LaQueia puts her arm around Teri and gives her a slight hug and replies, “I do get what you’re saying.  That’s why I’m here to help you.  Sister Kelly is gone, but I am still here to help you.”  Teri looks up at her friend, resting her head in her hands, and smiles weakly.  LaQueia enthusiastically continues, “So if your still up to it, lets keep going!”  Teri laughs softly and completely sits up, feeling LaQueia’s enthusiasm.  “Okay lets do this.  I do want to do whatever I am suppose to be doing.”  Happy LaQueia stands up and says.  “Oh Teri this is such a gorgeous occasion.  You are about to enter into the most important stage and the devil is doing everything within his power to try to stop you.  You do realize that this means that you are making the devil nervous, scared or both!  So don’t act like this situation is too much, you have to get this done or the devil will win at what he is doing.” 

Teri smiles at a mental picture of the thought that LaQueia has just presented.  Then she tells LaQueia to keep pushing her through.  LaQueia sits back down.  “Okay lets keep going!  Teri tell me about your willingness to lay your life down so that Jesus can live through you.  Your answer does’nt have to be elaborate, just heartfelt.”  Teri thinks for a moment then answers.  “I am just going to be open and honest with you LaQueia, because you are my friend.  I have so many flaws and life has been so hard on me lately.  Going through this divorce and on the spot, becoming a single mom and not being able to do anything about it has turned my world upside down.  It’s like all of a sudden so many important things in my life are out of my control. 

Layoffs at work, money troubles, divorce, raising a son without a full time father, thinking about the hardships of a new relationship, and honestly I do not look like I did when I was younger, so I have so many fears that are not in my control.  I keep trying to control what I can, but ultimately it really does not matter what I do.  Things are going to turn out the way they will, regardless of my various efforts.  So for the first time in my life, I understand the need for a greater power.  Honestly, I just need help.  I need some serious help!  I can’t fix anything anymore and I need help.  I started going back to church to get a pick me up sermon but then I was greatly blessed because I started going to some of Sister Kelly’s meetings. 

I am excited about getting divine help.  Now that I know that I am not alone anymore, I feel better, but after talking to you, I realize that not only will God help me but I am able to get power to help myself and others.  So I am excited—very excited.  So to answer your question, I am excited to lay my life down to Jesus, especially since at this point in my life, I am not in control of it anyway.”

 LaQueia nods her head in agreeance, understanding exactly how Teri is feeling.  “Teri, one thing that you have to really understand, is that your the Holy Spirit is to help with connecting you to God as well as help you out and others.  So many people have a downfall because they forget that you are suppose to be focusing on God and doing God’s will at all times.  That being said, lets get started.”  LaQueia bows her head and begins praying.  Instantly Teri closes her eyes too.  She is sitting with her hands folded neatly across her lap.  When LaQueia finishes she says, “Okay, I prayed that you receive the Holy Spirit, now you have to accept the Holy Spirit and allow him to use you, in essence let him speak through you.” Teri opens her eyes and looks at LaQueia unsure of what to do next. 

“What am I suppose to be doing?” Teri says confused.  LaQueia smiles and tells Teri to get into a prayer position.  "Begin praying to God and talking to him about the things that are in your heart.  Remember the 7 steps.  Ask for forgiveness, tell him how you are feeling, and what you want, which is the exchange of your life for Jesus and then your desire for the Holy Spirit to live through you.  Teri closes her eyes and begins talking to God. 

Concentrating on the steps Teri tries to remember them as she prays.  At first it feels a little funny talking out loud about her personal problems while she is asking for forgiveness in front of LaQueia.  After awhile Teri forgets about how she sounds to LaQueia.  Putting her self conscience feeling out of her mind, knowing that she really does trust LaQueia.  As soon as she does this it helps Teri to really communicate her feelings and life to God in a personal manner.

