Brooke Throckmorton began her journey with God about a year ago at Warren’s Grove. A friend brought her to church at the start of last summer. She came with her friend for something to get involved with since her normal summer activity, softball, was not practical due to an injury to her hand. She knows if she was able to play softball last summer she would not be here today. She recalls having first been to Warren’s Grove as a child so for her it was like coming home.
Brooke was raised Baptist and would attend church sporadically over the years. Prior to last summer she had never read the bible. She reads the bible all the time now. At the end of last summer, her cousin was shot in the war and he lost 70% of his blood and was expected to never walk again. “We prayed for him everyday”, she said. He is now almost fully recovered. It is a miracle that he lived.
She lost two very important men in her life within a three year period and was going down the wrong path when she started going to church last year. Her uncle and her grandfather were great influences on her. She looked up to her uncle and he inspired her to get involved with softball and the fire department. He bought her catching equipment and thinks of him fondly when playing ball. She plays often and has gotten her team to pray before and after each game. She has also influenced other teams to pray with them and not be judged.
She also is involved with the local fire department. She began taking classes in July and would like to become a part time volunteer for the department. She spends much of her time there and joins them in daily prayer. John 15:13 she reflects on often. The department has influenced her in many positive ways to help others and her community. Brooke had the opportunity to work with burn victims. The department adopts children who were burned in their younger years. They take the children to the lake for their annual lake adventure weekend. After that weekend, she began to really enjoy being around children. She says, “They are so sweet and follow me around and want to play with me.” She loves children now.
She has many new friends and attends church as frequently as possible. Since her friend took her here she has seen positive people in her life and not negative which she was around before. She sees things differently through the eyes of Jesus and prays all the time now. She tries to attend church every Sunday if softball allows. She really enjoys Warren’s Grove, it is her second home. She recalls last spring she was being taken down the wrong road and began praying to God to help her. She feels he then touched her life and brought her here.
She doesn’t have to worry about anything here. If she has a problem, this is where she goes for resolution. She has changed a lot in the last year and for the better. She notices everything is a little easier. Others in her life have commented on her changes and the positive effects God’s has had on her life.
This past May she was baptized and confirmed. Baptism at the pond was very special to her. Baptism was a new life and new start for her. At confirmation, she was filled with overwhelming emotion. Brooke is so happy to be a member of this church and realized then that God truly has unconditional love and forgiveness. She thanks God for blessing her life in so many ways!
