In October of 1928, I was born in a Christian home. My parents gave me a Bible name, "Miriam". I was the fifth of six children. My sister was the oldest of the six and I had four brothers. My father and two of my brothers were always preaching the gospel and our home was open for people to come for Bible study, prayer and singing, so as to let Christ grow in them. My mother always read Bible stories to me and I would curl up on my Dad's lap and listen to him tell me about Jesus and all that the Lord did for him. He gave me many Bible verses to memorize and would say them with me. At age seven I prayed with my earthly father to my heavenly Father and opened my young heart to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. At age eleven I again asked my Dad to pray with me. This time I thanked the Lord that I now had the assurance of my salvation and wanted to give my life to Him completely. I was raised very strict and was sheltered from the world and its sin as much as possible. But, when I was 16, my brothers were away defending our country, my sister was married, the church we attended was falling apart, and my Dad was at an all-time low, spiritually. These things really affected me; I was hurt, angry, confused and became very rebellious. My Christian friends lived in sin but lied about it. I found a new group of friends who didn't lie. They didn't need to - they saw no sin in their lives. I attended my first movie show with them and experienced the worldly system of sin called "worldly pleasures". Even during this time I would speak to my new friends about Jesus Christ and how they could receive His life. This was one way God used to protect me from many sinful things. He never left me nor forsook me, but brought me back to Himself. God saves us with a purpose and a plan in view. Life in Christ has many trials and tribulations but you never walk alone. He is always with you. Your situation may not disappear but you can rise above it in Christ and gain more of Him. He teaches us all things and is all things to us. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father but by Him. To trust Him is to obey Him and to love Him is to live Him. One of my favorite songs is: God has put on human nature and become a man like me He has died upon the cross that I from Adam might be free. He has risen and as Spirit He has come to live in me That He might be my life. Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! For Christ is now my all. You can open up to Him right now and He will become your life and your all. He will set you in His Body as it pleases Him (1 Cor. 12:18) and your joy will be unspeakable as the Christ in you flows in and through you to other members of His Body. "For as the Body is one and has many members, so also is Christ". (1 Cor. 12:12) We praise and thank you, Lord, that You have made us one by your life in us. (submitted by Miriam)