Thank goodness, Anna, she only stayed one year. Everything you've heard about the poor treatment of women at the Air Force Academy is true. She liked the school and she did very well in both academics and military, but she was constantly being bullied by the other cadets and even some of the teachers, not to mention a hundred guys asking her out every day, which she hated. Her dad tried to get her to stay, but I was all in favor of her coming home and finishing college at a regular school. I hated every minute she was there, but it was her dream and she worked hard for the appointment, so we had to let her try. She did meet her husband during that year. He was career Air Force, now retired and flying for Federal Express. They have been married 35 years.
wow that trying time certainly had a great silver lining --
Oh, yes a Cinderella story with a fairy tale end! I'm happy to hear that the time of tribulation was relatively short, but I'm sure it seemed an eternity to you. What a glorious end, a year of suffering for 35 years of happiness!
I got to see the same happiness in the face of the sisters in the convent, actually there are a few sets of siblings among them.
Here is an old video of how the life there is like... just if you are curious!
Cheers for you ladies, and thanks Sandra for sharing a story worth such a happy ending! Hooray for you daughter!
Seeing the happiness on their faces has to sooth your heart, Anna. Thanks for sharing the video. I will watch it as soon as I finish here.
Regarding Janet meeting her husband at the Air Force Academy, when she was a Junior in High School, she took some sort of math test (she was in the advanced classes, so they were constantly taking some sort of tests) and, unbeknownst to her, it was a recruitment tool for the Academy. She scored well enough to receive an invitation to visit the school for a week, all expenses paid, the summer before her Senior year. She actually met Rob, as one of her instructors, on that visit. Neither of them had ever dated anyone else and certainly didn't date during that week, but liked each other enough that they wrote regularly for the following year, getting to know each other. By the end of her one year at the AFA, Rob was graduating and they were ready to be married. Janet got her undergraduate and Masters degrees from the University of Mississippi, where Rob was stationed after the wedding. They have two children, a biological daughter and an adopted (Russian) son. They could have had other children, but choose to give a home to a child who otherwise might not have a lot of prospects in life. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Tennessee and Eric is a Senior at UT. Janet and Rob have to most successful marriage of any couple I've ever known. It was like God created them for each other.
oh my goah, sandra! what a sweet story! that's more like a gold plated silver bejeweled lining!
reggie, I finally got the video to play through -- wow what a tremendous order! singing five hours a day -- they Are incredible music makers, praise raisers --
I was taught by Franciscan nuns who dressed almost exactly like that, vow of poverty, they changed their names too to mens names -- their top scarf part was deeper around the face -- all black, all lined in white -- they had zero peripheral vision -- but I never though of that at the time --
and they had the three foot rosaries -- which I always thought were pretty cool -- they jingled a little when they walked and that appealed to my little grade school self -- even today I'm slightly shocked to see nuns in street clothes --
once again though what an amazing dedicated young lady you have brought up -- feel very very good and comforted
they also tied a rope around their waist that also hung down by the rosary -- I guess like st francis does in the pictures of him -- and to denote the vow of poverty -- they could really get hung up on the desks if they weren't careful --
Anna, I really enjoyed the tiny glimpse into the life of the Benedictines. What amazing voices, especially for ladies who think they cannot sing! Thanks for sharing.
Well Sandra, I also enjoyed your daughter love's story... I thought my story was worth an opera, but hers is worth an Academy Award. I suffer greatly when I see young ladies lost in the world, buried into social media, drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, so very sad! Young ladies that no one takes care of, that no one ever told them the value of their lives, their bodies, their souls. I pray for them, pray for their mothers and their children! And I praise God for stories like Janet's, sooo beautiful, fruitful, fulfilling her life and that of those around her!
And Boss, you are a nun expert my dear, truly is a shame that some nuns these days reject their habits in the clothing sense as much as their habits in their prayer and community life. Nowadays, nuns in plain clothes have no vocations, nuns in habits with very strict rules of live are blooming! Franciscans...oh I wish I could se a real one of those you vividly describe!
The many years I lived in Kansas, I visited the Benedictines several times, I could not hold my tears when they sing. Live, with the acoustic of their beautiful church is something out of this world, simply heavenly... And Mother Cecilia and the rest of the sisters are what you see in the video, so full of joy, so very inspiring, in love with life, brides of Christ!
All the pain in my heart goes away when I think how happy my daughter is there. Did you get to read the phrase in the arch, at the entrance? It reads PAX INTRANTIBUS "Peace to those who enter." That peace that we all look for, that peace that we all deserve, inside or outside those walls.
