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So...I gave my life to Christ.  What exactly did that mean?  My friends asked me that very question.  I didn't know.  I guess it meant I would go to church on Sundays and spend the rest of my week doing what I had done before.  I would still hang out with my friends, still party it up, and still "enjoy" myself.  Little did I know that was not what God had planned.  For "if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Over the next several months, God began a new work in me.  He began to change the desires I had.  I no longer wanted to smoke, get drunk, and party it up.  I desired more and more to be around people who desired to serve God and worship God.  I spent time reading the Bible and the desires of my heart began to change.  I wanted to know Him more and more.  I had a thirst and a hunger to know and understand God and His will for my life and my daughter's life.

At 21 years of age and my daughter only 3, we moved into a quaint little rent house in Chappell Hill.  My mom moved out of state and my two closest friends moved 2 hours away.  My brothers were still near, but had small children of their own.  Our time together was very limited. I found myself spending more and more time with my "spiritual" family.  I joined First Baptist Church Chappell Hill and enjoyed the time we spent together.  It was there in that church that I found acceptance, love, encouragement, discipleship, and a place to serve God by serving others.  Don't misinterpret what I am saying.  My blood family definitely loved me and accepted me, but we all need more than that. 

God wants all of us to join together with other Christ followers to worship and serve.  To learn from one another, encourage one another, and love one another. 

And it was there that I grew. I "grew in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!" (2 Peter 3:18).

 

More to come...