Journeys and Signs!

My beginning endeavour into Freemaosnry feels somewhat like starting a long road trip. First there is a certain amount of planning and preparation prior to starting out down the road, and this journey of mine is no different. I spent time researching and learning what I could about my local Lodges, as well as info from other juresdictions, articles on Anti-Freemasonry, videos made by Masons. I almost purchased a copy of my Province's constitution I found in a used book store.

I am unrelenting in my pursuit of knowledge, but what I have found is almost too much information, and I have to take a break and decompress a bit. I even thought about going down to my local Lodge the other night and introducing myself, but remembered what the Secretary had told me about the speed at which the Lodge moves at, and I resigned myself to waiting for the next contact. Although I feel prepared for the journey about to begin, it almost feels like I have to manouver through a gauntlet of check points and guards to check my rediness for the road ahead. I am ready to put the foot to the floor, but I notice to speed limit is set much lower!

Although not even initiated I already have noticed my day to day dealings are starting to be tempered with a new sense of purpose and outlook for the future. Why can't all men whether affiliated or not treat each other with brotherly affection, truth, and equality? Does it mean you will have to bite your tongue at times? Yes. Does it mean you will have to extend you hand to a man who doesn't deserve it? Yes. Does it mean you will have to be truthful to be sincere? Yes.

I want to live this way regardless of the fact that I am a Mason or not. To be a Mason, I suppose is to hold these values close to heart, and defend them utterly! What a wonderful obligation!



Ever notice that things that appeared all over the place no seem to disapppear when you start looking for them. I swear I saw compass and squares on about every second car prior to my reaching out, but I haven't seen but one since. It was a Shriner ensignia on a moped carried by a van as I sped down the highway on the way to work. I am especially trying to find them in and around the city I live in hoping to 'bump' into a local Lodge member and at least get my face in a few heads before I actually get to Lodge. Just seems like on of those weird things in life, like how you are more apt to notice a vehicle if it is the same make and model of your own. It can be difficult to find people to trust, to talk to about my feelings. It would be great if I could find myself a local Mason to bounce my feelings and ideas off of.

Love your wife!

First off, Happy Mother's Day! My mom after hearing of my intention to join Freemasonry, called me and reminded me that her father had been a Knight of Pythias, my grandma and she were both involved their respective orders within KP, and that my step-fathers dad was a Mason. It's kind of funny how when you start some dialogue about Freemason's and suddenly they start popping out of the woodwork.

My wife has not always had the most positive opinion of the Freemasons. Her ex's father was one and her opinion of him is less than positive to say the least, and it generated some fairly heated discussions about my reasons for looking in to joining Freemasonry! At one point it seemed she was so against the idea that I may have to call and withdraw my request. But after many debate filled nights and tense feelings my lovely wife came to me yesterday morning, with her eyes still wet from tears. 'Whats up I asked', to which she replied 'I am going to support you 100% to be a Freemason'.

I sometimes forget that my wife knows me better than anyone else alive. We have been married for 9 years now and she is the the best woman I could ever hope for. She is the direction for my strength and focus and I could not imagine life with out her. I am a better man for knowing her and I hope I can be a better man for her!

Patience is the Key!

After contacting the Grand Secretary yesterday I am feeling a bit more relaxed. He mentioned a few things which make me feel more positive about my chances of gaining entrance to this brotherhood of men.

He made mention of my enthusiasm a few times, as well as the need for younger members like my self. He managed to get it into one metaphor which stuck in my head, 'We don't let fish off the hook.' He also mentioned that he has forwarded my info to the Secretary in my jurisdiction, but the due to the nature of the way information is handled it may be longer than I expect for contact from a lodge in my city! I guess with the average age of most masons the computer and electronic communication isn't the most used tool in their shop! I know that one lodge met in my city last night, I hope my interest was at least noted during the evening but who really knows? If it was, hopefully I get to attend some social events over the summer and meet some of the local Lodge members.

Closing this entry off, I am looking forward to the fall and as it approaches I am going to keep my eyes open for Freemasons and hopefully find out why they chose the Craft for themselves. This leads me to a question for Masons who end up reading this one day: Why did you join Freemasonry?

I don't even know if I will be accepted...

This could be one of the shortest blogs in history. I started my journey towards being a freemason a couple of nights ago. I got off work late and after literally years of wondering if the Craft was something I truly wanted to participate in came to its final answer as I typed out an e-mail requesting contact and admission. The reply came the next morning, it was like opening a present. I knew the information would be fairly generic, but at the same time it was still exciting to see the reply come so quickly. I may not be accepted, and thus will end this blog quickly, but if I am accepted I hope to leave a record of my thoughts and hopefully hear some accepted Freemasons, and anyone else who cares to read these lines.

I started this blog as a kind of sounding board for myself, and hopefully a connection with other men who seek out the Freemasons. I found a blog here http://horseshoesandhandgrenades.wordpress.com/masonic-contents-of-blog/ that was really well done but it seems the author has not updated it in over a year. Reading some of his earlier posts, I find the same feelings, excitement and nervousness!

Now that I have forwarded my contact information to the Provicial Grand Secretary I wait like a patient school girl for the next phone call or e-mail!KSL007309111