Dasha lost her mom two years ago and is now raised by her her step-mom and Burns Church Elder Sommer Tucker.
While she was speaking, she felt impressed to ask, “Are there any 13-yr-old young ladies here this morning?” I stood and looked around. I was the only one in the congregation on my feet. Pastor Payne looked at me and said, “I have a gift to give away—two tickets to our mother-daughter brunch next weekend. Would you like them?” Of course, I said “Yes.” Next, she asked, “Is there a mother figure who could accompany you?” Elder Sommer Williams stood and said, “I’d be happy to.”
You see, I lost my own mother to cancer two years ago. Sommer and my father had known each other for years and had recently reconnected. She invited us to her church. I was enjoying getting to know her, the people at church, and more about God and Jesus. Sommer gave us Bible studies. When she said she would accompany me and be my mother figure for this special event, it made me very happy.
Eventually, I decided to get baptized. I knew I wanted to get closer to God and to follow His commandments. Sommer was the one to baptize me. It was wonderful to have a mother figure do this.
I like to help at church by ushering, and I enjoy Pathfinders. I went to the big Camporee this August in Wyoming. One of the things I liked best was getting to know so many people there, especially people from different cultures. About 40 members from our club attended. Back at home, I work every week one-on-one with Sister Angeline Gardner from the London church. She helps me with my Pathfinder honors. I have earned more honors than anyone else in my group. Some of the honors I have completed are Pony Express, Christian Grooming and Manners, CPR, and Tie Dye.
I am thankful for all the people at church who are helping me to know God and Jesus better. From the very beginning they welcomed me and made me feel at home. Sommer, Sister Gardner, Pastor Trisha Payne, and our pastor’s wife, Sister Cheryl Bell, are all good Christian examples and positive role models for me. And Sommer has become even more than a mother figure. She and my father got married. Now she is Elder Sommer Tucker.
My favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” I know God will keep his promise. He will direct my path, just like He has been doing all along.
Dasha Aldridge is now 14 years old and in the 8th grade. She is considering a future career in the medical field.
