I am beginning a little series here to help people see how far I have come in my life. Each new blog will be about a new area of my life and the things that have changed. I am sharing a piece of myself here to help others see that no matter where you come from in your life, God can make the difference.

I was raised in a Christian home but it was not a "strict" Christian environment. We went to chruch most times, we said our prayers some times, and we tried living the best we could but we were human after all. Despite the good values and morals our parents tried to instill in us, we were kids and did our share of rebellion. For the most part I made good grades in school and finished with a pretty good GPA. I went off to college but did not finish and ever since just kinda wandered from one job to the next to make ends meet.

Like most women, I met a man...fell in love...had a child...and in the end raised her pretty much on my own. Throughout the years I held many jobs, dated a few men, but never really quite settled myself long enough to "make a life". I did a little partying in my life...smoked cigarettes, drank alot of alcohol, and tried a little marijuana (hated that stuff) but never myself got into drugs. I went through a lot of hell, made a lot of bad decisions and a few times really made a try to get my life on track.

I married in my early 30's and it was over before it ever got started. After 8 years I finally got a divorce and decided to move on with that aspect of my life. I moved from several places but have finally found a small town in Northern Florida that I really like and this is probably where I will die if God does not move me again. I have had good times, bad times, smooth times, rough times...and even some down times. I have made many mistakes, learned many lessons...and despite what most people thought, I have made it this far. I had my share of trials and tribulations.

At 39 my second child came along...same daddy as the first...but the years had not changed him much and I am again raising another child on my own. My daughter is no help as she is too immature to even act close to her age. But my son has been the first of many blessings God has brought into my life in the last two years. My children are the main reason I am where I am today. It was because of them that I finally realized what was missing in my life.

Now here I am almost 41 years old and I have finally found what I have been missing in my life all these years. God was the ingredient I was missing in all those recipes in my life that seemed to be rising until I took them out and got a good look at them. There was no stability...no foundation...nothing to keep it rising. My yeast...my God...was missing. And now that I have placed Him first in everything I do, I find myself rising above it all. I still get attacks from the devil where he tries to infultrate into my life. But I always keep looking up and to my God to help me ward off the devil.

This has just been a quick look at my life. As I write this series I will began to break down different areas of my life and show you more clearly how much my life has changed. How much God has blessed me in just the two years I have been walking right with him. I am going to share all the sorrows that have turned to joy. Over the next few weeks you will get to know me and the God responsible for who I am today.

The scripture and picture I chose today is where is all started. His giving His life for mine and yours.

Mark 15:33