My Conversion Story Journal

August 4, 2023

Jews believe that your soul leaves your body at night to be closer to God and is renewed by God each night. Many times God fulfills my needs through my dreams. When I am on the elliptical concentrated in prayer and when I am at my bedside pouring my heart out to God, I can feel his presence, his gentle touch on my head or shoulder to let me know that he there. However, when I wake in the morning, oftentimes I have so much to thank for God for before I even open my eyes. While he is giving my soul rest, he gives my brain what it needs to make it through another day or week. If you think I am expressive or exaggerative in my writing, which I have heard, imagine being in this mind at all times. If I need joy, he gives me a memory, laughter, or fulfills a wish. If I need creativity, he gives me a dream filled with color and nothing that makes sense or is in reality. If I need a sense of safety, I have a nightmare where I am running for my life and wake up to a quiet room, birds chirping outside my window, and kitty cuddles. If I need comfort, I am held and wake with the feeling of being loved and the words, "Thank you for this, Lord" still echoing in my mind. I wake comforted, safe, full of joy, at peace, and so blessed.

Today I prepare for Shabbat which starts at sundown. That means finishing cleaning the house, round two of making challah, cooking two dinners, making sure lights are on, dishes are done, sabbath table set (counter for me). Then I get the privilege of lighting the candles and welcoming God into my home. There is no other way to describe Shabbat than magical.

Easy Hebrew Method (Unit 3) $75

$290 + $75 = $365 (total spent learning Hebrew)

I have learned multiple languages in my lifetime. I am native to English (though my spelling may not show it), I took multiple years of French, I have studied Spanish for a couple of years, and now I am learning Hebrew. Of all the languages I have learned and spoken, Hebrew is by far my favorite. It is a beautiful language that I immensely enjoy hearing, reading, and speaking, and I look forward to writing in it in the future.

Shabbat Shalom