I honestly am not completely sure what has always drawn me to Christ. Well, him of course, maybe that’s just it. But, my mom and step-dad were never into church; in fact I don’t think that we ever really spoke of religion. But I know that I have always looked to the heavens knowing that someone was watching over me. When I was younger I did go to church a few times with my friends, and I liked it, but with my family not being into it, I never tried very hard.
So, what brought me to Mars Hill you might wonder . . . Well, a large chain of events. The one that hit me the most was my grandfather’s death. My mother and I lived with my grandparents, in Renton, up until I was five. After that I still saw my grandparents every week. When my mom, step-dad, and I moved to Federal Way, my grandparents would come every weekend. My grandmother would stay with my mom and my little brother Cody. And my grandfather would take me swimming at the gym that he belonged. I think it was Bally. He always pushed me to do the things that I loved and he knew that I loved to swim. They have just always been there for me, if I needed to get away for any reason I would go to their house. Their influence on my life has been more than I could have ever imagined.

My grandfather started getting sick last November. He was in and out of the hospital and during that time I was helping him and my grandmother. My grandma can’t drive so, I would drive her to see him when I could. It wasn’t until January that we were told that he had cancer of the colon and it was spreading. From then on he was in the hospital, nursing home, or adult family home. I would take my grandmother to see him at least once a week.  I would try to go on my own to have my time with him as well if I could.
He was finally put in an adult family home for good, and it was close to my grandmother so that was good. But about two weeks after he went into a coma. Once that happened I pretty much never left his side. My cousin Lianne had insisted that we bring some of the wall hangings from the house to make him feel at home. One of them was a scroll that was the prayer, “God give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the strength to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.” I would stare at this for hours. It screamed the situation that I was in right there, and it really helped me to understand that Christ has plans that we can’t mess with, and they are for the best. Throughout the whole process I had been feeling the urge to go to church and search for Christ in my life, but I think this really helped me in making my decision. Grandpa lasted about five days in his coma and he was finally free of his body.
I then knew it was time and began to look for a church. Breanne and I were looking for an apartment at that time and I was telling her that I had wanted to start going. She told me about this great place called Mars Hill that her sister kept telling Breanne that she should try. So, we did, and as you know we both love it. I thank Jesus everyday for bringing me to Mars Hill and all of you. The Queen Anne Community Group is a blessing to me every week and day. Thank you so much for being the accepting hearts that you are. I couldn’t have asked anything more in a fellowship group.

God Bless to all of you,

Dayna Baker