When I was a child, I knew that my parents believed in God and therefore, so did I.  I went to Sunday School and church school but I did not attend church services with my family until I was married.  At eight years old, I just knew that there was something missing, that there was something much more to life.  However, I did not know how to approach or deal with these feelings, so I just forgot about them, 'I thought.'  Furthermore, there were circumstances in my life that caused me to wonder about God.  My brother died at age twenty-two and my mom died at age fifty-one.  In addition, my adopted brother served two tours in Vietnam and after retiring from the Army, he had an aneurysm and died.  I felt so empty! 

          All through my adult life, I tried to satisfy this emptiness in various ways.  I joined the Army, got married, had children, and bought a few houses, a boat, and a couple of cars.  I filled my life with 'things' and activities, when I should have been home.  By the time that I started to realize what I was doing, it was too late!  I lost my family, my home, my money, and my toys.  However, instead of trying to get back on the right track and doing the right thing, I only thought about my personal satisfaction and what made me happy.

          I remember sitting alone one night in the dark around two o'clock in the morning, trying to find something in life that was worth living for.  I felt so dead inside and I had just about given up on life.  I thought to myself, who cares anyways?  I for one surely did not!  However, something deep inside urged me to call a friend, who had been trying to persuade me to attend church with him.  He told me that Jesus Christ loved me and died for me.  Still I thought, if Jesus died for me, why do I feel so empty inside?  later that morning, I drove to his home and we talked for about four hours.  Although he could not answer all of my questions, he had me really curious about this 'relationship' with Jesus.  He told me that Christ would never leave me or consider me too small or insignificant.  However, first I had to ask Jesus into my heart.  My friend assured me that the spirit of Christ would fill that emptiness in my life that I had been experiencing.  Although I did not completely understand it all, I knew that I needed it.  Consequently, my friend prayed with me and I asked Jesus to fill that void and take away the emptiness and He did!

          Afterwards, I started attending church regularly and I met others who had experienced similar pains as mine.  For the first time in my life, I felt as if I wasn't alone anymore.  In time, God gave me a beautiful wife and restored my relationship with my children.  I now have friends and family who care about me.  I feel as if I owe God evereything for what He has done for me and I have been serving Him ever since.  Jesus has given me a new life, hope, and salvation.  Now I have a reason to live and I am filled with peace inside when trouble comes my way.

Debbie Shoen

          There was a time in my life when I thought I would never smile again and I hurt so much inside.  My husband had just left me and our two sons and my heart was broken; my life was a wreck and my dreams were shattered.  I had a wonderful family and great friends that helped and supported me throughout this ordeal.  Nevertheless, there still remained an emptiness, void, and pain deep down inside of me.     

          About this time, a friend invited me to an Easter Play called the Soldier's Song, which was held at Faith Fellowship Church.  At the end of the play, a person asked a series of questions.  "Do you have trouble in your life?"   "Are there situations in your life that you cannot handle?"  "Are you empty or broken inside?"  YES, that was me!  My life felt torn apart, with nowhere to turn and no hope in sight.  That very night, May 3, 1981, I surrendered my life over to the Lord and asked Jesus into my heart.  The God of the universe heard my cry and came down to rescue me.  I said this simple prayer, "Jesus, I need you and I can no longer make it without you!"  An overwhelming peace came down over me and Jesus helped through one of the most difficult periods in my life.

          On that day, God radically changed me forever and began to restore my life and put all of the pieces back together.  I have truly been on a life journey ever since and continue to live my life for Christ and follow His lead.  No, that does mean that troubles and hardships will never come my way; however, it does mean that Jesus will be with me every step of the way when the storms of life come in my direction.  Now, instead of letting life overcome me,  I stand firmly on His truth and put my complete trust in Him!  Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and that has become my battle cry. 

          God has continued to pour down His blessings upon me and work in my life.  Today, I am the secretary of Faith Fellowship Christian Church and I simply love my job!  On top of that, I have been blessed with a wonderful husband by the name of Vaughn and we serve the Lord together.  I have come to learn that anything good in my life comes from the Lord and I am just so grateful for His goodness to me!