hello. before anyone gets on me for no caps please forgive/excuse. i was a radio journalist for years and i like this stream of consciousness writing. it's fun and at least its not in caps (how we journalists write everything when broadcasting the news)well.. i'd like to share my conversion experience with you. i was 8 years old when i began a quest of what is best described as my own version of the Joseph Smith story (ok, just for Church leaders etc, will i use caps:)   i was a little southeast of where Joseph, who happens to be my husband dr. h's ancestor, lived. i am originally born and raised on long island, ny. i am jewish and greek, italian and was primarily raised my mom's religion, catholic. my dad was jewish, but we did his temple work. that's another story for another day. so i looked into various church's from age 8 to around 12 years old. i loved going to vacation bible school, baptist church, lutheran, catholic, and some independents on long island like the church of Christ. i still felt like something in my young mind and heart told me "this isn't the right place".  then one weekend after a sleepover at age 12, i came home to find my brother, who was as rough as they come, belonged to a gang etc. telling me.."kittywaymo...there's another church i bet you'd like to go to.." as he started in with me (so i thought, he teased and taunted me mercilessly, 'cause i am the youngest of 7 children and my mom's favorite:) i began yelling to my mom "mom, mike is making fun of me again!!" then he said "no, i'm serious, i want you to check this church out, its called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, they meet this Sunday, i don't want you to embarrass me, so find something nice to wear.." i was floored! my brother, go to church, any church? i've never even heard him talk about God let alone want to go to church! I asked him, what happened? he explained to me that the missionaries came by and taught him the first discussion etc. etc. i was excited!! they were returning tomorrow and they would began teaching me as well!! later on after we were baptized, they elders told us they prayed about the specific home, street and they were told by the Lord that "young people needed to hear the Gospel and that they would be baptized into the Church". My mom was a single mom, raising 7 children, with no car! we lived in a little corner house  and most of the time it looked like noone was home because the older kids were with their friends and me and mom would hang out together and walk to the store etc. yet the missionaries came by twice because of the this revelation and wouldn't give up because the Lord told them we needed to join the Church! incidentally my mom joined 4 years after our baptisms. so back to the story,chronologically... so mike and i took the discussions separately which meant the elders were at our home everyday! those were exciting times, and although mom struggled financially to make ends meet, she would marvel at how much food was left over after the elders' helped themselves to seconds' of mom's delicious cooking! she used to say it was like the story in the Bible about the oil and wheat not running out  for the widow woman and her son who fed the Prophet.  so i read the Book of Mormon in a week! you've heard of people who couldn't sleep, eat etc. i can testify that was me! but i still ate:) just couldn't sleep barely and going to school, which i normally loved, was a burden, i couldn't wait to get home and read more! i felt the Holy Ghost, i knew this was God's church and the very first Sunday i went to Church i turned to the elders and said.. "so can i get baptized now? i know this is Jesus' Church!" they were delighted and smiled, put there arms around me and said "soon, we are happy you are so enthusiastic sister kittywaymo!, we just need to teach you a little more.." so after the discussions mike and i were baptized a week apart! i love the Gospel, as my PB said later, that i was anxious to come to earth, anxious to become part of the Gospel and the Plan Father in Heaven has for me etc. it is amazing to me each aspect of the Gospel and how it affects my spirit and changes my heart and mind for the better. i'm grateful for the Gospel and Jesus Christ. I am grateful for a good husband, who's ancestor was a good man and sought the truth, even Joseph Smith.a humble farm boy of no significance, much like myself, who the Lord had mercy on and answered our prayers! i know that if you are reading this and you are not a member, inactive or trying to  be more active please read alma 37:37-44, the Book of Mormon is true and your life will be changed forever for the better and you will have true happiness and peace. i say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  love kittywaymo

Tags: Conversion Testimony Book Of Mormon

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