OCP Weekly Blog Challenge #3 *Warning: LONG*

My Christian board (OCP - Online Christian Parents) is doing weekly blog challenges. I haven't done the first two because I had trouble answering them (but may end up doing them eventually). Here is what this one is about:

Share one thing/event/ time in your life that God has taken to make and mold a part of who you are today

When growing up, God wasn't really mentioned in our house. Church was very rarely attended, except for a few times here and there (weddings or holidays). I was baptized at a young age (I think a few years old), took catechism in school, did first communion and confirmation. At one point, I was in the church choir for a few years (mostly for Christmas or other holidays). I believed in God but never had a relationship with him.

My parents fought a lot throughout my childhood. I remember crying in my room (can't remember how old I was) thinking that my parents were going to divorce. They hadn't for a long time after that either. It wasn't until August of 1999 that they decided to end their marriage (before that, they were staying together for the kids, as I've been told - not sure if it's true or not but it seemed like it). Anyways, they were never there for me as much as they should have been, so it didn't seem to really bother me (or at least I didnt show it).

Rewind back to when I was about 16 years old (maybe 17). I started hanging out with the wrong people (well, it was actually one person in the beginning). I started drinking alcohol (even though I was under age), skipping school, meeting guys on the internet, staying out late on school nights without even telling my parents, sneaking out of the house in the middle of the night, taking my dad's car without permission and joyriding (without a lisence), and tried drugs a few times. I was doing alright in school, probably not as good as I could have been, but I graduated on time.

I met Justin online in August of 1999 (we were both seeing someone) and in person on Halloween of that same year (we were both single). We were in an on and off relationship for almost a year. Although, during this time, I attended church and Youth Group with him, I was still confused about Christianity. Like our relationship, I was on and off about all of that. I guess I thought what I was doing was fun (because it was what I was used to) and that Christianity was boring (because I didnt know all about it and how fun it can be).

At the end of the summer of 2000, I stopped hanging around with my friends. I moved in with my grandparents, trying to get my life back together (I was going to go to college out there but that didn't happen). While living there, I started listening to Christian music (Justin made me a few tapes), praying, reading my Bible, as well as going to church and Youth Group. I also attended "Impact" with the youth group one year (that was VERY fun).

We got engaged in November of 2000. Before we got married, Justin wanted me to be baptized. So, about a week or 2 before our wedding, I did just that.

I found out I was pregnant with Trinity about a month after we got married. We fought all throughout the pregnancy and up to a year afterwards. Justin and I separated in May of 2003 (my decision). During our separation my in-law's got temporary guardianship of Trinity (I got her on weekends and them during the week). I reverted back to some of my old ways (I started hanging around my old friends, started drinking again and staying out late). After about 2 months of doing that, I really missed my family and wasn't happy doing what I was doing so I came back. Since then, we've still had our share of problems, but we've gotten through them together.

Fastforward to now, 6 1/2 years after getting baptized. I am still seeking that close relationship with God (I feel I am closer than I was to Him a few months ago, so we're getting somewhere). I believe that everything in the past has contributed to me being how I am today. I want my children to have a better childhood than I did (although mine wasn't THAT bad). I want them to grow up loving the Lord and following Him. There will be challenges along the way, but I believe that Justin and I together and with God, we can get through anything that comes our way.

I hope you enjoyed reading and that I didn't bore you lol.

Until next week (with this at least).