I want to thank everyone who has helped me with advice on relationships. I want to refocus this blog though. Not becuase it isn't helping, but because i don't want this to turn into some sappy "help Daniel's love life" type thing. Once again, thank you to all who have been giving all the great advice, non has gone unnoticed. I'll be blogging again soon.

To be fair, I figured I should atleast put a little closure on the subject. Rachel and I have started looking at the realities that are about to face us, and we, thanks to some helpful comments, are now done trying to figure this out alone. We've lifted it up and left it for Him to decide. We decided that we've been asking all these questions, but only to ourselves; never including God. So we decided we'd begin praying not only alone about our situation, but together as well. Last night was the first time we had done this. There was a certain sence of comfort afterwards that we both needed. The stress from this is finally gone. We'll see how things turn out. Thanks again to all those who offered helpful advice.

This correlates with my previous entry. It'll make more sence if you read the blog before this one, first.

When I see that smile on your face,
I know I’m in the right place.
When I saw the joy in your eyes,
It made me recognize,
My feelings for you, I can’t disguise.

Our most painful kiss, the kiss goodbye.
I would have never guessed the amount of tears I could cry.
Whether I leave tomorrow, or I leave today.
The pain I shall feel, will remain the same.
As I drive away, and our eyes meet once more,
I watch a piece of my heart fall off, bleeding on the floor.

We need to live our lives.
We need to pass the time.
I’ve come to realize,
I can’t make you mine.
It tears me apart to let you go
How I’ll get over us, God only knows.
It’s not just you; I’ll miss your family.
Incredibly.

I decided somewhere in the middle of my first Catholic dating relationship that I wanted to date only Catholic women. It made the relationship so much easier. Always being on the same page as them with religion was great. I couldn’t imagine dating a Protestant. It just didn’t seem possible to have a truly deep relationship with someone who you didn’t share your main focus in life with. For me, it seemed illogical to date anyone other than a Catholic woman. Then I looked at my mom and dad. My mom is Catholic, and my dad is Lutheran. “How in the heck does that work? How are you able to maintain what you had back in your twenties, now? When all the wrinkles have come, all the weight has been gained, (as I laugh at my own comment…) and you’re left with a relationship based SOLEY on love? How do you keep that love when you don’t share your religion?” Until shortly ago, I couldn’t fathom how two people could become AND stay completely in love without sharing that aspect of the relationship.
I cannot figure out whether I’m “blinded by love” or understanding a truth.
How essential is it to marry in same religion? I used to believe it was the only logical style of dating and marriage. I think I’ve changed my mind, and whether I’ve done it for the right or wrong reasons, time will tell. After meeting Rachel, and spending so much time with her, I have come to see how two people don’t have to share the same form of faith as much as they need to have the faith to possibly create love. Rachel is a strong Evangelical, and I am a strong Catholic. We have so much of the same beliefs when it comes to our Christian faith, but so many differences when we break it down to the specifics. We have our love of Christ, and our love of Christianity. We share many similar views and opinions. But is there too much difference?? I swing both ways. When I’m with her, it doesn’t seem to matter. Our faith in Christ alone is enough to draw us to each other. Then I sit in bed and think about what is going on. I leave for college in a matter of months, leaving her behind, so am I only creating something that is going to crush her? Am I being unfair by allowing something to happen when I know I’m leaving soon? Am I abandoning a part of my faith by even thinking about being with a non-Catholic? Someone once told me to never make a decision while in any state of emotion. That “idea” has saved me many mistakes. So do I go with my gut and decide that every time I allow us to grow closer, I am only hurting her more in the future? Or do I go with my gut and continue what appears so true?

The question seems to be, and this may have a different answer for each individual, how much similarity in faith is required to justify a healthy relationship? As well as, how much difference in two faiths is needed to know that it won’t work? I have got some serious praying to do. Advice/comments appreciated:) Thanks for reading my blog.

