Maybe if YOU pray for her...

I recently heard a priest say that there are three answers God can give to our prayers: "Yes, No, and Maybe." Yes is easy. You know God heard you because He answered you! No and Maybe can be very similiar; it can take a while to figure out what your answer is, and quite possibe to assume the incorrect answer. Patience can be a very hard virtue to hold.

I had dinner with a "friend" last night. Friend is in quotes because we really don't have much in common - and that's an understatement. I've known her for maybe 8 years now, and I still get together with her every now and then for one very specific reason: I'm trying to convert her. She doesn't know it, but I am.

My "friend" grew up in what she describes to be a strict religious household...Methodist maybe, I'm not sure. Once she became a teenager her parents allowed her to choose what she was going to do. Her minister is the one that told her to examine herself and follow what she believes is the Truth. She chose to follow herself, and prides herself on being a rational and well-educated person. Is she agnostic or athiest? I don't know. She once spoke of going to a church a year ago where they are eco-friendly and close down for the summer to save on air conditioning. You can imagine how hard it was for me to not judge/roll my eyes/smirk. I'm not sure how successful I was!

Once, while working together in a resid.ential program for teens, a girl brought in a book on witches and asked me to approve it so she could read it. I did not approve it - the girl accepted my answer. My "friend" however said that I had to allow it because I was discriminating as I would allow anyone to bring in the Bible. She said it was her "right" to read that. I strongly disagreed, explained why (probably in way to much detail), in which she replied how lured and explicit the Bible is and that the stories in there are inappropriate for kids (these kids in the program were on juven.ile pro.bation). Stories of redemption and forgiveness are inappropriate for these kids? It was a battle - I won.

So I have been praying for the conversion of my "friend". A couple of years ago while I was already embarking on my journey through IF, she began TTC to no avail. She openly discussed her doctor appointments, and I discussed mine. I discussed my struggles with my "secular" doctors and she discussed her struggles with her secular doctors and her options for IVF. Eventually, I found out about Creighton and Dr. H and went to Omaha where I had my second surgery. At that same time, she was getting frustrated with her doctors that would not diagnose her with anything but IF (this messed up her insurance coverage). Telling her that my treatment came with a real diagnosis that is then covered by the insurance - she was all ears! She relunctantly asked for info (she wasn't thrilled it was Catholic)...I gave it to her...she learned Creighton and is driving down to Omaha today to meet with Dr. H. I thought, "my plan may be working".....until dinner yesterday.

It turns out her husband has some "isssues", and she may have some endo. Clearing them both up, I predict they will be pregnant in three months. But she said to me yesterday, "if this doesn't work, I'm going straight to IVF. I figure I'll be out one year and $10,000." Ok, I lose...or did I? Obviously, her heart is not open to receive. Maybe my prayers for her conversion were not enough, maybe I should be praying for something else...like for her hardened heart, or to be more sensitive (to my feelings for once), or for her clarity. Or maybe God is answering my prayer with a "maybe later". He calls all His children to Him...including her. Maybe her heart is so hardened that she needs more...so I'm asking for YOU to pray for her conversion too. It may not happen for a while, but it may happen tomorrow when she steps into the PPVI Institue and sees the bust and all the pictures, plaques, and crucifixes. Maybe when the priest goes in to annoint her before her surgery (not knowing she's not catholic) but then prays with her that she will be moved by the Holy Spirit. Maybe after she gets pregnant (after following the practices of the Catholic Church :))! Anyway, they leave today for Omaha. Please pray for her...please.


O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer to Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, truly present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacriliges and indifference for which He Himself is offended. And through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners. Amen.

O My God, I believe in Thee, I adore Thee, I hope in Thee and I love Thee. And I beg pardon for all those that do not believe in Thee, do not adore Thee, do not hope in Thee, and do not love Thee. Amen.