I was born to Christian parents who attended church regularly. For me as a child and teenager, going to church was not an option. We went every Sunday. I attended the same church for 34 years. When I remarried six years ago, I really struggled to decide where my family should go to church.  Should we attend my husband’s church, a much smaller church that was closer to our new home, or continue at the church where I was raised and where all of my immediate family attended? Both churches were the same denomination, which made the decision even harder for me. I prayed for guidance from God on this important decision. I felt that being in any church would please the Lord, but I wanted to make the right decision and for the right reasons. I felt pulled to cut my strings and join my husband’s church, Holy Cross Lutheran.  I immediately felt welcome by my brothers and sisters at Holy Cross. This made the agony of my decision worth the effort. But little did I know what God had planned for me at my new church. 

Shortly after moving, my new pastor approached me about attending a Via de Cristo weekend. I attended and that was a weekend that led me to a closer relationship with God. One of the ladies that I met on that weekend asked me to work an Epiphany weekend (prison ministry for youth offenders). I have now worked on three Epiphany weekends. I was asked to give a talk for an evangelism session that our church offered.  God helped me with this opportunity to serve him and that led me to the challenge of leading a women’s retreat for my prior church. Other opportunities that God has given me at Holy Cross have been chairing the Christian Education Committee and assisting with Confirmation. 

Since I have been at Holy Cross, my relationship with God has developed into something I never expected. Something I never even knew existed. I give all glory to God for leading me to where he wanted me to be. Put your trust in the Lord and let him lead you.  You will not be disappointed.