FRIEDA
by
Frieda Risso

I WAS BORN IN NUERNBERG GERMANY, AND BAPTIZED LUTHERN AS AN INFANT. I GREW UP IN A LUTHERN HOME AND ATTENDED CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY.  I MADE MY CONFIRMATION PALM SUNDAY 1954.  THAT SAME DAY I TOOK MY FIRST COMMUNION AND MY PASTOR TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO ASK JESUS  TO FORGIVE MY SINS.  AS I RETURNED TO MY SEAT,  I PRAYED FOR FORGIVNESS AND ASKED JESUS IN MY HEART.                                                                               

MYLIFE WAS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AFTER THAT.  I ATTENDED  CHURCH EVERY WEEK AND CONTINUED TO GROW IN THE LORD.  HOWEVER, I LOST MY FIRST BORN SON AT THE AGE OF 2 IN 1963 AND STRAYED AWAY FROM THE LORD.  I WAS ANGRY AND STARTED HANGING OUT AT BARS INSTEAD OF GOING HOME BECAUSE THE MEMORIES HURT ME SO BAD                                         

IN 1965 I ATTENDED A CHURCH WEDDING, AND AFTER BEING IN THE CHURCH, I FELT A SENSE OF HAPPINESS.  I REALIZED THE LORD WAS STILL WITH ME, AND I MADE THE DECISION TO RETURN TO HIM.  MY LIFE CHANGED AS I WAS NO LONGER BITTER. I STOPPED HANGING OUT IN BARS, AND TURNED TO GOD FOR MY STRENGHT. 

THIS WAS ALSO THE YEAR I MOVED WITH MY FAMILY TO THE UNITED STATES.  I KNOW THAT GOD WAS WITH ME OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LEAVE MY PARENTS AND RELATIVES.                                                                                                 

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD ATTEND A BAPTIST CHURCH  AND I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE BAPTPTIZED AGAIN. THE PEOPLE AT NEW LIFE HAVE MADE ME FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE AND I FEEL LIKE I'M PART OF THIS CHURCH FAMILY.  PASTOR MARK TALKED ABOUT ADULT BAPTISM IN THE MEMBERSHIP CLASS WHICH CAUSED ME TO ASK MANY QUESTIONS. PASTOR MARK TOLD ME GETTING BAPTIZED IS SHOWING OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD.  I WANT TO BE OBEDIENT AND I WANT TO SHARE MY FAITH SO HERE I AM!