I was raised with good moral values and loving parents who tried to show me how to live. We occasionally went to my grandfather’s church where he was the pastor in San Bruno. I had trouble in my childhood understanding why God put us here, if we were going to die anyway, what was the purpose of living? I had a friend who invited me to go to the youth nights at her church. In my life, I knew right from wrong, but she asked me one night where was I going to spend my eternal life? She told me it was just one step to get to Heaven, that night I prayed the sinner’s prayer. I was 12 years old. I was baptized later in 1981.

In 1982, I rebelled. I slept with a man whom I had loved for a long time. We knew what the Bible said about marriage, but I justified it in my head, thinking one day I would marry him. What a rude awakening, I was full of guilt and shame. I moved out and lived on my own; but I kept going to church. My Sunday school teacher knew of my shame. We looked up Scripture and He told me how God does forgive me from my sin, as far as the east is to the west. (Psalms 103:12) It was then I started to understand how much my Savior gave up for me just because He loved me. (John 3:16) All He asked from me was to follow Him. My transformation started.

God provided a Christian man in my life who served on the music ministry at a local church; we married in 1988. We had trouble conceiving children. But, God told me if I had faith as small as a mustard seed, then He would provide. (Matthew 17:20) I now have two boys. We went to church as a family, but again, we did not have family devotions at home. I thought my life was full and was very grateful for what God did provide me. Then, tragedy struck, my husband left me and my children in 2005. God opened my eyes to see that Christians still struggle with the desires of the world. It is a CHOICE to do what we want or to follow Christ. This does not mean I will never have difficulties in my life! God does have a purpose in each of our lives and that is to show others who Christ is. He promised He would never leave me nor forsake me. When I am weak, He does make me strong. He is the potter who molds me how He wants me to be. If there is anything good that comes from me, it is not of me, it is my God who lives in me and makes me the person He wants me to be. Do I continue to follow His will? I strive to; I have to remember to put on the armor everyday.