My Testimony

Well, this won't be too hard to keep short. I don't exactly have one of those testimonies that has you grabbing for your third box of kleenexes. In fact, you probably won't need any. This isn't to say it's not a miracle. Anyone who comes to Christ is a miracle. 
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Well, I was born into an all-Christian family with a stay-at-home Mom and a dad who was (and still is) a pastor. So basically it's really weird to listen to anyone but my dad preach. Well, as you can imagine. Both my parents raised me with Bible stories, family devotions, sunday school, etc. So it may come as no surprise to you that I accepted Christ at an extremely young age. To be exact...I was 3. :) I wondered for a long time if you can understand what you are doing at that age. But I'm pretty sure the younger you are, the better you understand (before all that theology comes into play and all that matters is that Jesus loves and died for you). But, once was not enough for a kid afraid of going to Hell. So, you could say I accepted Jesus at 3, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15, and 19. :) Okay, that's a slight exaggeration. And yes...I understand it's a one-time decision. But as I grew older I also began to understand exactly what being a Christian entails. And while I honestly believe I became saved at 3, it was at the age of 16 that I gave all my hopes and desires and just my life in general to the Will of Christ (though it's a daily offering that I'm still learning to give up). At 16 one of the most Godly men I have ever met (Sam Dodd-former director at a Bible camp I counseled at) encouraged me to go a year, reading my Bible every single day. Since then, I have read my Bible very faithfully for the past 4 years. And folks...nothing will change your life more than a personal and DAILY reading of the Word of God. Since then, God has showed me so many things, some of which I try to share on this blog. 
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At the age of 19 (or so) I prayed for the first time that I was ready to go to Heaven. I don't know if you've ever prayed that or not...but it's a scary prayer. I thought for sure He was gonna take me as soon as the words came from my mouth. And honestly, I don't know how serious I was/am. I'd like to think I'm more excited for Heaven than staying on earth, but I kind of doubt it. But that prayer was a big step in my life simply because since that day I have grown more and more excited to meet my Savior. I get goosebumps when I dwell on the idea that one day I will see my Jesus face-to-face. 
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Well...that's pretty much my testimony. Simple. But I would have it no other way. God has blessed me with two loving and Godly parents and two older brothers that have been simply all I could ever have asked for and a younger sister that just rocks. God has placed friends in my life that I could not have survived without. Christ has blessed me beyond words. In the words of John Newton who wrote the song "Amazing Grace"...


"I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."