The beginning

When I was 2-3 years old my family lived in Japan. My dad,who was in the Air Force, was stationed over there.  During the day my dad and mom would go to work while my 3 older brothers went to school. I was at home with a babysitter, her name was Shiako (not sure if I am spelling that right but it is how it sounded). I don't remember everything from this time but there are some things that are very clear to me. One day my mom was driving and one of my brothers and I were in the back seat of the car. Suddenly, the driver behind us bumped into our car. Wow! He came up to my mom's window and was yelling in Japanese. He sounded so angry and my mom, I don't think she knew a word he was saying. At some point someone from the military base came over and helped. LOL The things we remember!

The other very clear memory I have is when my dad started hurting me. He had a favorite chair, that no one was suppose to sit in but him. He would have me come up on his lap and he would then put an afghan over us. His hands would rub my arms and legs then he would move under my dress, between my legs. This started out slowly, just once in awhile. Soon after this began, my dad was transferred and we moved back to the United States. Once we were settled, my dad started this behavior once again. I was much to young to understand what was going on. All I knew at that time was that he was my daddy, I loved him and I was suppose to do what he told me to do.

This was the beginning. I am thankful that I didn't know what lay ahead for me. Just how long and how bad the abuse would become. I know that the only reason I am here to tell my story is because God protected me. Not everyone understands me when I say that. They ask how God could have allowed this to happen? Why didn't God stop it? Some have told me that they don't believe there is a God or things like this would never happen. I don't know all the answers. I do know that God created us with free will and He lets us choose how we are going to live our life. Innocent people, even children can be hurt because of others actions. Actions that they choose to do. God can stop all the bad things from happening but then He would be taking away our free will. God wants us to choose - choose to follow Him or choose not to. We all sin but those that choose not to follow Him will often do really bad things. These things affect other people, not just themselves. We live in a fallen world and bad things will happen, we all will go through rough times. Those of us that have Jesus in our life have hope though. Those that don't, well, they don't have any hope.