Peace and love to you all dear ladies!
thank you, reggie ~
beautiful mothers, beautiful daughters
lynne, lynne! believe it or not I made another one,
come quick, it’s going fast! 
Unfortunately, Regina, my husband didn’t have great experiences with the nuns who taught him. They were strict, and not very kind. Prone to hitting with the ruler. Of course, this was commonplace in that era anyway. Teachers using the strap and or ruler in my public school too. My husband came from a very poor family, with lots of issues. Which several nuns made sure he was well aware of. This wasn’t just my husband, but his four brothers as well. No compassion or understanding. And the Polish priest, whom I had the misfortune to meet, was a dictator and very cruel. He told me I was unworthy to be in his church. Not because I was Protestant, which I’m sure priest didn’t like. But because I was divorced. I left an abusive marriage, and wasn’t about to apologize for that. Divorce is a sin, but I asked for forgiveness, and know I was forgiven. I felt so belittled and demonized. Because of this, and my husband’s treatment growing up at school/church, my husband has never returned to church. He came with me when I took our children to mass. After our children grew up and stopped attending, that was it. I’m not Catholic, I returned to my own Protestant church. Husband has come a few times, but he’s critical because it’s not “Catholic”. Funny because our churches basically believe in the same things. Just a different format. There’s lots of singing in my church….a worship band. Husband doesn’t like it. There was a wonderful choir at the Catholic church we attended, plus a worship team, husband didn’t like that either. There were several wonderful priests at our church. But my favourite priest, was Father Bill. He was there when my children attended Mass. Father Bill, myself and other ladies ran information meetings about first holy communion. Father Bill use to tell me I was a better Catholic than many who attended mass!! Father Bill and I had many discussions about my Protestant faith. We were in total agreement on so many things. I tried to get my husband to talk to Father Bill, but he wouldn’t. My husband thought, and still does, that my beliefs are so radical, different. But they’re the same beliefs of the Catholic Church. There are some Catholic teachings I don’t agree with. But you can get many theologians together in a room that would have disagreements too. I use to go to a monthly women’s meeting with different christian speakers. There was this fiery little nun from NY state that spoke often. I absolutely loved her. So genuine, kind and just loved the Lord. She positively beemed. When the ladies knew she was speaking, it was a packed. Hope I haven’t upset you Regina. We all need to agree about the core beliefs, and not stress about the differences. ❤️
Upset? with you June? Oh goodness nope! I do agree with you in most of the things you said. Most churches are filled with saints and sinners...I consider myself in the sinners side! I was born Catholic, attended Catholic school and I was a missionary in Peru for three year with the Catholic Church! I met holy priests and very unholy ones. Great nuns and some I regret meeting, amazing parish communities and others that were such a headache! I even have quite a few disagreements with the present pope. I live my Catholic faith the best I can and love every person around me, Catholics, or not! I'm very sad for the experience your husband had, only God knows the troubles those poor nuns had. I had been harassed, and abused verbally, psychologically and spiritually by priest and nuns as well. I learned to make a difference between the miseries of the people and the church. I'm not a saint either, I regret and ask forgiveness for the many things I did wrong in my life...I hope to live long enough to pay for every debt, but only God will be my judge!
Do not worry my friend, our love for Jesus goes beyond a title! I'm very sorry you could not watch the video...You can always google Benedictines of Mary!
The peace of Our Lord be with you!
Just a little aside that came to mind while reading June's post - When I was in high school, I played basketball and (please do not think I am bragging, it is just the way it was) was one of the top rated players in our district. On Wednesday nights, I attended services at a Church of Christ with my boy friend. I belonged to the Methodist church. The minister at the Church of Christ was also the basketball coach for a rival team. On night, after the service, we were talking on the porch and the preacher said to me, "I sure wish you were on my basketball team, but you are going to hell for not belonging to the Church of Christ". He was dead serious!
sandra, i truly love your baptism...just curious how authentic it got --
did the heavens open and a voice say "well done, my good and faithful daughter?" 
now don't break my heart heheheheh hahahaha
reggie, you said it so well! so wisely --
it's really chilling how the ones who should be the most trusted can be the worst betrayers of the most innocent -- oh the stories we could tell --
but yes loving the Saviour is the only way to live --
I won't break your heart, -K8. I was 16 years old and it felt very authentic to me.
Well Boss, keep in mind that those who are supposed to be the most trusted are ALWAYS the most TEMPTED! We are nothing but miserable humans, we all are tempted, we all fall into most of those temptations. I remember someone who said that the demons do nothing to the world, as the world is already lost, they go to the churches and the church leaders to tempt them, and if they fall, the demos win, because people will be discourage to follow the people of God.
