I was born into a non Christian home where my family life was just not the best circumstances. Both my parents were into drugs, my dad was dealing and in and out of jail and my mom would really just do anything to get her hands on money to buy more drugs. My brother and I were pulled out of the house when he was 2 and I was 2 months old
New York, First Year
I was born into a non Christian home where my family life was just not the best circumstances. Both my parents were into drugs, my dad was dealing and in and out of jail and my mom would really just do anything to get her hands on money to buy more drugs. My brother and I were pulled out of the house when he was 2 and I was 2 months old. Long story short we went into foster care where placed into a Christian home and ended up being adopted. During this time we lived in the Pocono Mountains and my parents were very involved in the Church so we would be there all the time. The first time I heard the Gospel I was five years old and it was at this church. After hearing it, the biggest reason I decided to become a Christian was mostly because I was afraid of going to hell. But I was fortunate to have grown up in a Christian home where I was sent to a Christian school from first grade to senior year. At my school is where I truly understood the Gospel and Christ’s love for me. I always loved to just learn more and more about Christ. The biggest part of my salvation experience would be my first summer doing camp crew. I had always heard the Gospel and I had always known about Christ’s love for me. But sitting on the Island for the kickoff fire with all other STCers really hit me. I don’t remember who was speaking, but I remember him talking about how being a Christian isn’t just about following Christ, it’s about having a relationship with God, applying what you learn, and taking everything step by step with Him. I wasn’t planning on throwing a stick in the fire because I didn’t want people to think I was only doing it because everyone else was doing it or anything like that, but I decided to do it anyway. I remember standing there feeling a powerful presence in the Lord. Since than I always go up to throw a stick in the fire because I like to see it as a reminder of the decision that I made many years ago. Following Christ has never been easy, I have had many ups and downs and my faith has not been where it needs to be. I have been really struggling to let go and trust Him with absolutely trusting Him with everything, but I am trying. And I am definitely in the place to learn how to do that and really just grow.
