I was brought up in a Lutheran church and gave my heart to the Lord at the age of 12 during a David Wilkerson assembly, but I didn't realize what it was all about so never followed through with my walk. My teenage years were filled with rebellion and doing my own thing. I grew up as a "cop's daughter" and was very wild. I started smoking, drinking, and doing drugs (marijuana, speed, and even tried LSD a couple times). I didn't marry until I was 25 years old because I was having too much "fun". I was your typical party hound. I had the worst mouth of any woman you'd ever met.

John & I married in July 1979, then moved to Dickinson, ND a few months later. We loved to party and have a 'good' time! When our first daughter was born in 1982 I started to drink a little less, but was by no means ready to give it up. I knew I had to do something with my life, but didn't know what to do or how to do it. So, my life continued on a downward spiral. Our second daughter was born in 1984, now I really had to do something!!! But what??

Early in 1985, my best party friend, Joan, separated from her husband and left the area for a couple months. When she returned, I ran into her at the Post Office one day - she was wearing a pin on her jacket that said, "Born Again"? Oh my God - she's gone and flipped out on me!! I ran as fast as I could at first, but for the next few months I sat back and watched every move she made. She didn't swear anymore, she didn't drink anymore, and she never said anything bad about her icky husband anymore!! All I could see was this person that was so miserable now filled with peace, joy, and love - there was something different in her eyes - it was a sparkle that I'd never seen anywhere before. Then her icky husband caught the same thing she had!! I watched this drunken slob turn in to a loving gentleman. Okay, that's it - I want what they have!!

One Friday night John and I went out and I got totally plastered. I was so sick on Saturday, but I still had to change diapers. I thought I'd die. That night I called Joan and asked her if I could go to church with her and Jay the next day (I still have visions of her falling off her chair). Naturally, she was thrilled!! On the way to church she warned me that this church was nothing like the Lutheran church I was brought up in (we were on our way to the Assembly of God). I left church that day stunned, to say the least. I'd never been exposed to the "hallelujahs", and "amens" - these people were actually 'talking' in church! I gasped the first time I heard someone shout "Amen" when the preacher was delivering his sermon!! But then it came more and more - hmmmmm, these people really get into this. I thought about it all week long. I wasn't gonna go back, but found myself calling Joan the next Saturday again. That Sunday was the day the Lord got ahold of me and brought me to my knees - November 17, 1985!!!

It wasn't long until John followed suit. We were so happy - so I thought. We had problems in our marriage, but now that we were both bornagain, it was all gonna disappear. Wrong!! Seven months after we became bornagain we moved back to our old stomping grounds in Grafton, ND. A month after we moved back, John walked out on me and our two young daughters (ages 2 & 4 at the time), I later found out it was for another woman. It was the single most devastating thing that has ever happened to me. This just couldn't happen to someone that loved Jesus!! Jesus was going to fix this. I learned real fast that Jesus doesn't mess with our 'free will'. Death would have been easier. Had I not had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at that time, I know I never would have gotten through the next three years. I prayed and prayed and prayed some more for this man to come home. He didn't. Joan became my mentor, I spent a lot of money on long distance calls during that time of my life and kept the phone company very happy. I just kept my eyes on Jesus and finally learned to "let go and let God". John ultimately ended up marrying the other woman and with much prayer and dying to self, I have been able to forgive both of them - we are now all good friends and Dot is a wonderful step-mother to our girls.

Currently, I am an active member of the Assembly of God church in Grafton, ND. I just love Jesus! He has molded me and changed me into a different person, a person I like being. I know He has more changes in store for me too, but then I'll be better than ever!! Praise His Holy Name!