Illinois

My journey to know God began when a friend gave me my first Bible. During the following years, I (Kim Karban) would have periods of reading it and then times of leaving it alone. This went on for years.

My next encounter with God was when I wrote Him a letter asking for a good husband and a couple of children. He answered by giving me a wonderful husband, Mike Karban, and two precious children, Alex and Abbey. I wanted to take good care of them and always watch over their progress.

I began to realize that God was the only One who could help me accomplish this dream, and that I really did not know Him very well. I told my husband of my desire to study the Bible and expressed a need to find someone to help me. He was a paramedic firefighter and was frequently at Hinsdale Hospital, where he was acquainted with David Mayer, a physician there. Learning of his Bible study class, my husband related my desires to Mayer, who invited me to his class.

I have enjoyed getting to know the Lord through the Bible courses Mayer taught—which included the Voice of Prophecy Daniel and Revelation lessons, It is Written Bible lessons, and lessons from Amazing Facts.

While I was studying, I began attending the Hinsdale Church and met some wonderful people. I learned Alex was on the same baseball team as some of the members' sons, and Abbey was being supplied with good reading materials from the Sabbath School teacher.

These events lead me to contemplate making a decision to become baptized. As I pondered that decision, I received a telephone call from a Hinsdale Church member asking how my Bible study was progressing and questioning if I had been baptized. We did not personally know each other, but I discovered we were both attending the same church. I was amazed at how God was caring for my future.

When our family drove to Wisconsin for a vacation, my husband was paged to call Hinsdale Hospital, which resulted in a part-time job he needed. While he was on the telephone at the rest area, I picked up some pamphlets with a card inside to return for more information. Later, I sent it in and two literature evangelists visited me. Now I own a set of Arthur Maxwell's Bible Stories that I really wanted for our home. I believe God sent all these nice events and people as His way of telling me it's time to make a decision and not to be scared.

Even though my journey has been somewhat long, it seems short to me because I have been through some fascinating times and learned so much. I have met terrific people, made new friends, and have taken on tasks I thought I could never do.

It was a beautiful Sabbath day on May 22, 2004, when I was baptized by Pastor Ramon Ulangca, and became a member of the Hinsdale Church family. It is my prayer that I will be a blessed light in the lives of my family and friends.

Kim Karban as told to Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent