Testimony
Remember the late 80s? Leg warmers and big hair? I have a deep affinity for the 80s, and while the styles were unforgettable, I love the 80s because it was then the Lord opened my eyes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Funnily enough, my entire family used to attend Jazzercise, a choreographed aerobic exercise class. A godly woman in that class befriended my mom and began sharing the gospel with her. Though my mother grew up in church, she was 39 and had never heard the complete gospel. She knew Jesus died but did not understand her own sin. This beloved friend shared the gospel with my mom again and again, and the Lord changed my mom’s heart! Upon my mother’s faith and repentance, she began to share the gospel with me and my sister. The Lord was working.Â
At the age of 9, God gave me a heavy understanding of my sin. Romans 6:23 was terrifying. My sin was earning for me DEATH. Yet, the bad news made the good news all the sweeter. Through faith in Christ’s perfect life, sacrificial death and glorious ascension, I could be saved, rescued from God’s wrath against sin and become a child of God, John 3:36. God did this work through the faithful gospel proclamation of my mom and through the faithful teaching of His Word at a solid local church. He made me new! Nine years old is young indeed, but the change was real. I desired to know God’s Word and through the Holy Spirit’s work, I responded to the teaching of the Bible. I believe Phil. 1:6; He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it. One day, I will be glorified, freed from sin and made like Christ either upon my death or Christ’s return. Until then, He is sanctifying me (Heb. 10:14), making me more like my beloved Savior! He is at work me, causing me to both desire and do what is pleasing to Him for His glory (Rom. 11:36).
Our Love Story
After standing in countless weddings, I was beginning to believe that I would never marry. After studying Biblical Counseling at the Master’s University, I began to think I would likely marry someone in ministry or not marry at all. the MABC changed my heart and life so deeply. I realized I wanted to be used of the Lord in HIS CHURCH helping women know and obey His Word. The pool of prospective husbands seemed to be draining fast. I remember praying Psalm 34:10b, “..those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”Â
At the age of 27 I met my husband, Caleb Kolstad. We were asked to leave our Fellowship Groups at church to help start a new Fellowship Group for career age singles. Reluctantly we did so, trusting the wisdom of those who asked us. I confess I hoped and prayed I may meet my husband in this new group. Soon after the group’s formation a retreat was planned. In God’s Providence Caleb and I were put together as small group leaders on the retreat. While I carried hopes in my heart towards him, Caleb was laser focused on seminary explaining he could not afford a relationship while trying to make it through seminary debt free. We continued to talk and interact.
A much beloved older couple who Caleb and I both considered godly mentors and disciplers, asked him to dinner, but he could only come if he brought me. It was awkward. They had the table beautifully set, prepared his favorite meal, invited other young couples and even took our picture telling us, “You never know! This picture may be where it all started!” I thought I might die. A funny thing happened on the drive home; we could not stop talking about the Lord and His Word. That was it. We were married six months later! Only the Lord could answer my prayers with such kindness! Caleb is a man of God’s Word, proclaiming the gospel and preaching the truth relentlessly with love and passion. I am blessed and humbled to be by his side. One of our highest joys is counseling couples and bringing God’s Word to bear on struggles and trials for His Word is mighty (Heb. 4:11-13).