Each one of our lives has a unique story.

I was born in Romania (a country in Europe) and grew up there until the age of 15 when me and my family moved to the United States. My 3 brothers, sister, myself, and my parents, left everything behind and made America our home in 2004. I often look at my life as being split into two periods- the time in Romania and life in the United States.

Our childhood defines us but God is working behind the scenes in the midst of the events of our lives. He is not the author of the evil that happens to us, but nothing can stand in the way of His ability to touch our lives and to use everything that happens to us, even the negative events, in a way that only He can.

What was your childhood like? Take a moment to think about how your life began- maybe you have heard stories from your parents or maybe you haven’t. I want you to take a deep breath and grasp this truth- God has been in the midst of the story of your life not just from the beginning but even before your conception.

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were appointed for me,
When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape]. Psalm 139:16 AMP

When my mom was pregnant with me, I came close to being aborted by the doctors without her knowing it. She was experiencing some problems with her health and decided to see her gynecologist. Upon medical examination, she wasn’t told that she was pregnant but that she needed to have a surgical intervention regarding issues unrelated to pregnancy. Thinking that all she was doing was following professional advice, she decided to go ahead, which would have put my life in danger because it would have interfered with the pregnancy. The night before the procedure while my mom was in the hospital, she heard what appeared to be the voice of a child crying, “Mama, your place isn’t here; don’t leave me here!”

At the age of 19, while studying in the college library, I had a horrifying experience. It all happened very quickly. In a moment, I felt as if the deepest darkness engulfed my life. I suddenly felt taken away from everything beautiful and good in life and it was something I couldn’t explain to anyone. Not even to myself. This was clearly not depression but a severe attack of the enemy to destroy my life. Yet, it was something that God used for my good and for His glory.

In my own life, this was the moment when I started to realize that God was at work in my life and that His desire was for me to be able to trust Him and to understand that He is good and worthy of that trust.

Have you had a defining moment in your own life?

Oftentimes, the moments that define our lives are negative in nature but where there is great darkness- God’s light can shine brightest. I have often wondered why God allows evil in our lives, just like you probably have. So many questions still remain unanswered but we must trust God’s heart. His ways are higher than our ways and we simply cannot understand everything.

When we seek Him in the mist of the events of our lives- especially the ones that are the hardest- we allow His hands to touch our lives and everything God touches changes for the better!