Never Too Late For Jesus

This is a blessed blog, one I first received from a dear friend on Facebook-just openly. I had to ask him to re-send it to me, as for I lose a lot of what I am searching for on FB these days!! He did so quick, so fast-so humbled. I am very gracious to be able to call Jim my friend, even though we haven't met in person yet, and have only known each other a few weeks on Facebook. But the cool part about the two of us is we are both very transparent. He also speaks with beautiful words Jesus has blessed Him with, words that make you feel like your surrounding is a beautiful beach day, or amazing waterfalls that runneth over .... His talk about Jesus is amazing. I was twenty-six and near death when I finally accepted Him. I thought I'd never run into anyone even a tad older. This man clung hard to Christ at 69-5 years ago, and hasn't let go!! He has only grown wiser thru his walk!! And very humble, kind, gentle, loving... and so on!! I always thought finding Jesus at a later age of 26 helped me grow quicker, and definitely not grow bored in His teaching, or teaching others in need to hear; not in comparison as it can become just like a job like feeling for those who grew up a particular faith-made to go to church, as opposed to a desire to go soak it up themselves. And it becomes very stale like for many who do as parents expect or demand as they become parents-but the relationship with Christ is yet to be established. That is where both Jim and I have a common. Finding Him on our terms opened our hearts big time. Jim, you have no time for regret on the time you were not seeking. He always has His perfect timing of us. And right NOW it is perfect for you to be on fire for Him, share His Word. You do it remarkably-the way people who know zero about it and have wonders yet fear-will cling to you! You are gentle! Yet truthful! Bless your Jesus-overfilling heart!

This is Jim Russels testimony....
How I found Jesus:  A request for a bio has been asked: Here is my story about How I found Jesus:


My youth until the age of 69 was without Christ, or so I thought. After having been awakened by Christ at 69, the eyes of Jesus allowed me to see many things previously hidden from me. The most important realization was that an angel had been with me throughout my entire life, without my knowing.
Consider this scripture:
 Hebrews 1:14 (NIV) Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
 This Word of God assures us that we do indeed have guardian angels, which I once thought was a 'fanciful tale.' At the time of my youth, I often thought I was "lucky," but as the years went on, misfortune after misfortune appeared and was brushed aside by "luck." I became suspicious, and then amazed. One after the other, I was rescued from relationships that would have put most on the street, homeless.

Finally, I joined the Freemasons, a fraternity that teaches morality and upstanding conduct, values taken from mainly the Bible. Their need beckoned to me, and I learned some teaching roles, memorized and then delivered at certain lodge proceedings. My contributions were well received, and over the years I learned more teachings, and eventually was elected Master of the Lodge in 1977. The teaching did me good, and making the mistakes that leaders made did me more good.
In a word, I was softened from the hardened-heart state, being prepared, unknown to me.

I moved to another state, and to another Masonic Lodge. This time, I resolved to take the lessons learned to heart, and again applied myself to learning Masonic morality, with a better heart. I was elected Chaplain, and received recognition for spiritual leadership of the lodge. The old heart was changing, I sensed, but did not know why I was unsettled.

Finally, my daughter suggested by mail that I come to Iowa and retire near her. I did, and there I joined a United Methodist Church. Interesting, I thought. A course offering eventually appeared, apparently on church basics, and I thought, "Why not?"

So I signed up for the course, and attended. That is the last week of existence for the old me. In a nutshell, as soon as I saw the other class members, I was stunned. Their faces shone with a radiance that captivated me. They spoke with a quiet sincerity and earnestness that held me so tightly that it hurt. In short, without understanding what they were talking about, this Jesus stuff, I was sold, and I wanted whatever it was that they had.

That night, I prayed, my heart full, to God above, hesitantly, and was answered in power and force such that it seemed winds were about to blow me away. I looked to see if the drapes were moving. No, they were still. A voice, not spoken, not in words, but felt, something primeval, ancient, and familiar.
 I skip here to later, the next morning, and awakened to a new day, literally, and began to see everything as if I had never opened my eyes until this morning...

The rest is my journey in Christ, which I now share with my friends, especially with those also in Christ. You are most welcome to join me.

