My older brother, sister, and I were sitting at the breakfast table on a bright summer morning discussing our dad’s message from the night before. Dad had preached about Heaven and we were talking about the exciting things we had learned about Heaven. I made the comment, “Won’t it be great when we all get to Heaven!” My brother immediately told me that I wasn’t going to Heaven. I began to cry and told them I wanted to ask Jesus into my life. While that seems like a childish request, I really did want Jesus to come into my life and change me. That day, August 14, 1961, I asked Jesus to come into my life and forgive me of my sins, and He did. I remember saying that I felt like I had butterflies flying inside, but what I really felt was freedom from guilt and sin.

Since becoming a Christian as such a young age I was also saved from a life of “wild” living. I have tried to live for the Lord and lead a holy life dedicated to Him; however my life has not always been easy. I have had to face many trials, most of which were the results of others’ actions. While my life has not always been easy, and to others may not seem fair, my life has been one filled with joy and peace because those things come from Jesus and can never be taken away no matter what anyone does. Jesus is the answer to my life’s problems and He has been with me since that Monday morning 46 years ago!