Following a Call

Staff-Natalie Leisure

 

                                    

                       

My journey to Teen Challenge is definitely unique, but isn't that our God?!  I was raised in a Christian home with a Baptist background. I remember knowing and understanding at an early age that Jesus loved me and that He died for me. I remember thinking how huge that was! But over the course of many years, my focus became less and less about God leading my life and instead "Natalie leading her own life."   I would have many experiences of being convicted of my actions, but ultimately that came to a head when I discovered I was pregnant at the age of 17. This was not at all what I had planned for my life or my boyfriend's, Ryan. We decided we would keep our baby and raise the child together.  I had a moment of complete surrender while I was pregnant.  I fell to my knees and asked God to take these burdens from me because they were too huge and I couldn't do it on my own.  I felt the Holy Spirit release my burden, and also heard that I would be taken care of and things were going to be okay. This was such a huge moment in my life because I had felt like such a sinner, and the guilt had been more than I could bear, but in that moment I knew that He loved me and this child. I felt forgiven and free!

 

Following high school, while friends were enjoying their first few months of college, we had our daughter, Alayna.  The following years were full with many different challenges from parenting, marriage, college and working.   Life was crazy!  For example, I had our son, Beau, in the final month of my senior year at Drake!  After graduating with a degree in business, I started working at a bank in Clive, and was blessed with many learning opportunities and advancement in Commercial Lending.  Yet, I struggled with the commute to Clive with my young kids having to go to daycare so early in the morning and began wondering if this was what my life was going to be like...living for the weekend.  I knew in my heart that there had to be something more and that God had a different plan for me. I was then presented an opportunity to buy a flower shop in my hometown. ..so I went for it. Being in town was great for our young family, I wouldn't have to keep them in daycare too long and would have more flexibility to be at things they had at school.  Plus, working in a flower shop and being creative all day was wonderful! But with the economy taking a turn and a road construction project which blocked all access to the front of our business, my flower shop suffered greatly and in turn so did I.  I ended up selling my business in October of 2009.

What looked like a failure turned into a time of searching and drawing even closer to God.  Now a little background, over the years I would occasionally hear or have a strong sense that God had called me into ministry. I would laugh at this because I kept thinking I'm not ready for this, I haven't gone to seminary, what does this "ministry" look like, do I have it together enough to work in ministry?  So in the midst of the job and soul searching I found this familiar pull returning.  Of course, I applied for many jobs, jobs that I was "supposed" to have a great chance at getting because of connections, but months passed without anything.  I turned it over to God, again and again and AGAIN. I would say this period of time in my life, I was in constant conversation with God, fully leaning on Him and trusting Him with my future.  I kept hearing, be patient and keep waiting.    

In February of 2010, a relative had mentioned Teen Challenge and they had a feeling that I would be interested in what took place there and to contact the director.  When I met her the first time and heard about Teen Challenge, I just knew that this was where God wanted me to go.  As I waited to hear if I had gotten the job or not, I pleaded with God, "if this is not where you want me to go God, than where?!"   I think I had reached my ropes end. J Within an hour, Candace called and offered me the job!

My experience at Teen Challenge has been wonderful!  I feel truly blessed to be at a place where you see and feel God's presence and the transformation taking place in the lives of these women. Their desire to grow and change is contagious and opens my eyes to see the work He's doing in my own life as well.  There are moments where you see the devil at work, but that's where God comes in and reveals His truths to these women and the truths that will set them free.  It's pretty powerful!  I have developed such a love for the women, the staff, and volunteers here; God is so faithful and GOOD!