Much Love in Christ Jesus, 

Jim Russell

Galatians 2:20 I myself no longer live, but Christ lives IN me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NLT)

Was Lost... now I'm found

I met this precious girl on both Facebook and Twitter. She is almost 18. So young... yet been thru so much that so many way older won't ever see. Both good and bad. She is one that found Jesus, on her knees for Him- as for others were absolutely tormenting her. And instead of holding it all in- or making some fantasy out of it- she healed in time. In His time. Thru her walk with Him. Reaching out to other kids in other countries suffering as bad, or in her eyes, worse. She found her calling. She may be young- but she is quite mature with the amazing knowledge of how marvelous our Lord works- even in hard times-as we reach to Him. How He lays out His plans He has had for us, before we were born- as we open up to others-- how He more than saved us-- He loved us so much-- He placed us directly on that path He had planned. He woke us up!! And Dear Samantha Morin is very much ALIVE-- as Christ is IN HER!! You can find her on twitter-- she just hopped on recently... @prettyelephants. Now remember, she may have amazing plans thru all the circumstances she went thru-you are about to read about-- but she still is in high school. But travels all over the countries--Russia three times, London, Nicaragua and returning there this summer, along with Mexico. What she went thru doesn't hold her back now-- now that she is on FIRE for our LORD AND SAVIOR-- never let these things hold you back!!! He loves you so much-- with amazing gifts and plans!!

From the 2nd grade to the 8th I was sexually abused and raped by a family member. Just about every single night I knew that family member-no restrictions- was going to come in my room and lock the door behind them. It was so awful. I was too little for it, so he messed up my guts. I was a VERY angry child because of it. I hated my family for not doing anything about it. They all knew it was going on. But they didn’t want to have to break up the family, besides, he had a "really hard life." They didn’t want to judge him even if he was hurting me. Do you know what that does to a little 2nd grader? I felt that I was dirty and not worth anything. For YEARS I believed that. I wasn’t a Christian. So when I went to Middle School and my first year of high school I figured I was already messed up.. why not do what I want. So I hooked up with the wrong group of people and let guys do what they wanted. I just openly kept getting hurt. I figured guys just liked to torture me. But then..I don’t know what happened.. One day I decided I was sick of living like that. Sick of being hurt and being so dirty... So, I left public school. God saved me and I went to HCA that next year. 

That year Josh McDowell came to our school. He made sure that we understood that sexual abuse victims don’t need to be silent. If you told and no one believed you.. tell someone else, so I did. It was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. I told my Bible teacher Lane Ann and it took me at least 45 minutes to spit out the words “I was hurt.” In that year I had learned so many things. One thing I learned was that if I held on to it and never forgave, it wouldn’t hurt the other person, just me. I told her at the end of that year that God completely healed me and that some day I wanted to help little girls who were going through the same thing! Now I was only 16. So I was thinking in my head.. I’m too young. Maybe when I’m 50, God can use me to help someone like that... Uh no. God’s funny about stuff like that!

That summer I went to Russia for the 3rd time and stayed a month. One of the girls I stayed with was being weird. She was so much different then what I remembered. One day it was just me and her in the house. Everyone else left to take my daddy to the air port, so we had the whole day, just the two of us. I started asking her what was wrong... I found myself all the sudden telling my story to her... It was definitely a God thing! She told me she had been raped 3 months before I had gotten there. I didn’t know what to say. I was like.. Really God? Did this really just happen?? I talked her into telling her mommy and she was able to get help. That was cool... But God wasn’t done! The more I told my story the more I figured out that there were a LOT of hurting girls! I learned real fast that I wasn’t the only one. But it was lots! Like 1 in every 3. So God used my story to help girls in my youth group, And then a girl in the band, my Spanish teacher, girls at camp, D-now leaders, Ladies in my church.. they were EVERYWHERE! I figured I could help a lot more if I went to public school. So I left my wonderful Christian school to go back to public. I have been able to share my story and Jesus with a whole lot of people. It is soo amazing! This is my favorite verse! 

2 Cor 1:3-4- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

It is still super hard on me sometimes. I get to thinking about it and one of the hardest things for me is not being a virgin and not being able to give that to my future husband. I tell everyone I want to be a nun.. they think I’m joking.. And, I guess I am-seems how I am a southern baptist. :) But really I can just see me getting married one day and sleeping on the couch for the rest of my life! 

