As I go down life's road, I find
my salvation grows more and more precious to me each day. I have
to depend on my Savior, Jesus Christ for each and every aspect of this
life. I had never been brought up any sort of church. My mother
came from an Old Time Methodist Church near Conway, MO. I remember
attending a small Methodist Church when we would visit my Grandmother.
When I was 13, we were attending a Free Will Baptist Church in Springfield,
MO. One Sunday morning during the alter call, I felt God convicting
my heart. They prayed in the alter, had a hand shake, a lady that
taught Sunday School ask me if I felt better. The only thing lacking
was that I was still lost, headed for hell. I went on through the
years in this condition. Terry and I dated all through high school.
I would sometimes attend services with him at True Hope Missionary Baptist
Church in Springfield. I would feel God's convicting power at these
services, but would not admit I was lost, stating that I was saved.
We were married September 29, 1973. Terry was running from his call
to preach the Gospel. We did not attend church for a year.
One day while Terry was working, his cousin Barbara Grant walked in and
told him that her children were lost and seeking God in a revival at True
Hope, and ask him to come. We went that night. I felt God's
convicting power and fell in the alter. I had seen people shouting,
and I didn't want to do this, but I had to shout that night. I reached
a place where there was something dark in my way and I could not get around
it. The next day on a Saturday, at home, was the worst day I have
ever spent in my life. I didn't leave the house. I usually
have the shades open and let the sun shine in. I kept the shades
drawn all day. I argued with satan all day. I had a feeling
to call Terry's cousin and ask him to come to church and pray for me.
Later in the day, I had a feeling to call this friend of my mother's.
She attended the church where I had been deceived at the age of 13.
This woman was raised at Red Top Missionary Baptist Church near Buffalo,
MO. I felt like I needed to tell her I HAD NOT been saved where
she attended church. Terry came home from work, and we were ready
for church. I had a few extra minutes before we had to leave.
I sat down on the couch. I thought Terry was in the other room, but
he said he was sitting right across the room from me. During the
last 10 minutes of Hee Haw, Lulu Roman, started to sing BLESSED ASSURANCE.
I cannot tell you what happened during that song. I just remember looking
up and her eyes were shining and she sounded SO pretty. I had never
actually seen any one saved before. I knew I had been deceived, and
I wanted to be saved in the front of True Hope, and it be a big thing.
That night we went on to church. Everyone looked so wonderful, Sister
Gann looked so pretty. I only went to the alter because I didn't
want any one coming to me, and went Sunday morning and Sunday night.
I would get there and a voice would say "What are you doing here, you don't
need to be here". This confused me. Monday night before church
I was talking on the phone to Terry's aunt Bessie. She said "Well...are
you going to be satisfied with what you've got or try to get more."
I thought to myself why did she say that???? Monday night was a testimony
service. Testimony services always tore me up. During that
service God revealed to me that he had saved me during that song BLESSED
ASSURANCE at my home. No...I wasn't saved in the front of True Hope
my way. I was saved my Lord's way. I got WONDERFUL PEACE
with GOD.