As many people are aware, Roen is not my given name, it is my chosen name. Last week, I took the first several steps in making it my legal given name. I filed a petition for a name change downtown at the courthouse, went to the sheriff's office and got fingerprinted, then went to the state police headquarters and gave them a copy of the petition and my fingerprints, which they will compare to their databases and then forward on to the FBI for evaluation. When this is complete and my record is found to be clean, then a hearing will be scheduled for me to go before Judge Economy and tell him why I want to change my name and to convince him that I am not doing so to avoid debt or commit fraud in any way. Then, he grants the change and I proceed to change all of my legal documents.
I've been wanting to do this for years but it was my baptism that actually kicked me in the buns to do it. I was baptised under the name Roen. The name that everyone knows me as. My friends, my family, my synagogue, and even some people at work. So, I will keep you all updated as to the progress of my petition.

On another note, every year Congregation Shema Yisrael goes to the "Arts, Beats, and Eats Festival" in Pontiac, Michigan. They hand out tracts and talk to people about the Gospels and about Yeshua (Jesus). Rabbi Loren said that every year it is the same core group of people that go and this year, he wants to see some new faces. I thought about it alot, and finally could deny the calling I felt in my heart no longer. I emailed rabbi Glenn and told him that I would volunteer. Now.... some of you know that I have a very hard time in crowds of people. I get very paranoid and generally have a hard time. I don't usually look people in the eyes or go to the store by myself.. stuff like that... (gotta love schizophrenia)... anyway, I know I'm putting myself into the lion's den (as it were) by doing this. I'm going to have to reach out to people and talk to them.. I'm going to be criticized and possibly even verbally abused. I am aware of the ramifications of doing this... but yet... there's that calling in my heart. I pledged myself to God. To Yeshua. I promised to go where They want me to go and do what They want me to do. I truly feel I'm being asked to do this. Perhaps even possibly BECAUSE it puts me so far out of my safety range that it's a leap of faith. So.. He leads.. and I follow.
I talked to my pdoc about it and she said to take an extra Geodon that day and perhaps even a klonopin (like valium) if I am very nervous or stressed. I will also talk to Joel about it. I have a month to prepare myself for it and I will try to take small steps first... like going to the store by myself or maybe even to the mall. This could be a good thing for me.. and I always like to help people... this is helping them. So i'm going to focus on that. Shalom b'Shem Yeshua