Wisconsin

Kayla Falch always felt that God was important in her life, but her search for a meaningful relationship with Him became more serious when she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. After visiting a non-denominational Christian church with her sister, Kayla felt led to read her Bible daily and have time for prayer. This resulted in a transformed life; she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. However, at this time, she was also seriously dating Tim Hayes, who did not have any interest in religion.

Soon after giving her heart to Christ, Kayla began to work in a restaurant with a waiter who was a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. One day at work they had a conversation, and what he shared about his faith had a profound impact on her. Everything he said seemed to make so much sense. Soon they were having Bible studies, and Kayla was baptized in the Menomonee Church.

Kayla dearly wanted Tim to share in her newfound faith, but during the next two years of their relationship, that just did not happen. It was only after Kayla listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit urging her to put God first and Tim second that Kayla was able to make her life-changing decision. She chose to leave her relationship with Tim, the man she dearly loved, rather than to be "unequally yoked with an unbeliever" for life.

But God was working with Tim's heart all during this time! Little by little Tim became convicted he should accept the invitation that Jesus Christ was giving, and allow God to totally lead in his life. This conviction resulted in Tim's studying the Bible and being baptized during June 2007.

Two months later Tim and Kayla were married. As Kayla reflected on many of those past years and months before her marriage, she confessed, "Those were the longest three and a half years in my life as I waited for Tim to be baptized, and our wedding to finally take place. But God is good, and He still answers our prayers. I am so thankful I chose to wait for Tim's conversion so we could have a Christian home."

Robert Mills, pastor, Menomonee Church, as told to Bruce Babienco, volunteer correspondent, Lake Union Herald