My Story- Part 1

So I've talked about sharing my story... I could share one VERY LONG post that tells all the nitty gritty... but I know you have a life- so I'm breaking it down into several parts.
To make it easy- I'm starting by sharing my baptism story.  It provides the basics (and might put some of the pieces together for you.)  In the future I plan to expand on this story and also share my baptism experience... but for now this is where I'll start.

This is my story- as read to LCBC

My name is Bekah Dietrich.  I live in Dallastown with my husband Matt, who is joining me in the water today.  I am an elementary teacher and a life group leader in Jcrew.

I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ as my savior at an early age.  I struggled with living up to the rules of being a Christian and lacked a real connection with God.  

I started attending LCBC with my husband a little over a year ago and immediately felt God’s Love through the love of the people here.  I left each week wanting to share in the love that poured from the people of LCBC.  I started to feel a connection to God that I had only experienced in short bursts growing up.  That connection would prove to be paramount as my marriage began to unravel.  It felt like my husband was ready to check out of our life together as I shared with him the news that I was pregnant.  Feeling completely helpless, I began to seek Jesus for guidance.  Slowly my marriage began to heal.  In April, I developed severe complications with the pregnancy and spent a week in the hospital.  During this week I could feel God working in my marriage- I had my husband back.  I thanked God for his goodness in our marriage and prayed for him to keep my baby safe.  One week after being admitted to the hospital I went into labor, many weeks too early.  For all 33 minutes of his life, my son was surrounded by love before joining Jesus in Heaven.  Although I felt immense pain as I lost my son, I felt peace that God was with me.  

God has provided me with peace as I continue to face the challenges life.  He is healing my marriage, comforting my hurting heart, and opening new doors in my life journey.  

I am getting baptized today to demonstrate my commitment to following Jesus-  I am a life changed by Christ!

That is my story in 300 words... only problem is 300 words allows for the bare bones... It shares the basics and shows that there is hope!
What it doesn't show is the journey, the persistence of love, the moments where I cried and felt hopeess, and the things that helped carry me through... that part of my story is for another day.