Diane Quinn

"from that moment on my life changed"

"Religion" surrounded my life as a child. I attended Catholic boarding school, living there all week and going home only on weekends. My parents were divorced, and I was lonely. It was in that loneliness, however, that I found my need for a personal relationship with God. It was there in the school chapel that I prayed to Him, and he became more than a religion to me; He became a Father to me that I could talk to every day. From that moment on, my life changed.

I left the boarding school in the 7th grade and entered the "real world" for the first time. There I found a lot of new things that attracted me and pulled me away from my relationship with God. Still, He never left my side but patiently waited and drew me back into that close relationship with Him again.

It was when I came to Valleydale Church with my family that I really caught on to growing and maturing in my faith. I began to hear and understand the truth of God's word in a new and life-changing way; I was baptized with my husband and daughter; I began to experience real community with other believers who could encourage me in my victories and my struggles.

One of those struggles was being diagnosed with cancer just a few years ago. I could not have imagined going through such an experience without my faith, my relationship with the Lord, and a family of people around to pray with me and love me. A circumstance that could have been so devastating was turned into a blessing in my life. Now, I have the opportunity to do the same for others who have those same experiences, including my husband who is even now dealing with cancer.

My life, like everyone's life, has been filled with experiences that can be viewed as negative, even tragic - divorced parents, worldly living, cancer, to name a few. But God has always been faithful to me as a loving Father, and I have found in my church a true family where I am supported, encouraged, and loved.

"For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31