2.18.2008

My Story of Overcoming...

This is kinda long, but bear with me...

I was born on September 13, 1990 in Washington state. I moved to Colorado when I was 4 years old. On March 29, 1997, my father ran off in the middle of an affair with another woman- without saying a word. It hurt so bad because it was something we never expected- out of the blue you could say. I went on in life, continuing to live as a hurt little girl that was abandoned by her father. When I was in 8th grade, I went on a jv_tag retreat with my church called BE. I got freed from so much there and no longer cared what others thought of me, I would live for God passionately no matter what people said to me. I started going to the high school group at my church, (_TAG). And what can I say, it was so amazing and I loved it. My freshman year my english teacher invited me to be on her fencing team, so without really thinking, I accepted. One thing is that it was on wednesday nights, so I stopped going to _tag. I completely turned my back on God and the church.. everything that had to do with it. I started hanging out with the wrong type of people and let them influence me more than I ever should have. I started watching vulger movies and music, started talking like a sailor, and so much more. I disrespected my elders. I turned to prescription drugs for comfort, and was very much addicted. I said things about God and the people I love that still haunt me to this day. I had a night off, and thought, "Hey , I'll go to _tag, why not? See my old friends..." So I went and I really felt like I needed to go on the winter retreat, (ADORE), thought it would be fun. Little did I know... that it would be the most life changing thing I will have ever done. The saturday night service started out good, but I was having trouble connecting with God the way everyone else was. Pastor Brent talked about how sometimes we build up our own god, one that we can work with and contoure to our lifestyle. I have never been sooo convicted in my life. He called for people that had walked away and needed to get it straight with God. I reluctantly went up... and was pressed on by the voice of the Holy Spirit. I dedicated my life to God that night and have never been the same since. I live with passion, abandon, and full of life. I was delivered from my addiction and bitterness. Jesus had truely become my Saviour and best friend. I was radically changed. That summer I would find out that my father had cancer. I didn't really care, because I was still mad at him for all the pain he caused. I went on, continuing in the life of God. Then, on January 13, 2006... we got a call that said that it was bad and he could die at any time. We made a quick decision that we would drive down to San Antonio, Texas-- where he was living, the next day. I saw him and he poured his heart out to all of us, pleading for forgiveness. It was really good, and really good to have closure and see that he was actually different. Broken, humbled. Then, an April 6, 2006... my father died. It was harder than I ever expected it to be-- knowing that I never had a father there for me and never would. But, I have gotten over it... maybe. In the summer of 2006 I went on a missions trip to Ciudad Victoria, México, with _Tag. It was the most incredible experience I think I have ever had in my entire life. My life was forever changed when the Spirit of God showed up in a little palapa (hut), in México. It was the most power packed God encounted I've ever had. I heard the voice of God speak to me, impressing upon my heart,--"Daughter, this is where I have called you to be. This is your home, where you are needed. You will see thousands of lives changed." My heart beats for the lost and dying people of Mexico and Latin America. It is the very reason that I exist in this world. The love I feel for the Hispanic people is imense, and won't ever burn out. My spanish teacher/pastor/friend put it best. She told me, "Kasey, I think you were born American by mistake because you have a Latin Heart." I couldn't possibly agree with her more. I've got more Latin in me than American. Don't get me wrong, I love America-- but my heart is in other places. So now, I am a senior in high school, and living everyday sold out for God. I want to reach the nations with the message and love of Jesus Christ. This is my story of how God help me overcome. What's yours?

2 comments:

Melanie said...

You are so precious! What a beautiful testimony of God's love and grace towards you sweet sister. He has been and is pursuing you always! I love you so much! I look forward to seeing the great things that God is going to do through you! You are such a beautiful woman and I adore you!

Kay Day said...

This is a beautiful testimony and God is glorified. Bless you.