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As an individual, I am a collection of my past mistakes and achievements. I grew up in a Christian home and went to church on a regular basis (that is until we moved a couple of times). I felt like an outsider in our youth group and never really belonged until my senior year and then it was over. I was adopted by a fab group of outcasts in my school. They had a lot of family troubles but my parents were awesome and took a lot of them in when needed. In the midst of all of their family troubles and crazy lives, I lost myself. Began smoking, drinking, smoking pot and having premarital sex. It was one party after another on the weekends. In college, I was still the outcast. Began working two jobs and kept partying with some of my high school buddies on the weekends. I was so unhappy. My boyfriend at the time was possessive and controlling. He was pushing sex on me all the time and would verbally abuse me. The one day he phyically abused me, his father stepped in and I left forever.
Jars of Clay's song "WORLD'S APART" was playing during a few of our fights and I pondered "How did I get here LORD? Save me from this man and I promise to give my whole self to you." God did deliver me from Dave and He delivered me from my old lifestyle, but it did not happen over night.
During my sophomore year of college, as I was putting my life back together with God's help, an old friend came back into my life, Jim. He and I got really close, both being on the rebound, and after a few dates, I was pregnant! Pregnant! oh boy.... God warned me, but I didn't listen and now...pregnant!
But, it was this moment that God really showed me what life was all about. It was the moment of knowing that I was going to be in charge of another life. I needed to be a role model to this little one. This little one needed me more than anyone I have ever known. This little one needed me as much as I needed God. Wow! What a revelation!
It was this little being, my son, Kaleb, that God used to change my life in miraculous ways. The hardships, responsibilities, sacrifice, trust, humbleness it took for me, as a mom, has opened my eyes more than I could ever have imagined. Soon after he was born, My sister and I were baptized and my life was never the same again.
Today, I am a proud mother of two, Kaleb and Jessica. A wife of one amazing man who is a youth pastor to many amazing teens. I am a full-time accounting associate. I am a home owner to a beautiful condo in Hooksett, NH. I am a friend to many. A loving daughter to my folks. And hopefully, a mentor and friend to many teens here in the Manchester and Billerica areas. Without God, none of this would've been possible. Without God, where would I be today? Without God, I am nothing; without hope; without meaning. Many would say that this all could've been done by myself through the right choices...but after experiencing God's abundant love, grace and mercy...I know in my heart that is not true.
I look forward to meeting many new people and sharing this amazing life God has to offer with many. I look foward to living life to the fullest and being shaped by those around me every day. Thank you all for your love, trust and the many memories we share. Where would I be without every one of my friends and family?
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