Larisa's Testimony

I remember from a young age being very aware that Jesus loved me. I knew I wanted to live my life for him. I understood what he did for me and I felt His presence often and in very real ways. I have always known beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a God and that I was meant to serve him. I was blessed to grow up in a wonderful loving Christian home with great parents. I found my closest friends and support group at church. I had a great youth pastor who would always tell me I was a leader and that God had big plans for me. And eventually I began to believe him; I got involved with the drama team and went on many mission trips and youth camps throughout the summers.

Like so many girls growing up, I went through a few awkward stages. Growing into my body and figuring out how to do my hair and how to dress, I desprately wanted to fit in. It seemed like it took forever but once I reached eighth grade things began to change, the boys started to recognize me, and I didn't get teased nearly as much. However, I had a fear that they would eventually see the ugly me. I had bought into the lie that everyone else had been telling me. I didn't see myself how God did. I didn't know my true value. I quickly found out that I liked having boyfriends, I liked the attention. I liked feeling special. I gave my heart away entirely too easily simply because they told me I was pretty and they loved me. What I needed though was to see myself how God did, to change the negative thoughts to posative thoughts. I soon realized that I could never love someone else well untill I first learned to love myself well. I needed to see myself how God did. I knew I needed to change some things. I have to admit I was worried that I would lose the attention of the boys in my life that were no longer teasing me. However, I began reading scripture that told me who I was, that I was a child of the King, an heir to the throne...and I began to believe it and walk in it. I knew God had the perfect guy out there for me. And I trusted that he would bring us together.

Once I began dating Jeremy, I knew I had found an amazing man. He respected me, cherished me and fought for me...I didn't know guys like that existed. Men with character and integrity. I always knew I wanted to marry someone who had also chosen to save sex for marriage, just as I had, and I was begining to think that type of guy didn't exsist. I am so glad we decided to wait! For so many reasons, but I think one of the most important things it did for us was to bring a higher level of trust into our marriage. He had proven to me that he was a man of integrity and character, He did what he said he would do. And now it is easy for me to trust him, even when he is away on long road trips. Even now I am amazed by this man, I knew I had found someone special, and I wasn't about to let him go.

God has proven himself faithful. I know he put Jeremy and I together, And I am so glad he did. We are on a journey through life and there is no one else I would rather be walking with. Jeremy and I believe in the next generation. We want to encourage you to make the right choices for your lives and to believe in who God made you. God has placed so much potential in each of us. He created us with a specific purpose in mind. We are destined for greatness, that is what it means to be a child of the King. My heart is for people, I want to be a vessel God can work through and use. I long to hear his voice. My prayer is always, "Lord, let me see them how you see them." Even now my favorite times are when I can feel his emotions, what he feels towards the people he loves. I am continually blown away by his incredible grace, mercy and unconditional love for me as well as others.