By the time she starts talking to God about how she feels she starts becoming emotional.  She is overwhelmed with how much she appreciates God and the opportunity to build him up.  Thinking about how Jesus cut his life short for her, the tears are flowing profusely.  Normally she isn’t the type of person to cry but the more she thinks about how much she appreciates Gods provisions to save her despite all of her actions she can not help but to let it all out. 

The desire that Teri is feeling overwhelms her; she is wanting to be able to participate with God, wanting to be apart of something worth doing and believing in.  Her hands are raised as she cries out to God in thanks and praise.

Toward the end of her praise she remembers the contract that LaQueia discussed.  There is an exchange that needs to happen.  Making up in her mind, Teri knows she wants to be used by God more than anything else.  Despite the urgency of everything else, Teri determines in her mind that God is the most important.  Willing and open for God to be able to use her in any way that she is needed, Teri tells God just how much she wants his will to be done in her life.  Spilling her heart out to the Lord, her sincere words pour out of her mouth full of respect, and love for her creator.

When she says, “Jesus, everyday I want to be used by the Holy Spirit!” instantly Teri can feel her body tingle as if acceptance of the Lord made her body involuntarily shake with joy.  Feeling a renewed deep happiness, she continues her praises to God.  Giving Him various thanks, Teri can not contain her appreciation as she waves her hands while she continues to give her pure thanksgiving.  It isn’t until she hears lil Christopher crying beside her that she realizes that they have been so loud that Teri has wakened him up.  Immediately she picks him up and continues praying as she kisses him all over. 

Everything seems so fresh and new, like the brightness of a new day.  Teri is so thrilled she can not contain herself.  She begins to dance around with lil Christopher, who eventually fell back to sleep in her arms.  “Oh my God LaQueia, I had no idea I would feel this way.  I feel so empowered, like I can do anything.  This is so exuberating, I just want to tell everybody.”  With everything that has been going on, Teri had been feeling so tired all of the time.  This is the first time Teri feels a burst of pure energy, instead of an adrenaline rush.  It feels exhilarating like she can run forever.  LaQueia agrees happily as she comments, “And you will!  You are going to tell the whole world the good news of Jesus!”  They chat for another hour before LaQueia notices the time.  “Oh, I have to go, my mom is taking care of the children and I was in such a hurry I did not bring my cell phone.”  They hug, wave good bye to each other, then LaQueia drives off.

Teri is so excited it is hard for her to actually go to sleep as she thinks through her new future.  For the first time in a long time she is able to think about the future—her future.  The lose of her husband simultaneously took away her thoughts of the future.  Teri had been stuck on the past; the things she had said and done in the past that put her in the position she is in today.  However, now Teri feels she has a future again, and not only a future, but a life full of wonderful possibilities again.  Teri feels awakened and new like her whole life is before her again and she can accomplish anything she sets her mind on.

Teri wants to use her cell phone to call everyone!  Unlike wanting to speak to someone needing a quick encouragement, instead Teri wants to call and tell of her good news and to encourage them.  There are so many people that she wants to talk to and bring into this wonderful new experience.  Teri picks up her cell and is about to call anyone from her saved numbers, when she notices the time.  It is too late to call.  Teri starts thinking about who lives in different time zones, hoping it will not be to late there.  Teri remembers one of her friends that has moved out of the country.  “Perfect!” Teri exclaims aloud.  As she scroll down to her friends number, Teri remembers the time her friend spoke to her about her brother who had just gotten out of prison and was speaking to her about getting saved in prison.  

Her friend spoke about how she didn’t believe him and how awful he had been.  A few months later, Teri’s friend called to tell Teri that her brother was back in jail and how she knew he hadn’t really changed.  At the time Teri agreed and they talked negatively about all of the hypocrisy going around.  Teri finally got to her name and number, but after remembering that Teri hesitated.  Her friend does not believe in God so Teri never brought up the subject, and now to call to tell her would be a jaunting task. 

