Well here it is....my story.
I grew up in the north, very close with my family. Because of my dad's job, we moved around alot, so I continually had to make new friends whether I liked it or not. I was pretty outgoing as a kid, always speaking my mind and being the leader in my group of friends. I was raised going to church and looked forward to it every Sunday. Learning about Bible stories and having snack time with my friends was awesome and even though I didn't understand all the stories I still loved it.
One day, in my kindergarten class, my teacher pulled a story from the Bible that I had heard before but not TRULY heard until that day. It was about Jesus, a guy who is the Son of God and who is perfect. My teacher explained what sin was, and I realized that indeed I was a sinner and not even close to perfect as this man Jesus. The story went on to tell how this guy died on a cross and was tortured and killed for the sins of the world, including mine. I was so saddened to hear this story and it brought me to tears. This was not the end of the story though, my teacher went on to explain how the death of this man, the Son of God gave every person a choice to choose to live forever with Him and His daddy, God in heaven on the day I leave this earth, in a place called heaven. I immediately wanted to see this man one day in heaven and stood up. This was the day that my life changed.
After this decision I made to give my life completely to the work of God and His plan for me, I went out to my neighborhood and shared the story of Jesus with all of my friends. One of my friends joined with me to follow Jesus that day! I was so excited!
As I grew, my family continued to move and I had to keep making friends throughout each of them. It was easy to trust Jesus plan for my life at first but the more I moved the more I doubted.
During my 6th grade year we moved to Wisconsin and got involved in a church that I absolutely loved! I started going to youth group, meeting incredible friends, leading a Bible study, and playing worship for our Wednesday night breakout group. I felt like my life was going amazing until the day my dad told our family we were once again moving....
This news broke me and I fell to the lowest I had ever been. I had finally become comfortable and was growing so much at our church and I felt like my life was ending. I ultimately doubted God's plan for my life and struggled with extreme depression while even contemplating suicide....no one knew how I was feeling except for God....
We moved and once again I had to start over. It was hard and I was not in any way joyful or happy. That summer my parents enrolled me in a Christian summer camp in Michigan, Lake Ann. I do not know exactly what night it was but God spoke to me through the speaker Ken. The message was on God and the struggles we all go through in life. After the message I was so completely broken, so sorry for ever doubting God's plan and contemplating taking my life. I realized that God indeed had a reason I was moving so much and the struggles He placed in my life were there to strengthen my faith in Him.
I went home that summer and jumped into the youth group at our new church. I began discipling girls, leading worship, and building relationships with amazing people. Today, those people are my closest friends and I can honestly say that it was the best move we ever made!
I graduated highschool with my life dedicated to the work of the Lord and I continually trust in Him. Honestly, every day is not a walk in the park and certain situations tempt me to question God and His plan, but seeing the blessings that have occurred in my life help me see that there is a reason for everything! And God is in control!
He loves you and I encourage you to trust Him, He is the only thing that can bring true life and true joy!:)
