On this Holy Week, I’m preparing for the arrival of my in-laws and loosely planning all the things we will do while they are visiting. I’m secretly shopping for little Easter trinkets yet reminding myself of the true meaning of Easter. It’s not about the baskets or the Cadbury Creme Eggs or the Peeps or the egg hunts. It’s about the holiest day of the year ~ without the Resurrection, there would be no Christian faith.

While yes I am scurrying around tidying up and vacuuming corners and gathering goodies for little baskets, this Easter is about so much more.

I am being baptized into the Catholic Church.

{my sponsor [and anchor through all this], Rhonda and I ~ Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels}

The past 18 months of RCIA have been filled with reflection, prayer and forming a deeper relationship with the Lord. I’d be amiss to not mention the wonderful brothers & sisters I have met and bonded with throughout this process. We have met twice a week for a year and a half. We have shared things that are hard to share. We have listened to each other, comforted each other and prayed for each other. These people will be friends for life. The thought of this chapter of my life coming to an end is bittersweet. But again, there is so much more that lays ahead.

I’ve been attending Catholic churches with Jay for over 10 years now from Blessed Sacrament in San Diego to St. Philip Neri in Fort Mill, SC where Elliott was baptized to St. Cyprian in Sunnyvale, CA where Holden was baptized to Saint Mary’s in Gilroy to our current parish, Blessed Kateri {now Saint Kateri Tekakwitha}. As a non-Catholic at each of these parishes, I always felt welcomed and at home…always greeted by the warmest of parishioners and sent away with a feeling of peace and renewal.

In just about 5 days, I will be officially handing over my heart to Jesus and becoming a true Catholic.

{Palm Sunday 2013}

I’m ever so thankful to my parents for raising me to know that there is a God and always teaching me {Matthew 7:12}, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”. And I’m ever so grateful for my in-laws for instilling their steadfast faith in Jay which in turn led me to be called to grow my relationship with Jesus and to serve.

I love you all! XO

*****

Speaking of serving, Julie has a heart of gold and is always thinking and doing for others. She recently put her creative Photoshop hand to work and designed a special printable to benefit St. Baldrick’s and their fight to help cure childhood cancer.

{just $5 ~ a great Easter gift!}

By purchasing this ROYGBV goodness from her shop for only 5 dollars, you’ll be helping Julie send a pot of gold over St. Baldrick’s way ~ she’s donating $2.50 from each purchase!

Within minutes of making your PayPal transaction, you will be e-mailed a downloadable {non-watermarked} copy of this bad boy for printing at home or sending to your local Walgreens, Target or photo lab of choice.

I printed mine out at home and it’s beautiful. Maybe the Easter Bunny will bring me a bright white frame to house it.

*****

Happy Monday.

Have a blessed week!