Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

It wasn’t until the very beginning of 2016 that I opened up my life to Christ. My marriage was falling apart and I was lost. I made some very big mistakes, (some that nearly tore my whole family apart) but God worked through my mistakes to bring my husband and I both closer to Him.

Through God, I have been granted a second chance.

In February, My husband and I chose to be baptized together at Taylor’s Valley! We began a new life together, placing God in the center and focusing on Him and using His Word to guide us. We have never been stronger or happier, and we have begun to see a huge change in our children, too. It’s amazing to look back over this past year and see just how much leading a godly-centered life has changed us. We have lost every friendship we had before being baptized, but have gained an entirely new family and circle of friends that are dear to our hearts.

We ended up going to a Christian marriage counselor to work through our problems and learn how to communicate again. I am so glad things didn’t end in divorce. God has spoken to both of us and He has shown us an entirely new path to walk. Watching my husband go from being an agnostic to a devout Christian man who prays and studies God’s Word, has been an amazing transition. We are happier, healthier, stronger, and still learning. So much has changed in these last 11 months! I can’t wait to see what is in store for 2017.

Amber Schaaf