Now Sandra, that the pastor himself told you that you were going to hell because you go to another church...that was pretty evil as well!
Anyway, let him who is without sin cast the first stone! I guarantee you...that without sin will not be me!
I did not let him bother me one bit, Anna. My God is much bigger than that.
Your discussion has been enjoyable & enlightening—as much as talk about sin can be :(.
I guess I’ve been rather lucky not to have been ever treated in any manner as any of you.
The only thing I had to endure was my dad’s very strict rule that we could not ever attend any doing at the Catholic Church at the end of our street (1block) nor date any one that was catholic.
Well, Reggie, hope you don’t mind me calling you this. My niece is also Regina/Reggie. There is no perfect church, because there are imperfect people in a fallen world. And, yes, we’re all sinners, needing to ask for forgiveness daily. And I should have also said, I’ve had some pretty bad experiences in several of my Protestant churches I attended. No point listing. I’ve forgiven them because goodness knows I’ve certainly done my share of mistakes and hurts.
Sandra, when my children were small, I attended a Pentecostal Church, which is most often referred to as Church of God in USA. It was within walking distance of my house. There were some wonderful nurturing ladies who helped this new Mom. I decided I would like to join and offer help in the Sunday school. I had been helping in the nursery. Well the pastor in my interview said because I wasn’t baptized in their faith, my salvation was in “jeopardy”. Pastor went on to say because I was divorced, I could NEVER be a member of the church, and most certainly not teach Sunday school. Well, I told the Pastor in no uncertain terms, I don’t know what Bible you’re reading, but my Bible says if you ask forgiveness, you receive it, including divorce. And that I wasn’t walking around with a scarlet letter…a big “D” on my back. Nor would the children pick up divorce cooties!!! I left, and the church office and never went back. So many of the lovely ladies were so upset at my treatment. It’s still considered the #1 sin in the Pentecostal Church. My sis-in-law’s pastor was let go from the Pentecostal Church. No longer allowed to preach. His wife left him for another man and divorced him. He had nothing to do with her decision, yet he was punished. Don’t understand this at all. But in the end, we will all have to stand before God.
And one of my Mom’s favourite sayings was…. “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” Basically “let him without sin cast the first stone”
kakeladi On my street there was a Catholic Church/school at one end. And my public school at the other. Huge rivalry and discord. My Dad never understood that. Thought it was plain ridiculous. Dad thought Catholics and Protestants not associating was perpetrated by clergy on both sides. Thankfully, for the most part, that’s fallen away.
June, I have only attended some of the youth group meetings at a Pentecostal church and I do believe it was the Church of God (The Church of Christ is totally different). They did have some ideas that I found to be really odd, like women were never allowed to cut their hair. In my opinion, God does not give a hoot about how we wear our hair. Like I said, my God is a whole lot bigger than that!
I attended the Catholic church with my friend many times and I enjoyed it. To me, the difference in all the Christian religions is superficial and unimportant. The central figure, in all of them, is God Almighty.
Oh yes, hard to believe how some invoke "The Prince of Peace" to bring war among us! I love this conversation it has been very enriching! Venezuela was about 98% Catholic when I grew up, my chances to talk to another fellow Christian, was cero! It is silly to see how in many cases our differences keep us united and our similarities separate us!
time and chance happen to all of us -- the rain falls on the just and the unjust -- and while that's all true we get to move mountains too
Well SandraSmiley, K8memphis. Kakeladi, ReginaCoeliB
The baptism was so lovely yesterday (Saturday 25th/Oct). It was just my 2 grandson’s, my daughter/sil, and grandparents on both sides. Grandparents were the godparents. We had the whole church to ourselves. And the font that is normally located at the entrance of the church is now up near the alter. The boys were so good, so attentive. Especially the youngest. He’s just 5, and usually has ants in his pants. Father Peter was able to take his time. Interesting about Father Peter, I knew this wasn’t just your regular ordinary priest. Turns out Father Peter was raised Brethren in Christ, where his father was the pastor. So from a evangelical background. Then Father Peter became a Anglican minister. He’s married with a university aged daughter. He became a Catholic priest 7 years ago. There are 3 other married priests at St Francis Xavier parish. Father Peter is an associate pastor, of which there are six. This parish serves 5 Catholic elementary schools. Father Peter and I had a very nice conversation afterwards. Father Peter was very familiar with the church I attend. I wish I could post pictures. I got a video of the actual baptism, and of course pictures with Father Peter.
I am glad that it went so well, June, and that you had a wonderful priest with whom you could relate.
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