3rd Strand Of The Tapestry

So...in part two of my testimony, I was looking at library books trying to choose which branch of the social club called Christianity I would choose. Because I was not a believer. I was in a period of gestation. Only I didn't know it. Do babies know it in the womb, after all? I think not.

So I must back up and fill in some holes as I realize them in hindsight.

During my last year of high school in 1986, instead of making plans for college and testing toward that end, I was gathering small appliances and establishing myself with a job that could pay the rent. As a first-born and typical teenager, I had been itching to have a place of my own for as long as I could remember. All that to say, I didn't go to college; in fact, I didn't particularly apply myself to the education that was offered me in high school.

And I didn't care for a long time. For 10 years, it wouldn't even occur to me that there was something -- anything -- of any relevance that I might have missed. I don't remember what was my introduction to the issue, but I do recall realizing that a lot of people in this country seemed to have some familiarity with the Bible and that it was a regarded piece of literature. So, I decided I would educate myself -- or at least vaguely familiarize myself with the oldest and most popular publication in human history. I would read the bible -- for the sake of the literary pursuit, mind you.

But I think I was embarrassed. How to undertake this strange new pursuit? Behind Husband's back, of course! Typically on Saturday mornings, Husband and I enjoyed the farmer's market together, but since I had Fifi, I often let him take her there alone so I could use the time to unwind or catch up on some household chores. In the Spring of '97, I made a habit of seeing them off and then working against the clock as I reached into Fifi's closet where my never-been-used Bibles were stored.

Her room was lovely. Decorated, yet not cluttered. I had painted it with mauve-lavender walls divided from a pale pink by an elegant blueberry border all themed around a cross stitch design I did for her while I was pregnant. The windows in this small room let in a lot of light, and with its age, there was a charm and character that I miss. It was here in this quiet room that the Lord would weave a 3rd strand into the tapestry of my conversion over the course of weeks. The story starts back here.

I sat in the oversized rocker that faced the crib, and opened the leather-bound book to Genesis. I was reading King James English with no foundation of language, so suffice it to say I didn't understand much of what I was taking in. I certainly didn't get the symbolism and the "encrypted" promises that I've since been taught and can see for myself. I remember understanding only that the main characters in the story were Adam, Eve and the serpent, Satan -- and that's about all I caught. I took in so little of it really, that a while later when I was sharing my testimony with a relative, my Aunt #1 politely interupted me to remind me that I had indeed been in the Word! I'd forgotten.

Speaking of Aunt #1, there was one more source that was sharing the Gospel with me. In my city at the time, there was not a lot of religious broadcasting available sans the semi-annual General Conference of the LDS church, but I did happen upon one teacher who I would watch because she was thin-statured, had big Texas hair (even though she was from Colorado) and a gentle, friendly twang to her voice. She reminded me of my favorite Aunt. When Husband would catch me channel surfing to her program, he would chuckle at me and I'd defend myself saying, "She's really nice. It's almost like visiting with Aunt #1."

I'm not sure, but I believe the teacher was doing a study on Revelation, so...I didn't get much out of it. Or so I thought...

The 4th strand of God's salvation tapestry for me is here.