While there is a lot to share my in my early years, these last few years have been a whirlwind of excitement as I found my way back to God. If you’re just tuning in, I wanted to take some time to share my personal testimony. My most popular posts like this one, this one, and this one are all about God, so what better way to celebrate than with my own faith journey?
If you read part 1, you know a little about my background pre-2010’s. Now I’m going to dive into my favorite part, especially because it includes my husband!
In 2010 Mi Amor and I began dating. We actually started off as friends (when we met in ’08), eventually sleeping together and then making it “official” a few months later. We were not Christians at the time, so we had a very typical, secular relationship.
Way too soon, and I am sure at my parents’ dismay, I moved in with him in June of 2010. We loved our lives, frequenting Austin’s Sixth Street, checking out local shows and just having fun together. Then in November of 2011 we made a huge decision…although to us it was just “something else to do.”
We started chatting about the idea of church. I grew up at my parents’ small church and he grew up Catholic, so we agreed if we decided to visit anywhere it should be a non-denominational church. After some googling we picked one. And off we went one Sunday morning.
We were in awe. Silent, very much in our own heads. We took in the worship, then the sermon. On our way to brunch afterwards, we found ourselves in tears. It touched us. The entire experience deeply touched our hearts, so we decided to go back.
We didn’t miss a day of Sunday church (except for vacations) for years. But, we remained casual Christians that only attended church on Sundays. We made no changes in our lives or really lived a Christian life until 2014. But the seeds were being planted…we were taking it in and loving the experience.
In 2013, we got engaged. We decided to sign up for the pre-marital class at our church, purchased our book and sat awkwardly in class. But then something huge happened – we were given the opportunity to sign a pledge to remain abstinent till our wedding night.
Remember how I told you we started off our relationship? And, that we lived together? Yup, it took major commitment. But we both felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to take this leap of faith.
So for a year and a half, we remained abstinent. Despite living in the same house and sleeping in the same bed, we did it. And we had never experienced more intimacy – which each other, and with God. It was the best decision we could have made for our walk in faith.
We decided to be baptized together in 2014, months before our wedding. While I appreciated the symbolism in it, it radically changed my husband’s heart. It was a beautiful day, and we were blessed enough to be baptized in a lake in Texas.
At our wedding, we also had the opportunity to share our faith with our family and friends – some believers, some not. We celebrated God throughout the entire evening. And, we celebrated one another.
There isn’t enough place to share everything that has transformed in our lives since then, but I will continue to share in my faith posts. The next huge change that came for us happened last year. And, the amazing miracles only God can provide continue….(like when we lost 10K in the sale of our house only to find a home and buy it for 10K less than their asking.).
Hi. What a beautiful testimony of your commitment to abstinence for a year and a half of living together, that’s amazing!
I am praying as I write that you will receive my comment in the spirit it’s intended– grace and love.
You mention that you decided to go to church, and then you decided to be baptized but no mention of the Lord saving your soul. Christianity involves more than just us deciding to do things. I pray you will seek the Lord in this. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Michelle – thank you so much for your comment. You are absolutely right, I tried to weave in the fact that I accepted God once again during those years between joining the church and making the decision to be baptized, however I did it quickly. It can be hard to over-write and while I have shared that in past posts, I think that is an important point to be made in this post. I will pray for the best words (and length!) to edit that point. Be blessed.
Super proud of you for sharing your testimony! You were HIS daughter, even when you were running from HIM. You were set apart and made new in Christ. God IS good!!!
All the time! Thank you, Mi Amor! Your comment warmed my heart. And thank you for being our spiritual leader.
What an amazing testimony. Thank you for being bold in your faith and stepping out to share what God has done for you.
Thank you so much, Cassie! Your comment is so appreciated. Be blessed.
what a beautiful story and what a wonderful God we have! He will truly bless you and your marriage if you only remain faithful to him and his word. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you, Sarah! I appreciate your comment.
What a beautiful story. It’s not such an accomplishment if you don’t struggle! Congrats on your conversion and Christian life <3 Jamie
Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to read <3