Here's the short version of a long story: I was born Catholic. I made my first communion when I was eight (I had to pick out the cutest dress, of course), but at the age of nine, I thought that my aunt, who was a JW, was speaking words of truth. I convinced my mom to start going to meetings, and was baptized at the very young age of 11. I spent my teenaged years as a witness, auxiliary pioneering whenever I had the chance. When I graduated from high school, I spent the first year pioneering. I went to pioneer school and congratulated myself for accomplishing this. I had also started college... at a private Catholic (*gasp*) college. I got a ton of flack for this, of course, but I was fairly independent in my thinking (*gasp again*) and didn't really care. I traveled to Europe for the first time in my twenties, however, and this proved to be a turning point in my life. As someone who had never dated, I had a few encounters with men (*gasp*) and met "worldly" people who weren't so terrible after all. I felt guilty, of course, so I even went to Bethel when I was in Poland to try to get back on track. But when I returned home after that summer, I had changed. I had experienced “the world” and proceeded to live my own life. I dated a man who was Catholic, and I went with him to church, though I didn’t believe any of it. I was simply going through the motions and going because it was important to my boyfriend. I dated a few others, an atheist and then another Catholic. While I was dating my ex, I became interested in a group of Oneness Pentecostals. Their services were so full of joy and exuberance and I thought that they might have the Holy Ghost. I was baptized in 2006, but I never received the gift of speaking in tongues. I was crushed. And when I read the Bible, what I understood was that we all have different gifts, and that not all are going to speak in tongues. I also did not agree with the strict dress code. I know that God cares about modesty, and not the length of my hair. Currently, there is no church that I can call my own. I am still figuring out what I believe. I know that Jesus is God, and that he died for me, and by this sacrifice I am free. I believe in grace alone, and I don’t think that salvation can be earned with good works. I feel that this falls under the branch of some type of Protestantism, but I have yet to figure out where to find fellowship. This is a journey, though, and I keep praying to God to find out where I should go. I’m praying for enlightenment and true knowledge and His direction in my life. Well that’s my story for the most part. I am hoping to meet some mature Christians here who can help me in my journey, as well as some ex JW’s who I might be able to relate to (I’m not into JW bashing, however.) God bless all of you and hope to talk to some of you soon.
Hugs!
Kristy
Hugs!
Kristy
