This is the story of how I became a Christian.

But first, it’s important to look at my parents’ faith background.

My mom was raised Catholic and always had some issues with it. After she became an adult, she looked for another Christian church. She actually ran into a really weird, disillusioning church sect in the process. Nothing ever felt right, and she eventually stopped looking. But she was always a Christian.

My dad has really always been a man of God, too. He’s just never been that into actually going to church.

Since my mom didn’t like being raised in a faith she didn’t agree with, she and my father decided to not baptize me. They wanted me to be able to choose my faith when I was ready.

But the only preschools in our small Iowa city were at churches, so my parents decided to send me to a Lutheran preschool.

And I loved it.

I wanted to start going to Sunday school, too. So my parents obliged, and tried out the services themselves. It still didn’t feel like the right church for them, but they took me to Sunday school every Sunday for years. I also did vacation Bible school.

I really loved church, and I really loved Jesus!

When I was seven, my family moved to a new neighborhood. I already knew a girl, Lauren, in the neighborhood from school. She introduced me to her friend, Rachel, who lived a couple houses down.

Rachel’s family went to a small reformed church not too far away. One night, they invited us to their Wednesday night service. Lauren and I tagged along with Rachel’s family and we found out we really liked this new church!

So we both brought our moms to check it out, and the moms began to love the church too.

My mom started helping to teach Sunday school – even before she officially joined the church.

Since Lauren and her mom were never baptized, either, we were glad to have the opportunity at this new church.

During an early 8 AM service in 2002, Lauren, her mom, me and my little brother, Mickey, were baptized. It was so cool because people we didn’t even know went to the church were at that service that day. My beloved Librarian from school was there, along with my 1^st grade teacher. It was so special that they were witness to our baptism.

My parents officially joined the church around that same time, and my mom became deeply involved with many other church functions. When she joined, she reaffirmed her faith.

She finally felt at home!

And I don’t think her faith has ever been stronger.

It was always my desire and my choice to follow Christ. I always felt called, and I think that’s pretty cool. And since I’m the editor of Devotional Diva now, I think it’s so awesome that I can help spread God’s glory.

I love the fact that I chose to be baptized myself and that I remember it. It was such an amazing experience.

My family (and Lauren and Rachel’s families) still attend that special church. We’re so blessed to have a church that really feels like home! But now, I’m doing my own thing. My husband and I haven’t found a church like that in California yet, but that’s okay.