The testimony of I, Samantha Elizabeth Alvarado, which has been ordained precisely by the Lord God. Beautiful am I, for being a creation of the I Am, and blessed are those who speak of the great thing the Lord is doing.
2006: While bombs were being set off in India and Baghdad, I was a 7th grade student at Northwest Cabarrus Middle School. During this time, a friend of mine invited me to PH, or Providence House. I began attending the meeting of teenagers and middle schoolers every Wednesday night at 6:30, earning myself $5 every Friday for playing a wacky game in front of everyone. Not knowing God, or even caring He existed in this place, I continued going for friends and the money.
2007: Something inside of me wanted attention during this time. Something at home wasn't what I wanted, and I began to self harm. I would rub erasers on my arm until it broke the skin, and became infected. I would hit myself until bruises would develop. But the worste of these, is I would cut myself. With needles, with razors, with scissors; with whatever I could find. This went on for quite some time. After I finally told my mom what had been going on, one of the leaders at PH was contacted. Melissa began "mentoring" me, helping me through my problems and, eventually, working God into my life. Though I didn't completely understand or want to understand what she was saying, the self harm began to decrease and I thought I was done. Later on in the year, around September, I remember lifting my hands in submission to the song "Fire Fall Down" at the altar; and I finally gave my life to God.
2008: My daily self harm had stopped, and I only ran to it when I needed control over something that didn't go my way; bad grades, family, etc. I began my freshman year of high school, and was beginning to understand God a little. Over the summer, a new youth pastor took over PH and began leading it in a new way, which I liked. I was invited to be a part of the PH Discipleship Program, which I felt an honor. It was more of a leadership class, and I was extremely happy that I was finally understanding God, His power, and so I thought, His love. In November I began talking to the boy who would become my first love. We hit it off instantly, and were perfect for eachother. We had enough in common to talk all day everyday, and began dating January 11th of 2009.
2009: Price and I dated until June, and the fall took place in between then. We got intimate in ways we should not have. After feeling conviction from the Holy Spirit, we sat down with his parents and told them what we had done. His parents made us split up, leaving me & my heart completely shattered. Throughout the rest of my freshman year, I dealt with major depression due to the fact I only ever was wrapped up in him, and not in God. Summer of 2009 I attended Verge camp for the very first time; AND I LOVED IT. There was a presence of God so strong there, and I had thought I'd finally found healing and freedom. I went back to school that following August, and lived as though nothing was wrong.
2010: Steal dealing with hurts and pains, I ran from guy to guy hoping the next guy would be better than the previous guy; none of them satisfied the loneliness in my heart. I played church for awhile, claiming to be closer than close to God, and spending time with Him as much as possible. I met a boy via Facebook over the summer, and we began talking, eventually dating. I knew this boy was NOTHING like the man God intended for me to have, and I knew this boy was not saved. Yet, it drew me in even more. I began hanging out with him, and doing things I knew were not pleasing to God. He never truly hurt me as bad as I'd been hurt before, but I know he hurt a bit of me. During the summer of 2010, I attended Verge camp for the second year. And this year, I was saved. There was a moment when I was down at the altar, crying my eyes out, that I knew God had finally ripped apart the chains. He threw them in the face of the enemy and said "No, no more" and I finally said "No, NO MORE!". I was freed from my depression, hurts, pains, and fears this past summer. I was also prophesied over this summer, and was able to build amazing relationships with fantastic woman of God. I started my junior year in 2010, and was representing Jesus like never before. God gave me a hinge moment in 2010, and I took it. Packing up my life, my friends and my family, and moved to Michigan to persue what The Lord has for me.
2011: I followed the Lord to Michigan, and am in search of what He has. I've found a church, I've found a youth group, and I'm starting school soon. God is going to work wonders here in Michigan, and I can't wait to be a part of it!
Psalm 35:9 "Then my soul shall rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his deliverance."
Psalm 36:9 "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light."
No comments:
Post a Comment