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My life was partying and friends.

I stopped paying my bills. All my money went to alcohol, smoking, and things that are not healthy. What I was going to do at night became more important than going to school. I almost dropped out of school. I lost my job.

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I had a bright future. I was as a very good student. When I started partying, it took away from everything. I didn’t save any money. I stopped paying my bills. All my money went to alcohol, smoking, and things that are not healthy. What I was going to do at night became more important than going to school. I almost dropped out of school. I lost my job. It could have led to something worse.

There was a sadness in me. I confided in my friends. I held on to them so strongly. I didn’t really think God could be that close. I didn’t know that He was what I needed. I partied with my friends and their parents. Moving from Canada to Tennessee separated me from the party life. As my lungs started clearing up, I realized I was breathing better. I went to church, but I was not at all interested in what the pastor had to say. I had attended church when I was younger, and I just wanted to see what people had become.

I felt something during worship. The pastor started talking about how we are held back by fear, but when God opens doors it’s our choice to walk through them. Even if something is trying to stop us, we still have the choice to go through. He opens the doors, and we must take the first step to get where we need to be. When he was talking, I felt like he was staring directly at me. He invited people up for prayer.

I decided to give my life to Jesus Christ in September 2012. I always thought it would be so hard to do, but it was the easiest and best decision I’ve ever made. I had never understood what people meant when they talked about the friendship of God and joy, but that day I understood. I realized I didn’t need anything else. My desires completely changed. All the fear of what my friends would think about my church attendance went away. The peace of God filled my heart. Within two months I enrolled in University, and my life is completely changed. It’s honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done.

Laressa - My life was partying and friends.

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