I was born and raised in Westerly, R.I. My mom took me to church from as young as I can remember. I am truly thankful for that because that is really where my journey to figure out who God was, began.
I grew up in a Baptist Church and I went to school with many Catholic kids. I was always watching and listening to what I could, since I wore hearing aids and had a moderate hearing loss at that time. I would ask questions and looked to see how their lives were different because they said they believed in Jesus. I really wanted to understand and know about God and who this Jesus was.
I was thankful for my Bible School Teachers at church. God placed many sweet ladies who taught me but there was one very special teacher. Her name was Honor Owens. This precious woman loved on me, prayed for me, taught me scripture, and always took time to know me.
I accepted Christ at 9 years old. I was baptized soon after. I was very passionate about my walk with the Lord. I talked to Him often and studied the bible on my own several times a week. I went to youth group and was in church regularly.
I struggled socially in many ways, some due to my hearing loss and others just because I was awkward that way. I didn’t really fit in anywhere. This caused me to feel very lonely. I continued to talk to God and go to His Word everyday but I really lacked having someone walking side by side with me as I tried to figure out how to walk out my salvation.
Finally, I came to a place where I just felt this Christian walk was too hard and too lonely. I set out to see if the grass was greener on the other side. Taking one turn and then another, seeking the love and peace I needed so desperately, I fell into one sin after another, landing in a pit so deep, it felt as though there was no way out.
I found out I was pregnant and that is really when I hit rock bottom. No matter how many people said I should get an abortion, I knew I could never do that. I knew deep down that I would live with that forever. I chose to keep my baby.
One night I cried out to God and confessed my need for Him. I repented of my sins against Him and recommitted my life to Jesus. I heard God speak to me in a very clear and tangible voice. He said “Keep this baby. I will be your husband and your child’s father. I will provide your needs.” It was an incredible, pivotal moment in my life. Just like that Father in Luke 15, My Heavenly Father received me and began His work of restoration in me.
I began to realize and become aware that the Holy Spirit had been pursuing me, prodding me, and was very active all along the way. God does not force Himself on us, He allows us to go through what we need to in order to come to Him, to realize our need for Him and yet He waits and does not give up on us. What a patient, loving, and faithful God!
It has been a long road. Layer by layer He has peeled off so much of me and replaced it with Him. He has
answered many prayers by providing me a husband who loves me like Jesus, one who has become a father to my son and has given me another son as well. He has blessed me with a wonderful church family, those who walk beside me and those I can walk side by side with.
My sweet friend Honor, loved me and prayed for me through it all. We stayed friends until she went to be with the Lord. I know her prayers for me were a gift from God and a protection as I walked through my dark days. Praise God for all He has done in me and all He continues to do in and through me.
I truly am a Renewed Creation because God saw in me what I didn’t see, He loved me and never gave up on me. This is my heart for you and for this ministry! May this be an encouragement to You!
Lisa Appelo
Desiree, what an incredible testimony of God’s grace! Thank you so much for sharing vulnerably all God has done for you.
Charla
Oh, Desiree. Praise God for His faithfulness. What a beautiful story of redemption, hope, and joy. Your story is full of hope and victory in Jesus, friend. Keep on telling it!
desireet
Thank you, Charla. I am thankful for your encouragement.
Denise
Love ya gal
Linda W. Perkins
I love your testimony, Desiree. Even though we have been connected through Christian writing for a few years, I had not read your story before. “I decided it was too hard and too lonely.” That was you and that was me when I was about 16. I too chose the world over the Lord, but came back to Him on my knees, broken, years later. Now we both have our ministries. God uses our brokenness, our stories of His goodness and mercy, doesn’t He? What a wonderful Father God and Savior we serve. It is a joy to know you and I can’t wait to see how much more He blesses you with your ministry! Love in Christ.
Shirlee Abbott
I’m blessed by your story, Desiree.
One of my many aunts suffered a series of strokes that left her unable to speak. We know she spent hours talking with God–He understood her every word. When she died, I felt the loss of her prayers on my behalf.
Perhaps your hearing loss has tuned your heart to hear God’s voice better than the rest of us. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Joan Fernald
Your Story is so moving, and beautiful. Thanks for sharing it. Love you.
Barbara La France
dearest Desiree, I should have named you March Patience Taylor as March comes in like lion she goes
out like a lamb so once spoken. God is not finished with me either. May you remain
sheltered from all storms of life is the prayer I am lifting up for you.
thank you for sharing so much with everyone. God is moving thru you. Yes, you are
a wife, a daughter whom God loved from the foundation of the world. I just love
your personal testimony, Keep smiling, Yes Jesus love you the Bible tells you so.
Mama
Barbara La France
Thank you for encouraging me but most of all forgiving my shortcomings. You Are one special gal
in the eyes of the Lord. Blessings
Marvae
Thrilled to learn more about your testimony and what God has and is doing in your life Desiree! Thanks for sharing your story with us!
Dianna
Love those baby blues! Love you – all of you! So thankful to God for all He has done and continues to do in/thru u!
Barbara La France
Loneliness’ in our inner self can be more painful than exterior loneliness. Being sad is like a long dark night
God is a good listener. In the day when I cried!
Blessings to you for Love opens the way.
Paula Short
So nice to meet you Desiree. What a blessed testimony.
Desiree Taylor
Paula, It is a blessing to meet you. Thank you for being here!
Teresa Burgess
Desiree:
My testimony has similarities and differences. I was also raised in a Baptist church and came to know and walk with Jesus at a young age. I also walked away from God in my early twenties. I also found myself pregnant. However, I chose a different path than you by having an abortion. I was drawn back to God and received his forgiveness, but it took decades for me to forgive myself. I also married a wonderful Christian man and have other children. God took my mistake and made it a blessing to others. I was a nurse manager at a pregnancy care clinic and performed ultrasounds, which helped many women choose life for their babies. I too am a renewed creation and have seen God turn my ashes to beauty. Thank you for your transparency.
Teresa
Desiree Taylor
Hi Teresa, what a blessing to meet you! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us here. Praise God for all He has done in your life and for the forgiveness and redemption God has given. What beautiful encouragement to us all. I pray you stay in touch!