Filled with the Spirit

Today I had the fortunate opportunity to sing at my church's confirmation service with the Archbishop of our diocese. Here I sat thinking before we began the service it was going to be just another service, I wasn't expecting much. I have always enjoyed this particular archbishop's homilies, however, tonight really touched home. From the beginning I began thinking or my own confirmation over 20 years ago. Flooded with emotions of excitement and sadness I held onto his words hoping even if for just a few minutes I could be filled with the same feelings I felt back then. As he began talking with the conformation cadidates I did feel like God was speaking to me. 

His first prayer: 

1.) Choose your friends wisely. I have always had a problem with this. I have never done a great job of making friends, partly because I am always afraid of rejection so it has always been easier to keep a distance and not let anyone close enough to reject me. However, looking back I think that God has done exactly what was right for me! While I may not have always had a lot of friends, as an adult the decisions I have made have given me true, honest, God loving friends, who support and love me. So yes, please choose your friends wisely. Just because others may seem "cool", it doesn't mean it is what is right for you. Choose friends that are builders, who inspire you better yourself, and fullfill your highest potential in order to get to Gods Kingdom. Find friends who can make you laugh and appreciate the world and the blessings you have in your life. 

His next prayer for the youth: 

2. ) Don't be Stupid, when I first heard this "Holy Man" the Archbishop say this to a group of kids I couldn't help but laugh so hard, because it is the truth. He also told them this bit of insight that goes right along with not being stupid, " God will forgive", "People will forgive", "Nature won't forgive". Sit and think about that for a while. As kids we hear not to do drugs, drink, have premarital sex, etc, of course in some cases it falls upon deaf ears, however, to the young folks sitting in those pews today I really do pray that they realize how powerful accepting God and being led by the spirit is. 

There were so many pieces of wisdom that were shared with us at Mass today, if only, only they fall on fertile soil. I'll leave you with one final thought, while the Holy Spirit rains upon us all just remember that each plant produces different things, apples, pecans, cotton, etc. Keep in mind that he knows the plans for you, and you can not even fathom what he has set before you as his children. 

Everyone has heard of a Roaming Catholic especially a lot of Catholics

I am what most Catholics call a cradle Catholic (born into the faith), however, it wasn't until I reached my late 20's that I finally found my church home.  Here is the journey I had to get to where I am now. I grew up in a "small" Catholic church in Mobile, Alabama for the first 18 years of my life. It was a close parish, we knew each others names and the priest we had growing up gave a warmth that I loved to experience as a youth. However, when I graduated high school an event happened with the "new" priest and I was led away from my home.  I was inactive for a while, occasionally attending mass at random churches never feeling like I belonged there. I had been to Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, as a youth and honestly at one point I probably felt more connected with the Baptist Church because you would always see the people lit with "fire" for Christ. That was until I started working as a cantor at another Catholic church in my diocese. It was what I will say attributed to my going to weekly Mass and finding a purpose, that I was missing for so long until.... The same "situation" that deterred me from my home church a few years earlier resurfaced. I held fast because I honestly loved being a cantor and the music was done beautifully. After years of serving as a cantor I realized that was my "main reason for going" which I knew was wrong. So God gave me an out and thus my new journey to  find a church where I could serve him without distraction was once again underway. I started cantoring again and while it wasn't as much as a distraction I still wasn't "complete".  That was until one day, God led me to a church that was literally 2 minutes from my home. I started out as just a member of the congregation (no ministries to serve in). Then I met the Music Ministers wife, who introduced me to her husband who gave me a place in a new church, where I am now raising my three sons, I am a lector, cantor/choir member, and feel blessed to be able to volunteer in so many other ways. 

Lesson Learned: While the path God gives you maybe bumpy, he will always lead you home.

About Me

Hello to the world out there! My name is Angie Buntin and I am a stay at home wife and mother to 3 beautiful boys. I was an elementary teacher in my previous life and still miss the classroom from time to time. I love my family, faith, and friends, and one day hope to have everything "together", which I know will never happen. I hope you enjoy the blog I have started and learn a little bit about me and maybe discover some things about you along the way. 

Everyone Needs Support

      
 When I had my first son, I honestly had no friends with children. I was in a sense, alone in my new found career as a stay at home mom. I remember spending days alone with my little man, loving every minute of his growing, but saddened with the idea of not being able to share, vent, etc all the things in my new life. 
       However, one day I met a girl who had married an old schoolmate of mine and she was a member of a Catholic Moms Group. At first I was hesitant because I never really did well in social situations with a lot of women, my list of friends I can admit could be counted on one hand. Even with these fears I decided to bite the bullet and attend my first moms group. Three years, and a set of twins later I am still a part of this group, and looking back it gave me the support and friends I needed so desperately.  There were a few ladies I felt instantly connected with as friends. As I listened to stories of stresses, frustrations with everyday situations, their love of their families and Chris,t I began to realize I was not alone the whole time. 
      Since joining the moms group I have become so much more comfortable in my own skin and in my faith. I am by no means a perfect Cathlic, mom, or wife, but thanks to seeing these wonderful women week after week, and forming relationships with people who "get"me,  I realize that is just fine.  Its okay to not have everything together everyday, to have a messy house, and wear your pajamas all day long until you find relief when your spouse enters from his long day at work.  Praying for patience and God's mercy with dealing with tantrums, uncontrolable situations that would drive the most put together person crazy is not only acceptable but necessary.  
   The same women who have been there for me are now my support system as I have found the courage and desire to create a moms group for my own parish, in order to offer the same sense of belonging to those who I see every week at Mass, who may have or still do feel as I once did.  

The Lesson I learned through this: God doesn't want us to feel alone because we are not.