I was born and raised in
Laredo, Texas, on the border between Texas and Mexico. I grew up in an
Episcopalian type situation, and always wondered what the purpose in life
was. I had the idea that I had to become a priest to even have a
relationship with God.
I remember praying
for God to send me anywhere so I could get to know Him personally. I
graduated from high school and decided to go to the University of Arkansas.
I also decided to join the army reserves to make a little extra money to
help me go to school. While at boot camp, the Lord broke me down. I began
wondering, 'What did I get myself into?' The Lord used boot camp to teach me
respect for authority. I got back from the camp with the intention of
becoming an Episcopalian priest, but my mom wanted to visit Mission Blvd.
Baptist Church.
Because it was her
first time to visit, I did not want her to go alone, so I went with her. It
was there that I met Pat Briney, campus director, and a few other college
students. I was invited to a Bible study and also to a prophecy film that
they were showing at the University of Arkansas. Through that film, the Lord
convicted me of my sin and showed me that if I died that night that I would
go to hell. I remember telling Pat, and he said that I needed to get it
taken care of right then. I remember praying underneath the bridge at the
Union of the University of Arkansas. After praying, Pat asked me if the Lord
saved me like He said that He would. I thought about it, and in an instant
the Lord made it clear that He did save me! His Spirit bore witness with my
spirit that I was His child.
