I was raised Catholic all my life but I did not know the love of God. My family was very private about our faith. I had no idea what the cross of Jesus had to do with my life. I was at a really dark period in my life when my high school girlfriend came back into my life after seven years and shared with me her own conversion story. I was living in mortal sin, drinking heavily and engaging in premarital sex. She told me God loved me no matter what I had done and has never taken his eye away from me. That He had a plan for my life and that I needed to invite Him into my heart. I basically got down on my knees and asked God to reveal His love and plan to me. She then took me to confession. I had never known the forgiveness of God. After I confessed my sins, the priest then read from Psalm 51 and explained the scripture to me. He prayed over me and gave me absolution. I walked out of the confessional a new person. I knew God had done something amazing. A great awareness of His unconditional love flowed into my heart and mind and I knew for the first time that I was loved by God and forgiven and had a new power in my life not to return to my former way of living. I have a great love for the church, the Eucharist and scripture came alive. I know now why I am alive and am so grateful to share the hope that is within me with others. I joined SPSE as a team leader around seven years ago and to share the gospel with others is the biggest joy of my life to see the captives set free!