Growing up, my sister and I attended several different churches.  We went with our friends, or to neighborhood churches or other churches that we just wanted to try out.  Our parents believed we should get a good strong foundation in Christianity, and encouraged us to attend church.  We attended Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible Schools, but I never really met JESUS there - I just learned about Him.

It was while I was attending the Evangelical Free Church, and I had the opportunity to go to summer camp, that I finally met JESUS.

All week long we had our chapel services and devotion times and I began to come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  I was beginning to realize I was a lost sinner, headed for a Christless eternity in Hell.

Finally, on Friday evening, at our final campfire, I could no longer resist the pull of God.  When the invitation was given, I found myself going forward to accept JESUS as My Savior.

Although I cannot remember exactly how old I was at that time, I can remember the experience as if it just happened yesterday.  I can still picture in my mind that camp and surrounding area, and how I felt at the moment of my salvation.

Romans 3:10
"There is none righteous, no not one."

I wish I could say from that time on I grew in grace and knowledge of God, but I didn't.  I did continue to attend church as a teenager, not because I had to, but because I wanted to.  I really didn't learn much, I just went because I enjoyed being in God's House.

I married at 19 yrs. of age to a man that was not a Christian and who was not into "going to church."  As a result, I too quit going and really fell away from the Lord.  I became more and more like the world.  I was in my early 30's when we divorced and immediately I found myself back in church.  I knew it was where I needed to be and it was also where I wanted to be.

Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and
come short of the glory of God."

I married again a short time later, this time to a Christian man.  We started attending the Independent Baptist Church where I had been sending my boys to Sunday School.  I realized that JESUS was My Savior, but I had never made Him "My Lord."  As I rededicated my life to Him, I finally began to grow as a Christian.

Unfortunately, 20 yrs. later, that marriage also ended in divorce ... but as He always does, My Lord saw me through that difficult time in my life and it was through that that I really grew in the grace and knowledge of My Savior and My Lord.

Today, I am far from being the perfect Christian, but I am secure in my Salvation, have gained a lot of Biblical knowledge and continue to grow in the faith, especially through the trials and testings of My Lord.  I have learned that our biggest growth spurts usually happen in the valleys of our lives.  That is where JESUS not only walks with us but carries us.

As I look back over my life and where I have been, I can see the Lord's hand on me through everything - the good times and the bad, the happy times and the sad.  I THANK and PRAISE Him for where He has led me, because I know I would not be the woman I am today without His love and guidance.