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My Conversion Experience

As part of the training in going through a program learning how to explain to people why I believe what I believe, we had to create and put in writing our conversion experiences. This experience of writing was no different than any other that I have had in that the first rough draft was awful, and it got better and better the more I redid it. See for yourself!

FIRST VERSION

I was a good child, I usually did what my parents wanted me to, I didn't go out looking for trouble. But I felt unfulfilled, unchallenged and bored. We went to mass every week, but I wasn't getting anything out of it except for a list of "don'ts".

I drifted through life, with no real goals, except to fly Navy jet fighters. Once I completed the training and was 'knighted', I felt empty, with little to look forward to. The achievement of that dream was not as fulfilling as expected.

Then I received the gift of eternal life.

Eternal life has been very exciting. I know that there is purpose in everything that I do or experience, and that I feel proud of it. I don't know exactly what is going to happen next in my life, but I know now that I am ready for it, and excited about tomorrow.

I enjoyed going through flight training, because I felt I was being 'honed' to a finer edge throughout the program. Once I received eternal life, I realized that my whole life has been and still is that kind of experience of training and growth. Not learning a temporary skill, like how to use a military jet, but something much longer lasting than that.

SECOND VERSION

As a child, I was very active. I did a lot of things. Still I felt unfulfilled and unchallenged. Oh we went to Mass every week, but all I seemed to get out of it was a desire to sing with the choir so it would go faster. Even when I completed Navy flight training, and was later qualified to fly the F-14 fighter, I felt an emotional letdown that day. The achievement was not as fulfilling as I expected.

Then at a self-improvement seminar in Washington D. C., I received the gift of eternal life after listening to one of the speakers.

Since receiving eternal life, I have seen myself becoming somebody I can be more comfortable with each day. I no longer look upon my achievements as the reason for living. I am confident about tomorrow, and at peace inside. I'm not trying to prove myself or to impress others anymore. I've learned what a true friend is, and how long they last. And I've even found a few I can really appreciate and cherish.

Third Version

Before I received eternal life, I was very active. I did a lot of things. Still I felt unfulfilled and unchallenged. Oh, we went to Mass every week, but all I seemed to get out of it was a desire to sing with the choir so it would go faster. Even when I completed Navy flight training, I felt an emotional letdown. The achievement wasn't as fulfilling as expected.

Then at a seminar in Washington D. C., I received eternal life.

Since receiving eternal life, I no longer look upon my achievements as the reason for living. I'm not trying to prove myself or to impress others anymore. I have seen myself becoming somebody I can be more comfortable with each day. Being confident about tomorrow, and at peace inside, I am much more relaxed, especially around people. I've learned what a true friend is, and have found a few I can really appreciate and cherish.