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Soupy I was born the youngest of 6 kids in 1964, in the rural Midwest, raised on a farm. My parents spoiled me rotten, but I was kept somewhat humble by the torture of my siblings when my folks weren't looking. ;o) We were C + E Catholics (Christmas and Easter) and the only view of God I had was a grouchy old man waiting for me to screw up!! God is gonna get ya was a favorite threat when you were bad. In 1978 I saw "Jesus of Nazareth" on Easter and travelled to S.Dakota in the summer and witnessed the incredible "Passion Play". I was so amazed to learn what my lord had done for me. Though my life changed (I quit being so mean and selfish to all but my mom) I still wasn't born again. After living a fast paced life of partying and popularity, I foolishly married a man I hardly knew. He was in the military so I was only with him physically 21 days before marrying him in 1984. It turned out he was an abusive alcoholic and I was pregnant after only 3 months of marriage. Thank God for my first son, Adam. I was so blessed by the unconditional love I could give and receive thru him. We moved back home after Bruce left the military in 1986 and by 1987 we were thankfully divorced. My father, whom I loved so much, was dying from cancer that he had been battling since 1985. My cousin John and his wife Vicki entered my life during this crazy time! The righteousness, peace and joy of the holy spirit were so evident. I asked them what drugs they were on and could I have some? LOL They said, sure!!! And gave me Jesus!!! I didn't surrender immediately but with the help of their friend Marcy I managed to yield to our Lord and be born again!! It was such an emotional conversion. I was instantly delivered from cigarettes and pot. I also lost my potty mouth. ;o) I was breathless for 2 weeks and remember Vicki telling me not to rely on "feelings". Well, I blew off that good advice and when the "feelings" started to lag, I panicked and started seeking what I'd done wrong to lose them. I had no church and no fellowship, (my cousins were from out of state) and no teaching. The enemy came in like a flood. I started to backslide into the sins of the flesh, ciggies and gettin' high. Into this another man enters the scene. He is a wonderful brother, but at this time he was trapped in the bondage of legalism and when he found out I was getting high again, he told me God's grace will only last so long, then judgement sets in. Well, like all the men in my life, I determined I would dump God before He dumped me, which I knew He would eventually do since I was a sinner. Oh how wrong I was about God's incredible grace and mercy!! I was backslidden for approx. 6 years. Although I was so miserable, I was able to cover it well enough with comedy and drugs. I had my 2nd son, Alec, out of wedlock in 1989 (blessed in the midst of my sins) and I was diagnosed with a pain disease called Fibromyalgia. I had convinced myself I didn't need God, that my friends and family were more important and that my Doctors could handle whatever ailed me. In truth, I was running in fear of rejection. Well, by 1992 my disease had become quite disabling. I had to put my comedy career on hold. I was quickly losing all my so called "friends" since I was unable to go to the night-clubs and entertain them. My family had hardened their hearts toward me, convinced I was either crazy, depressed, or faking the illness to get out of work. Oh, this was so painful!! My oldest brother is a doctor. Talk about feeling betrayed!!! My Dr.s too, had let me down. There is no known cure for this disease and since I was on all the prescribed meds, they basically cut me loose, set me adrift. Suddenly everyone I'd rested my hopes on had let me down. I was left with noone but one friend. I felt like a failure to my kids, so I started contemplating suicide. Well, God's incredible timing again intervened. In May of '93 an old partying friend who had found Jesus, called me and invited me to church! I went. The worship was amazing and the guest speaker spoke words of life and hope. My God still loved me and was longing for me to return home to him!!! Jesus had made it so my Father wasn't mad at me anymore!!! I was the prodigal daughter finally coming to my senses and He was my father, running to meet me and embrace me right where I was!! I rededicated my life to him and the next week, joined the worship leader and some other brothers and sisters in communion at a sister's house. A group of believers came together and called themselves, Abundant Life Fellowship. I have been learning about and serving my God ever since this time!! He has taught me about His incredible grace ( getting what I don't deserve, i.e.: eternal life with our creator, forgiveness of my sins!!) and His awesome mercy (NOT getting what I do deserve, i.e.: the wages of sin are death, eternal separation from my creator, my father) He has called me as an evangelist, placing within me a heart to tell of His amazing love to all whom I meet. He has gifted me with His mercy and, though this can be painful at times, how rewarding it is to have His heart for His kids!! I am a deaconess for my church body, simply put, I serve at the tables of my family. I love to worship (draw near to God and kiss), to encourage my family!! and to learn as much as I can about Jesus! God has also blessed me with a family of believers online!! I would never have imagined such a thing!! I am blessed to gather together with them in JesusCafe, to praise, worship, fellowship and pray. My favorite part of my ministry online is the outreach to the huge world of unbelievers that enter the Cafe!!! God has allowed me to be a part of at least 5 ppl giving their lives to the lord not to mention the countless wounded sheep He has encouraged thru me!! I am living proof that God uses the foolishness of this world!! I won't mention any names, but God has mightily used my precious family to teach, encourage and lead me to a closer walk with Him!! You know who you are and I thank God for you all!!! ;o) muah! I'm not where I want to be yet but I'm not where I was, either!!! Thank you Lord that you will complete the good work that you began in me!!! Praise you mighty lord for your new life!! for your gospel of truth!! I love you Jesus!!! Fav. verses: Job 42:2 "I know that you (God) can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." Jer 29:11 "...for I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
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