Teri for the first time is willing to tell her everything, but decides to call her later, not wanting to lose this terrific feeling with any debates her friend will surely give.  She writes a note down on her tablet so that she will not forget to make it a point to call her friend.  Teri sets her phone on her night stand and closes her eyes as she allows the great feeling to consume all of her tensions and stress that has built up over the last few months.  When she finally drifts off, her sleep is peaceful and refreshing.

Waking up three hours later, Teri has a smile on her face, when she recounts what has happened to her the night before.  Remembering and recognizing the joy she feels, Teri can not contain her happiness and or the huge grin on her face.  For the first time in a long time, Teri can still feel the energy she had the night before.  “Thank you God!”  As soon as she says this, the vision she had seen the night before pops back in the forefront of her mind and it is very clear and vivid.  Then she remembers her dream that night.  Last night she dreamt that she was walking through her vision with a guide. 

The very first time that she saw her vision while she was in lil Christopher’s room, it flashed before her like a condensed blink.  That night as she slept, Teri had the opportunity to walk through her vision and ask questions.  Sitting on the edge of her bed with her eyes closed she tried to visualize her dreams occurrences.  It amazed Teri that she did not ask many questions.  She was so busy soaking things in, she only asked obvious questions more in disbelief than actually needed a response.  Either way, she was happy.

Not wanting to loose anything this time, Teri takes the time to really look at the details, before moving.  Afterward she gets up and finds a tape recorder and tries to speak what she has seen, so that she can listen to it again just in case.  But the more that she tries to explain it, the more she fumbles over her words.  Closing her eyes she tries to walk through it again, but soon realizes that her vocabulary is not expansive enough.  Frustrated she opens her eyes and finally stops.  Pacing the room, she tries to listen to what she has recorded.  Just like she thought it does not describe anything, it sounds discombobulated and her descriptions do not make sense.  

Knowing that her verbal descriptions will not help others to understand what she is seeing, she cuts off the tape recorder.  When she closes her eyes she can still see the picture format of her vision, so she decides to leave it alone.  LaQueia can still see her vision after all of this time, so Teri feels that she will be able to see hers as well.  The thought that she will be able keep and remember her vision makes Teri feel more comfortable and at peace.  Laying back down on the bed and closing her eyes as her vision replays in her head, she soaks back in the empowered feeling that she receives because of the vision, until Christopher comes into the room.  Then she gets up and makes breakfast for the both of them.  Throughout the day Teri routinely checks to make sure she still has not lost her vision again.

Teri can not wait to get to church to meet with Sister Kelly and the rest of the ladies attending her group meetings.  As soon as she walks into the fellowship hall, Teri proudly tells everyone that she is dedicating her time and energy to God and is becoming a ‘Believer.’ Immediately everyone applauds her.  It is like a superstar has come into the building and Teri is the star.  Everyone goes wild coming over just to be close to Teri.  Even Christopher comes over throughout the night and gives his mother a big hug on her leg.  Teri is thrilled!  Sister Kelly asks when she wants to get baptized, and she replies, ‘right now!”  Again everyone enthusiastically cheers. 

Sister Kelly’s husband, Deacon Kelly anoints the water as Sister Kelly sets up the baptismal pool.  The Pastor is out of town.  Therefore, Sister Kelly has her two sons, both of which are Pastors, come to baptize her in the name of Jesus.  While the water is running everyone continues to gather around Teri.  Loving all of the attention, advice and hearing everyone else’s stories, Teri is having a great time.  When the water if finally ready, Sister Kelly has a couple of ladies take Teri in the back room to change and get towels ready for her.  Sheryl has her digital camera. She quickly goes to her car to get it, wanting to takes pictures to commemorate the night.  Her first picture captures Teri’s expression when she first steps into the cold water. 

Since it is such a spur of the moment event, the water is not heated.  The water is usually turned on early in the day and then the heater turned on, which would keep the baptismal pool heated for hours.  Automatically Teri yelps “Oh my God, its cold!”  LaQueia tells Teri to imagine that she is getting baptized outside with John the Baptist in the river Jordon.  Teri is too cold to even laugh. 

