[rustybones49801]

Non accusatory, polite, repentant, admittance of your past and not denying responsibility for your past actions, progression of education and apparent maturity...... seems you have come a long way Ben, petition again, be honest and forthcoming in your answers. I wish you the best of luck, and may one day call you Brother.

[Rich]

Ben, I wish you the best of luck. I am 33 years old and had a sort of an "unrefined" past to say the least.....lol. Don't let that polished way of me putting it, make you think I was in any way saying that what I did was somehow "better". Wrong is wrong. And just like I'm willing to bet ,you feel some shame. Am I right? Me too. I feel ashamed. Well guess what? The fact that we feel shame for what we did shows that we now know that what we did was wrong. Next month before we shut down for the summer ,I will become a Master Mason. Reading your posts made me remember my feelings while I was under review. I can honestly say....I know exactly what you are feeling. Now I find myself wanting to overcompensate for my wrongs. I made my goal to be the best Man, Brother, Father and Husband ,friend and fellow man that I could possibly be. Remember Ben....we are humans. We were designed to make mistakes. I really feel for you. I been there. Hold your head up High and remember....we all make mistakes. My beleif, ...We shouldn't use the laws created by man as a tool to gauge moral character. PLease do keep us all posted. I sincerely wish you the best.

[bdsbjmin]

Hello Fellows,

Just a long awaited update. One of the gentlemen who initially interviewed me will be bringing me a new application soon, he is enthusiastic and willing to be the first signer. Then of course the ball will be moving. The interview will be next. It has been many years now since I chose to make the poor decisions that brought a dark cloud and justifiable question of my character. The good news with this attempt is that I have a colleague, a mason in good standing, who has expressed willingness to attend the vote and speak on my behalf to those in attendance. I will keep you updated as the process unfolds.

Thank you again for the time and encouragement you have offered me.

Kind regards, Benjamin Shelley

[Ashlar2006]

That's great Ben and best of luck and do keep us informed .

[BG_TRBL]

Terrific to hear, I hope all goes well for you, and please keep us informed of the results. Good luck to you.