Its been 5yrs

I had a momentary lapse of memory with everything going on I had forgotten that it was this month (this last weekend) 5 years ago that I joined the great Church of God....

Now some of you maybe wondering why it took me so long to join- I know a lot people who grew up in the church- who were pastors kids just like I was that joined at earlier ages then 15- but for me being raised in the church (COGOP and then my parents went straight over in '93) and being a PK is one of the main reason I didn't join at a younger age- I refused to do it because I felt like I had to- I think I trully had a revelation of the church long before I did join but I was so determind to make sure that it wasn't because of mom and dad that I was doing it. They never pressured me but I put pressure on myself to know and see the truth not just in head knowledge but I knew it had to be in my heart as well. I had seen many many people join the church in my 15 yrs of life- I had seen the church offer the right hand of fellowship many many times. We were at regional convention at the beginning of July and a young man who had been a member before and had backslided and been disfellowshiped was there. He had gotten his life right, made restitution to the church and then asked to join. He was given the covenant and then the right hand of fellowship. I stood there watching and clinging to the pew- I had seen this many times- What was different? I don't know but as I saw members offering him the right hand of fellowship it all seemed so clear to me- this was the Church. I knew it in my heart long before then and I had the knowledge of it all in my head before then- but it was seeing that that the two connected. I was standing in line by dad waiting to go up his hands and me crying I turned to dad and told him I wanted to join. I don't think he had a second of doubt that I was sure- he had on a few occassions told me I needed to join but I told him that I couldnt and he always accepted that.

He asked me if I wanted to join right then and there. I looked up to the stage and there stood several men of God who I've always admired and respected that I could have had my pick of who admistered the convent to me but there was no question in my mind who I wanted to do it. The one man I've admired, looked up to, respected and loved all my life. My father. I remeber poundering his question and then saying no- this young man had gone through alot to get back to this point and I didn't want to take his special moment away from him. I also figured that those that hadn't come to convention would like to witness it as well.

We got home and I missed that Sunday because I had gotten sick, and then for some reason we didn't have church the following Sunday- I guess the Devil really wasn't to happy about this -hehe - then finelly the 4th Sunday in July- My father called me up and admistered the covenant to me and I joined The Church of God. Three weeks later at camp I reicived the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Then 3 years later just a few days after the assembly I accepted my call to teach and was set forth October 4th, 2004 as a lay teacher. In these last 5 years I don't think I've ever once questioned wither or not this was the Church- I've questioned my call but only out of fear. I can pin point three specfic occassions in which the Lord has reconfirmed my refelation of the Church and strengthed my vision.

I can't begin to express how thankful I am for the Church and Her wonderful people.

I hope I have not bored you - I had just been reminded of it and had been thinking about it so I decided to share.

Well I am going to get back to the meeting- I have about 6 1/2- 7 hrs left I think and then I am done- I almost want to go back and replay the section in which they are singing- and they have all the brethern sing the song in their language-It sounds so wonderful (even though some can carry a tune-hehe) I could fill the wonderful spirit in it- and I know they obviously they end up going back to doing business - haha but I really enjoy the moments that they have spent worshipping- Im in my room and I've sung along with them and found myself in those moments praying for our overseers and praying for Bro. Smith and Sis. Smith too.

I have a question before I go - when I put the cd into my computer and open the files in Windows Media Player- The audio starts and the manuscript appears at the bottom and Im able to follow along ...now on the desktop and my parents laptop when we open the files the same way the manuscript isn't there (same cd)... so my question is those that have the MP3 does the manuscript show up for you? Its a mystery to us-hehe

well good night everyone