I graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, I am a mother of three and a loving grandmother. My mother was a gifted pianist, my father an anointed singer. My writing began at age sixteen. It was my eighth grade English Teacher, who first noticed my writing potential. I had no idea I would be fifty-seven before my first work would actually publish. Many traumatic experiences delayed my dream of finally becoming a writer. God waited patiently for me to mature and grow spiritually. He has since delivered me from snares which blinded and robbed me of many years. I am truly grateful and amazed at what God has done and is doing in my life. I grew up with a love for gospel music, I sang all over the city of Houston, Texas. In nineteen seventy-nine, I organized a gospel quartet and wrote our theme song. I also wrote songs which I sang in church. For a period I felt trapped in a time capsule, and did not believe I would survive past age forty. Week after week, I attended church, but the words went over my head. I used to think, that God's promises included everyone except me. After traveling many hard and lonely roads, I finally got here'. I write the words by God's pattern and design. Pastors, Joel and Victoria, have sucessfully built a bridge of confidence in my life. I am still exploring that bridge today. The possibilities are endless, when we put God first! I thank God, for His love, His faithfulness and His grace. God can use every obstacle as an opportunity to draw us closer to Him, and our lives as a tool to help others, when we put our trust in Him.Vanessa D Lister, Autho