My Story

With 61 years of life, I have done a lot of living, but in telling my story, or testimony, I will try to keep it short!

I was born into a wonderful family with the best mother and daddy ever and an older brother whom I adored! Ours was the "Father Knows Best" kind of family, where all of us loved each other and were happy. It was a wonderful childhood----until May, 1967. That is when we were told my gentle giant of a daddy, the rock of our family, the love of my life, had lung cancer. The next year he died and our world came crashing down in a huge explosion of brokenness at every turn. With the physical death of daddy, came the spiritual, mental, and emotional death of my mother. It was so devestating for her to lose her childhood sweetheart, that for all practical purposes, she gave up living; she only existed. Consequently, we switched roles and at the age of 17, I became her "mother" and she became my "daughter." Thus began a 35 year journey of trying to help her find happiness, purpose, and fulfillment. I just couldn't make it happen.  At the end of her life, she died with a severe case of Alzheimer, never knowing real peace and joy. The only bright spots in her life were her children and 6 grandkids. She did give her life to the Lord, but her relationship with Him was a struggle. I do, however, have the peace and joy of knowing that she is safe in His arms and finally found her place of contentment and belonging.  

Romans 8:28 is my life verse, "And we know that all things work together for good, to those who love God and are the called, according to His purpose." I have seen the truth of that word proven in my life countless times. It helped me to see that God used the tragedy of losing my precious daddy for good in my life, because that cataclysmic void is what drove me to reach out to God.

I married at the age of 19and after moving to Amarillo, Texas with my husband, my life became even more desperate. By this time I was almost 22, had a one year old, another on the way, and a husband who was driven to make a new business successful and was not around very much. I was lost in a city hundreds of miles from people and family I knew and had no one to turn to and no one to help me. After weekly visitations of many churches in Amarillo, I "stumbled" on a revival at Paramount Baptist Church. Every night I took my little boy to church, sat on the pew by myself, with a notebook in my lap frantically taking notes in the hope of finding something to make me happy and at peace again. The very last night of the revival, as the altar call was given, I bowed my head in that pew and said, "Lord Jesus, I don't know for sure what I need, but I'm pretty sure it's YOU. Please come in and take over my life." Just like that--simple submission to a gentle call from my Lord and Savior. And I haven't been the same since! He fills my life with joy, peace, forgiveness, security, love, and belonging. In all of the many trials and heartaches I have been through since that life changing night in Amarillo, Tx., He has carried me, sustained me, and works all things for good in my life. Not all things are good that have happened, but He has used them for good. I have a blast with Jesus and life with Him is too marvelous for words! Our journey together is filled with many difficult but great stories and I wouldn't trade my life with Him for anything in this world! There is so much more to tell---but that is a quick snapshot of what and Who has brought me to this place. TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!