teen years can be rough … but God kept me safe from so many situations, which i am only now appreciating! we lived in an isolated northern community … which for christian kids - wasn’t a bad thing … our church youth group was small, so we would get together for bible studies with the other evangelical kids (Baptist, Pentecostal, Mennonite, bible chaple, etc.) … even to this day the “official name” of a church doesn’t matter to me - only Whom they worship!
my love for God’s word started back then … in fact, one of the BEST Christmas presents i ever received as a teen, was a scofield reference bible from my mom …
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalm 19: 7-10
summer missionary
next came bible college … it felt like i was in heaven - studying God’s word all day long!!! … but something happened the second year of bible college … i seemed to lose the joy of the Lord … i had lots of knowledge rolling around inside my brain, but it somehow missed connecting with my heart …
that was the summer i met leo … i had a great summer job (big bucks - enough to cover my 3rd year) … i had been asked to be a dorm counsellor at college … i was a roll model, doing all the right things (i thought) … but … as i said, then i met leo … leo, who wasn’t saved … i chose to ignore what God said in His word ... Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darknes. 2 Corinthians 6:14.
it was a whirlwind romance … we met in May … got engaged in June … married in August … all in the summer of 1974 …
engaged!
during our first 3 years of marriage, i had nightmares of being separated from leo … there was a wide gulf between us that i couldn’t bridge … i knew what the dreams meant and i prayed for his salvation like there was no tomorrow … and God - being more merciful to me than i deserved … answered my prayers …
Glory! What a day that was when leo told me he had accepted Jesus as his Saviour … leo had never said no to Jesus … when he finally understood “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) … he accepted that gift of salvation and got baptized the very next month! he has never looked back!
on top of the world on our first plot of land
then … leo developed a sore back that wouldn’t go away … and received his life verse:
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 1 Corinthians 1:3-4
... to be continued ...
14 comments:
This is so exciting!! I love this story!
I am so enjoying reading
about your life, Saija.
I can hardly wait from one
post to another.
Thrilling! Keep it up!
(And I think you look like a Christian Marcia Brady in that teen photo.)
On top of the world! What a fascinating story, Saija. I think there are many Catholic stories such as of Leo's being born again that go untold. Hubby and I were the same way when presented the simple plan of salvation. I can't wait to read more.
Hugs,
what a beautiful girl you were and STILL are saija.
how merciful is the lord that he would save leo too.
bernie wasn't saved when we started going together either and i through my teen years had always been taught about the unequal yoke but when you are in love you try to put that into the back of your mind.
bernie was saved a month later after i met him and i left him and my brother who lived with him in ottawa three months later as betty and i wanted to live near the family who had just moved to welland area.
bernie moved in with mom and dad golden seven months later and lived there for a year.
when we were married the following year i felt so blessed to have a christian husband.
why is god so merciful and so giving, i will never know!
i, like the others am looking forward to more!.....love terry
ps..saija when we saw you guys this summer we could feel the peace and the presence of god in your home and that leo..wow! what a glowing face he had...you could see the lord living in HIM!!.
Wonderful walk with God Saija an d all the beautiful photos.
Bible Chapel.....hmmmm...did you live in Thompson??
Oh what a blessing! Enjoying this testimony and looking forward to more!
What a wionderful post; thanks for sharing.
Just also wanted to thank you for visting me and your gracious comment. Have a great day!
thanx for the comments ladies ... it has been interesting to see how God's word ties in so well in a believer's life!!! i think the more we feed on it, bath in, the better women we become! amen?
i had to smile at maria's comment re marcia brady - i'm older than marcia, so i had the long hair before she did ... *grin* ...
and yes, rebecca, it was indeed thompson ... i noticed you've been there too ...
i just finished the last post i'll do on my journey with the scarf sister bible ... i'll proof it tomorrow and look for pics to post with it ... this whole adventure has blessed my heart ... hope it's blessed yours too! (hugs) saija
Thanks for the link here Sajia. Enjoying meeting the younger you and Leo and learning more of your story.
Can't wait to read more!
yes, lived there. had a child born there....knewknow Bible Chapel people there....and also Lynn Lake...work related excursions to the North!
What a wonderful story! God is so good...
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