One Sunday at church, we were singing “Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” I knew that Jesus was calling me, and I confessed my sins and asked Jesus to come and live in my heart - I was baptized in Okanagan Lake that summer. I so loved Jesus and loved to memorize Bible verses, and sing praise songs.
In 1986, my family moved from Vernon to Alberta. I was devastated and angry with my parents for making us leave our home, church, school and youth group. I got involved with a bad group of kids and began drinking and partying. I met my husband while backslidden, and knew in my heart that I couldn’t marry him unless he was a Christian, and when I told him this, he said, fine, I’ll become a Christian. I thought I would find my way back to God. Sadly, it wasn’t a heart commitment on either of our parts, and we did not serve the Lord.
Still God blessed us with two amazing daughters, whom I knew belonged to Him, and I made sure they got into a Christian school and took them to church so that they knew who Jesus was. But I refused to let go of controlling my own life, and continued in a life of sin.
My marriage fell apart in 2003. I called my parents, whose advice was to pray, to seek God’s forgiveness and ask for Him to be my Lord. True to His promises, He met me, forgave me and cleansed me. I had to make a tough decision and I asked the Lord to help. I ended up leaving my husband and seeking a divorce.
I moved to Kelowna at the end of 2005. God was so good, I was in Kelowna less than a week and the company I had worked for previously, offered me a job here.
Coming “home” has been so awesome, there have been many trials, but many triumphs also. The Lord has healed my broken heart, and given me a brand new start – again. He has brought a lovely Christian man into my life, whom I love, respect and trust. My favorite Bible verses are Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me,” and Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I have been attending church since I moved back to the Okanagan, but just hadn’t found one that I felt that the girls and I could both call home. This has changed. We have found acceptance and love at KGF, and we want to be a part of what God is doing here now and in the future.
