NAS: Swinging into Fall

I've made a mental commitment to write each Tuesday with these great ladies from the Not Alone Series.  The facebook group has been a great community builder, and now after reading for a year, I'm going to start writing.  They've got some great topics to share around so... here we go!

Morgan is hosting this week's link-up on the topic of:

We are back! As we get into the swing of things with NAS, what other ways can we be more involved at church or in our communities? Is there a  ministry you have been wanting to help with or start up? What about that after school program for homeless kids? Has something been preventing you from getting involved? How do you think this will help you personally, spiritually, and emotionally?

Since moving to Charlotte I've been in search of a good young adult group.  I tried out a few at a bunch of different parishes and think after 5 years I found a pretty stable one.  However, these things seem to change with the moving tides as single people get married or married couples start having children.  The individual needs change and then the dynamics of the group change.  It's hard because by definition young adults are in a period of change.

I know that I need an opportunity to get together, talk about faith issues, have opportunities to do community service, and just have fun with other great Catholics.

So last June I took my roommate with me to a meeting of the St. Peter's Spirituality Group.  It was a great evening - I knew a lot of people from the retreat and met plenty of new people as well.  Over the course of the last year, it's been a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, study the upcoming Sunday Mass readings, and find a spot to fit in the Catholic World in Charlotte.

In the Spring there were some rocky times, so the roommate and I talked with the Young Adult Ministry leader and decided we would help lead all of the Spirituality Group Meetings.  Then the roommate went and moved to Chicago so I've been leading each time.  It's good to have a regular event where I can meet new people and discuss the faith.

It took me a long time to find an opportunity to meet great friends in Charlotte.  Now that I have them (in addition to the Spirituality Group members), I feel much more at home in my city.  It gives me some roots to hold on to and a reason to stay around for a while (well them and the house I just purchased!).


A quick house update: floors have been picked out, paint colors are decided on (although can't decide between those two bottom colors for my bathroom), and plumbing issues have all been addressed.

Betsy Ross House Blue for the living room, Urban Sunrise for the hallway, and Spun Honey for the Dining Room and eventually the kitchen when I get around to painting it and redoing the cabinets.  The floors will be different from that - a lot darker with a solid walnut floor covering the entire downstairs including the places with tile before (half-bath, kitchen, and entry way).  And then to choose the color for the half-bath - Morning Sunrise or Pink Burst.  I figure it's a good way to do a bold room - and if it's awful, you can always close the door!  Let me know your thoughts in the comments!


Finally - read the other NAS ladies over at Morgan's this week!