Growing up I attended Sunday School in many different churches. You see my parents were not living the lifestyle of Christians, even though they were believers. I went to Sunday School and church because I wanted to go and of course because friends invited me. But when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I was in church by myself. I really don’t know what the preacher was preaching but I remember I was crying. My Sunday School teacher came back and ask me if I wanted to have Jesus come into my heart. Through the sobs and tears I said yes and she went to the altar with me. What a great day that was for me. I was about nine years old.
Many years have gone by since that little girl made a commitment to Jesus Christ. And those years were not easy. You see I turned my back on God when I was teenager. Over the course of many years I became a partier. Drinking was a big part of my life. Then later I become involved in drugs. I started as a user but because I saw the money that could be made I became a dealer. I grew marijuana to sell and to use, and also sold any other drug I could get my hands on especially cocaine.
While living in Alaska, I went to work upon the North Slope in the oil fields as a cook. The money was great and I knew how to spend it. By this time I was off drugs and out of the business, but I was still drinking. We were not allowed to drink on the “slope”, but we really made up for it on the flight home. I was really in a pit. I could out cuss any sailor or anyone else for that matter. I was a tough, hard cored “ole broad”. But then I started hearing this voice: “You need to go to church”. Every night I would hear this same gentle voice. I tried not to listen, but it was hard when it was constantly in your ear all the time. I even found myself answering, that yes, I knew I needed to go to church. I did find out when they had church up there, but I never went. I quit my job running from that voice. Did you know that you can’t outrun God? I tried. It just doesn’t happen. I had been trying to outrun Him for years. But this time He had my number and He knew it. And He wasn’t giving up!
Now I didn’t have a job and I couldn’t find one. I had not worked in 6 months and the bill collectors were really hot on my trail. I wasn’t running from them, but they were not taking no for an answer either. I was in a desperate situation. I was 19,000 dollars in credit card debt, plus a mortgage. I had nowhere to turn. My back was up against the wall and I couldn’t go anywhere. I had just got off the telephone with an irate bill collector. I was crying, sobbing really, when I found myself on my knees surrendering everything to God. My prayer went something like this: “Lord, you’ve got me. I surrender everything to You. I have done nothing but mess up my life for 40 years. I am through. I can’t do it alone. I need You. Here I am, Lord, take me; do whatever You want with me. If you want to kill me right now, I don’t care. I am Yours. Use me however you want. I turn it all over to You.” That prayer was said in December 1991 and I have never looked back.
Today I am an ordained minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. My home church is Word of Life Christian Center in Juneau Alaska, Pastored by Mario Lim. I am a traveling preacher and evangelist. My mission is to tell people about Jesus and pray they come to know Him as Lord and Savior, like I do.
As I write this, I am on my second trip to the Philippines, preaching the gospel. I have also been blessed as a singer and songwriter and God has allowed me to record my music. I am a blessed lady. In spite of all my wrongdoings, Jesus still loved me and forgave me for everything. You see, He doesn’t pick and choose what sins to forgive and forget, He takes them all. He already died for them anyway when He went to the cross at Calvary. And the good news is, He wants to do the same for you. If He can take an old crusty lady like me and make me a “new creation” (II Co.5:17) just think what He can do for you. He loves you. Enough that He died for you. (John 3:16) Give Him a chance to run your life. I can guarantee one thing, you will never be the same.