She and her family were raised Catholic and walked away as adults. Her sister Colleen and I met at the Karaoke spot. I was a bit uncomfortable as I didn't know anyone but the birthday girl (aged 50) and her husband who used to be in the bass fishing club that me and Jim belonged to. I was the only female member.

Someone spilled a Margarita partially down my back. I did not sample even a piece of candy or a sprite soda, but found a table of elderly women and spent the first hour talking to a widow named Dot, another Catholic I found out. She said her husband never missed Mass but he also had an ear to hear the things of God and told her she just didn't slow down enough to listen. By the time I witnessed who Jesus was to me as a Protestant (never said a word about her Catholocism or drinking) she cupped my face in her hands and said you are so beautiful and I want to see you at the next tournament in the Spring if I can't see you sooner. (Chris hosts a fishing tournement every year for cancer funds in honor of a friend). I told her I don't miss church for it but will come after. She is in her 80's and she promised to "listen" more for God.

Colleen (sister of birthday friend )said she is my opposite. Her husband asked for the Karoke man to put on some Warren Zevon. She asked if I knew his music. I told her my 3 year old grandson was named Zevon after him and his daddy made a cd for me to intro the music to me and I am kinda fond of some of it but rarely ever listen to secular music. She was blown away a child could be named that and said it was an honor for a singer who was ahead of his time. She asked me if I knew he was best friends with David Letterman. I said yes, Zevon was almost given Letterman as a middle name but changed at the last minute to Maxwell.

So with that attention now, thank you Lord, I shared that my son was a unique man and while we weren't on the same page, he was raised in the Protestant faith and married a girl who loves Jesus. and has respect for me even though he doesn't go to church with Jen and the kids.

I said that I am not an advocate for religion but shared my Naked before God message (see my blog on that if you have not) and how the rituals are not what it is all about I could talk to God naked in a shower stall sitting on a shelf, not kneeling etc. She seemed to sober and hang on my every word.

She told me she was honored to have met me and honestly she seemed to be someone who wouldn't say it if she didn't mean it. She seemed real.

They neverr found Amazing Grace on the Karaoke machine but I did belt out Ring of Fire with the Johnny Cash singers and Jackson by Johnny and June Carter with Jim and Maggie May (I asked for it Stu).  Jim was born in Jackson Michigan and that is where I went to school from second grade to graduation from high school.The song is about Jackson Mississippi though.  

On the way home, we listened to Christian radio and I sang Agnes Dei and heard some new songs. Chris and Donna said they want to ocme spend the night (Jim invited) and I said you have to go to church wth me on Sunday, and they agreed.

Donna said I lookd amazing...and I told her she was just seeing contentment. I felt peace as I went from guest to guest and shared simple words where I could about our Lord without trying to convict anyone for what they believed or the alcohol in thier bodies. I worked the crowd in love and it was FUN seeing the Holy Ghost being my escort.

Jim said Donna loves you, know it? (on the way home) I said I know, and I met a lot of people tonight Jim, faces like 87 year old Dot, I do NOT want to go to hell. I am not done. I am not done.

Love you, gotta get ready for church