DR. WALLACE: About a month ago, a boy asked me to go out with him. I see him at school every day, but I think he's avoiding me since I turned him down.

Well, I've changed my mind and now I'd like to go out with him. What should I do to let him know that I'd like to go out with him? — Nameless, Rochester, New York.

NAMELESS: Since he was once interested in going out with you, there's a good chance that he still is. He's already been rejected, so don't wait for him to ask you again because you might wait forever. Make his day by telling him that you'd like to ask him out this time. He'll be so surprised that he'll probably be very happy to go out with you. (That is, if he doesn't already have a new girlfriend.)

CHOOSE YOUR RELIGION

DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and dating a guy of another religious faith. I've gone to his services several times and like what I see and hear. I decided to embrace my boyfriend's religion now for two reasons. First, I like it, and second, if we do get married, I'll have a head start in understanding it.

My problem is that my parents are very into their religion and are furious at the thought of me deserting their faith and embracing another. What should I do? I really love my boyfriend. Even if we separated, I'd still change faiths. My parents are Baptists and my boyfriend is Catholic. — Nameless, Providence, R.I.

NAMELESS: While you certainly have the right to choose your own religious faith, you will encounter less resistance from your parents once you are 18 and on your own.

I advise you to approach the subject respectfully and tactfully because I am sure it will pain them to feel they are "losing" you to another religion. When you discuss this with them, point out the religious values you continue to share with them, even if you attend services at a different place of worship. Perhaps this will ease their anxiety.

YOUR LETTER WILL INSPIRE MANY

DR. WALLACE: I'm 20 and a very happy and fortunate individual. Fifteen months ago, I was busted for drunk driving and possession of marijuana. Instead of sending me to jail, the judge said he would put me on probation for a year if I enrolled in night school to finish my high school education and get my diploma. (I was only 3 credits short.)

I was also required to start attending a place of worship. Since jail wasn't an option I liked, I agreed to the judge's conditions. I fully intended to earn my diploma in that year, but dump the religious stuff the day my probation ended.

In the past 15 months I have earned my high school diploma, but more importantly, I am still attending the church I was required to attend, even though my probation ended three months ago. Since attending this church, my life has changed from being hectic and disorganized to being harmonious, organized and happy. The church members knew about my reason for attending, but they accepted me to a life of total sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous. I've learned to give all my problems to the Almighty and soon after my problems melt away.

Please print my letter. I want to share my new life with all the young people who read your column. — Mario, Nogales, Ariz.

MARIO: Thanks for contacting me. I'm sure your letter will be an inspiration to many of our readers. Instead of resenting your "punishment," you took it in the best possible way and became a better person. Congratulations on your new life!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.