To JayneK, I would say this; many of the things we do, the sins and poor choices we have made out of poor formation and ignorance, once we have converted or recovered ourselves, can and will be used for our sanctification. Just as Our Lord's ugly wounds now shine and glow with the beauty of rare Jєωels, so will those things we have repented of. Our Lord said, "I make all things new" and He also said "My yoke is sweet and My burden light." While sometimes our past tempts us to despair and be sluggish, if we have truly repented, the memory of those things we are now ashamed of will prevent that most pernicious poison, pride, and once overcome will actually be a source of glory in Heaven.  

Finally, I know a person very well (not myself) who converted as an adult and learned more about the Faith in a few years than most of the cradle Catholics know after a lifetime. It is all about desire. Often it has been said that when the Jєωs convert, they will be the best Catholics. Many of our greatest saints had Jєωιѕн ancestry. They are people of great desire, and once it is focused on God...watch out.  :wink: