Tony and Veronica Parker
(Members)
|
Eight months ago we took a friend up on his
offer to visit his church. As our family walked toward the front
door I stopped a moment and looked at the church sign; RESTORED
LIFE CHURCH, and thought; "What a catchy name." As we entered, a
lady stood to greet us with open arms saying; "Welcome, Welcome,
Welcome!" We were embraced by many! I was utterly amazed
by the presence of GOD! Pastor Laura called us during the week
to talk with us. I was eager to attend again. Tony and I both
wondered if this could be home? We were at a point in our
lives where we were grasping for hope! We had faced fifteen
years together caught up in spiraling circumstances. My heart
was broken, our lives were damaged! At that point I did not see
how we were ever going to be able to provide our children with
the love and nurturing they deserved. I was consumed by fear and
shame. I felt like an empty shell! In a matter of weeks it was
clear to us that GOD had placed us where we needed to be! As we
retreated into the comfort of the love of brothers and sisters
in Christ our hearts were filled with joy, our lives were filled
with hope! God's healing began! We attended every Sunday,
Thursday night bible study, men's and women's gatherings and
special events. We became family! Marriage counseling was
lovingly provided. And on September 30th Tony and I were joined
in Holy Matrimony. The love, care and planning that went into
the wedding was astounding! We could not have dreamed up a more
beautiful day!!! Our life was lining up with the Word of God!
The Church Mission statement was made very plain ... Loving God,
Loving People. Serving God, Serving People. What I thought was a
wonderful "slogan" began coming to life. We realized that the
destruction in our past was the direct result of serving
ourselves! In giving our lives to our Heavenly Father we are now
devoted to serving HIM! To serving each other and our children.
To serving those in need! To Glorify His Love! I am still in awe
that I spent so many years not knowing how truly precious
I am in the eyes of God. I did not know my purpose! And as much
as we loved our children they too were unaware of their value in
God! NO MORE! We still find ourselves facing difficult times. We
still make mistakes. Even though we stumble... we can now stand
our ground! Our lives are now truly being RESTORED in the
foundation of God! |
I just thank God
for the shepherd that we have because since I have been
there I have grown a lot. I now know the purpose for God
putting me here at Restored Life Church. My pastor prayed
for me even when I didn't know she was praying for me.
I have learn to look at things after the spirit because I
really didn't know how much I was really missing until the
Lord revealed it to me. I have learned to study a lot more
than I use to because I've also learned a lot about
accountability because Pastor Laura always holds me to what
I say I'm going to do or what it may be to give me to do and
I just thank God because some of the things that she knows
about me only God knew that has help me to grow in every
area of my life in this Christian walk.
I just wanted to send a quick note to
thank you for your obedience to pray. I had disrupted a nerve or
something in my lower back from working out at the gym. I started
getting pain a little over a week ago, and silly me, I thought that it
was just muscle pain from using heavier weights, so I continued to work
out thinking that the pain would go away. I finally learned that it was
indeed a nerve, and not something as simple as muscle soreness. I was in
so much pain Thursday and Friday that I had to take 2 Vicodin to even be
able to get out of bed. For the last several days I'd had to use an
electric sauna belt across my lower back non-stop, I even slept with it.
I just want you to know that almost immediately after you prayed, I
began to feel relief in my lower back. By the time I got up this
morning, the pain had minimized about 50%. I have went the entire day
without taking any pain medication, and now, at almost 6:30 PM, I can
standing upright with virtually no pain at all - just a littlediscomfort
from the healing process. I give God the glory and again, I thank you
for your obedience, your support, and your prayers. Loving God and
loving you!! Victoria |