The sincerity of her dedication is already being tested by the cold water.   There is singing and applauding while Teri slowly makes her way through the water, but she can not hear any of it.  Concentrating on Jesus, Teri begins repeating Jesus’ name, in order to get into the water completely.  With each step, the water goes higher up on her body, allowing the cold water to consume new areas in the icy low temperature.  Her lips are already shivering as she stops at the correct spot in the middle of the baptismal pool. 

Sister Kelly’s son, smiles warmly understanding how she feels, since he is also in the water.  He gently puts one hand on her back and whispers to her to listen to God and answer his calling.  Then he explains the process.  Everything seems surreal as Teri thinks about her life and starting over as a true ‘Believer.’  It isn’t until he states, “I baptize you in the precious name of Jesus!”  And she feels the extremely cold water engulf her that Teri feels the Holy Spirit take over. 

Although she is only in the cold water for seconds, the symbolic gesture of Teri’s life being buried away in the freezing water and giving her life back to her creator resonates throughout her entire being.  Knowing that when she comes back out of this watery grave that she will be filled up with Jesus and will be acting as his agent on this earth. 

Coming out of the water giving God praises, the Holy Spirit bursts through Teri, as her stammering lips change into an intimate divine communication.  Her essence is glowing from the inner transformation as Teri begins speaking differently.  Teri is so focused that she is not startled by her new speech.  Everyone cries out praises with Teri.  The whole room is filled up with zealous praise for God.  Everyone in the room can feel God’s presence full of love and power.  A couple ladies tell her not to stop talking to God.  Teri who has no intention on stopping, continues as she hears herself speaking even louder and bolder.  Everything seems perfect within Teri.  A happiness that Teri has never experienced before is encompassing her.  Everything appears bright and new as her soul is able to openly communicate with its origins creator. 

Feeling warm and happy the water no longer feels cold.  Teri rejoices so loud and long that everyone in the room can feel her enthusiasm and also continues to rejoice along with her.  Even after she has put back on her clothes and dried off, the feeling in the air is electrifying.  Someone goes out and buys food, sodas and treats; so by the time Teri comes into the room, everyone is eating and enjoying themselves. 

As soon as she walks in, there is a great applause for her.  Again she is greeted to a standing ovation, making her smile even brighter.  Teri is the star of the show, everyone is asking her questions and wanting to know her thoughts about everything.  Teri has never felt so special in all of her life.  Teri feels the presence of God and now He is truly living on the inside of her.  Everything including the atmosphere is wonderful and perfect.  Teri feels amazing! 

Toward the end of the night when Teri is about to go home, Sister Kelly puts her hand on Teri’s back which makes her turn around.  “Beloved, I am so happy for you.  Today is your new birthday!  What a wonderful day for you!”  Sister Kelly smiles and gives her a loving hug, then says, I just want to let you know that this day is so important not only to you, but to God above.  The heavens above are rejoicing and celebrating even harder than we are.  God is so proud of you.  It is like God is smiling down on you as he lovingly says to your spirit ‘Well done my daughter!  Well done!  You are perfect in my eyes!’  Considering that he is God if he thinks your perfect, you are indeed perfect. 

Now that you have the Holy Spirit I can speak to you on a higher level because the Holy Spirit can interpret things for you.  So don’t be surprised or offended when I say certain things to you now.  Just meditate on the words and ask the Holy Spirit for the correct interpretations.  Like the other night.  The woman who passed away is a ‘Believer.’ She was being welcomed in.  Time is not of the essence for her, considering God is proud of her so in death or in life she is fine.  God can also allow her to be raised from the dead and time can start again for her.  You on the other hand, if death had taken you before your reconciliation with the creator, your life will be destined for darkness and an ill fate.  Therefore my time with you last night was of the utmost importance to me.”  Sister Kelly gives Teri another big hug.  Then she goes over to the ladies that is calling out to her.