I grew up in Corpus Christi, the youngest of three sisters. My family attended the Methodist Church sporadically, but I recall we never missed an Easter or Christmas service. I especially loved the Christmas Eve service & felt such a sense of love, peace, & wonder as we sang Silent Night as the cavernous sanctuary filled with candlelight. We lived next door to a Baptist preacher & his family, & I frequently played with the children. One day their mother was talking to me about the Bible & described, in a very scary manner, the end of the world. I was so frightened that I took my 6-year old self into their bathroom, got down on my knees, & asked Christ into my life. I became a frequent shopper at the Christian bookstore, & bought a little card with a picture of Jesus & John 3:16 on my dresser mirror. I remember being so proud when I memorized that verse.
When my parents were out of town, I would stay with my grandparents, who were devout Baptists. I really enjoyed going to church with them & singing all the classic, old-timey hymns. I felt much more at home there than in the more formal Methodist church. My sisters & I often commented about the “boring” music & “dry” sermons in our church, but since our parents were members, that’s where we went. I joined the youth group & attended regularly, but never felt really connected.
The summer before 9th grade, my friend invited me to go to her Baptist church’s camp. I loved everything about it! On the last day, we all gathered in a circle outside, & the pastor asked those who wanted to dedicate/recommit their life to Christ to step forward. I knew I was a Christian, but I felt compelled to recommit my life. However, I was scared to step forward, & was petrified to make a public admission. As I stood there frozen in place, I felt a gentle push, causing me to step forward. No one physically touched me–it was like an unseen force caused me to move. After that weekend, I was all-in for Christ, & started attending my friend’s church on a regular basis. Every Sunday morning, you’d find me at the the early service, sitting on the front row & taking copious notes as the pastor delved into the Bible.
Near the end of my senior year of high school, my oldest sister was dealing with health issues, & was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease. After two failed surgeries, she experienced a medical crisis & fell into a coma. A few days later, on her 29th birthday, we received the devastating news that there was nothing that could be done for her, & she would be in a vegetative state for the rest of her life. She was transferred to a facility in Corpus, & received round-the-clock care. That fall, I went off to A&M, & got plugged into a great Bible church. I participated in Bible studies in my dorm, & grew in my faith. I needed that foundation because 11 months after falling into a coma, my sister died. The verse “God is near to the brokenhearted…” rang so true to me during that difficult time.
Once I graduated I moved to Houston, but didn’t plug into a church. I visited friends’ churches, but never joined one. I remember having feelings of guilt & missing the connections I had had in school. My social life wasn’t suffering though, as I frequented the bars & nightclubs every weekend with friends. I felt very far away from the Lord, but didn’t do anything about it. I’m reminded of a saying, “If God feels far away, who moved?” I knew I was the one who moved, & needed to find my way back to him.
I floundered during most of my 20’s, & then met my future husband, Todd. After we got married, I moved to Santa Monica, CA to join Todd (who’d been working there for about a year). His friend invited us to visit his church, so we did. We had never heard of Vineyard Christian Fellowship, & were drawn in by the biblical teaching & “cool” worship music. I was so grateful for that little church when, nine months later, when we received some awful news. My dad had been diagnosed with cancer, & the prognosis was bad. The following Sunday, we were in church as the prayer team lined up against the wall. We’d never asked for prayer before, but Todd & I went up to one of the men & tried to tell him our prayer request. We both broke down in tears & couldn’t get the words out. He ushered us into a private room, & after we composed ourselves, we told him about my dad. It just so happened that he had been through a similar situation with his father. I remember his experience & prayer being such a comfort to us. I know that wasn’t a coincidence that we “randomly” chose him–God led us to him. I flew back home to be with my parents, & am so grateful I did because my father died three weeks after his diagnosis. During his short illness & following his death, I cried out to the Lord numerous times, & was always comforted by His presence. My mother had also been diagnosed with cancer, but hers was treatable, & she went into remission.
A few years later, we had our son Nicholas, & experienced a love like no other. We got a glimpse into the Father’s love for us, which is immeasurably more than we could ever imagine. When Nico was about two & 1/2, my mother’s cancer returned, & a few months later it took her also. I was comforted knowing she was reunited with her daughter & husband, & was no longer suffering. It was strange becoming an orphan in my 30’s, but I leaned on my Heavenly Father.
After 15 years of working in Corporate America, Todd wanted out of the rat race. After much prayer, we decided to move back to Texas, & Todd enrolled at TAMU CC to get his M.Ed. While Corpus wasn’t the ideal place to live, the Lord knew we needed to be there. We got plugged into a Bible church, & had a great small group. That would prove to be such a blessing when, on December 20, 2002, I received a frantic phone call from my sister saying she thought her 17-year-old son Brandon was dead. Todd & I immediately drove to her house, & I just said, “Oh God” over & over on the way there. When we arrived, I saw a paramedic walking out of the house & he told me my nephew had died. We learned that he had had a fight with his girlfriend, had taken some drugs, & then took his own life.
Once again, I found myself crying out to the Lord, & once again, He was my source of comfort. The following days were a blur, but He sustained us through it all.
The following spring Todd was offered a job in San Antonio, so we moved, & true to His nature, God was faithful. He led us to a wonderful church, small group, & Christian school for Nico. We made so many wonderful friends who became like family to us. I got involved with the women’s Bible studies at church, & eventually becoming a small group leader. Throughout the years, my faith & knowledge continued to grow. I had a wonderful group of trustworthy, reliable, godly friends, & we all encouraged & held each other accountable.
We’re now at the empty nester point of our lives, & are so grateful to the Lord for leading us to The Park. The past 8 years have seen tumultuous times in our country & the world, but every Sunday morning I’m at perfect peace, worshiping Jesus with my fellow Park people. I try to take that feeling with me when I leave church, & try to live out what I’ve just been taught by our wonderful teaching staff who encourage & challenge me every week.
I remember one of my Bible studies had us look back over our lives & see where God had been at work, & how He had seen us through. As I do that again, it’s amazing to see His faithfulness & steadfastness–especially during the most difficult times. I honestly don’t know how people survive tragedies & great loss without having faith, & a Savior they can cling to. I don’t know where I’d be without Him, & I’m thankful I’ll never have to find out!
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