What was your initial connection with Bara?

I moved to Trophy Club in 2011, and living in the Highlands I would see the signs around when BARA was meeting at BNHS. Trying to find the right church when you have never regularly attended church most of your life can be a bit overwhelming. At the time my family was attending another church in the area, but the other church wasn't a good fit. I felt lost and disconnected in the huge crowd.

Fast forward to 2013 (I think) Robin had posted one of her "Come join me Sunday morning posts," so we did. From the beginning BARA has always felt like home. I loved how friendly everyone was. I enjoyed that it wasn't so large you felt like no one would care if you were gone.

How did you decide to get connected here?

Initially I joined and just came on Sunday and enjoyed the sermons and getting to know who was who. Eventually Cordy and I would come help with set up, and tear down at BNHS off and on. When we moved to our now home in the current building, Cordy and I were able to come a couple of times and help get the building ready. I loved getting to work alongside others and get to know more and more people in the church. I wanted to get more involved, but at the time I was not able to do so. My connection was limited to women's bible study and few and far between chances to volunteer.

Why should someone else get connected with Bara?

I can tell you that the community here at Bara is truly what community should be. Here you will find genuine, real people to connect with and go through life with.

The Bara family has literally walked beside me, carrying me at times, through the toughest times in my life. Those tough times took place at a time in my life when I was estranged from my family. I felt completely alone, I didn't have very many people that I could be real or vulnerable with. My church, this beautiful bunch of real humans that make up our church, they were there during all of it, no judgments, no sideways glances, no whispering. I never felt like I had to hide the pain I was going through. Life is messy and here I have never felt like it was unacceptable to be anything other than who I am, and not have to sugar coat what I am going through or feeling.

Cordy has always been loved and poured into by everyone in the church, Ryan and Kate have done an amazing job through her years of youth group. Having church leadership that pour into her again and again without judgment when she needed it the most will be something that I am forever grateful for.

When you get through those bad times, getting to share in the best times is even more special. I got my very first passport stamp on my mission trip with Bara lead by Robin (yep, same person who was the reason we came to Bara in the first place). That stamp was you probably guessed it, Uganda. I never imagined that would be my first passport stamp. Even more special than that though, was being baptized by Joel, and this year getting to baptize Cordelia myself.

When I met Kody and he first started coming to church with me, he was welcomed with open arms by everyone. I was never had to worry about how he would be received. Of course Bara will always be special for us since we were married here. Now we are enjoying being able to be part of a small group as a family.