I wanted to do this life story thing because I was looking at myspace and found a ton of friends from high school and college. Some I really wanted to tell about my life change and others I didn't want finding out. This was frustrating because I believe I should always want to tell anyone and every one about Jesus in my life. What He has done for me and to me. What I am doing to further the Kingdom of God. So many mixed emotions. I would probably be labeled by a lot of people from my high school and college now as a "Freak" So any way here it is. How I became a Freak.
I went to college to get my degree in biology. Don't know what I was going to do with that but my dad put the desire in me by always bring up fasinating science stories. I also was a volleyball player in college. Did sports a total of 9 years. Got all american my freshman year of college. Was pretty pumped about life. I graduated from my first college and went on to get my bachelors. That is when it all came crashing down. They put me on the volley ball team at my new college started for the first month or so. Then I got hurt and was out for 3 weeks. They never put me back in the game again. Well not as a starter on the top team but as a bench warmer on the lowest team. I was embarressed lost my identy as most atheletes do when they are done with playing any sport. My grades went down. every thing came crashing down. I had been reading my bible every night and praying for 5 minutes a day. Thought I was a good Christian. So when my second college went wrong I thought I had picked the wrong one.
So for the first time I saught God out with all my heart. I was seeking Him to tell me which college to go to. So I prayed and fasted. No one ever taught me about fasting I guess I read it in the bible some where. One day as I was praying and fasting during lunch, seeking God's advice He gave me one word. "Volunteer" In my heart I knew it meant some sort of sacrifice would have to be made on my part. "Oh God this college is fine I love it here I am really fine" As soon as I started saying those words the peace left me that came with the word from God. I knew I had to obey God or regret it.
I thought I was only going to take a semester off from school. I looked around on the internet. All the places I looked at to volunteer said I had to commit for one year and pay 5,000 to 20,000 dollars. I had some money to go some places but I didn't want to commit for a year. My parents heard from a friend about Friend Ships and recommend I look it up online. With Friend Ships you can come for as long or little as you like and you only have to pay to get down there. I was hooked. Sent in my application. They accepted me. I went with the intentions of staying for 2 and 1/2 months.
It was awesome. I had never been so close to God. The ministry showed me what true faith was. When I read my bible I saw things I had never seen before. It was as if someone gave me glasses for the first time and I could actually read. 3 weeks into it I was cleaning the showers and felt something was off. I thought I had sinned against God. "God what is it. I am sorry if I have made you mad. Forgive me if I have sinned against you." Then I was like "Or do you want to tell me something?" "I want you to stay and you will go on the Israel trip." - God replied "Oh no God I will go to college get my degree and then come back" But of course I stayed. For the Israel trip we were going to bring a ship load of humanitarian aid to Israel to give to groups that were helping the immigrants in the country. I didn't have a chance the crew list was full. Needless to say I was the last one to be put on the list in the end and I went to Israel. It was awesome I was so blessed to be able to go. (That is another story) During the Israel trip is when Joel and I started dating. 3 weeks later we were engaged 4 months after that married.
We both had been with one other person but through God's help and cleansing us of our sin we stayed pure between the two of us until our wedding night. It was awesomely hard but we just kissed and held hands until we go married. God really did give us a second chance on our wedding night. What and awesome God.
Since then so much has happened. Joel and I have both changed a lot. My relationship with Jesus, God and Holy Spirit is one I would never trade. It is so real and full of love. God has blessed us time and time again even when we don't deserve it. And the funny thing is I didn't even know I was a missionary until 6 months of being at Friend Ships. I didn't even know what a missioanry was. I thought they were all in Africa or something.
We are praying for the future. We are still at Friend Ships until some time in the middle or end of 2007. Joel commited to 7 years at Friend Ships. It will be up in 2007. We are excited for the future and what God holds for us.
So that is Me and God in a nut shell. There is so much more but I need to sleep for Joel and I have weekend duty this weekend. Living on a ship is something I never even dreamed of and it comes with responsiblities and something new all the time.
Love ya'll Be blessed,
Dess Butler
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