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Growing up and being raised in the church, I was taught from little up that we are all sinners. We all have to eventually, some time or other, give up our selfish will and realize that we can't live a righteous life at all unless Jesus comes into our lives to save us from our sins. The reason we have to believe that He will save us is so  we can live eternally with God.

                 When I was eight years old, I began to realize this very fact. So I talked to my parents about it, and they of course explained it all to me so I could understand. They then helped me to invite Jesus into my heart. As I grew older, they began talking to me about baptism. I wanted to be a Christian, but at the time, I wasn't ready to make my faith my own. It was just easier and a whole lot less effort on my part to just believe what I had been taught. Little did I realize what and when God would choose to work and begin to change things in my life.

      In April, my family and I went to Kentucky where a group of about of 400 Christians (250 of them being under 18) were involved in "Family Camp."  Being there for about ten days, we were surrounded by followers of Christ, and God was definitely present. The second to the last day, we all knew there was going to be a baptismal service for all those who wished either to be baptized for the first time or to renew their commitment to Him.

      All week I had felt God tapping me on my shoulder. Not in an aggressive "do this" sort of way, but just a calm quiet reassurance that it was time. Time for me to begin laying down my fear of what "man" might say if I were to "mess up." But He stayed with me and let me know that He would love me no matter what choice I decided to make. Even though I was scared, I knew He would be right there beside me. After struggling with my inner "Self," I got up the courage to tell my mom and dad. They were overjoyed to hear that after all this time, I was finally willing to let go and let God break through my wall of self-conscious  pride. So together with my dad, I walked out into the lake, and on April 24, I was baptized. I realized this was my outward recognition that I was finally ready to make Jesus my leader and shepherd of my life and that with His help, I will be able to make a stand for my faith and make it my own.

  Her email address is heart4zion90@gmail.com

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