When I was nine my family were members of Providence Road Baptist Church in Sandy Springs, Ga. My Sunday School teacher was Ms. Annie Houze Cook. She was very passionate about teaching her kids to understand and believe they were lost and a sinner and in need of Jesus as their Savior. It was I her class I realized this and asked Jesus into my heart as my Savior. On Sunday, April 13, 1958 I made my decision public in a morning service and was baptized later. My younger sister had joined during this time also and we were baptized on the same day. Afterwards when the members came down to hug us, I was crying in tears. My mother asked the pastor afterwards why I was crying so hard and he said “ She really meant it.” I knew Jesus was my Savior, but as the years passed and as I entered my teen years, which I spent overseas in Korea with my family, I found my life going out of control. I tired to find happiness in smoking and drinking and partying. I found myself pregnant and marrying someone who was not a christian. After my second child was born my husband asked for a divorce. I came to Florida in 1977 with my parents who were retiring, hoping to start fresh again and find control. It was in 1980, when I was alone at home flicking through the t.v. and came across the Pat Robertson CBN show and heard Pat say the the words “ Have you ever asked Jesus to come into your heart as Lord?” I knew He died for my sins and I had asked him already into my heart as my Savior, but Lord too? So I knelt on the floor before that t.v. set and asked Jesus to be Savior and now Lord of life too and take control. I knew I was hopeless. Then i became really saved. After talking to my pastor here I got baptized not just be a member of our church, but in obedience to Christ biblical direction to be baptized in a testimony of faith. After that every thing changed, most of all inside of me and then outward. When I had come to Apalachicola in 1977 I had become an agoraphobic and never wanted to leave the house. Now I was free and wanted to know more about the savior who died for me. I was hungry for reading the Bible. I stepped out in faith and asked that following summer if I could help out in the VBS at the First Baptist Church and their I meant my first christian friend Glenda. I also found a Christian Prayer Group that meant in homes that welcomed me into the learning about the Holy Spirit as a person to invite into my life. I did invite Him in and discovered He speaks in a small silent voice. These ladies loved me unconditionally, especially Blanch Wagoner. She encouraged me to join a church. I tried several denominations and all seemed so cold, even the Baptist Church. One day someone approached me and gave me a card with a picture on it and said the Holy Spirit said to them to give this to you. On it was of a white church with stain glass windows and I knew then that the Holy Spirit was telling me to go join the Baptist Church. I told the Lord “It is so cold!” and the Holy Spirit said “Go warm it up!” I was not sure what He meant, but I joined the next Sunday, the First Baptist Church of Apalachicola, in obedience.
In 1990 I found myself with a good job downtown in Apalachicola working for an artist weaving silver necklaces and selling art. I had bought a new car and had savings to go towards buying a house I had found for me and my two children. One day at work as I was leaning over to fill out a receipt, fluid poured out of nose. From that day forward it never stopped pouring leading me to many doctors, to eventually losing my job, my dream home and my car. I eventually found myself at SHANDS in Gainesville, FL., diagnosed with a hole in the cribriform plate under my brain which leaked spinal fluid out of my nose. I learned it was a birth defect. My first surgery was in January of 1991 (my second was in 1994).
After recovering from the first surgery I sought the Lord in prayer about employment and was impressed by the Holy Spirit to go volunteer in the office of the church where I was a member. Rev. Lee Nelson was the pastor. Lee was thrilled to have me help, so I volunteered in the office from August1st -Nov 1st of 1991 when then the church offered me the secretarial position for 10 hrs a wk, till eventually full time working both for the church and Christian School. I have been in this position for thirty-three years now seeking ways to “warm” this church through starting the Greeters Committee, having the video screens added in the sanctuary, beginning an e-mail Prayer Warrior Group, and starting a mail-out newsletter for the church.
Now I am excited about the future and where the Holy Spirit will lead me next.
In 1990 I found myself with a good job downtown in Apalachicola working for an artist weaving silver necklaces and selling art. I had bought a new car and had savings to go towards buying a house I had found for me and my two children. One day at work as I was leaning over to fill out a receipt, fluid poured out of nose. From that day forward it never stopped pouring leading me to many doctors, to eventually losing my job, my dream home and my car. I eventually found myself at SHANDS in Gainesville, FL., diagnosed with a hole in the cribriform plate under my brain which leaked spinal fluid out of my nose. I learned it was a birth defect. My first surgery was in January of 1991 (my second was in 1994).
After recovering from the first surgery I sought the Lord in prayer about employment and was impressed by the Holy Spirit to go volunteer in the office of the church where I was a member. Rev. Lee Nelson was the pastor. Lee was thrilled to have me help, so I volunteered in the office from August1st -Nov 1st of 1991 when then the church offered me the secretarial position for 10 hrs a wk, till eventually full time working both for the church and Christian School. I have been in this position for thirty-three years now seeking ways to “warm” this church through starting the Greeters Committee, having the video screens added in the sanctuary, beginning an e-mail Prayer Warrior Group, and starting a mail-out newsletter for the church.
Now I am excited about the future and where the Holy Spirit will lead me next.