I'm adopted!

Hi, I'm Erin, and this is my very firstest blog entry EVER! (I read a Junie B. Jones book today. You should too!) The following is the kind of personal information doesn't always come up when you first meet people in person, but it is crucial to who I am today.

I was born for the first time over 16 years ago into a loving family. I am still the first born in that family. But exactly 16 years ago, I was adopted. Now I am part of two families :)

The loving family I was born into has grown, and I have a brother and two sisters. All of my siblings have taught me things about myself and how to live with others. My parents set an example for me in devotion to God. I don't remember not going to church or sitting down in the evenings to read Bible stories and pray for our missionaries.

There is nothing that has impacted me more than the Word of God. I was very young when I understood that my sin separated me from God. I could quote Romans 3:23 and 6:23 when I was four. I also knew John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

It was easy for me to see that I was not perfect, and I could not imagine being separated from those who loved me. I heard nearly every week how God is perfect and cannot have sin in his presence. I also heard how Jesus Christ died for my sins and payed the price so I could be saved. One day I realized that all I had to do was ask God to save me, believing in Jesus. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31)

When I confessed my sin and asked God to save me, He gave me so much, it's hard to list the blessings He poured on me. When I cried out, He took me into His family, and gave me new life, eternal life. He gave me His Spirit and a home in heaven. He gave me joy and peace. I cried tears of joy that day, because I knew the love of God for the first time.

I want to spend time every day recognizing God's blessings, His goodness, and His grace. Though I am weak, He is strong. Blessed be the name of the LORD!