My name is Desirae Leonard, and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior on February 14, 2022, after a weekend trip to Word of Life Bible College. During that trip, I remember feeling confused, even a little annoyed by how joyful everyone seemed. People were smiling from ear to ear, full of kindness and love everywhere I looked. It almost didn’t feel real. I thought, “There’s no way people can be this happy for no reason.”

But as I spent more time there, I began talking with my counselors and hearing their testimonies. Many of them had gone through struggles and childhood experiences similar to mine. And yet, they still had peace. They still had joy. I couldn’t understand it. I was asking myself how could you go through all that and still be happy? Then I realized they had something I didn’t: they were born again. Their past didn’t define them anymore. It was simply part of their testimony. They had found new life in Christ, and I wanted that too. I was tired of feeling sad, miserable, depressed, and angry. I wanted real joy, the kind that doesn’t depend on circumstances.

When I came home, I made the decision that I wanted that same joy. I wanted to live differently. I wanted to truly know Jesus. So I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, because what He did on the cross was enough, enough to cover my sins, enough to give me peace, enough to give me joy.

A few months later, on May 15, 2022, I was baptized by Pastor Ron, publicly declaring that I belong to Christ. That was the day I began a new life, not a perfect one, but a redeemed one. Today, I have a reason to smile for no reason at all, because I know my joy comes from the Lord.