Hey there--I hope you don't think it's too ironic that I'm replying to this post... seeing as how I'm originally from Maryland, my husband is in vaccine research, and I owe a lot of my health to Johns Hopkins! lol. I think I understand your situation in an opposite situation, if that makes sense. When I was in Idaho and Utah for school, I ran into a lot of people who are very different from me. I guess what I wanted to tell you was what I learned: simply because we are members of the same church does not mean we have anything else in common and that we'll be friends. I also think that you can find something in common with absolutely anyone if you try hard enough (if that's what you're concerned about). I think everyone has (or will) feel out of place at church for one reason or another. Just continue to be yourself and let people believe what they wish, and hopefully they'll respect you for your feelings as well.

Oh, and one other thing--other moms understand that you have two little ones and that you can't just drop everything and "hang out" with them all the time. That's not what being a friend is about. You have a life and responsbilities.

Good luck!

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