I came to the United States from Nanchang, China in 1999. I came to know Jesus through difficulties in my marriage. A little more than ten years ago, I attended a friend’s wedding, which was held at a church. Afterwards, I heard they had problems in their marriage, but were able to overcome and solve their conflicts by trusting in Jesus. As a result, they had a happy marriage. They often tried to share the gospel and their testimonies with me. And even though my husband and I did not know Jesus, we asked their pastor to officiate at our wedding.

About six or seven years ago, I lived in the Bay Area. My son’s daycare teacher also shared the gospel with me and invited us to her church to attend some classes. She reached out to me during my first marital crisis. I was touched by how Christians could love others like themselves even though I was an outsider.

Every time I encountered a crisis in my marriage, I turned to my Christian friends. One crisis after another, they helped me to manage each episode, but it was only a “Band-Aid,” just enough to keep the marriage going.

In the past I did not believe in Jesus. I always relied on myself, but in the end, my life had more struggles and less hope. Last March, the bomb of my marriage finally exploded. In the weakest moment of my life, I realized I had relied on myself. I thought I was very strong, but I was actually vulnerable and fragile.

In my fear and helplessness, I sought help from my Christian friends again. One Christian sister told me that it is very difficult to deny myself, to change myself, or love another person unselfishly, and that it was only possible to do it in Christ. That night, I said a prayer in her car to follow Jesus. I attended a class about salvation at her church for a month. Later I attended a church retreat where I experienced God’s wonderful presence. I realized I was a sinner and that His salvation and His blood could turn my suffering into a blessing. I started to study the Bible. I learned to be humble, obedient, and to sacrifice for my family. Although I wasn’t able to save my marriage, I knew from the moment I trusted in Jesus that my life had changed.

Every time I came to Jesus and confessed my sins, I felt a peace that words could not describe. The Holy Spirit always reminded me of what to do. Thankfulness and joy increased in my heart. God is a just God. When I am under attack spiritually, God’s Word helps me to calm down. He is my rock and my shield. When I believe He is sovereign and lift up my burdens to Him, my mind is clear and I can think straight. When I do my best to follow God’s will, interesting things happen –problems would either become non-issues or would resolve on their own.

Looking back, I can see that God has been with me in His mercy and guidance regardless of how I felt. Gradually, I am appreciating that His plan is the best plan and His arrangement of my life is wonderful. Thank God for placing many Christian sisters around me to help me. They are all angels, including my children’s piano teacher, my counselors and my lawyer.

Life is not easy, but Jesus walks along with me. He empowers me. I now have light and unprecedented hope in my life. My difficulties turned out to be blessings in disguise. My confidence has been built up and I learned to face my problems instead of running away from them. I have learned to give what I cannot control to God. I am amazed how God can give me wisdom to handle my problems, and I have found Him to be faithful. My relationship with my children has also greatly improved, which has also helped them to know God better.

I have such a pressing need for this true God in my life. It says in John 15:4: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

I am committing my whole person to God. I will follow Jesus all my life to love God and love others. I will obey God’s command to share the Gospel to others and to glorify Him!