I was 26 years old when I was saved by Christ’s blood on the cross. Although I was trying to do my best to keep it all together, I was living a life full of sin. My life is literally what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 40:2 “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

That was 11 years ago, and I am daily amazed at how when I place Christ first in my day, He does not fail! He does not disappoint! He does not burden me! Three years ago, my husband, Doug, and I decided to move back to Iowa from North Carolina to be closer to our families. We had been blessed by being immersed in the culture of the “Bible Belt” and by the many Christians the Lord had put in our life in the past few years. Although we felt absolutely drawn to move back to Iowa, it would be wrong to say that we weren’t a bit nervous about what type of church family we might find here. We prayed on it daily with our friends in Carolina and eventually heard of a new church plant that was in the works.

Being led to live in Boone, we were encouraged when we heard that the church was to begin in Polk City. Having lived in the city, a half hour drive over to Polk City for church did not seem like an issue to us. We had yet to meet the others who were also being drawn in by the Lord to help with this new church. Would we connect with them? Would they be more traditional than us? Would they love the Lord as much as we do? Would they be fun? Who might God draw into the new church? Questions overflowed and we tried to suppress our nervousness through prayer.

Now, years have passed. I have met those called to help start the church and have also been blessed by so many new people God has brought into His family of believers in Polk City. It is still awe inspiring to think that these people here in Iowa are the people the Lord had chosen for me to meet and become friends with long before I ever stepped foot in Iowa. I think of Joshua and the Promised Land and how the Israelites knew not what the Lord had planned for them or the blessings He had been preparing. I am also reminded of 1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” God is so good!

Through my time at Lakeside Fellowship I have been blessed by so many friends in Christ. Friends who pray for me. Friends who care for me. Friends who love me. Friends who are there to honor and glorify God with me during the good times and the struggles. Friends who hold me accountable. Friends who want nothing more than to worship our awesome God with me! Friends who share the joy in telling others that it is Christ alone who can bring peace, happiness and eternal life! I have been blessed to meet those whom have known the Lord for years, and those who have yet to know His saving grace. I have seen lives transformed and relationships mended. In a small way, I feel like my time at Lakeside has allowed me just a glimpse at the wondrous love and work of God!

I could not have imagined the impact that being a part of Lakeside Fellowship would have on my life! And yet… then I think…why wouldn’t it? For Christ himself tells us, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20