who I am.

My parents took me to church when I was growing up.  I think they were growing up in their faith as I grew.  I prayed a prayer to accept Jesus as my Savior the day I learned to tie my shoes.  I raised my hand in Children's Church when I was 10 and the question asked, "Who hasn't been baptized?"  I went to the baptism classes and was baptized.  But I didn't live for Christ.  I lived in guilt.  I lived sinning, enjoying my sin, and then feeling guilty about it for years.  One day, God really opened my eyes to see how separated I was from Him.  How hopeless I was.  That's when He reoriented my life.  He turned me away from that life and gave me a new life.  He gave me joy, hope, peace, love, completeness.  My life has never been the same.  My life hasn't been easy, but it's been full.  I am excited and nervous about what lies ahead, but I know with Christ, I will thrive.