Jodi 

I was raised Catholic by my mom and dad, but even as a child I felt a desire to have a relationship with God.  When I was almost 11 years old I told God I was sorry for sinning and asked Him to come into my life.  I poured my heart and my soul into my relationship with God and tried to serve Him in every way I could. My thinking was that I had to be perfect for God.  I was committed with my time, energy and resources.

During my sophomore year at a Christian college I started talking to a guy back home here in Milwaukee.  He was the "bad boy" and I was the "good girl" and we never thought this was going to work. But, he said everything I wanted to hear and I was in love with the idea of someone being interested in me.  I started dating him even though everything in me screamed NO! I knew if I dated him I would compromise everything that I believed in.  

Within a few months I had completely turned my back on God. I moved in with him, stopped talking to my parents, and completely stopped going to church.  I gave myself completely to him, the way I used to give myself to God.  I gave up all of my friends in this process too. Soon after moving in together I found out I was pregnant and we married 3 months later.

My relationship with my husband was abusive and co-dependent.  There was physical abuse to me and in front of our two children many times.  We both were unhealthy in the relationship and made poor choices.  But I felt like I couldn’t leave him, no matter how bad the physical, emotional and verbal abuse got, I wanted to keep my vows to him. 

We divorced April 9, 2008.

I started looking for churches. I wanted God again... but I really didn't think he would want me. I up and left him the way my husband did. I told God it was too hard, but then I knew how much I loved my ex-husband and thought about how much more the Father loved me. I sheepishly crawled back to God and He welcomed me with open arms. The road is hard one, but I have been trying to trust God with my life and raise my kids to know and love Him.  God has blessed me with an amazing family and friends who have supported, challenged and encouraged me.  I have made Him Lord of my life. My ex-husband no longer holds that role...my Jesus does. I am amazed that the Lord of the universe would love me this much not only to save me from my sins, but to save me from my circumstances. On top of it he waited so patiently for me.

I found Veritas in August 2008.  I love Veritas because it is church done right. It's not about status or popularity. It's not about judging it's all about love; love and Jesus. Veritas is a family that is open to anyone and is completely centered on Jesus. I am free in the Lord to be real and myself. I am convicted of my sins and gently brought back to the Truth. I don't have to be fake or perfect any more. I am 100% me and I am so thankful that even though it took all of this I was able to get to know myself and my Lord better.