I want to do something the Lord has been tugging at my heart for me to do….share my story.
Julie Anne Shirley- born September 3, 1984 in Natchez, Mississippi to Mike and Margaret. My parents dedicated me to the Lord when I was a baby at church and ever since I can remember I grew up in the church. I was raised Church of God and thankful to have parents with a strong desire to follow after the Lord, serve in the church and be an example to me.
When I was a little girl, I remember lying on my grandmother’s couch watching t.v. on her couch and seeing commercials of starving children in Africa and I had this overwhelming feeling come over me and felt like my heart was swelling. Ever since that moment I have had this desire to go on a mission trip, but never really looked into it because I haven’t been in the right place in my life to do it.
I had a great childhood and can’t complain about much. I’m an only child….so yes, I was spoiled… a little. 🙂 I went to a private school until we moved from Natchez.
When I was about 11 years old my mom and dad decided to move to Cleveland, TN. They were listening to the Lord and felt like He was leading them there. We packed everything up, left family and friends behind, and left on complete faith. At the time I didn’t understand really why I had to leave my family and friends, nor did I realize the impact it would have on my life.
We arrive in Cleveland and before I know it, I’m starting school and having to make new friends…all over again. I’ve always been pretty out-going and a people person, so this wasn’t something that was too hard for me. We went to a church called North Cleveland Church of God where I was filled with the Holy Spirit and on fire for the Lord. We would go to Gatlinburg on this trip organized for youth called Winterfest. I remember how on fire all of the youth were for the Lord and how pumped we were to worship God and see great things happening….the Lord was moving in my life at a young age.
I attended one of the revivals that broke out in Pensacola, FL and remember we would stand in line for hours waiting to go inside this church to experience the presence of the Lord. I can’t even explain the presence that was in that place…I remember one night me and one of my friends at the time jumped over pews to get to the altar to be prayed for and experience more of Jesus.
I was so in love with God and what all He was doing in my life as well as others around….
To Be Continued…..
Part II- 8/22/2014
Part III- 8/23/2014
Part IV- 8/24/2014
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