January 12, 2010, "Testimony"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written By: Teresa Criswell

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
~ Ephesians 3:20-21 ~

We met in the seventh grade; the fall of 1987. She was a tall, beautiful girl who ended up being a classmate of mine. We became friends; actually she was more like the 'mother hen' as she was mature, beyond her years. I remember still 'til this day how she encouraged me; the immature, awkward, silly girl. Soon after our friendship bloomed, she ended up leaving our school in 1988 as we did not see each other again until much later; after graduating high school.

Our friendship started right where it left off in the winter of 1994. I just moved from Texas to Kansas. We spent so much time together. We had our giggles, and cries. We cut each others hair. We threw parties, 'were the party' (LOL)! and just loved to party. She was the friend who stuck closer than a sister. She told me the truth when others gave up on me. She loved on me when others couldn't stand me.

Time seemed to slip away as our paths separated. During this time of going our separate ways is when the choices I made escalated into what seemed to be a constant entanglement of destruction. My life was evidence of the absence of God.

I can still remember the last time I saw her, she was dropping me off at the Denver airport to come home to Salt Lake City, Utah. I had just visited her for the weekend in 1998. A year and a half later, in March of 2000 my husband and I had our precious daughter.

After having our daughter, I remember longing to find my friend. The memories of her sticking with me, even after the skeletons she personally had seen in my closet. She knew my deep secrets of shame. She knew me before I was transformed by my Rescuer, Jesus Christ. The memories burned within my heart of the laughter, tears, burdens and wonderful times we shared; I longed to see her again.

Time's passing seconds only reminded me of her absence. I desired to share with my childhood friend, however my resources were limited as I attempted to find her.

In 2003, my life saw the redemption of God's merciful love lavished so beautifully upon me. Almost eleven years later from the time I last saw her, in 2009, we were reunited via online through none other than 'Facebook' as I remember typing her name into the 'search engine', and there she was; as beautiful as ever.


(Celina, pictured above).

The journey we have taken on the phone, via email and facebook has been a hilarious ride and of course, it is as though time never left us as we started right where we left off. To hear of our life's journeys and the destructive paths finally forsaken, and the path of Righteousness taken by the leading of Jesus; we shared with one another what life had brought us as Jesus continually carried us through despite of who we were even without Him.

To hear her voice and to hear about the dreams she has seen fulfilled in her life was not surprising, yet still amazing. Nonetheless, without further 'ado'; I am honored to introduce you to my wonderful friend and sister in the Lord who I have been led to invite as a contributing writer with 'Triumphant Victorious Reminders'.

She is very busy with great adventures; yet has with great joy said, "Yes" to this new assignment. Please help me welcome my wonderful friend, and sister in the Lord and more than anything, daughter of the King.

Celina Moser Baginski, the 'Branding Development Director' at an 'internet technologies' company, resides in Colorado with her husband and two adorable 'puppy' children. She is tenaciously creative, bold, brave and quick witted. Celina is currently working on a few exciting projects. Please pray for her as she will see one of these projects be released to share in the next year.

Celina will be posting devotionals/testimonies as the Lord leads. Tomorrow I will get to share with you that which God has prepared in her heart. I am truly blown away by God's amazing, redeeming power as He is able to do super exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask, think, dream or imagine!

Thank you for your love and support. I am greatly blessed that God has allowed me the opportunity to be a carrier of His encouragement. And I thank you for also being a carrier of His encouragement towards me.

God blesses you abundantly, for that is what He came to do, He came to give us life that we may have, possess and live life more abundantly (John 10:10)!

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