I received the Lord the Easter before my second birthday. I was asking questions about what we were celebrating, and had an intense love for the One I heard about. I went up to my room and told Him, "Lord Jesus, You died for me. I love you." A great brightness came into my innermost being. From that point on, I have known I was born of God. I always hesitate to tell people when I was saved, because generally their experience is different, but it was not my choice of time. Maybe God likes variety. I grew up in a Methodist denomination, and my Grandma was a Sunday School teacher. She prepared her lessons very seriously. Sometimes it would take her days, and she would be sweating and squinting under a light at night, to prepare them. I loved to hear the stories about Jesus and the saints in the Old Testament. I wanted to know more about this Person that I loved however I could. My interest did not go unnoticed. The pastor, a Dr. Joseph Piper, a wonderful brother, asked me to be the altar girl, taking care of the lampstands. This I did with all the dignity I could muster. When I was about ten, I told Dr. Piper I wanted to be a minister just like him when I grew up. (I was hoping to not have to wear the robes though.) He patted my head and later gave me a book from his college days to encourage me. As I got older, I was seeking a way to know the Lord better. I felt like I identified myself as a Christian, but I was frustrated by racial and denominational barriers between me and other Christians my age. I also couldn't find anyone to tell me how to have a walk with the Lord, although I went to church camps and friends' youth groups. I didn't even have the utterance of what to ask. In my heart I knew I was saved and loved the Lord, but "What now? What now?" was the question that pealed through my heart. I especially longed to have the reality of John 7:38 "He who believes into Me, as the Scripture said, out of His innermost being shall flow rivers of living water." Disappointed, I threw myself into sports. I practiced and worked out in almost all my free time. As a sophomore, I helped start the high school's girls track team, and was a captain for two years. I felt responsible for the whole team. Our sprint relay went to States twice, but we could not get first. We had well-intentioned coaches, but were lacking coaches who had lived what they were teaching. The best teams had old ex-track stars as coaches. I would stand by their coaches and listen to what they told their runners, and then go tell our team. I decided I would always look for the best training in everything. Eventually, I married my high-school sweetheart, and after he got out of the Navy, we moved to Ohio. I was desperate to have my children grow up knowing and loving the Lord, but every place I went was divided by something outward, or by some kind of soulish taste, or a part of the Word overemphasized. I listened to the best, most Biblical radio ministries and fellowshipped with my beloved Grandfather on the phone every day. He really encouraged me to pursue the Lord. One day we were invited to a video training on the Scriptures in Willoughby. The brother's sharing was different from what I had ever heard before. And I had listened to the best America had. Not just his ministering, but his being was different. I felt like a Niagara Falls of life was pouring out through him. I sat there with my mouth hanging open. I realized this was an example of the living waters pouring out. After twenty-three years of seeking, I was home. My whole life I had been seeking the application of the whole Word of God, not just parts. God is real, living, present, and loving us. He wants us to live Him. And He wants a corporate expression. Now I am learning together with others who want the living water, and want to flow it out to others. It just takes practice. (submitted by Julie)