I worry so much about my sister. i see her every day getting caught up in things in this world that don't matter. the makeup, the phone convo's about what so-and-so said, the meaningless stuff is very prevelent in her life right now. I remember being in that similar situation. And i also remember VERY VIVIDLY what it did to me. when I see her falling into the same thing i did, my heart just breaks. I think it just has to be a part of growing up. But i still don't want her to have to go through all that b.s. so lately i've been trying to "push" (in a very gentle way) her into her faith more. We had a couple hour long conversation in her bedroom where i told her she should think about desciding who she TRUELY is. I explained some very basic truths of what Jesus Christ did for her, and it really seemed to hit home. I knew when the tears started to roll i was finally gettin through to her. I've really got on her lately about how much tv she watches. all this mtv is doing is poluting her mind. so when i see her watchin it, or somethin that she doesn't need to see, i go and change the channel or get on her about not playin her piano yet or just something to get her away from the tv. I've also been tryin to get her to read her bible. she says she doesn't understand. i told her to ask questions, "thats how you learn."
I recieved a forward of a prayer someone wrote back in May, so i printed it and have read it nearly every morning since. For the longest time i have wanted to form it into my own personal prayer. I finally found the inspiration to do it. Below is an altered version of the original. I figured it'd be something she can have when i leave for college in augest that will remind her of me, but more importantly, keep her on track when i'm not here to pester her. if anyone has any suggestions for how to fire my sister up about her faith, i'm very open to suggestions. we're catholic, so if any of you catholics have any "catholic oriented" tricks, those are welcome too. I'm much more focused on developing her as a CHRISTian first, and a catholic later though. so please, i'll take anything. Feel free to copy paste the prayer and use it yourself, re-arrange it however you like. it has been a spectacular way to start each day. If you do print yourself a copy, please leave a comment, even if it's just, "I printed a copy of the prayer." Thank you much. Have a great day, God bless:)

Dan and Jill’s Morning Prayer

Good Morning Lord!

I want to thank you for this day. Thank you for allowing me to be able to see and hear this morning. I’m so blessed because you are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me, and continue to bless me. PLEASE forgive me this day for everything I will do, say, or think that won't be pleasing to you.

Please keep me safe from all dangers and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from you. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things you want me to.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God’s eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent and understand my wrongdoing and receive the forgiveness of God.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus example…to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. I know it’s the best response when I’m pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can’t pray, you listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do your will.

God, I know you can change people. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can’t find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don’t know you intimately. I pray for those who don’t believe. But I thank you that I BELIEVE.

I pray for all my Christian brothers and sisters, and for each and every member of their families. I pray for peace, love, and joy in their homes and in our world. Please help everyone’s needs be met.

Thank you one last time for all you’ve given me; My family, friends, my talents, and my life. I know I can do nothing to deserve all the blessings you’ve given me. Thank you for letting ME be YOUR daughter. Please help me to be a witness to you throughout this day. Please let your will be done always and forever in my life.

Lord God, I love you, and I need you. Come into my heart, please.

In Jesus’ beautiful, glorious name, Amen.

This is a song i wrote last Sunday. I had been toying with this picking pattern on my acoustic guitar and this flowed out in about 20 minutes. Writing music has become a rather fun part of my faith. It's a way for me to give thanks, pray, question, and love Christ all in doing somethin i love, guitar. So this is the majority of the song, after the third part i repeat the first part and then there's a mix of picking with single lines thrown in. I hope you enjoy:)
Beautiful Mother
All powerful father
the holy spirit
is such a wonder-
ful gift from God
our Father
Thank you Jesus
for Mary my Mother

My true Mother
and my true Father
you are the ones
who gave us your son
who sacrificed his life
all for us
and only becuase
he knew that he must

Dear God the father
and Mary my Mother
The blessings you give
have allowd me to live
i wanna bring glory to
only you
and as i pray this prayer
just wanna let you know that i love you