My testimony is a rather simple one. I am one of eight children. My twin brother and I were the last to be born into this wonderful Russian family. My mother was a Christian and my father became a Christian the year I was born. I grew up in a home where all my memories were of a Christian mother and father who reflected their love for the Lord openly and still do.
I can remember passing by my parent’s bedroom and looking inside to see them kneeling in prayer. They read their Bibles at the kitchen table. They carted all of us to church on Sunday morning and Sunday night as well as to prayer meetings on Wednesday nights.
Church was a big part of my life growing up and the majority of my social life was centered around church activities and my church friends. With all of that you would think that I became a Christian at my own church. But, I didn’t.
I became a Christian at a Pioneer Girls club that I had started attending with a neighbor girl. I was around 11 years old and one of the nights they had shared the gospel with us and asked if we would like to ask Jesus into our hearts. I said yes and that was the day I became a Christian. I was baptized shortly after that and my life continued to revolve around church.
Through the years, I have had blessings as well as struggles and hardships. The struggles and hardships seemed to have only brought me closer to the Lord. Life has not always been easy, but Jesus has always been there, teaching, prodding and molding my stubborn heart. He has provided a rich heritage of believers in my life who were not afraid to live their faith. These gems have taught me and still teach me how I should live a Christ centered life.
I could not imagine going through this life without Jesus, the lover of my soul and I look forward to meeting him when he invites me to my final home! Until then, I want to be found faithful, ever growing in my walk with him.
