A NEW LIFE FOR ME
The Oberlin Conference will always hold a special place in my heart. In June of 1981, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and water baptized there. This was the start of a new life for me.
In June of 1986, during one of the morning sessions of the conference, I didn't know it, but God was at work. I remember feeling compelled to sit with a sister who had arrived a bit late, so between sessions I got up and sat with her.
After a bit of chatting, she looked at me and said, "You're going to meet someone special at this conference." She was serious. My response was to laugh and forget this silly comment-but I never have.
On Friday evening, a young man named John Colwill, asked if he could sit with me during the evening session. We both had been attending the singles cell group in our fellowship, he for several months and I had just recently started to attend. We spoke briefly during the session. The following evening, John returned to the conference and sat with me again. We even had a chance to pray together that night.
To make a long story very short, we made plans for our first date in Marilyn Gowman's living room a few weeks later. Our first date was on July 19, 1986. One year later to the date we were engaged to be married. Nine months later we were married on April 23, 1988. PTL!
I guess one never knows what blessings the Lord will bring our way. A word spoken to you, no matter how outrageous or silly, can be God's word to you. I believe in the gifts of the Spirit. I thank God for my friend's obedience in speaking those words to me that day.
1990
Jan Colwill
"O satisfy us early with Thy mercies that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days. Psalms 90:14