When did I hear the name of JESUS for the first time? There was never a "first time", because all of us have heard that name, "JESUS", but only superficially

I always trusted in my abilities: I wanted to be successful in my work, and I was! I had moved to England and established a firm in investment and properties. I had accomplished my goal. I convinced my husband to leave his job in Torino and come to England to work in my company. He did. I thought I had everything.

Periodically I would return to Torino to visit my brothers and sisters. On one of my visits I found my sister, Rosi, a completely different person. She had always been snobbish, selfish and arrogant. But now she was radiant, caring and happy. She talked about Jesus. None of us understood what had happened to her, nor could we cope with her always talking about Jesus. She said Jesus was the only answer for our lives.

Then she met Liliana, an American. On the phone she had Liliana talk to me in English. Liliana sent me an Italian Bible. I tried reading it, but didn't understand. I put it with the rest of my books where it remained, patiently waiting for the right time in my life.

After a time in England, questions began to arise in my heart. Why wasn't I happy? Why wasn't I satisfied with my life? I had everything, didn't I? However, my job no longer attracted me. The money was meaningless to me. Antonio and I weren't getting along. Something was missing. Antonio returned to Italy, and I remained alone, unhappy, unsatisfied with my work and my whole life. I started seriously read the bible and I asked Jesus to help me understand what I should do. I left the company in England, and returned to Antonio. But we argued continually. We were unhappy.

I would escape to Pavullo in Modena to stay with Liliana. We would read the Bible and pray. I'd join her in her Bible studies and going to church. I saw the joy the believers: the joy I didn't have. We went out to eat, went on outings visiting the area in the mountains, and other things. Briefly, we did normal things. You ask me why I'm telling you these things. Because I was convinced that believers lose their freedom and could only do certain things. Oh! How far away I was from the truth! Eventually peace and new joy entered my heart. I realised the bitterness in my heart regarding the people in my life who had hurt me or used me was gone. When I thought I had it all together, I'd return to Antonio, but it did't work ou

Liliana introduced me to various Christian believers in Torino, amomg whom were Giuseppe and Silvia, Carol, Jim and Lori. Giuseppe and Silvia offered their friendship to both Antonio and me. Silvia was a big help to me explaining the Bible. Carol also helped me in studying the Bible. I was surprised that we spent hour just studying one verse: John 1:1. A few times I attended the Avigliana church.

For some reason I still did not have rest in my soul. Finally, I returned to England. There I met an Italian girl living with a Christian family. They invited me to church. I was happy to join them and attended regularly for a couple of months. I began to change inside. I was truly ready to return to Torino and to Antonio. He was always there for me, patiently and lovingly waiting for me. I realised the goodness of the Lord in giving me Antonio as a husband.

Amazingly at the church in England I was told of a couple from Wales who was moving to Torino to pastor an international church. I made contact with them, and this encouraged me to establish myself in the international church here in Torino.

Reading Liliana's inscription in my Bible, "May you come to know the love of Jesus personally", I noticed the date was December 1995! Well! It took me nearly eleven years to finally arrive at the truth that my only hope, my comfort, my freedom, my peace are found only in Jesus. I have come to understand that he died on the cross for my sins, that he is my Saviour and has given me the grace of having eternal life! Today Jesus is constantly with me, and I have the peace I always longed for. I have the patience to accept the daily problems, knowing that I'm not alone, but there is Someone very special, Jesus, with me to help me in difficult times. He makes the warm sun shine in my heart with His wonderful love.

It is a great joy for me to obey the Lord in baptism today.