FIVE

“When I was a little girl we never went to church as a family. My mom was Catholic and I only ever remember going to church with her one time in my entire life.

At the age of 5 years old, I went to Church all by myself. We lived in apartments when I was little. For years The local Baptist Churches would always visit and invite the kids to come to church on Saturdays. Then on Sundays they would come and pick up the kids up in a big school bus to go to church. I was Baptized several times in the different baptist Churches I attended as a young girl.

From a very young age I was seeking out Heavenly Father. I have always had a great desire to know him and to be part of something bigger than myself. I wanted more for my life than I have had and seen in my very young age. I knew even back then that Heavenly Father was my way out.

As a teenager I didn’t attend Church. But fortunately for me I had a great desire to be good. To not be like my surroundings. I had some very bad influences in my life. I was not perfect and made many mistakes. I was tempted by so many things and people. I was abused and mistreated by people I loved and trusted. But I still wanted to be better. I didn’t want to become what others in my life have become. I wanted more.

I met my now husband. He was good. He had a wonderful family. They were my first real experience of what a family was and should be. It was what I had always hoped for and fantasized to have someday. I was invited to Attend Church with them. I went with him and his family for several years. I was scared. I didn’t know how people would respond to my joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was the only one in my family who would be a member. I know how much I loved being part of this church. I knew I felt the warmth and affirmation that this was the one for me. But I was still worried and scared. Then late one night, my brother who always had a negative attitude about God, called me. When he asked me what I had been up to, I explained to him I had been attending a new church that I was excited about. I was nervous because I didn’t know how he would respond. After I told him it was The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints he immediately started to freak out. He told he how he had been going to church and how he has just finished meeting with the Missionaries from the exact same church! We were both stunned.

I know Heavenly Father had a huge hand in this great miracle. It gave me the strength I needed to finish the missionary meetings join the church. We both ended up marrying members. I’m Still active in Church today. My husband and both my boys are all members. Like most people I have wavered from time to time. I’ve done my best to raise my boys in the church and make Heavenly Father proud.”