Indiana

Alison Grubb attended church school through sixth grade, and has loved Jesus longer than she can remember. And both sides of her family are Seventh-day Adventists. But there was a problem. For some reason, Alison delayed making a commitment through baptism.

As time passed, Alison's attention to extra curricular activities with her school friends were her primary focus. Eventually, she began attending a church with her friends and realized something was missing, and Alison began thinking about the fact that she had never been baptized. Not knowing how to go about it, Alison reasoned that she knew she loved Jesus and believed He was her Savior, and was once again satisfied in delaying her baptism.

During the past two years, the Holy Spirit led Alison to feel that something was still missing. There was an emptiness that she couldn't explain. Starting college only made this emptiness grow stronger, and Alison was depressed about where her life was going. Hoping to find answers to her spiritual needs, Alison began to worship at the Bloomington Church when her schedule would allow it. As she worshiped there, Alison came to believe life would continue to be empty until she made a full commitment to Jesus Christ. She kept those thoughts inside for fear of what family and others might think. Alison knew she had made some bad decisions and had lived a life apart from what she knew to be right. She was uncertain how she would be accepted. It was important to Alison that people not judge her by her mistakes, but by the kind of person she wanted to be. So Alison kept her love for Jesus inside, until she realized the judgments of others did not matter. God was the only One who understood her struggles, and He was the only One who really mattered.

Alison's turnaround came one day when the Bloomington Church pastor, Fernando Ortiz, invited her to join a mission trip to help orphans in Jamaica. Alison had always wanted to join a mission trip, but her schedule had prevented it. Now, the pastor's invitation to serve was the little push she needed to change her lifestyle and make a difference. Eliminating everything that stood between Jesus and her gave Alison the confidence to ask her parents if it was possible to go, even though she believed God would provide the funds.

Once plans for her Jamaican mission trip were finalized, God impressed Alison with the thought: "Tell someone about what you have been keeping inside—of your love for Christ and desire to be baptized." Once Alison spoke her decision out loud, she was determined to give her heart to Jesus in Jamaica, and be baptized in its beautiful ocean. She excitedly told her pastor about her decision before telling her parents and friends. Alison wanted to surprise them. But shortly afterward, she was so overwhelmed with joy and happiness, she was unable to keep the news from them.

Alison said, "Giving my heart to the Lord was the best decision I ever made. Committing my life to Christ has filled my emptiness as I continue to learn more about Christ and grow closer to Him each day. I want to be spiritually stronger so that others can see Him in me."

Alison's advice to those who desire to give their hearts to Jesus would be to speak up no matter how afraid you might be. If you love Jesus, tell someone. It's never too late to give your heart to Christ, no matter what your age. The Lord is willing to give you the gift of His love. Your greatest gift in return is to commit your life to Him. Let Jesus Christ fill your heart and lead you on the path to eternal life. Alison did, and her words can't express how incredible life has become with Jesus by her side.

Alison Grubb, Bloomington Church member, as shared with Bruce Babienco, volunteer correspondent, Lake Union Herald

To read more about the mission trip to Jamaica, see page seven in this issue.