What a testimony-- what a blessing-- what a tool Samantha is thru Christ-- His will for her!! AMEN!! Awesome outlook!!! Blessings to this amazing sweet girl-- as she helps bring more to Him-- out of darkness!!!

Blessings to you all!!! Come share your testimony too!!!

In His Grip,

Heather Siebens -posting amazing testimony for Samantha Morin!

October19th-always-our Savior-SAVE-YOUR

All I can say... is a BIG AMEN!! Jesus Christ saved me when He died on the Cross for us all over 2000 years ago... but October seems to be an amazing, blessed month for me--thru HIM!!

He saved me in 2002, back when I didn't know Him. My ex beat me. I can go a little more in depth on this Blog, as for I was entitled this day to write one... and this is the day our Savior SAVED me from death in 2003. I feel He needs a little more in depth detail to tell all HOW AMAZING HE IS.

I went thru my first brain surgery August 7th, 2002. Was quite painful... and stressful. As for #1 I didn't know Jesus. #2 my husband then, ex now... and I really had a very tough relationship. Had since the get-go in 1996... but worsened as for he was so angry my illness interrupted his schooling. Wasn't my goal. We got pregnant in 2000--- and my seizures which used to be controlled, just skyrocketed. Now granted, we got pregnant, the night we were kindly planning another divorce. I looked at it as a reason to stay together-- he was so angry, as for he was stuck. And was in another relationship he had to break.

Had my brain surgery in 2002, because my seizures just would not be controlled by anything. Tried everything you can name. And ones that even thru me into a psych ward back in Alabama in 2001, as for they didn't know how to handle all that change from pregnancy there. I will say, changing meds back and forth does not make you the most pleasant being, seizing left and right doesn't help... while raising a baby while exhausted all by yourself, because your other half is stationed elsewhere... mind you are never able to talk, as for he was having another grand time with another woman as well. So, after my 1st brain surgery... he was given a couple weeks to come out to help take care of our baby, while I healed. Was just a living nightmare. #1 He had never been around her--so he didn't know how. #2 He had such little care for my pain, that checking on me was more than a task. #3 Began true thoughts of despair of what was going on--he had so much pinned up anger. But a couple weeks after, he went back to Texas where he was stationed. Allowed my time of rent to be lived out thru September in AZ-very gladly. Mind you.. I still didn't know Jesus. I just talked to myself--whatever "god" might be out there on rights and wrongs. We had already been thru so much I haven't listed on this part...such as adultery, many break-ups etc.. that this was just getting to be wearing. Especially when trying to recover, and raise this kid. But when time came-- Tory (my daughter) and I, got on the plane-- flew out to Texas. There, within 20 minutes he was saying such evil words-- like "if you don't like it here--you can go back, but Tory will stay...." WOW!!! Never expected. But we pressed on from Austin to Killeen. And wow... he just grew snappier. I know I wasn't perfect. But in the past days, there used to be this comforter in him. It was distinguished. Even after-mind you not quite two months after my brain surgery. And our beautiful kid-finally together. No.. did nothing. His anger grew more violent. This coming from the one who thru all this Jesus stuff in my face in 1996-unexpectedly. Took up to the fourth day that we were there- that I was sitting there in our living room- finally had an apartment... got our kid down late... it was 11 pm that I was emotional. Hoping he'd be his old self and come hold me, say we will all get thru it. I was sitting there listening to my good ol' Counting Crow's- and missed Phoenix and family. And he just looked at me in disgust and said he wasn't dealing with it-all I do is complain. WOW... I hadn't even said anything... just wanted a loving touching hand.. and anger grew and grew.. then he got louder.. and I had to remind him we have a child... he was so aggressive, that I told him I was taking the bedroom he could take the couch if he couldn't talk--he busted thru that bedroom door--knocked me down... pinned me down, and began the bruising on me from there. Was a nightmare!! We had no phone!!! The neighbor was Army too--and wouldn't let me turn him in...get help... I had to wait til the next day... to get down to the base to find a phone. Had to sleep with my car keys--as much as I REALLY SLEPT!!

