Stories at Lake

About ten years ago on a Sunday morning in January, I drove into the parking lot at Lake Avenue Church for the first time.  I had just moved to Pasadena from Seal Beach by way of Redwood City, after some trying years, in order to be near my son and his family.  Part of coming here was due to a life-long habit of going to church.  As an adult, I had committed my life to Jesus Christ many years before.  This seemed to be a time to trust Him to continue making me more like Him.   

Another part of coming to Lake Avenue Church was due to past visits my husband and I had made to this church to hear various speakers, so I at least knew where it was!  I was greeted by a kind lady at the entrance on the walk from the parking lot.  But when I walked into the Worship Center, I realized that it was one of the biggest churches I had ever attended.  Getting to know people in the church would take a bit of doing.  I began by greeting those who sat in the pews around me.  As time passed, I learned that a large church can provide the relationships and connections, the fellowship and teaching – all able to change one into a more Christ-like person.

I began to have coffee regularly on the patio after the first service and I became part of the Coffee Connection serving group, until health issues intervened.  People I met through the Coffee Connection invited me to their Sunday School classes.  I visited several before I became involved with the Voyagers.  Members of this class told me about the Morning Break Woman’s Bible Study on Thursday mornings and I began attending that, too.
 
The expanding fellowship through each of these groups, along with the hearing and teaching of the word, deepened my relationship with Lake Avenue Church, as well as my commitment to it.  When the church went through some serious changes, I asked the Lord if I was to stay or leave, and the answer was always, “Stay”.  During these changes,  I learned more about praying and trusting God in church matters, as well as personal ones.

The Lord continued His work of shaping me in many areas and much was done through health issues.  Some serious falls resulted in back and neck surgery.  Cataract surgery and macular degeneration treatment became necessary and, most recently, breast cancer treatment was required.  Each time a health problem or any other problem arose, my church family prayed for me and members and pastors often walked with me through the surgery or treatment.  I learned once again that I could trust the Lord with all of these issues.
In the midst of these concerns, I was surprised to be elected to the Mission and Outreach Division of our church organization.  During my service on this division, I learned a great deal about missions, about the ministry to the homeless of Pasadena, evangelism plans, assimilation activities, and intercultural ministries.  I continue to be involved in activities related to my experience with this division, for I know that the Lord is using Lake Avenue Church to change me and to change others.

All of these things I have mentioned are part of the process God is using to conform me to the image of Christ, something I take very seriously  (2 Cor. 3:18).  I know that He will use whatever is at hand or necessary to accomplish that purpose when one is willing.  And I know that God is not finished with me yet.  Lake Avenue Church will continue to be a part of this process in my life.  

Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!