I have a Bible that says I understood God’s plan for salvation when I was in Elementary School but I don’t have clear recollection of that understanding though I do remember my mother taking me and my four brothers and sister to church every Sunday when I was young.  After my mother’s death when I was a teenager, I was very confused though I felt a peace about the fact that my mother was in heaven.

I spent my teen and early adult years searching for answers to the confusion I struggled with about life and death and why we are here on this earth.  One day my good friend told me that her sister had moved back into town and that she shared with her some great news about how to have eternal life – she asked me if I wanted to know more about it – I said yes!  That was the first time I understood God’s plan for my life and I became a Christ-follower.

Not long after that I was baptized.  I had been living on my own since I was 18 and many times I was lonely and confused.  Since becoming a Christ-follower, my life has had meaning and purpose and a clear direction – I am no longer confused about why I am here on this earth or where I will go when I die and I believe I will see my mother again someday.

Elaine Gardner

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