Before & After Part Three: The Three R's

RELOCATION

We now come to the end of November. God has come into my life and not only could I tell the difference, but people around me saw the change immediately. At this time I was still living with Megan's family in Long Beach. Although they were providing me with a support system to help deal with the loss of Mitch, every other part of my life was falling apart. First thing God put into my heart, was the need to change my living situation.

During our time in the mountains my birth mother, Angie, gave me an invitation to move in with her family. Which included her husband, Eric, and my two younger siblings, Riley and Reesie. Although I was concerned at first for the reaction my Mom would have, I knew I had to make a change.

So when I got back to Long Beach, I spent that whole Monday asking God for direction in my life. Where do I go from here? What's the first step? It came to me like a sudden snap of clarity, Angie's house. I can't remember if it was that night, or Tuesday, but I called her up and talked about the possibility of moving to Placentia with them. Angie had to confer with Eric and my brother and sister. I had a phone conversation with Eric on Thursday about why I was moving in. That Friday, Eric came to the house and picked me up. Less than a week after God came back into my life, He answered my first prayer.

RECONCILIATION

During my first month in Placentia, God's next step for me was to fix my broken relationships. So one by one, starting with my best friend Justin, I called the people who I had lost touched with to reconcile. I told them what had happened before, what was happening now and what I want for the future. For the first time in a long time, I had stopped running and dealt with my problems head on.

After I told one person, the next was easier. It was kind of like a domino effect. It kept going like that the entire month of December. Friends have always meant a lot to me, and getting everyone of them back into my life was amazing. There was more to be done though. Christmas eve and Christmas brought two family relationships that desperately needed to be fixed. One was with my Mom and sister, the other was with my cousin's family.

I spent Christmas eve at my aunt and uncle's house in Murrieta. This was my cousins house, the one I hurt on Thanksgiving. I knew I had to go, but I was nervous for some reason. I put that feeling aside and spent some much needed time with my family. I had a really good time, and was able to talk with them about my new life. They were very encouraging of my decisions and I felt horrible that it had taken me so long to talk with them. I was very happy to have had that time with them.

Christmas brought me to the most important person who I needed to reconcile with, my Mom. It had been about 2 months since the last time I had talked to her and shared what was going on in my life. On the drive from Murrieta, I talked to my Mom on the phone and it was both fantastic and heartbreaking. Knowing the pain I caused was almost too much to bare. I love her so much and it was great to talk with her and to let her know what had been going on in my life. Since then, I haven't gone more than a week or two without talking her.

That Christmas, God had given me the best gift of all, my family. Nothing means more to me than my family, which I now have a HUGE one! :)

REBIRTH

Also during the month of December, I felt God calling me to learn more about him and Christ. So I dived right in without hesitation. I started going to church three times a week. Twice on Sunday, and once on Wednesday for Prayer. I was involved in two home groups. One at my house, and one at the house of a very good friend of Angie's.

I was like a sponge, soaking in everything I could. I didn't realize it then, but I was doing things a normal person would usually never do. I just surrounded myself with God and scripture. Everyday, I felt closer to him. Everyday, I felt more alive. I was going through one of the biggest life changes I've ever had, and loved every minute of it.

Toward the end of the month, I was at Prayer one night when I heard Alan, one of my Elder's, talk of a man getting Baptized that coming Sunday. Immediately I knew my time had come to put to death my old life, and to be born into a new with Christ. So I approached Alan and asked when I could be Baptized. He replied, "how about this Sunday?" I was shocked that it could happen that quick, but I knew it was right.

I spent the next few days praying and meditating about the coming event. I had amazing support from friends and family in the church. Everyone was very excited, including myself.

Sunday came, and we had a great pulpit from Alan. At the end of the service, he asked the two of us who were being Baptized to come up. He introduced us to the Community and invited all who wanted to witness the event to meet us at the fountain in front of the church. I changed into my board shorts and was ready to dive in.

I was the lucky one to go first. Surrounded by new friends and my family, I stepped into the fountain. Eric and Kevin, another one of my pastors, took my hands. Eric asked the question, I answered. They lowered me into the water, and I was laid to death. They brought me back out and I was reborn into a new life. A life in Christ.

So now you know the basic story of how I got to where I am. My blogs will no longer be on what has happened, rather they will be based on what is happening. I look forward to sharing my trials and triumphs with you all. Thank you for taking part in my Spiritual Journey. God bless.