God has no standards, He has an approach to everyone

My birthplace is the city of Berdychiv, Zhytomyr region. But I grew up in Poltava, where my mother moved when I was three years old.

After graduating from incomplete secondary school (9 classes), I went to study at the Lyceum of the sphere of services, specializing in hairdressing.

was raised in a non-believer's family, but from eight years I went to one of the Protestant churches (I would not call it for ethical reasons). I came to her somehow with my classmate and realized that I like it there. Children often gave different gifts there, and in the summer we went to camps where it was also very interesting.

So I grew up and in 19 years, on the recommendation of this church (I was active, worked with young people) I decided to go to study in Slovakia, to the theological faculty of the spiritual academy. For the church I visited then, the female minister was a normal phenomenon.

In February 2009, I was preparing documents for a trip. The church helped me in this. And just at the same time, I saw bigbords in the city, convincingly call everyone on the program of happiness and spiritual well-being, as well as happiness in the family. It was just what I needed: I was not married yet. In the city, various kinds of booklets, leaflets, invitations were actively distributed, but none of them got into my hands. However, in my mind, I saw the ad that I saw, and I decided to leave.

It was winter, cold, but the program interested me and I faithfully attended all ten meetings. The program was Arthur Stelle and his wife Galina. As it became known then, they came to visit their friend-pastor Vasily Pashkov with a view to resting. But the pastor could not lose this opportunity and not hold the program. Rented a city house of culture (although previously all such programs were conducted in the Prayer House) and invited interested persons.

I actively invited my youth from the Protestant church to these meetings. And once they agreed. That's when I first heard from the pastor about who is doing the program: "So it's the Adventists." But it was not scared by me. On the contrary, the interest in knowing and understanding more urged me to be present at additional meetings for those interested. On one of them I met with her future husband, Yuri, and was the youth leader of the ASD church, and the young people who visited the meeting came to the program to be involved in the church. We actively communicated on the spiritual themes, he talked a lot about the new and interesting Word of God.

I began to come to the Adventist church on Saturday, and on Sunday I visited her. The Adventists accepted me well, I liked everything there. Yuriy took on special care and care about me. But in June I had to go. And I had to choose: either to stay in my church, go to Slovakia and get many opportunities, or go to the Adventists.

I have long doubted. On the one hand, attractive prospects were opened, on the other - a church that I did not know at all, but which I was interested in, as its ministry was reduced to a constant study and a profound understanding of the Bible. I have not yet seen myself in this church, I did not know what I would do here, as I would serve, but one brother told his personal experience on time, when he also had to choose: to leave or to stay, and he remained, after which the Lord blessed him abundantly.

And yet I was still in thought, but once invited Yuri to a youth meeting at his church. He was struck by the fact that the youth absolutely did not know God's Word. And this became a decisive factor in making the decision: I understood that I must know God and his letter (the Bible). And I decided to baptize and join the Seventh-day Adventist Church (ADS).

The church, which was my home for so long, was coldly relinquished to my choice, and those with whom I spent many years communicating with me all relations and even "ceased to recognize me." Shortly after my departure, the young people who were in it went, and gradually the church in the city ceased to exist.

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We met with my future husband, Yuri, every day. He answered all my questions and was my teacher and mentor. Then I realized that this young man liked me. But we never stayed alone with each other. We were always with the youth, we had a strong friendship, gradually grow into sympathy. And when we felt and understood it, we decided that we would pray that the Lord would answer whether we should be together. Each time we encountered, we asked each other: was the Lord responding to prayer? But there was no answer. And then Yuri said that many decisions in the Bible were made by lot, so let fate give us a definitive answer to the question: yes or no. Even then, later, we read that the message of God does not recommend such a step. After all, God has no standards, and everyone has his own, individual approach. But then we did not know it yet, and the Lord saw our sincerity in making such a decision, and openness before Him. We were ready to accept any answer. Therefore, having risen on his knees and praying hotly, we threw a coin ... She fell to the limit, which meant "yes!" It was in the winter, and in the spring we played a wedding.

Since then, eight years have passed, our son Elly will be seven in July, he will go to the Adventist school. Every day, in the abundant blessings of God, I see the fruits of my choice. We pray so much to Yura, we sincerely tell the Lord our problems and desires.

Our marriage day

The first and probably the most difficult test in our still-long family life happened when a son was born. Every day I prayed that the child was healthy, because she knew and understood that such a sick child. My brother was ill from birth and I saw how bad he was, how he was saved. It was very difficult. And when our firstborn was born, he was given a very disappointing diagnosis. There were many prayers, misunderstandings, even images and questions: "why?" We asked for healing, they were treated and after two months the diagnosis was removed. This was the first vivid answer to our family's prayer.

The second test of our faith was overcome by a difficult financial situation. The salary was delayed, and there was no more food at home. We asked the Lord to help. And then, in the evening, a brother calls from another community, and says he wants to come to us. Decided to serve. But he came with a huge bag of products. She spoke about an irresistible urge to come to us and bring these products. On our knees and tears we thank God for such a gift.

There was another experience with God. Many of the church are now going to Poland for earnings. We also decided that Jura will go there first, and then will take both us and her son. They asked God for help in this event. The Lord saw our hot pursuit, helped in the registration of documents, after which the man left - for six months. But for some reason, everything was somehow not like it was needed, as it would be desirable. Five months later, due to certain circumstances, Yuri returned home. At first, we were upset, we could not understand why everyone seemed to be well formed, but we have not? But then we became aware of the situation through our son: Ilya thanked God daily for his Adventist school. The greatest punishment for him was not to go to the lessons when he was ill. And we realized that this is exactly the answer to our surprise and God's blessing. Today we understand that the best we can give to a son is to study at the Adventist school, and now, at school. Maybe that's why my desire to go to America was not fulfilled. We prayed for this, filed the documents, but nothing happened. Means the will of God - in another. And we are constantly looking for her.

With husband and son

The Lord has given me work in our garden. At first, when I was driving my son there, I was sometimes asked to replace the tutor. I then worked as a nanny in one family. Then they offered to stay and work as a tutor in the Adventist garden. From the family where I worked, I was not released, and the payment there was decent. Again, the choice arose before me: a small salary, a great burden and responsibility, but in the church. And a good salary in the family. But I understood that the Lord leads me to serve. And I chose the garden. I have been working for one and a half year, there is some experience. And the constant joy that my son is studying in the same building with me.

Today, I have a desire to enter this year's pedagogical high school. And in my family - have transport to serve. We have entrusted our dreams to God, for which nothing is impossible, and we know that they are in His holy hands.

If today I had to measure the level of my pleasure from life by percentage scale, I would surely say that by giving thanks to the Lord, in the ministry it corresponds to 200%, and in the family - 300%!

I am a very successful and happy person! Every day, thank you to your Lord.

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