And then there's me...

Hello to you all, ladies!

My name is Katie. You can find my blog at songofasunflower.blogspot.com

(The link on the side of this blog connects you to my teaching blog, so use this one above!)

I am 25, a schoolteacher, and a practicing Catholic. My faith became important to me at 15, when friends invited me to attend a Non-Denominational youth group. There, I became motivated to learn more about a Savior -- who loved me with a zealous love. The youth group was my launching pad, but shortly after beginning to attend regularly, I often received comments from both the youth group leaders and members that Catholics weren't Christians, and although I didn't know my Catholic upbringing well enough to refute that, it challenged me to find out more about the Catholic Church. Miraculously, later that year, the Catholic parish my family attended FINALLY got a youth minister and started a youth group when I was 16. I never really attended the Catholic youth group because I started working at 16, but I did have an incredible Confirmation experience -- a testament to the wonderful youth minister who led Confirmation, and I really became passionate about my faith at that point.

I'm excited about this book club, because, I find myself alone in my Catholic faith. I have many friends who are Protestant, and love that we share the same values, but really don't seem to meet many Catholics my age who are practicing their faith...and I think that's a shame!

Feminism is something, that, in my life, was felt but not heard. My mom exemplified old-fashioned, ladylike behavior and served her family as a stay-at-home wife and mother. But, there have always been expectations that were encouraged from the outside: mostly, that women should be self-sufficient financially and emotionally, and that all men suck. (Okay, maybe that last one is a stretch!) I've always blindly followed the directive that feminism was a valiant movement for the equal rights of women, but it has to be said that feminism has similarly corrupted the values of chivalry, respect, and honor towards women. I recently finished the book, Captivating, by John and Staci Eldredge, a book that suggested that the feminine soul has been neglected by the push for modern feminism. I think that Feminism is Not the Story of My Life will most likely compliment Captivating, and reveal new ways to grow toward the life God has called me to lead.