I’m a 53 year old Navy Veteran, who works in a factory for the last 28 years. I’ve been married to the love of my life for the last 32 years. I have two amazing successful children and three beautiful grandchildren. One might say that I have a perfect life, but until about six months ago, there was something missing. I couldn’t tell you what it was or put my finger on it exactly. I was just going through the motions in life with my head down. I was struggling with some personal issues and seeing a therapist to help me deal with these issues that were weighing me down. Until, one day my son came to me with a prayer and a bible. That day my life changed. My wife and I started attending services here at The River. After hearing pastor Matthew speak one Sunday morning, it felt like he was speaking directly to me. Something inside of me told me to go up to the stage and give myself to Jesus. And so I did. It awakened something in me that has filled me with so much joy and excitement for the Lord. I have likened it to being a sleep before and now I feel wide awake. I’ve started going to a life group with my wife and I read the bible and pray regularly, which I never did before. I’m so thankful for all that God is doing in my life. Every aspect of my life has changed. My relationship with my wife has never been better, my friendships have improved, I’m more present in the lives of my children and grandchildren, and I feel I’m just a better version of myself. I feel that I’m being called by God to be baptized so that I can publicly proclaim to all that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my lord and savior and will live my life loving him and doing what I can to honor him and the sacrifice he made for me. My relationship with God is new, kind of like and infant, but I feel it growing and strengthening every single day. I’m so excited to see where my journey in faith goes from here and I can’t wait for all the good things to come. – M