Elizabeth grew up in a wonderful Catholic family, knowing she was loved and cared for. In 2009, she was tragically one of 20 students who witnessed the shooting of Coach Ed Thomas in Parkersburg, Iowa. Coach Thomas was an incredible testimony of a man who loved Jesus and extended that love to those who knew him. Since then, Elizabeth has had recurring nightmares about that tragic day.
She started school at ISU last fall and happened to meet one of TSC’s most joy-filled freshmen girls, Zoey, and instantly struck up a close friendship with her. Zoey also grew up Catholic and began to share with Elizabeth what God had been doing in her own life recently. After inviting her to TSC and Freshmen Group, Elizabeth began to question her faith, asking Zoey a lot of tough questions about who Jesus is and what it is like to have a close personal relationship with Him.
After Freshmen Group in January, Elizabeth had dinner with some Salt girls and went back to her dorm room, contemplating more than ever what was holding her back from having a personal relationship with Jesus. She realized that what she was doing was not fulfilling. So, that night she texted Zoey asking her to pray for her, as well as another TSC freshmen guy who had helped answer more of Elizabeth’s questions. She realized that she wanted a personal relationship with Jesus more than anything else. That night, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and knows life will never be the same.
She asked me recently if it is natural to be this happy. The joy of the Lord radiates out of her. She is so eager to study God’s Word and know God more. She also asked if it is more important to work on her relationship with God through studying His Word or more important to tell others about Jesus. It was a joy to share with her that both are equally important and that sharing Jesus with others comes as a natural outflow of a deepening relationship with God. She has asked for prayer for boldness as she seeks to be the glowing light that God desires for her to be. Praise God for His work and answers to all of your prayers! This would not be possible without all of you.
