I was born into a Christian home with two godly parents. They are still happily married. The Bible and church were a foundation to our household growing up. My parents were first-generation Christians. Mom’s side of the family was Catholic and Dad’s side was agnostic.

When I was around eight I realized my sin and my need for a savior. My family was attending a Baptist church at the time. I had a Sunday school teacher who taught me about Jesus and His death on the cross. I remember praying beside my bed that night, asking for forgiveness for all the things I had done wrong. As a young girl, though, I did not know exactly what being a Christian meant. I did everything the same as before.

Once I entered junior high, my parents gave me the choice to go to a Christian school or to be an active member in our church’s youth group. I chose youth group and public school. There were major changes in our family leading up to junior high, and we started attending an Evangelical Free Church (where I continued to go until just before marriage). Under the faithful preaching there I felt like a sponge; I wanted to learn as much as I could about the Bible. The faith that began when I was younger was sparked.

I attended public school, but I was firmly planted in my beliefs. I did not find persecution, drugs, or alcohol in school; I found friends (Christian and not) and learning. I was blessed with many Christian teachers. They did not teach Christianity overtly, but you could sense it. Even in science class, evolution and creation were taught as theories. School was not all candy and roses, and there were some tumultuous times (like the time a friend was in a severe car accident that nearly killed her and left her with permanent brain damage). I am thankful the Lord kept me close to Him during those years.

Frequently, I felt on the fringes in terms of what was popular. I was a Christian nerd. When trying to find myself, I found that alternative, ska, punk, and hard-core music expressed my thoughts and feelings in song.

In eighth grade I filled out an interest style journal. One of the interest questions asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote, “a junior high math teacher.” When I was a senior in high school, I knew I wanted to teach. I was unsure if I should teach math or English. I loved both subjects but excelled in math. The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, Colo., had a well-known teaching program. Greeley also had a large Christian punk scene where I found comrades. Off to Greeley I went to study secondary education for mathematics.

During biology class my freshman year, I started sitting with a girl named Stacy. She had cool dreadlocks. It turned out that she was a Christian and into the same music I was. We would go to class and get lunch together. She dropped out less than a year later, but we still got together often. During my junior year, several guys moved into Stacy’s family’s basement. One of those guys would end up becoming my husband.

At the time, Jonathan was selling plasma or working odd jobs to earn money. I had no romantic interest in him (he is two years younger). When Jonathan moved back to Kansas from Colorado, he enlisted in the Army and asked for pen pals. I offered to add him to the list of people I was already writing. Little did I know that writing to Jonathan for over three years would write love into my heart.

I graduated from UNC in 2001 and began teaching math in Broomfield, Colo. On New Year’s Eve 2003, I bought a new cell phone. Jonathan was the first call on my phone. He was about to deploy to Iraq and wanted to talk. When he returned from deployment, we started talking regularly on our phones. Initially, Jonathan’s phone would die and the conversation would end. Then we realized an amazing thing: he could plug it in and keep talking! Our conversations became nightly (we had to wait until 7 p.m. Colorado time for my free minutes to start), and we foolishly would talk into the wee hours of the morning.

I really liked Jonathan and even wanted to marry him. I was hesitant since I had not seen him in years. I went out to visit him in July 2004. I think our conversation was, “I think I could be married to you,” and “Yes, I think I could be married to you, too.” It was decided.

Jonathan came to meet my parents again over Labor Day weekend in 2004, and we also got engaged. He completed his service with the Army in October, moved back to Colorado in November, and we were married on New Year’s Eve. It seemed very fast for some, but we had known each other for years and were more than ready to start our life together.

Jonathan had been introduced to Reformed theology through a PCA chaplain he worked with in the Army, and he started talking with me about it. At first, I was skeptical and even resistant. But Jonathan was patient and kind.

We visited Presbyterian and Reformed churches, but they weren’t a good fit for me. But when we visited Westminster RPC I loved it. Psalm singing was wonderful! I was tired of feeling like I was at a performance during worship. I wanted to hear of sin, and Pastor Bob Hemphill preached from Genesis 3. I disliked being greeted at other churches as though I was at a used car lot, but the people here were awkwardly kind.

We visited San Diego, Calif., RPC and Topeka, Kan., RPC while we were on vacation in summer 2005. I saw consistency within the denomination and was happy to become a member. We joined the Topeka church in February 2006 (we were living in Emporia, Kan.). I continued to teach math, this time for middle schoolers.

Our time in Emporia was brief and sweet. I cried when I turned in my notice. The Lord had different plans for us: at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa.

God provided a job for me at Robinson Township Christian School. I had no other experience with Christian schools and was thankful for the opportunity. I think God also put me there to help me understand the benefits of each type of schooling.

I currently live in Manhattan, Kan. I love it here. There is nothing better than watching a thunderstorm from our front porch. Our family has grown here. Some lessons I have learned along the way are that people are hurting and that sin affects our bodies and lives. I must be willing to ask questions and listen to answers. Friendships are hard work, but they are worth it (I still have some pen pals after all these years). Laughing or a long walk are helpful for clearing your mind. Do not just rush into advice; sometimes people want a hug and to be told “everything is going to be all right.” We can be assured that everything is going to be all right because, “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

Jonathan’s, Adrienne’s husband, testimony appeared in the September/October issue. Read it here.

Adrienne Haney enjoys her time at home taking care of Jackson, Ainsley, and husband Jonathan. She recently started teaching fundamentals of English and beginning algebra at Highland Community College in Wamgo, Kan. She also participates in a community monthly book club, MRPC ladies Bible study, and MRPC small group (Ft. Riley/Junction City). Her hobbies include reading, walking, Zumba (aerobic group exercise), and decluttering.