From Rebellion to Redemption

https://youtu.be/gEwqST-yoGo?si=3YATjyiew7WmyPVZ. 

I grew up in what you’d call a relatively “normal” home. My father was a judge, and my mom was a homemaker who also ran a small business. I am the youngest of four children, and like many parents, mine raised me the best way they knew how. But let’s just say, I didn’t exactly take the path they hoped for.

In my late high school years and well into college, I chose a life of rebellion: drugs, smoking, drinking, fornication, abortion. It was a dark and reckless season. In the midst of all that chaos, I was still able to graduate with a degree in Occupational Therapy in the Philippines. I honestly cannot take the credit because it was clearly God’s grace. As the story unfolds, you’ll see why He made a way for me to finish college. There was a bigger purpose behind it all.

At 24, without my parents’ consent, I married my high school sweetheart. That decision slowed down my wild living. I applied to work in the U.S. as an Occupational Therapist. We flew to America with just $1,000 in our pockets, four suitcases of clothes, and two towels.

We landed in Harlan, Iowa, and found a small, one-bedroom apartment. It was completely empty. We did what any resourceful Filipino newlyweds would do: we used our two towels as makeshift bedding. We didn’t care. We were just so excited to be in America, starting a new adventure together.

Then, my first week at work, one of my coworkers found out about our situation. She was shocked and said, “You guys don’t have any furniture? I know a pastor who just moved away, and he left everything behind! I can have it all delivered to you!” It felt like a dream come true. From sleeping on towels to suddenly having a full set of furniture in our home for free.

After three months there, we went to a garage sale and met an elderly woman who invited me to a Baptist church. I showed up that Sunday. My husband went to his usual church. But that Sunday changed everything.

At church, I met a lady named Mary. I had a ton of questions about the Bible. She invited me over to her house and answered all my questions. Finally, she looked at me and asked, “Where would you go when you die?” I didn’t even hesitate. “Hell,” I said. I knew what I had done, and I didn’t want to end up there. That’s when she opened the Bible and showed me truth I had never seen so clearly: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Then she showed me this: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9) In that moment, I realized I could not save myself. So, I called on the name of Jesus to save me. The best decision I have ever made in my entire life.

The truth is, this was not the first time someone had shared the Word of God with me. I remember my college classmates sitting around, opening their Bibles, and sharing something that, honestly, I have long since forgotten. But what stuck with me was the thought that kept echoing in my head: “I can’t do this. I can’t make any promises or commitments. I’m too deep in my sin.” I felt like I was too far gone, like I had no idea how to clean myself up, let alone be worthy of any kind of change. But God’s Word is powerful. Those Bible verses, though I didn’t fully understand them at the time, were seeds planted deep in my heart. Seeds that were waiting to be watered once again when I stepped into America.

Three months later, my husband Leo was eavesdropping on one of our Bible studies about the book of Revelation. Mary noticed and invited him to sit in. Not long after, he also trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

The very first thing the Lord changed in me was smoking. I had been a smoker since high school. Yet a few months after I got saved, I stopped. Just like that. No withdrawal. No struggle. Another work of God. Praise the Lord.

Now, I wish I could tell you that everything changed overnight, but it didn’t. There were still habits, attitudes, and spiritual immaturity that lingered. But I thank God that salvation is not based on our performance or pace of growth. It is completely by grace through faith in Jesus. Another unshakable truth is that it is sealed forever. No sin, no failure, no delay in growth can undo what God has done.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:13)

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) like a dream come true. From sleeping on towels to suddenly having a full set of furniture in our home for free.

After three months there, we went to a garage sale and met an elderly woman who invited me to a Baptist church. I showed up that Sunday. My husband went to his usual church. But that Sunday changed everything.

At church, I met a lady named Mary. I had a ton of questions about the Bible. She invited me over to her house and answered all my questions. Finally, she looked at me and asked, “Where would you go when you die?” I didn’t even hesitate. “Hell,” I said. I knew what I had done, and I didn’t want to end up there. That’s when she opened the Bible and showed me truth I had never seen so clearly: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Then she showed me this: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9) In that moment, I realized I could not save myself. So, I called on the name of Jesus to save me. The best decision I have ever made in my entire life.

The truth is, this was not the first time someone had shared the Word of God with me. I remember my college classmates sitting around, opening their Bibles, and sharing something that, honestly, I have long since forgotten. But what stuck with me was the thought that kept echoing in my head: “I can’t do this. I can’t make any promises or commitments. I’m too deep in my sin.” I felt like I was too far gone, like I had no idea how to clean myself up, let alone be worthy of any kind of change. But God’s Word is powerful. Those Bible verses, though I didn’t fully understand them at the time, were seeds planted deep in my heart. Seeds that were waiting to be watered once again when I stepped into America.

Three months later, my husband Leo was eavesdropping on one of our Bible studies about the book of Revelation. Mary noticed and invited him to sit in. Not long after, he also trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

The very first thing the Lord changed in me was smoking. I had been a smoker since high school. Yet a few months after I got saved, I stopped. Just like that. No withdrawal. No struggle. Another work of God. Praise the Lord.

Now, I wish I could tell you that everything changed overnight, but it didn’t. There were still habits, attitudes, and spiritual immaturity that lingered. But I thank God that salvation is not based on our performance or pace of growth. It is completely by grace through faith in Jesus. Another unshakable truth is that it is sealed forever. No sin, no failure, no delay in growth can undo what God has done.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:13)

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

Main Changes:

• Replaced all dashes with commas, periods, or semicolons where needed.

• Corrected minor punctuation (example: commas after introductory phrases like “After three months there,” or “Now, I wish…”).

• Smoothed a few sentences for natural flow.

• Corrected verb tenses to be consistent (e.g., “was” vs “had been”).

• Tightened a couple of wordy spots (but very lightly — your voice is still completely there).

Would you also like me to show you an even slightly more polished version if you want it to read even more professional for a blog or book?

(You’re already very close.)

Want me to show you?

👉🏼 In my next post, I’ll share more about the winding road of my spiritual growth—and how God used the hardest seasons to draw me closer to Him.