Our Stories...

Laura Garland

Place of Salvation: Carmel
Date of Salvation: 00/00/2006

My Story

Before I came to Carmel, I always knew about God, but I never knew what He was or what He was able to do. I always belived that God could talk to me through the occult, like star signs and tarot reading. Little did I know that the occult, can be manipulated by good and bad. I had also been into doing drugs, but not so much since I was going out with a boyfriend. However, even though I had stopped drugs, I was still getting anxious and had a complete sense of being alone, even though I was in a relationship with someone. I had always questioned about God while in that relationship. I did not understand what was happening to me, but I became deeply anti social apart from seeing my boyfriend, and I also became extremely unhappy about everything.

I feel, to an extent, that it was my boyfriend who was causing this. Because he was so possessive, I prevented myself from doing what my heart was telling me to do, becuase my mind was telling me I have to be happy with him.

I was never sure if I was truly happy with him.

On a spiritual level I felt trapped and that I couldn't spread my wings like I should, so on a natural level I thought I was just anxious because of the drugs I had taken in previous years. When I came to Carmel I was in a lot of doubt that anything would happen, and then Pastor Gerri was talking about everything that was happening in my life, and how God can help. Later on in the service, I got prayed for and released from anxiety. I got into a new group of friends, became confident in things I was not confident in before and I had a brighter outlook on life. I have just completed the foundation course and I am looking to go to Bible college after I have completed my A2 studies.