On a more personal note....

When I was young, I trusted in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I understood that I was a sinner and headed to hell, and so I prayed for Jesus to take me to Heaven when I died. I put my trust in Christ alone for salvation; not in my “good works”.  But, years later I left home to attend college— and proceeded, both during college and for several years after, to live my life with little regard for Jesus. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in Him anymore, or when I ever doubted that I would be with Him in Heaven—but He just wasn’t my number one priority back then. Yet He constantly protected me when I would continually put myself into hazardous situations. I believed He wanted me to make art, so I chased that dream and graduated from college with a BFA in drawing. 

In 2009, I was by my dad’s side when he died. I left the hospital thinking, “I am so alone”, but then I felt God say, “No, you’re not. I’m still here.” He had my attention, and so, I listened when He told me to get out of Arizona.

In 2013, God moved me to South Dakota, where I had never been. Within a month of my arrival, I showed my art to the owner of a respected art gallery, from which my paintings currently sell.  

In 2018, I felt that Jesus led me to a particular house for sale, in Custer. Everything fell into place, and I was able to close on it in less than a month. Soon after, I read some Bible information that a local church had placed on my door, and eventually I listened to God in January of 2023 when He told me to go to that local church— the Mountainview Baptist Church, in Custer. In July of 2024, I was baptized in the Stockade Lake at Custer State Park. 

A few years ago, a bicycle fall and subsequent hip injury took away one of my favorite pastimes, to which I was apparently too devoted. While I was slowly healing, I soon realized that I could spend that time to create more art— and, more importantly, to go to church more often and to go deeper into the Bible— strengthening my faith. In one of my studies I read about sheep and their Shepherd. The Shepherd desires to teach the sheep to trust Him. But what if the sheep keep wandering? I read of one shepherd who broke the leg of one of his sheep— on purpose! He then carefully splinted it, and mended it, and carried the lamb everywhere, caring for its every need. During the healing time, the lamb would learn to depend upon the shepherd for everything, and not wander off  in foolish independence.

I’ve learned that God sometimes ‘breaks our leg’ to teach us to depend on Him, and Him alone. I give thanks that God cares enough about me to do whatever is necessary to get my attention, as I continue to grow spiritually.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. - Psalm 119:105

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