What came as a surprise to me, however, was that even with so many positive things in my life, including a fun college career, loyal friends, a strong, healthy body and a warm smile…none of those things truly define who I am. So please allow me to give you a brief history.

I am a direct person. Some people call it “A-type”, or a choleric personality … I do not like to waste time or sugar-coat anything. I just tell it like it is. So here is what I have to say. There came a point in my life, where an outsider may not have known it, but deep down inside I was not very happy. Maybe I was downright depressed. Perhaps I was having a “pity party”, but I started to become aware of some things about myself that I did not like.

Here is a list of “areas of improvement” or qualities in my life that I did not like about myself as a child and up until 1998:

-Constantly tardy,
-Perfectionsitic
-Selfish (I did not think about consequences and how
my actions affected others),
-Lack of integrity (it was easy for me to lie or steal
because I could justify it),
-People-pleaser (I needed to accommodate everyone, even if I knew it was not what I wanted for myself),
-Lack of Purpose (this was the worst because I did not feel
particularly driven to reach any specific goals and even if
I did strive towards something, I did not feel
satisfied once I accomplished it).

Now don’t get me wrong, I had some great qualities, too! But the list above were the negative things in my life that I realized were hurting me and my relationships with others. So one unexpected day in February 1998, instead of my normally scheduled work-out, I sat down and had a conversation with my coach and accepted the Jesus as my personal Lord and Saviour.

No, I was not in church.
No, I did not start jumping up and down and shouting “Hallelujah!”
But I do remember crying at that time. I wasn’t sure why I was crying, but I now know that it was because I felt so relieved. I was so happy to know that God would take the time to encourage me and let me know,
“You can do it.
You can overcome your fears of failing,
your fears of repeating past mistakes,
and your fear of the unknown. I’ve got you, even when you fall.”

I was so happy to know that God would give the gift of His son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for me. Me? A sinner that did not deserve such grace? So I received the gift. I felt a burden lifted off of me because I could stop striving and trying and beating myself up to make up for my past wrongs. All I had to do was accept this gift of salvation and believe that my debts are wiped away.
So that is how I became “saved” and I am so glad about it!

Well, I tell it like it is, right?
So guess what I learned?
Being “saved” does not mean being perfect.
And I never will be perfect until I die and get to heaven.
So although I still make a lot of mistakes, I am thankful to have seen major changes in my life since 1998.

Here are the qualities that the Holy Spirit has allowed me to improve:

*I now strive to be prompt,
*I understand that although mediocrity is not acceptable,
perfection is not attainable,
*I try to think of others more than myself,
*I do not lie or steal anymore,
*I aim to please God and not people, even those I love most,
*And best of all, I now have a clear sense of purpose:
to glorify God in all that I do.

I have had the opportunities to be on TV and to grace the cover of magazines and to travel to fun places in order to promote health and fitness,
which is the passion and gift God has given me to share with the world so that ultimately, I can give Him the glory and tell others about the importance of accepting Him into their lives.
It is because of Him, that I am who I am today.

MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITS:
My favorite Bible verse: Proverbs 3:5-6.
My “focus verse” at the time I am writing: Matthew 6:33.
My favorite church activity: singing with the choir. I love gospel music.
My goal: to learn how to become a better witness by
attending a Biblical institute.
My current status: I am in “spiritual training” in areas where God is still showing me how to be more like Him (like humility, patience and trust).

My excitement: “Spiritual training” is a lifetime journey
and I have a lot more growing to do; but, I like the ride!

Please click on the cross in the banner above and you can know
WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY also....

-Mocha