“They overcome Him by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimony” (Rev 12:11).

Angela came to the Lord when she was twelve years old. As long as she can remember she always had a friendship with the Lord. It was something so real she never questioned it until she was twelve. At that age she was attending confirmation classes at her church. She heard the story of Jesus and His death and resurrection. It was very powerful but she went away grieved and thinking no one would really die for her. It was just something she could not believe. It hurt her to think her best friend died for her sins.

Angela went to bed that night and had a dream she will never forget. There was a big line of many people in barrels. Each one was going to fall over a huge waterfall. Each person who went over in their barrel went crashing to the bottom to their death. It finally came to her turn and there was no stopping it. Her barrel went over but a big, bright hand came out and saved her. She then heard a voice say, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” She felt a great peace and then woke up. At that moment she knew God was serious. He did indeed die for her. She then gave her life to Him.

Unfortunately after that point Angela did not really have anyone to disciple her and to tell her what to do in this relationship with Christ. So, she stayed pretty stagnant for ten years. God provided a few people for short periods of time to help her grow some but not in the ways she really needed. That is one reason why Angela is so passionate about young people being discipled in Christ. Discipleship is so important. Psalm 119:9-11 states, “ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” If our young people can be taught God’s word they will know how to live for Him.

When Angela was 22 years old she met a woman who had the most precious relationship with the Lord. It is exactly what she knew she was missing. It was evident that Christ was the most important thing to this lady. She really did have an active and thriving relationship with Him. She agreed to disciple Angela and it is at this time when Angela rededicated her life to the Lord. Angela was married at this time as well. My husband did not really know the Lord. He took note of how Angela was living and her new love for the Lord. Angela’s great change in her life because of Jesus made him realize that he wanted that too. He then surrendered his life to the Lord as well.

Shortly after deciding to give her whole life to the Lord Angela started to decline in health physically. It was seven long years of decline until she was well again. Six of those years were spent trying to figure out what was wrong. This was the most taxing time of her life. Through this trial she gave birth to two children and by the grace of God they all survived it. The illness turned out to be chronic Lyme disease and after 8 months of treatment God miraculously healed her. It was a huge blessing to be well again. God grew her in so many ways through these tough years. She was blessed by being discipled by Him through it by devouring much of God’s word to help her through. She needed His word more than ever. It amazes Angela how near God really is when we are in our biggest trials. Though He may seem far away it is really when He is the closest. Angela would never trade those years because it is there that she met God in a new and even more personal way as her sustainer, healer, and provider. Angela is so crazy in love with Him and cannot imagine doing anything but spreading the word of His goodness to whoever will listen.