My Testimony
One of the most powerful gifts God can give to you is your testimony.
Believe it or not, I didn't grow up in the church. I went to various churches growing up, but it was only for Easter services and events. But I knew nothing about it other then religion. My parents were hurt from the church and chose to raise us without it. My parents divorced when I was young, and both remarried. I didn't come to know the Lord until I was 19.
I was a freshmen at Penn State who was new and learning my way around and wanting to meet new people. My RA and few of the guys started this bible study in my hall. I still remember this to this day, but one night we all went out for a quick dinner and someone asked me what it is I believe in .. and I didn't know. So I started to go to the bible studies and something just clicked in me. I wanted to know more. I have never heard it like this before and especially from people my own age. But God knew something else was in store for me.
I remember coming back to my dorm after class and seeing my mom crying outside of my dorm. She told me I needed to go home right away, and told me that my father had passed away in a fatal car crash late last night. It hits you like a ton of bricks, complete shock. I hardly even remember that week, but all I know is that it all connected together, God knew. When I came back to school, I declared to devote myself to the Lord. I was so overwhelmed by the amount of compassion I received. The fellowship group on campus found out what happened by one of my sweet mates and I received flowers and hand written verses and messages. When I was ready, I starting going to Christian Student Fellowship, and those people then became some of my best friends.
I later then went on my first missions trip to New Orleans were I got baptized. I then found my passion for missions, and went every year during spring break- we went to Mississippi, Miami and Tennessee. I learned spiritual independence, and learned how to follow God at my own pace. Everything happened so fast that I didn't take anytime to really understand Him. In 2009, I went to Spain were I was a camp counselor at an English/Spanish camp. It was eye opening and amazing. In 2011, I finished at Penn State and moved to Lancaster.
Post college is hard. I had to find a new church and a whole new group of friends. I joined Pulse at Petra Church and easily found myself actively involved in the church, mentor programs, fellowship and went to Jamaica for a short mission trip. It was a really good transition and God was only preparing me for that next season in life. I was longing for more. I was lost, not in a good place with my family, and worked part time. I got introduced to YWAM, and let alone, through a lot of hard work, I went to YWAM Denver for a Boarders DTS in 2014.
I got wrecked in DTS. I mean it was hard, but it radically changed me. It was hard being in a school with mostly guys, and dealt with a lot of insecurities and self worth. God knows exactly what we need. He brought stuff out in my life I didn't really realize needed to be healed. I went to Turkey and Romania for outreach and it was life changing. I really miss it a lot. The thing is, it takes a long time to work through all of that. It's been a painful past four years since then, but God takes piece by piece and works through it. I've grown and mature so much since then. I've become more the person I wanted to be because of it. I'm more outgoing, fun, hard working, relate able and so much more.
I have been in such relationship with Him that I wouldn't know any different. He created me from absolute broken ashes and healed me. He has used me like a vessel to reach others and my experiences. He has created me into the Godly woman I am today, and is continuing to do. He is always in constant work in our lives and I'm glad that I know Him.
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." -Revelation 12:11
Believe it or not, I didn't grow up in the church. I went to various churches growing up, but it was only for Easter services and events. But I knew nothing about it other then religion. My parents were hurt from the church and chose to raise us without it. My parents divorced when I was young, and both remarried. I didn't come to know the Lord until I was 19.
I was a freshmen at Penn State who was new and learning my way around and wanting to meet new people. My RA and few of the guys started this bible study in my hall. I still remember this to this day, but one night we all went out for a quick dinner and someone asked me what it is I believe in .. and I didn't know. So I started to go to the bible studies and something just clicked in me. I wanted to know more. I have never heard it like this before and especially from people my own age. But God knew something else was in store for me.
I remember coming back to my dorm after class and seeing my mom crying outside of my dorm. She told me I needed to go home right away, and told me that my father had passed away in a fatal car crash late last night. It hits you like a ton of bricks, complete shock. I hardly even remember that week, but all I know is that it all connected together, God knew. When I came back to school, I declared to devote myself to the Lord. I was so overwhelmed by the amount of compassion I received. The fellowship group on campus found out what happened by one of my sweet mates and I received flowers and hand written verses and messages. When I was ready, I starting going to Christian Student Fellowship, and those people then became some of my best friends.
I later then went on my first missions trip to New Orleans were I got baptized. I then found my passion for missions, and went every year during spring break- we went to Mississippi, Miami and Tennessee. I learned spiritual independence, and learned how to follow God at my own pace. Everything happened so fast that I didn't take anytime to really understand Him. In 2009, I went to Spain were I was a camp counselor at an English/Spanish camp. It was eye opening and amazing. In 2011, I finished at Penn State and moved to Lancaster.
Post college is hard. I had to find a new church and a whole new group of friends. I joined Pulse at Petra Church and easily found myself actively involved in the church, mentor programs, fellowship and went to Jamaica for a short mission trip. It was a really good transition and God was only preparing me for that next season in life. I was longing for more. I was lost, not in a good place with my family, and worked part time. I got introduced to YWAM, and let alone, through a lot of hard work, I went to YWAM Denver for a Boarders DTS in 2014.
I got wrecked in DTS. I mean it was hard, but it radically changed me. It was hard being in a school with mostly guys, and dealt with a lot of insecurities and self worth. God knows exactly what we need. He brought stuff out in my life I didn't really realize needed to be healed. I went to Turkey and Romania for outreach and it was life changing. I really miss it a lot. The thing is, it takes a long time to work through all of that. It's been a painful past four years since then, but God takes piece by piece and works through it. I've grown and mature so much since then. I've become more the person I wanted to be because of it. I'm more outgoing, fun, hard working, relate able and so much more.
I have been in such relationship with Him that I wouldn't know any different. He created me from absolute broken ashes and healed me. He has used me like a vessel to reach others and my experiences. He has created me into the Godly woman I am today, and is continuing to do. He is always in constant work in our lives and I'm glad that I know Him.
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." -Revelation 12:11
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