My Story

My younger sister and I left Thailand when I was 8 years old, with my mom and

her husband, who adopted us, so we could go to America.  When the airplane

landed in California, I was rather disappointed, because I expected everyone in

the United States of America to look like the "Leave it to Beaver" people I had

been watching on television, in Thailand.

When I was in high school, I had many soul searching questions about how the

world came into being, why it existed, why I was created, what my purpose in 

life was, and much more.  At the time, I didn t know who to talk to about these

many inquiries of mine, nor if anyone would spend the time with me to answer

them. 

Then one day, at one of my school functions (an FBLA dinner), this guy (whom

everyone referred to as a "Jesus Freak") came up to talked to me.  We made

some small talk.  Then, he asked me if I wanted to go to a youth group meeting

at his church.  I said, "sure," because I didn't have any other plans, that week.

When I showed up at the youth pastor's house, the guy who invited me was

there.  He invited me in and introduced me to everyone.  One thing I noticed 

about all these people, that I hadn't seen in anyone before that time, was a peace

and love I couldn't comprehend.  It was something I wasn't used to, nor had I

experienced that kind of peace and love before.  I felt so good being there.  It was

so different from my family dysfunctional dynamics.  I went back a few times after

that and every time I left the meeting, I wanted to go back the next time.  My

family stuff wasn't so great, at the time.

Around Christmas time, I started yearning  for that peace and love displayed to

me by those people, at the Bible study, I attended the first time.  One of the youth

staff member asked me, how I felt about the youth group meeting.  I told her that I

wanted the peace and love I saw in everyone there.  She said that I could have it. 

All I had to do was say the salvation prayer.  Then, I would have peace and Jesus'

love would fill me up.  It felt like a ton of bricks just fell of of me, after I said that

prayer!  I was so grateful to know Jesus as my Savior! I wish I could say that

everything in my life got better, however, it got more and more challenging as I

keep trying to live God s way of life, and to do what His word says.  When I told

my mom and my siblings that they needed Jesus in their lives and about how

much peace and love they would have in knowing Him, at that time they said they

were happy for me, but that it was not for them.

 Since accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I have endured some things

in my life, which were the results of some poor decisions detrimental to me. 

Looking back, I realized now that I didn't seek out consistent fellowship, nor the

discipleship that I needed to grow in God. It's different, now.  Today, I can assured

you that I have experienced a breakthrough, when it comes to the weak areas in

my life.  For seven years now, I've been continuing to walk in righteousness.  I've

been inspired by so many faithful men and women.  That are warriors of the faith,

that I've had the privilege of hearing their profound wisdom of God s word!.

The ebbs and flow of the struggle of my life,  leads me to appreciate

Ephesians 2 :8-9.  Grace is a gift which I embrace daily.