Q: My first recollection of being in church was…

A: My first recollection of being in church was when I was 12 years old. Shortly after my family relocated to Escondido, we met a woman named Jan who invited us to church. We told our mom about the invitation and the next day we went to church.

Q: The closest I have felt to God in my life was…

A: The closest I have felt to God in my life was when I was having one of the hardest moments in my life. Everything was literally falling apart. My mom passed away, I was having a hard time healing from surgery, no matter how hard I worked, bills were never-ending, and for the third time, my car broke down.  I sat in my car filled with anger and sadness and asked God where was He in this moment. Where was the parting of my Red Sea? My son was terrified of my question, but I told him God was big enough to handle my anger.  I turned my car radio on and heard the song “Hills and Valleys” by Tauren Wells for the first time. With tears streaming down my face, I knew in that moment God was with me and my heart was filled with peace. My car still didn’t start, my mom was still gone, I was in the most intense physical pain, and bills were still piling up. But I knew God knew, saw, and was with me. “Father, you give and take away. Every joy and every pain. Through it all, you will remain over it all. You’re God of the hills and valleys, hills and valleys, God of the hills and valleys, and I am not alone“.

Q: The time I have felt the greatest doubt or distance from God was…

A: I have never felt distance from God but there have been moments in my foolishness that I have felt the need to feel that I am somehow in control. In those moments, it caused me to not pray or read my bible the way I should.

Q: If I could thank God for just one incident in my life it would be ______ and why?

A: If I could thank God for one specific moment in my life it would be the birth of my son.  Born 6 weeks early and when my heart stopped, I was given a boy I love more than anything in life.

Q: If I could thank God for just one person in my faith journey it would be _______ and why?

A: If I could thank one person in my faith journey it would be my mom. She didn’t love God and serve others only on Sunday. My mom lived her days knowing she had a personal relationship with Jesus and when her life was coming to an end, she knew death on this side, meant new life in glory. 

Q: If I could name a turning point in my life for my relationship with God it would be ________ and why?

A: If I could name a turning point in my faith journey, it would be after a planned girl’s trip to see Christine Caine and we heard the message “Get Off Your Mat and Walk”.

Q: If I had to tell someone why I am a Christian I would have to say…

A: If I had to tell someone why I was a Christian, it would be that a loving God wanted a personal relationship with me.  That the same God who created all that we see, would want more for my son and I than I can even imagine.