September 17, 1999

September 13, 2014

Dear Readers,

There once was a little girl who went into Glenwood Lutheran Church to find God.  She had been sure He must be in the bell tower or the choir room or in the sanctuary itself.  She called out and no one answered.  She went to her friend, Judy's house, and Judy took her to the Catholic Church and she looked for Him there. She figured if she learned the stations of the cross that He would come to her. She would sing so loudly in Sunday School that she would be asked to quiet her voice. She wanted God to hear her. God was quiet for a very long time.

Last Friday night, I went to a Bible Study at my new church. Pastor Rick asked if we remembered our baptismal day.  I was wool gathering tonight remembering that the anniversary of my baptism is right around the corner.

It seems like such a long time ago now but I remember the vision I had in August 1999 like it was yesterday. The words were clear, the color so vivid, and the instructions weren't just any old instructions. It was hot that day yet the water felt cool and inviting. My soul was at peace. I was floating in my pool chair thinking all was right in the world.

The vision came as a jolt. I would find the answers to my prayers in John 21 ~ I was to call Pastor George and arrange a meeting ~ I was to be baptized then I would receive a gift. What a strange thing to experience.  As if I were in a trance, I climbed out of the pool and went to the phone. Pastor George asked me what I needed to talk with him about and I replied, "I honestly don't know, I am just following instructions."

I did meet with Pastor George and told him about my vision. He said it sounded like I was being called into ministry. Since I had been baptized as a baby in the Lutheran faith, I didn't see a need to be rebaptized but Pastor George explained the difference between being baptized as an infant and as a mature adult. 


My baptism on September 17, 1999 turned into a huge party with nearly 100 friends gathering to celebrate with me. It was a big deal to me because I had always been afraid of how I appeared to others. Somehow that day, I just didn't care. I knew that I needed to do this to overcome one more hurdle in my life. I was in a safe place surrounded by the Godly people who had nurtured me and had blessed my life.


As I was raised to walk in newness of life, some said I radiated ~ others said I looked more serene. All I know that is something clicked inside me and I truly knew that I had grabbed on to the hand of the man who had cared for me all the days of my life.   My baptism was my way of saying, it doesn't matter how defeated I felt, it didn't matter how others viewed me. It didn't matter where I was in life.  I was now His. I had been branded by the Holy Spirit.

I grew quickly as a Christian after that evening. I hungered for knowledge and my friend, Janene, took me under her wing as a mentor. As fast as I could devour them, she loaned me books on prayer, faith, and growing as a Christian in leadership. I signed up for class after class then began to facilitate classes.

As usually happens, whenever I got comfortable, the Lord pushed me one step further. The gift I received at my baptism was that of an intercessor. I couldn't explain why I was led to stand in the gap for so many and asked Janene if that was normal. She said, "No, it's a gift." I was also given a prayer language so that I could pray in the spirit ~ it was enough that God heard and knew. I was nervous about praying in front of people. The Lord took care of that too. I was invited to join the prayer group that prayed for the needs of the church. I went reluctantly.  During the first meeting, I had a vision and shared it with the group. Later, Janene, did some research and yes, there was a lady who had moved and was in danger at that exact moment we prayed for her. I still don't understand but I don't need to.  All I need to do is be obedient.  No matter how silly, I am never sorry when I follow that prodding ... that nudge that comes from the Holy Spirit.

My life has been quite a journey. The trail has been long and winding taking me across the country to places I only wondered about. Who would know that the little girl who searched for God would find Him in Texas? Who would know that He was there all along from the moment she called out to Him in the bell tower just waiting for the right time to reveal himself.

Whenever I share my testimony with others I tell them never to give up ~ my very first blog was the poem Don't You Quit. Oh, I may have stumbled and fallen but I've never quit. I may have felt hurt enough that I thought it was going to kill me but it didn't. There's always been that light ... that hope ... that spirit that draws me to a Savior who redeemed a lost child and called her special.

Always remember you, my Readers, are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!!

Miss Dottie

Dear God, the night is chilly and dark. The wind lulls me and my body looks toward to resting in my cozy bed. I think of my baptism and how it changed my life and I weep tears of joy. I pray Father that you would bring forth fruit in the lives of those You have called. My heart is with Miss Vivian tonight and I plead for victory. I pray for those in the news who have been charged with child abuse. May truth come forth. I thank you for the peacefulness of 9/11/2014 in our country. We cannot predict, can we? Only You know... I take refuge in your arms asking for strength, courage, and wisdom for my fellow travelers. For those struggling with addictions, I pray for an interruption ~ a stop ~ to the madness that goes along with the illness. Help us all move forward in sharing the love that You have given so freely. In Jesus holy name ... Amen, it is so!!