I was born in Eldora, IA on 03/04/78. My parents were still children themselves as my mother was 17 and my father was 18. My Grandma and Dad’s side of the family were raised Catholic, and I ended up at the Catholic Church too. My mother was a Methodist. From a young age I knew of Jesus and prayed a silly prayer my parents taught me every night. My father was my best friend from the day I was born and still is to this day. Even as a child I was proud of my father for putting food on the table and doing ok for us. He was and still is an addict but he found a way to make it work better than it could have been. Along with his addictions came drama, and tragedy after tragedy of almost killing himself. More than once he rolled his service truck and escaped death each time.

One day I was playing in the yard when a man came to the door and told us he would like my sister and me to give the Lutheran Church a try. I ended up getting baptized and confirmed Lutheran, but let’s be honest I was more interested in girls, drinking and such. It wasn’t long after that when I started getting in trouble stealing cigarettes. I fell in love very fast with all the things that kill your soul. I felt like when the devil chose me he was happy. It seems Satan has been trying to whoop me my whole life. Don’t think I’m blaming him. I very much know I’m my biggest problem. My whole life it seems I’ve been trying to win a battle that can’t be won, and that’s not even the worst of it. Who cares about me? All of the sudden now I’m bringing everybody else down also. They all get hurt. I’ve always had a problem with instant gratification. I want the pain to be gone right now too.

Due to my struggles with meth addiction I spent 5 times in the Jail, and a lot of time in prison. I met Chaplain Jerry at the Polk Co. Jail. On 11/21/23 I gave my heart to Jesus! My life has taken a turn for the better. I completed prison, am off parole, and living a life free from meth. Now the Holy Spirit lives within me. I’m getting baptized Aug. 11th and married Sept. 7th.

Really I think I’m just trying to do the next right thing. I’m a very slow learner it seems. I have one more positive thing to say. Today as I sit here writing this I’m more sure that Jesus is who He says He is than ever. He’s helping so many people.