I have spent my entire life as a member of Holy Cross.  I was baptized, communed, confirmed, married, and then baptized my own children here.  As a child and as a teenager, I went to church because it wasn't an option.  I was raised to believe that you went to church and Mama said I was going.  But I 'm not sure that I really understood what a church family and a true relationship with God was about.

As a young married adult, I came to church off and on but I really just rode on my mom's coattails and was happy just being Rickie's daughter and not having to worry about doing anything myself.  I  wasn't that excited over the church or anything that the church had to offer.  And for years, church just wasn't a priority for me.  Thank goodness God didn't feel the same about me.

Once Ben was born and we had him baptized, I tried to keep the promises that I had made to God, but Anthony wasn't coming to church then and the birth of Anna made it hard to bring two small children to church by myself.  Besides, I didn't feel Holy Cross had much to offer us because at that time there were not many young adults or small children.  But somehow God never gave up on me. 

He continued to bless me over the years even when I didn't deserve it.  He gave me a wonderful husband that provides me with a comfortable life.  He further blessed me with a son that the doctors said should have never been born alive. God watched over my baby and gave me the most precious gift I could have ever received- Ben.  God blessed us with yet the birth of another healthy child, our daughter Anna.  Anthony started a new business that has been successful and provides us all with a good life.  But still I didn't give God or the church the priority I should have.

At some point I started going back to church.  I'm not sure what brought me back, but I was happy and felt God at work in my life.  Then God worked a miracle and even got Anthony back in church and we have never been more blessed.  I realized that I could make a difference in the church on my own... not because I was Rickie's daughter, but because I had something of my own to offer back to God. 

I started teaching Sunday School, joined WELCA, attended Alpha and Anthony joined LMIM, church council and attended a Via de Cristo weekend.  And thanks to Pastor Duncan and his courage in starting a contemporary service, there are now so many young adults and children that I now feel that there is a future at this church for us and for our children.  For that we will forever be grateful.