I did not grow up in a Christian family. From the time I could walk and talk until I was about 15 years old, all I knew about Christmas was that it was a time for my father's family to party and get drunk. All the while though through the years, my maternal grandmother was steadily sending me letters from Louisiana telling me that Jesus Christ would cleanse me from my sins and save me. Who me? I didn't understand. I didn't know what I needed to be saved from. After all, I was a good kid and didn't get into trouble at school or anywhere else. I had no idea what she was talking about until I was 15 years old when a friend invited me to Sixth Avenue Church of God. 

So…at age 15, I began attending youth functions and soon became part of a very loving church family. Finally, I fit somewhere! However, I did not grasp the full meaning of salvation until I attended youth camp in at age 16. It was there at an old altar outside…under the stars…that I gave my whole life to God. I asked for forgiveness for my sins and for His cleansing. I asked Him to wash me white as snow and to help me to walk in the way that HE would have me walk…to follow HIS will, not my own. I understood what it meant! I immediately felt a burden lift and knew the true meaning of salvation.   

Since that time, even though I have been through many struggles, one of which was a terrible divorce after 19 years of marriage (not by my choice), God has been my stronghold. I was also physically sick at the time of the divorce and consequently, lost my job. But God never let my kids or me go hungry during that time. We were able to keep our home and were never without anything that we needed. God never left my side. He carried me through that "storm" in my life and in all honesty, I felt His presence stronger than ever before during that time. I know He will never leave me, nor forsake me. I trust Him with all of my being and I cannot thank Him enough for the wisdom, love, strength, peace, and forgiving spirit that He has instilled in me. I will never again live my life without Him. Jesus never fails!