When I was little I never really "grew up in the church". When I was little our neighbor would take me to church with her, and then as a pre-teen/teenager I would attend a church with my dad, step-mom and siblings. However, during that season of my life I was going through many changes, and never focused on God. I couldn't understand what was going on back then but looking back I can see that it has molded me into who I am today. When I was a teenager I was walking lost, didn't know who to turn to, who to talk to, and chose to make some really poor decisions. I graduated high school in June 1998, in August I joined the Army Reserves, and on November 4, 1998 I left for basic training.
During my training in South Carolina I met a wonderful man who has now become my husband. We met in March 1999 and were married August 1999. It was a very short time that we knew each other, and we only really dated for four weeks before he had to leave for Fort Hood, TX. We had a long distance relationship from the end of April to the day we were married. I know many people thought we weren't going to last due to the short time we knew each other, but we have! Trust me we had our moments, we have gone through many tribulations and trials but eventually we let God have control.
Now living in TX at the ripe ol age of 19 and enjoying being a newlywed, my husband ends up deploying to Bosnia and left March 1, 2000, only seven months after our wedding. March 31, 2000 is the day that changed our entire life. I found out I was pregnant. When I went in for my first appointment, I found out I was two months pregnant, and we had no idea before the hubby left. I remember that drive home, I was so scared, sad, and in total disbelief. I couldn't believe I was going to have a baby, I who never thought she wanted children, was going to have a baby. The moments before I found out I was pregnant I was unsure about having children because I felt I would be a horrible mom, I did not want my children to grow like I did. I was very fearful!!! However, I grew up and I grew up fast.
My hubby returns from deployment one month before we had our beautiful daughter. Our daughter Kaitlyn, was born Dec 6, 2000 and both sets of my parents came to visit (at different times). One moment stands out in my mind and that is when my mom and step-dad (who had already turned their life to Christ), hubby and I were watching the movie "Left Behind". When the movie was over my mom told me "you know if Christ came tonight, Kaitlyn would go and you would stay behind". WOW!!! To this day I remember the feelings I had after that comment. I loved this little girl more than life itself, and I did not want to be without her, plus I had the whole hormones soaring, and all I wanted to do was cry.
Fast forward to Feb 2004, and now we are stationed in Minnesota but are now about to leave for our new duty station in England. During this time I am now 4 months pregnant with our son, and I have returned from my deployment six months earlier. My daughter loved the daycare center she was in, we loved it also, it was two floors below where my hubby worked and across the street from my Reserve center. We decided to let Kaitlyn stay in the center until we left, and I was working at my unit, and that is when it happened.
My husband, and I had started going to church when we first moved to Minnesota but after my deployment we had really gotten heavy into church and the Bible. I could feel God really working in me, it was just up to me to "knock on the door". While I was working one day I felt this HUGE desire to just fall on the ground and praise God. Something was happening to me and I was not sure what it was. There was Major who was sitting next to me, and he asked if I was okay. I said "yes sir" "why do you ask, sir". He replies "all of a sudden you became very pale". I told him what was going on, and of course God knew what He was doing because the Major sitting next to me was a born again Christian. When I told the Major what was going on and how this HUGE desire to follow God came over me, he tells me "it is time". I asked him "sir, what do you mean it is time?" He goes on to tell me that God is calling me because I am now ready to follow Jesus and that feeling was the Holy Spirit working within me. HOLY COW!!! WHAT?!?!?!?!
So that night in February 2004 I went before my church, four months pregnant, asking for Forgiveness from my God. It was the most moving and humbling experience I have ever experienced but the best experience I could ever go through. So, I went from a child/teenager walking lost to a mother who is now in the palace and I do not plan on leaving. I proud of who I am, and I use to be sad for my past but like Luke 9:62 says "No one who puts his hand on the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." I prayed to God to help me overcome my past, and He has.
God has delivered me, and my chains are gone!!!
***I took this photo at the Creation Museum in Kentucky, and it is Adam & Eve walking with God***
This post is linked up with Heavenly Homemakers.
What a testimony! I'm glad you are sharing it. There is someone out there who needed to read/hear this.
ReplyDeleteI am still in tears...of joy, of course. What a beautiful and truthful testimony. I thank you so much for sharing your heart and your story as to how God has worked in your life and His pursuit for you. May God bless you and your family always.
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies! I am glad I chose to share it but there also were some rough moments writting it, but all the Glory goes to GOD! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing. God is good, all the time! He's got you in His grip, too!
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