorthanded, and um, needed someone to fill in, I wouldn't mind doing that." HA. HA. HA!
He liked it! I giggled silently. When I told him I was going to join the church, I asked if he wanted to. He said sure. I HATE that word coming from him. It can mean absolutely, not really, if that's what you really want, I guess so, etc. And I don't take things at face value nearly enough so I spends days and hours pondering the hidden meaning. This time, however, I did not. Yeah me! I decided I would figure it out later. He has decided though, and he is going to join too. This will be really special for us I think, especially considering we didn't even get married in a church.

Oh and my sister is joining too! And we are all doing it on Easter.