AND WOW!! That is where God works. I was bawling with Tory in my arms on a calling card to a dear friend-AFAR--what to do?? And an Army Chaplain walked by--stopped watching me bawl--asking HOW HE COULD HELP!!??? So many on lunch breaks, and off to meetings, etc.. many just don't have time today--we are all just so booked, but this soul felt Jesus speak to him... the #1 I was in despair, #2 I needed some nudge to Jesus....

We tried counseling very short term thru him, as for my ex would not accept the fact that he beat me--even with the social services having taken pictures to prove it. My daughter and I up for hours for that--on base--and the Police Department. She was shaken... I sure was too. The despair of it was, as much as I love my family, they would not believe me--that he beat me, and he was kicked out of the apartment. So hard to deal with tragic reality. So between it all--it began a severe feeling of despair and loneliness- as for I still did not know Jesus yet. So who to pray to??

I talked to lawyers, to neighbors, on the phone to whom is my dear dear husband today... my neurologist-Dr. Drazkowski-(I still see and thank Jesus for today).... looking for answers. Just hadn't found one true answer yet... as for I began to reach for my Phenobarbital-seizure medication, take extra to ease and numb pain. Would pound a great handful fly in my car up to Austin--the city. I loved it-I love cities. And I had a family friend there we'd visit. He could see there wasn't something the same about me. Took several visits... and invited my now husband down to visit in Dec of 2002. Asking a neighbor to watch Tory---NIGHTMARE. #1 I felt it was all wrong somehow-- and was just in despair from all I was going thru... #2 popped sooo many of my pills surprised I am typing... but-- it led my family friend (my dad's best friend from high school-Bill) to call my parents and say "GET OUT HERE NOW---SHE NEEDS YOU!!" And they were on the first flight finally... as for it was a blessing--cause my ex picked up our kid--wasn't supposed to--and found which hospital I was at-even though he wasn't supposed to have Tory-nor be near me. Shoved me there inside the hospital in front of our one year old---led me to calling cops... but in perfect timing--praise God-- my parents walked in that hospital door-- and we all left... and came back to Arizona. My ex just dropped it all. As for he was off to Iraq... and just was about hurting... control. God was working....

This is what leads up to October 19th... A day I will never in my life forget, no regret, now. All the year of 2003 I had been searching for Jesus FINALLY in my life. Even while higher than a kite---HE INVITES ALL IN. And the Holy Spirit can still get thru to you!! I was trying to be hard hearted at first--but wow!! Just started to grasp me with amazement!!! Started dating my now amazing husband Christian Siebens, from afar....he was in Seattle. And Tory and I moved into our own little one bedroom apartment--she had the bedroom--I slept on the floor of the living room--with a TV no cable for her--and a lamp--no shade. Most awesome time of my life to be honest!!! I had off and on periods of popping way too many pills-was seeing an amazing psychiatrist for that at Mayo-Dr. Hanson-then later up thru today is amazing Dr. Stonnington. In July-then September of that year began seeing an AMAZING psychologist for people with seizures, strokes, etc... Dr. Sari Roth-Roemer--blessing and a half--who has helped me become so much of who I am today!!

I had been silent the whole time attending my church-Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Chandler, AZ--but one day--in July of 2003, bit tipsy on too many pills again-at a church service-something spoke to me BIG. And made me look FINALLY for just ONE person to talk to--vent to. Ask questions about life, Jesus, what to do. And there was this lady I had seen almost every Sunday sitting pretty still as everyone was leaving--and I just chose her to reach to...my very dear friend and neighbor Karen. I reached to her BIG that night. Granted pretty tipsy, so God knows she was wondering what is up with this girl.. but she sure listened and reached out!!! And we kept in contact thru the year--she was like another counselor for me!! On biblical grounds. I truly today thank Jesus for her--she has helped me in so many ways-be a good mom, get thru hard points, she was my maid of honor. I am so blessed.

