In My Early Steps of Becoming a Mason - Page 3

**BG_TRBL** · 09-22-2009, 10:04 PM

Yes, and if it weren't a 2 1/2 hour trip for me, I would take a jaunt out to see you get your 1st degree. I always enjoy visiting other lodges. It's just tough to go that distance, and then get up for work at 4:30am.

kcraig1011 · 09-28-2009, 01:01 PM

Understandable. I am very excited to receive my initiation. I intend to become as active as possible. I just hope my schedule allows me to be as active as I would like. This year has been extremely busy for me, but I am expecting everything to slow down by the end of November. It just seems that as I get older and want more time to pursue my passions, the more obligations come around and I am left falling behind on my hobbies. This year alone, I went through the process of single-handedly completing paperwork and evidence to have my wife's Permanent Residency granted, learned a new job, earned another insurance license, planned part two of my wedding (last years was a civil wedding in a courthouse, this year is the religious ceremony), began learning Romanian, and drove my wife to her work and new job interviews every morning until she got her license a month ago. Oh yeah, we also had to get all the documentation together to have all of her family granted visas to come to the wedding. I feel like I can be an immigration lawyer after all of this paperwork and research. We also just bought a house and a car within the last two months. As you can see, this year has been like 5 years of work packed into 9 months. But all is well, and after October's wedding ceremony, I should have a few months to finally relax and learn my degree work. We will see if my plans actually work out.

Is there any time limits on how quickly one can earn a higher degree? I am a quick learner, and would like to learn as much as possible while my life is relatively calm. You never know when the wife will decide she wants little ones. Yikes!

Ashlar2006 · 09-29-2009, 12:33 PM

In my jurisdiction one must wait one lunar month between degrees , as long as the candidate passes his proficiency . I do not know if this holds true in PA so BG_TRBL can give you the answer . I pretty sure it is , but it is not my place to answer for another Grand Lodge Jurisdiction .

**BG_TRBL** · 09-30-2009, 04:05 PM

We utilize the 1 masonic month premise in PA, which is actually (as I have been told) 30 days minimum between degree's, this makes it interesting if giving a degree in Feburary. Anyhow, degree's are normally set up as 1 per month over 3 months, however, if you request / require more time between degree's it would most certainly be granted. The quickest is 1 month, unless a special dispensation is granted by the Grand Lodge.

kcraig1011 · 10-16-2009, 11:47 AM

Good Morning, Brothers. I am overjoyed to be able to call all of you Brothers after last night, as I was initiated and accepted as an Entered Apprentice. The experience was certainly one to remember for the rest of my life, and exceeded my expectations. I expected it to be interesting, but it was much more than I had imagined. I will be taking my FC proficiency examination on November 18th. I will be working closely with my instructor between now and then to ensure that I am fully prepared for it. I want to thank all of you who have helped me to this point, and I look forward to learning more. Take care.

Ashlar2006 · 10-16-2009, 01:41 PM

Outstanding and congrats .

kcraig1011 · 11-17-2009, 03:22 PM

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Please wish me luck as I prepare to take my first proficiency test tomorrow evening. If you have any advice for me as I prepare, I will be happy to hear it. Thank you very much.

Ashlar2006 · 11-17-2009, 04:12 PM

Best of luck , I'm sure you will do fine !

**BG_TRBL** · 11-17-2009, 09:20 PM

I'm sure and have no doubt that if you were participating and mentored, you will have no trouble passing your proficiency. Good luck anyhow, and enjoy the steps you are taking.

scooterstrats · 11-18-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcraig1011

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Please wish me luck as I prepare to take my first proficiency test tomorrow evening. If you have any advice for me as I prepare, I will be happy to hear it. Thank you very much.

And to jump into this post late in the game, welcome and enjoy the degree ! Also, as you said you were moving to the South Hills area and may want a closer lodge, try Lafayette #652 in Carnegie. I would be happy to answer anything I can as to Pittsburgh area activities. Again, enjoy !

Scott Stetzer MM
#652 Carnegie Pa.

09-22-2009, 10:04 PM	#21
BG_TRBL Watcher of the posts Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: #232 Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,124 Lodge: LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232	Yes, and if it weren't a 2 1/2 hour trip for me, I would take a jaunt out to see you get your 1st degree. I always enjoy visiting other lodges. It's just tough to go that distance, and then get up for work at 4:30am. __________________ P.M. LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232 P.H.P. Lafayette Chapter #163 Sir Knight (Hospitallier Commandry) Prophet (Zafar Grotto) Freemasonry may be traced by history and tradition, ...it is only necessary to refer to the information presented to you in a general manner. Information considered "secret" to mason's will NOT be divulged. Seek and ye shall find, Ask and it will be given you, Type and it will be posted (and most likely, answered).

