I grew up in northern Minnesota at a young age. Everyday was something new in my life. In a way I had it going. I was involved in sports, school was well and I had friends. It’s always interesting to where you think everything is going well and life is good until that one phrase shakes you “We are moving.” Time stops….
Moving isn’t all that bad, but the fact that since i’ve lived in Minnesota for a good 11 years of my life it becomes home. I attended church regularly and had a lot of good memories. So after hearing my parents talk we moved in August. A part of me wanted to go experience something new, but the other side of me wanted to stay here and enjoy life with my close friends.
So in August of ‘99 my family and I moved to Kansas City, MO. After getting introduced to IHOP I eventually came up to where I enjoyed it and spent hours upon hours in the prayer room. Spiritually it felt different, I attended church and I had thought that was enough, but it wasn’t. Being in the prayer room my heart opened up and I started getting ruined to God. I had given my life to Christ at an early age but I felt like I was slipping the whole way.
Being at IHOP I really came up to terms with where I was spiritually. I was way off and I knew that I needed to change. The atmosphere in which I was at everyone loved God and everyone loved each other. It was a good place to be and I really opened up. I could feel God’s love upon me and it was sweet. I know now why God wanted us to move. It’s because he knew that we needed to grow spiritually and I believe we really have.
Being here I rededicated my life to God and I am pushing on to the finish line. God is so gracious as to give us a chance and he is so merciful. I know that I have my falls, but I know that God has given me the strength to get up and to pursue after him. I am going to finish the race, the race to him!
My heart even up till now it has this cry. It’s to love and be loved by God. I feel like God has given me this great gift to share with others his love. I have this overwhelming sense of love and I want to share it with others. I can only say thanks to God for bringing me out of a atmosphere where I wasn’t growing to one that is growing each day! God knows us all to well 
