An Interesting Weekend

I fully expected that today would be my "coming out" day, that today Sabrina and Jackie and my church would find out that I have adopted Islam as my way of life. But, as things turned out, rains came down from the heavens today and gave me a migraine (along with the fact that I got only about 3 hours of sleep last night which probably contributed to the headache) so I was given a reprieve from facing the people I know and love most and explaining to them what has happened to me. I have begun to say my prayers now. I feel more like a true Muslim. I am using the information sheets that Lyana sent me, but I put them on index cards so it would be easier for me to use.
I had intended to go to services last night but Sabrina called just as I was about to leave and wanted to stop over with the girls who were returning from Austin and their trip to UT-Austin. Apparently one of the girls had great need of my facilities, so I knew that was important so I waited for them to arrive. However, half an hour later, Sabrina was still waiting for the bus to arrive, and then another half hour later, she called and said the girls had said they could wait until they got home. I was a bit annoyed, considering that Sabrina does have a key to my house and could have let herself and the girls in--I didn't have to be here--but I still think I did the right thing. John would tell me differently, I think, but I think I wanted to show them that they come first in my life, and I would do almost anything for them.
I had a wonderful experience at the masjid on Friday at prayers and then at the program later in the evening, The teacher from Austin spoke about patience, and about learning patience from things we like by using them in modernation and those we don't like by doing them and not avoiding them. There was a very poignant moment when he spoke about how many of the people had left their homelands with beautiful cities and nice climates and fresh, cool water to come to a strange land with strange customs and unbearable heat and salty water. And. I thought, persecution. The land of the free--not exactly. But it helped them learn patience. Maybe that's why AH is so patient with us in Arabic class. It brought me to tears to think about it, especially since today is election day in Iraq. Will the terror never stop?
NP found me on FB today. I was so glad to see her ask me for a friend. It will be a good way to message and talk about my journey of faith. I don't know what mosque she attends, but I know I have people praying for me. I feel a little sad that I have not heard from MM at Fairhaven about the class. I really would like to attend some classes or study, but the masjid doesn't have many opportunities for study. And it is a strict Shi'a sect, and I don't want to learn something wrong. But I want to study. What to do?
My need to learn and study always will get me into trouble, for sure!