It was exactly 2 years ago today that I decided to move to this town.  I had left my home of 12 years the day before and gone back to my parent’s home, feeling very hurt and betrayed by those closest to me.  I left everything and felt in complete despair, everything I had loved had gone.  I felt I had nothing. I remember looking up into the sky during a walk with my dog on seeing the sun shine down through the clouds like this and saying- what have I done to deserve this? Although my friends and family were wonderful during this time I still felt incredibly lonely and all the old clichés are true- you can feel lonely in a room full of people.

So I came to a new town, to a new job with live in accommodation and threw myself into work.  It was the run up to Christmas and I could forget myself when I was working with flowers.

I have found it very difficult to write my testimony, I could share so much with you about the things that have happened to me during this time and it’s hard to find the right words.  I came here feeling I had nothing and expected nothing, but I firmly believe that God bought me here for a reason- not to hurt me- but to give me a better life.

I have always believed in God and when I was getting to know James I admired his faith.  I first came to this church with him because I knew it was an important part of his life and I wanted to support him in that.  You made me feel so welcome and I’ll never forget seeing that image on the screen- it felt like I was being sent a message.  I came on the Alpha course just to learn a little more and it was there that I realised that I had actually shut down emotionally to cope with the past.  Gradually the hurt was healed and I am able to live and feel again.

And so I stand before you here today to thank God for His love and all that He has given me. All I ever wanted in life was a loving family life and I never thought I would have this as I had no children of my own.  When James first asked me out I warned him that I had ‘serious baggage’, to which he replied- ‘and I have 2 kids’.  Now I have a wonderful husband and the opportunity to share the life of 2 beautiful and very special girls Emily and Jessie- I love them all very much.  That loving family life is extended by James’ family and the church family. Also, most importantly, I have found inner peace and have left the baggage behind.

The song I have chosen has a particular verse which sums up why I am here today being baptised:

              ‘So take me as you find me

              all my fears and failures

              fill my life again

              I give my life to follow

              Everything I believe in

              Now I surrender!’                        ( “Mighty to Save” Reuben Morgan/Ben Fielding)