Had several overdosing stays in the hospital that year... but October 19th---why the date of this Blog meant so much to me is amazing---I argued on the phone with my ex on the 18th... and that argument just hurt. I had been saving my Phenobarbital pills--not taking them since August because I "hated" them. But not flushing them either in case of a "rainy" day. That argument felt like it was pouring. Denying he beat me--after apologizing a couple weeks prior. So psychologically confusing. So the next day... I popped half of my storage in the AM--went the the gym with my kid and friend, and his autistic kid. Hyper-drive started to kick in---walking straight lines weren't happening. Then.. began to feel the bit of downfall.. took it all.... 10,000 mg's... granted my body had grown pretty tolerant over the year. But I shouldn't be here typing. Led to us at the mall... me shopping like a bandit--for things I couldn't afford--and still have today to never forget. But it finally hit me--when I thought if I popped the ending of that bottle--I could just quickly go to sleep without feeling any type of fear first---I was wrong. And God gave me the feeling of regret--and fear. And I fortunately had my neurologists cell on program--like God knew this would occur. I hit the button in tears and asked what to do (best I could speak)---and he said to get there NOW. And sadly--I didn't just ask my friend to take us from the mall to that ER (30 miles)... no. I packed my kiddo up in my car... and said follow me to pack for my stay. And FLEW down the 40 mph street doing 80!!! TALK ABOUT JESUS' hand on us the WHOLE WAY...

My friend got us a sitter... and called my mom... and took me up to Mayo. And on the way--I remember nothing. I only remember when I got there--and they STAT put tube down me to pump my stomach-- just before I went into coma-- I asked Him to somehow give me another chance...and following--when I woke up in a room--I was still coming down off a high dose...but something still began to feel different. And I was still tipsy enough to not be embarrassed to call Karen, let her know how dumb I was--how amazing Jesus was. She was up in SECONDS!! That was when I was amazed at Christian friends who are there for you thru EVERYTHING!! She even had one of our very dear pastors come up to pray for me!! WOW--I had never been so touched in my life... that awesome Pastor Tom Stone was the same one who came to pray for me for my second brain surgery too... awesome friends thru Jesus I was learning!! WOW!!

And it all put me ONE FIRE FOR HIM!! I jumped in the Bible---and was amazed at how He spoke, and speaks to US. HE IS OUR SAVIOR ALL THE TIME!!! We have to see that!!

And I am still sitting here typing, blogging, tweeting, Facebooking, SKYPE'ing,, ning'ing, Lord... etc.. reaching now out to others... with epilepsy, domestic violence, depression, overdosage, suicide, etc... Most of all... those searching for Jesus. He has done nothing but brought so much good into my life... I learned so much thru it all---we need to forgive ourselves--knowing HE FORGIVES US FIRST!! (learned that thru my Bible study teacher Amy!! AMEN!!) And we need to forgive others... or we can't live a good life. I learned seizures worsen with me without forgiving others. Took me 4 years to forgive my ex--but it was an amazing feeling when I did.

He has brought so much joy and good thru all the tough times--as I found Him, trusted Him, walked tightly with knowing He has plans, and will not turn on me!! EVER!! And He hasn't -- has turned all this yuck into so much good-- and able to use so much I learned for His Glory!


With that... I have great news of my daughter being adopted by my husband-Christian Siebens @flyingchristian and @WorldVentures4U --whom she has always seen as her daddy-this coming year...and my 3rd brain surgery will be to come--to lessen medications!! He works wonders... even thru all the tough--leads to amazing good!!! We took the day my ex beat me and married that day in 2007---so it would always be a blissful day--not one to mourn over. And I always send my docs cards on Oct 19th--for helping thru Jesus to save my life!! (and I always buy a Starbucks cup--and my daughter clothes from Gymboree--as for that is what I did higher than I kite--I do it sane with happiness now!!)

Know you are wanted and loved by so many!! Jesus #1---family and friends and ME #2---never doubt that!! Jesus is always my Savior--your Savior-- always there to be our SAVE-YOUR :) Know that!! No matter what you are going thru or HOW you are going thru it--HE WILL GET YOU THRU IT--as you whisper to Him for His mercy and help!!!

In His Love,

Hetty Siebens



@AliveinMe @EpilepsyCures

My very first verse I opened to on my OWN when I really turned to Him after I exited Mayo Hospital---ALIVE!!!

Romans 4:18-19 AND...
Romans 4:20-22
Abraham NEVER wavered believing God's promise. In Fact, His faith grew STRONGER and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything He promised. And because of Abraham's faith, God declared him to be righteous.
WOW!!!!

John 1:1-5 In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and He was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that He didn't make. Life itself was in Him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines thru the darkness, and the darkness can never distinguish it.

Galatians 1:4 He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

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