Growing in God

Thinking back to being a student sitting in the seats of Holland Christian's auditorium during chapel, I remember hearing a lot of great speakers. Some were just funny, others had amazing stories that you could just never forget, and some just really hit home with the lessons they were teaching. I always really liked when past students of HC would come back to do a chapel and share things they have learned, it was always interesting to hear how far they had come in their lives. And I remember thinking to myself on occasion, "if I were to be asked to speak in chapel, what would I talk about?" At that time, I really never could think of anything that would really make people listen to me, and also I was too afraid of panicking and having a nervous breakdown. But lately, now that I am older, a little wiser, more mature, and have gone through a lot more of life, I feel have more to say. And, for some reason, lately, God has been putting a lot of things on my heart and giving ...

On September 14, 2015, I had a surgery that changed my life forever. I had my gastric sleeve surgery. It was on that day, that I began a very hard, but yet very worth while journey, that I do not regret one bit. I have come so far and have become a whole new person. I started out weighing 401 pounds, I wore size 4X shirts and size 30-32 pants. I had little energy and would get tired and winded easily. I never wanted to do anything. I couldn't fit on hardly any rides and had to worry about weight restrictions where ever I went. I couldn't sit criss-cross applesauce or cross my legs. I barely had a lap for kids to sit on and couldn't play very much with kids before I would get tired and need a break. I felt fat, ugly, disgusting, and like I wasn't worth anything and like I was nothing but a fat, useless piece of crap. I hated myself and was very depressed. Now, I am a new person. Now, I weigh 219 pounds, I wear size Large shirts, and 18 pants. I have so much more ener...