09-28-2009, 01:01 PM	#22
kcraig1011 32° Scottish Rite Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 34 Lodge: North Hills Lodge No. 716	Understandable. I am very excited to receive my initiation. I intend to become as active as possible. I just hope my schedule allows me to be as active as I would like. This year has been extremely busy for me, but I am expecting everything to slow down by the end of November. It just seems that as I get older and want more time to pursue my passions, the more obligations come around and I am left falling behind on my hobbies. This year alone, I went through the process of single-handedly completing paperwork and evidence to have my wife's Permanent Residency granted, learned a new job, earned another insurance license, planned part two of my wedding (last years was a civil wedding in a courthouse, this year is the religious ceremony), began learning Romanian, and drove my wife to her work and new job interviews every morning until she got her license a month ago. Oh yeah, we also had to get all the documentation together to have all of her family granted visas to come to the wedding. I feel like I can be an immigration lawyer after all of this paperwork and research. We also just bought a house and a car within the last two months. As you can see, this year has been like 5 years of work packed into 9 months. But all is well, and after October's wedding ceremony, I should have a few months to finally relax and learn my degree work. We will see if my plans actually work out. Is there any time limits on how quickly one can earn a higher degree? I am a quick learner, and would like to learn as much as possible while my life is relatively calm. You never know when the wife will decide she wants little ones. Yikes! __________________ "Live each day prepared to die, and die as a man prepared to live forever." - Allen E. Roberts

09-29-2009, 12:33 PM	#23
Ashlar2006 Masonic Mafia Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ky Posts: 4,163 Lodge: Blog Entries: 3	In my jurisdiction one must wait one lunar month between degrees , as long as the candidate passes his proficiency . I do not know if this holds true in PA so BG_TRBL can give you the answer . I pretty sure it is , but it is not my place to answer for another Grand Lodge Jurisdiction . __________________ It is such a beautiful day , now watch some idiot screw it up !!!

09-30-2009, 04:05 PM	#24
BG_TRBL Watcher of the posts Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: #232 Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,124 Lodge: LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232	We utilize the 1 masonic month premise in PA, which is actually (as I have been told) 30 days minimum between degree's, this makes it interesting if giving a degree in Feburary. Anyhow, degree's are normally set up as 1 per month over 3 months, however, if you request / require more time between degree's it would most certainly be granted. The quickest is 1 month, unless a special dispensation is granted by the Grand Lodge. __________________ P.M. LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232 P.H.P. Lafayette Chapter #163 Sir Knight (Hospitallier Commandry) Prophet (Zafar Grotto) Freemasonry may be traced by history and tradition, ...it is only necessary to refer to the information presented to you in a general manner. Information considered "secret" to mason's will NOT be divulged. Seek and ye shall find, Ask and it will be given you, Type and it will be posted (and most likely, answered).

10-16-2009, 11:47 AM	#25
kcraig1011 32° Scottish Rite Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 34 Lodge: North Hills Lodge No. 716	Last Night's Initiation Good Morning, Brothers. I am overjoyed to be able to call all of you Brothers after last night, as I was initiated and accepted as an Entered Apprentice. The experience was certainly one to remember for the rest of my life, and exceeded my expectations. I expected it to be interesting, but it was much more than I had imagined. I will be taking my FC proficiency examination on November 18th. I will be working closely with my instructor between now and then to ensure that I am fully prepared for it. I want to thank all of you who have helped me to this point, and I look forward to learning more. Take care. __________________ "Live each day prepared to die, and die as a man prepared to live forever." - Allen E. Roberts

10-16-2009, 01:41 PM	#26
Ashlar2006 Masonic Mafia Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ky Posts: 4,163 Lodge: Blog Entries: 3	Outstanding and congrats . __________________ It is such a beautiful day , now watch some idiot screw it up !!!

11-17-2009, 03:22 PM	#27
kcraig1011 32° Scottish Rite Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 34 Lodge: North Hills Lodge No. 716	FC Proficiency Test Tomorrow Good Afternoon Everyone, Please wish me luck as I prepare to take my first proficiency test tomorrow evening. If you have any advice for me as I prepare, I will be happy to hear it. Thank you very much. __________________ "Live each day prepared to die, and die as a man prepared to live forever." - Allen E. Roberts

11-17-2009, 04:12 PM	#28
Ashlar2006 Masonic Mafia Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ky Posts: 4,163 Lodge: Blog Entries: 3	Best of luck , I'm sure you will do fine ! __________________ It is such a beautiful day , now watch some idiot screw it up !!!

11-17-2009, 09:20 PM	#29
BG_TRBL Watcher of the posts Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: #232 Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,124 Lodge: LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232	I'm sure and have no doubt that if you were participating and mentored, you will have no trouble passing your proficiency. Good luck anyhow, and enjoy the steps you are taking. __________________ P.M. LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232 P.H.P. Lafayette Chapter #163 Sir Knight (Hospitallier Commandry) Prophet (Zafar Grotto) Freemasonry may be traced by history and tradition, ...it is only necessary to refer to the information presented to you in a general manner. Information considered "secret" to mason's will NOT be divulged. Seek and ye shall find, Ask and it will be given you, Type and it will be posted (and most likely, answered).

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