7 Quick Takes Friday, no. 10

We are once again bringing you a short interview with one of our ink slingers for this week’s 7 Quick Takes. We hope you enjoy learning a bit more about our Sista Adrienne. She shares a little of her faith journey, her new homeschooling experience, and whether or not this Texas girl puts beans in her chili (I’m not telling, you have to keep reading to find out).

–1–

Are you a cradle Catholic who never strayed, a poorly catechized Catholic and/or lukewarm Catholic who came to understand the faith later in life, a revert, or a convert?

I was baptized as a newborn and received all of my sacraments in a timely manner. My parents made sure we never missed mass, even while on vacation. I went to CCD classes and was in the youth group at my parish. I gained a loyalty to the Catholic faith, though all I could tell you was that God loved me. I married in the church, to a non-Catholic Christian. I had and still have no doubt the Lord led us together, despite our faith differences.

It was after the birth of our first child that I finally felt compelled to figure out what divided myself and my husband. I had to learn what the Reformation was. I had heard all of the typical charges against Catholicism (it’s unbiblical!, they worship Mary!, they trust in the saints for salvation instead of Jesus alone!, they try to earn their salvation!, purgatory isn’t in the Bible!, the Lord’s supper is just a symbol, as is baptism! It’s a cult!), and honestly, I didn’t know what the Church taught about these things, nor did I know what the anti-Catholics’ position was against these.

I had a lot to learn.

I could have just listened to the Evangelicals and trusted them to teach me about Catholicism. But, oh. I would have been at such a loss! Thankfully, I was stubborn enough to learn first instead of leave first.

Through countless hours over many years, I became catechized in the Catholic faith, and I came to understand the opposition. I grew through stages, “All that really matters is that you’re a good person,” to “All that matters is that you love Jesus, denominations are all equal,” to finally “Christ gives Himself to us every day in the Eucharist, through the institution He established such that we could proclaim his death until He comes again.”

–2–

What is your favorite prayer?

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, o prince of the heavenly host, by the divine power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who roam throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls.

This is my favorite prayer because I get to call on God’s favorite warrior to defend myself, my family and our world. While God doesn’t need a warrior in St. Michael, He chose to make a warrior in him. I am so thankful I am nurtured by a faith tradition that tells me the Church is bigger than the people here on Earth, and that the saints in Heaven are my fellow Christians to call upon, made possible by their perfect union with the Omniscient and Omnipresent One and Holy God and my being baptized into the Body of Christ.

–3–

What inspires you when you write?

I feel inspired to write when I have something to explain. I write for who I was those years ago, not knowing squat about squat and needing a springboard for learning my faith.

–4–

What kinds of books do you most enjoy to read?

I enjoy reading the Bible, the writings of the Early Church Fathers and Catholic apologetics books. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. I also love re-reading materials I have read in the past because I always understand something new that went over my head previously.

–5–

If you homeschool, what is your favorite part of homeschooling and what is your greatest challenge?

We just started homeschooling this year. My favorite part is incorporating the faith in so much of my children’s education. Religion is about truth. Truth isn’t to be an extracurricular activity, it should be the curriculum. So, while reading, writing, ‘rithmatic are important in education, I believe knowing the truth about our souls, about God, and about the afterlife are the most important, since the afterlife is infinite and involves our Creator and our souls.
The greatest challenge is keeping the preschooler occupied.

–6–

Do you put beans in your chili or not?

Absolutely.

–7–

What do you find most attractive about your husband?

His loyalty is most attractive, coupled closely with his discipline. When he learns a new hobby he practices it incessantly and develops in a month’s time what takes others a year. He has concentration like no one I know (praying the kids get that one!). He works hard, but isn’t a work-a-holic. He has a great balance of work and play in life.

For more Quick Takes, please go visit Jen at Conversion Diary and let her know we sent you.

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