At the age of 4, my brother was killed on his bicycle after being hit by a car. My family of 10 was now 9 and my parents had a lot of anger and hurt. Since the accident, my parents stopped going to church and didn't want to share about their beliefs and God. As a kid, I always felt like there was more to life and love. I always felt lost and felt envious of those that had a place they called home, that is the church and God. I always wanted more growing up. It wasn't until a few years ago that I came back into contact with some friends and family that had rediscovered God and his love. I started searching. I felt it in my heart. My family and marriage were falling apart. The kids and I started to visit churches and I started to read some books. One day I was talking on the phone with an old friend of mine that had moved to Washington who was a long time member here at WACC. He urged me to check out WACC... The church on the corner of Mar Vista and Colima. I am a web/graphic designer and had to check out their website first. Their website got two thumbs up from me. One Saturday night I felt that it was time to visit WACC. My four kids and I attended our first service at WACC. We walked up the steps to be greeted by Colleen Marks. The kids and I fell in love and our searching for more had taken a huge leap. The trees, the friendly people we met, Bill's incredible messages, Bryan and Laura's music and all the kids programs. At the time, I was a stay at home mom of 4, freelancing in graphic design/photography/web design. I started to volunteer with Rondalyn in the Elementary/Early Childhood Ministry taking pictures. After 10 years of being at home full-time, and 4 kids later, our family had decided it was time for me to return to work. My resume and online portfolio were sent to Rondalyn for her to forward to whomever she thought might be interested or to just keep on file. Within 24 hours, I was contacted by John Ortberg, the Executive Pastor. One interview appointment later and they offered me the Graphic Designer position. Within 3 months we found our home church, found God, and found a job that I love. God has led me back to him in such amazing ways. I can remember each phone call from an old friend, book recommendation I was given, words that were shared all came from Him. Today, I have my family, my marriage, my friends, hope, love, patience, support, understanding, grace, prayer and HIM. All these were missing or I was in the process of losing a lot in my life when my kids and I took those steps up to the Worship Center. But, now they have been found or HE has shown them to us.

I was agnostic and lived by the standards of this world. I cannot imagine how empty my life would be now if I had not given my life over to Christ! I first met Jesus through MOPS – Mothers of Preschoolers. We had just moved to the area and my husband suggested I go so that our daughter could have some playmates. There was a different feeling about the women at MOPS. They were loving and warm, and I just felt so accepted. I was drawn to God because I wanted the inner light that radiated from these women. I was also very impressed with the outstanding MOPPETS program and wanted more for our children. That meant coming to church. You can’t help but fall in love with WACC when you visit! There is something real that I feel here. It’s as if this is how God envisions our community and our friendships to be. It is true that relationships matter the most to Him. The relationships in my life, whether between myself and Christians or non-Christians, have done a 360 toward the positive because Christ’s love radiates to everyone around.

In the year 2000, we were in search of a church in Whittier. We were hesitant to join such a large church, but the sermons and worship were so powerful, we kept returning. After a month, good friend told us about a small group for married couples – through which we became connected and building friendships. WACC has been a foundation of support as our family became complete through the adoption of two beautiful children. Before Josiah and Jaiden came home, the encouragement and support of our friends in our small group kept us going through the ups and downs of the complicated process that a domestic adoption is. At times, we were discouraged and nearly gave up on having children. Our friends – our family – in our small group accepted us as we were and provided us the refuge to pray, fellowship and to grow as Believers. Once home, our children became connected with the outstanding children’s programs that occur on campus. Their knowledge of the Lord and excitement to be in fellowship with other God-loving children is a direct result of WACC’s ministry to the little ones. Thank you WACC!

Maybe They Were Angels
Some people, when hearing this story, have called them angels.  Could they have been?  I don't know.  But I do know that God sent a couple into my life when I was twelve years old who gave me  a chance to meet Jesus personally.  The funny thing is I don't know who these people are.  I don't know their names and I never saw or heard from them again, yet they were responsible for a major turning point in my life.  Who I am today and where my life has led me are a result of that weekend long ago.   During November 1966, in Tonawanda, New York (a suburb of Buffalo), my parents were planning to go away for a weekend.  To find someone to watch my two younger brothers and me, since we had no relatives in the area, they hired an unknown couple from an ad in the newspaper!  Can you imagine doing that nowadays?   I don't remember much about this couple except they stayed at our house and one night the woman took me to a Youth Evangelical Meeting in a large auditorium in downtown Buffalo.  We sat in the back right section.  I can recall standing up toward the end of the service and leaving this woman, to walk done the very long aisle to the front.  For a shy twelve year old, who was in a new place, with a stranger, this was an unusual move, but God was calling me to walk down that aisle.  That night I accepted Jesus as my Savior.   Even though my decision to follow Christ was in a very public place, my faith and walk with God started as a very private matter.  After walking to the front of the auditorium, I was taken to a room and given a little red Gospel of John.  I was told to read a chapter a day, read the through the book of John five times and then do the same with all the other books of the Bible.  Being an obedient child, I followed those directions for many, many years.  I also attended church regularly.  It was not until I was in my twenties, though, that I became involved with a church where I enjoyed the fellowship of other Christians, began really studying the Bible, and grew much stronger in my faith.  Coming to Whittier Area Baptist Fellowship (now WACC) twenty-eight years ago was another turning point in my Christian walk.   But one winter night, a long time ago in Tonawanda, New York, a couple entered my life for just a few days and changed my life forever.  Maybe they were angels.

As a busy wife and mom of 3 kids, it's hard to find the time for building quality friendships. But God answered my prayers 2 yrs ago when we begun attending WACC. His blessings continue to pour over both me and my family. WACC's Women's Ministries was amazing at reaching out to me woman-to-woman and as a newcomer. The presence and power of God's love was revealed to me through their giving hearts of other women at a time in my life when I needed it most. I know the bonds of these friendships are wrapped in God's arms and I can't imagine my life without them. We each know what it's like to try and keep our head above water in this crazy world and so we pray together - the power of prayer leaves me speechless. I thank God for WACC and the love extended to me through friendships and prayers. The tender ears that listen, soft shoulders to lean on, warm arms for hugs, and big hearts to say they care are all the ways these women show God's love. To God be the glory for expressing their servanthood to others. It's awesome to be loved and in turn be able to give such love to another!

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