I was born and raised in the Catholic Church and attended Catholic School until I got to middle school. Despite this upbringing, my parents raised my sisters and me to have an open-mind and encouraged us to find our own path with anything we did. I can’t remember when, but sometime in high school I found my own faith. I remember constantly questioning the ways of the Catholic Church and never felt a true connection with Jesus. This mindset led me to finding a new church beyond the Catholic Church. For the first time I remember feeling the closeness to God that I longed for. I was actively involved in our teen youth group and a member of the praise team - they were my church family. Then, once I graduated from high school, other things became a priority. I was now a “once in a while” church attendee and had a disconnected relationship with God. Reflecting back, I went through the majority of my young adult-life without a strong relationship. 

Over the last several years, I’ve been faced with challenge after challenge. These challenges have been in my relationships with others, within myself, and in my career. In two years time, I became both a wife and a mother, while still working on my career goals. I found my mental health deteriorating and my anxiety at an all time high. I sought out counseling, but it wasn’t helping. I’ve been medicated, which has helped, but nothing was enough to bring me peace. The challenges continued and it was a cycle on repeat. Various situations would cause me to constantly question and have continuous doubt. It has been debilitating. I always wondered and questioned, “Why me? Why are things always this difficult?” One final situation set the stage for change to be put in motion. I know in order for me to be the best for myself, for my daughter, for my marriage, career, family - all of those relationships - I needed to turn to God. This is why I am here now.

It’s a process, but I believe things are different and I am changing. I believe He is with me and guiding me. I’m less anxious and see the better side of situations and trust in Him more than I did just a few short months ago. 

I’m thankful for my parents’ Godly influence. From day one, they introduced me to Jesus and helped mold that relationship. My daughter has also helped lead me back to Jesus. And I have Dawn Winters to thank. Dawn came into my life when I needed daycare for my daughter - but she’s more than that, and was meant to have a bigger place in my life than just my daughter’s caregiver. She welcomed me into the Cornerstone family and made the process of reconnecting with my faith easier.

I feel at home when I walk through the doors at Cornerstone. I now long for Sunday mornings - especially when I’ve had a tough week or find myself in those challenges when I need God’s guidance. This church has been a missing piece in my life. It feels like home to me. No matter what static I have in my head, I feel calm and at ease upon walking through the doors. I do not feel judgment and I do not feel discomfort. I feel peace. This is what I want for everyone, this is what I want for my Church family. This is what I want for my daughter as I raise her to live, learn, and be a follower of Jesus.