I was raised in a Nazarene family and dedicated when I was two weeks old in a Nazarene Church. My mother was a wonderful godly example and always took me to church whenever the doors were open. My mother played the largest role in my coming to Christ. I was also involved in children's quizzing at the time and learning more about God and the Bible. When I was 8 years old, I knelt with my mother and asked Jesus into my heart.

My relationship with the Lord kept me relatively steady as I was growing up. But I lacked a true and deep commitment to him. I knew he was my Savior, but I also knew I did things to grieve him and I would feel a tremendous sense of guilt knowing he wanted more from me. More than I was willing to give up.

In 1988, when I was pregnant with my first child Jordan, my heart was especially heavy. Here I was at a time in my life when everything was wonderful. I had what I had wanted all my life, to be a wife and a mother. A time that was supposed to be the most joyous and yet I was afraid, fearful and burdened.

One morning, I was driving to work, ( I can remember exactly where I was on the road, in front of a church. ), I cried out to God from the depths of my soul and surrendered my all to him. I can still remember how I felt, like it was yesterday. The day got brighter and my load was lighter. It was like I was in a pit and Jesus reached down and pulled me out! There are not many words to describe that experience for me, except maybe awesome or supernatural!

It's been almost 14 years since that day. What have I learned in all those years? Well, I've learned that I have a lot more to learn. I've learned that I have to take one day at a time and daily commit my life to him. I've learned that when he is molding and shaping you, to make you grow, that it can be painful and hard. But, I picture Jesus coming to me and putting his arms around me and telling me, "I know that it is hard and I do love you just the way you are, but I love you too much to let you stay that way." I know his grace is sufficient, his love is endless, and no matter what each day holds he will never leave me, nor forsake me. When my life is through and the final chapter of my story is written, I will see my Jesus' face to face and he will take me in his arms and say, "Welcome home my child!" But that is another story.