It’s not that I haven’t seen God work in my life and shape me into who I am, it’s that I’ve seen Him so many times and every instance has been so beautiful. This simple story has taken me such a long time to construct. To be completely transparent with you, I didn’t want to sit down and write my testimony because I know God is doing something in my life and my heart right now. I didn’t want my readers to get the impression that my testimony is finished, that I had nothing else to say, that God was done. This is a never-ending story, one with many ups and downs, a crazy roller coaster, but a really really good God. So, this is just one part. A part of me and a part of my story. How the Lord brought me in and loved me like no other.
If I had to choose a theme for my testimony, it would be just that: love. I am an enneagram type 2 (the enneagram is a certain personality test), and I think the desires and fears of a 2 describe my personality very well. Every enneagram type has a basic desire and that of a 2 is love. Being unwanted or feeling unloved is their greatest fear. Though I cannot say I have a specific “turning point” in my journey towards Christianity, I can say that the theme of love has trailed throughout every facet of my life, always centering me back on Him. I have come to learn, to appreciate, and love a life with Christ, so much more than one without.
Growing up in a Chrisitan home, I knew the importance of the church, but it wasn’t until much later that I found out how important a personal relationship with Christ really was. I grew up going to church, Camp Luther, and a Lutheran school. I loved every second of it. Every single second. As I continued to grow and start really doing life, I realized I had a difficult time making steadfast friendships. I had my family and my close friends (praise Jesus, they are amazing!), but I didn’t jive well with an entire group of people like many others in my school. After what I believe was God leading me and relentlessly pursuing me with love, I later found out that my searching for love in people was where I looked for fulfillment.
Once I realized that this constant striving was affecting me, I knew something had to change. I didn’t know how, but I knew there was always a constant in my life and that was Jesus. When I struggled, when life was just too tough, I always had church. And then, once I accepted Christ into my life, I had Him with me every day, everywhere. This turned into such a beautiful blessing. I am no longer searching for the acceptance of those around me because I have a forever friend in Jesus. I finally know that my identity and joy come from Him and Him alone. He began to show me that even my deepest earthly friendship is nowhere near as intimate as He knows me. I’m a person who wants to KNOW. When I don’t understand something I need to research it and figure it out until I completely understand. This is what really propelled my relationship with the Lord because, once I realized how much I didn’t know, I wanted to read and pray and learn constantly. So this is my testimony as of now, and I’m sure if you ask me in a week, I will add a new detail. But for now, just know the Lord is madly in love with you.

A couple of my LIFE verses!!
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” Jeremiah 29:11

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” John 15:12

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. . .” Romans 12:2

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

“. . . Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10