The Story of Me! (read me, read me!)

Aloha, friends!  🤟

Long ago on a dark and stormy night . . . just kidding! 😂

I have always loved telling stories, but this one is particularly special to me because it is the story of how God changed my life, led me into American Sign Language, and eventually brought about Sign With Courtney.

And who knows? Maybe you came here looking for an ASL lesson, but God has something else He wants you to discover today.

How I Came to Know Jesus

I grew up learning about Jesus. From the time I was little, I was taught that God loved me, that Jesus had died for me, and that He had a plan for my life.

When I was about four years old, I prayed and asked Jesus into my heart. I loved Him and wanted to be His friend. I knew that He loved me, too.

But as I got older, I began to realize something important.

I knew a lot about God, but did I really have a relationship with Him that was my own?

One evening at a church youth group, we watched a movie about the events described in the book of Revelation. It made me think seriously about my relationship with God and where I stood with Him.

I had prayed when I was younger. I believed in God. I attended church. But I began wondering whether I was simply following the faith I had grown up with instead of personally surrendering my life to Jesus.

That night, I talked with my mom about what I had been thinking, and we prayed together.

This time, I wasn't just repeating something I had learned or doing something because my family believed it.

I wanted Jesus to be the Lord of my life. I wanted to know Him personally, trust Him completely, and give Him every part of who I was.

And something changed.

Now, I wish I could tell you that I was always the sweetest, most wonderful child imaginable. Ha! Not even close. 😂

Before that decision, I could be pretty difficult to be around. But when I surrendered my life to Jesus, He began changing my heart and the way I treated other people.

It wasn't just something I said I believed anymore. My relationship with Jesus was becoming part of the way I lived.

And that's what I want you to understand: Christianity isn't simply knowing about Jesus, attending church, or trying to be a good person. It's having a personal relationship with Him.

How God Led Me to ASL

As a child, I was introduced to some basic sign language, and I thought it was wonderful!

Later, I took another class and learned even more vocabulary. One of my favorite things was learning to sign worship songs. There was something so special about being able to express those words with my hands as well as my voice.

Over time, I became involved in Deaf ministry at church, started building friendships within the Deaf community, and discovered just how much I still needed to learn.

Knowing individual signs, I quickly discovered, is definitely not the same as being able to have a conversation!

God continued opening opportunities for me to learn, interpret, and teach.

Eventually, while I was attending Bible college, someone asked whether I would be willing to teach a little sign language to a couple of children.

Of course I said yes!

A couple of children turned into a few more, and before long I was teaching a whole group. We learned the alphabet, numbers, colors, signs, songs, and just about anything else I could think of.

I loved it!

When that season ended, I wanted my students to be able to keep practicing, so I began recording ASL tutorials and putting them on YouTube.

Later, as I taught more classes and continued working as an interpreter, I realized something.

I didn't just love ASL. I really, REALLY loved teaching ASL!

And that's how Sign With Courtney came to be.

What began as a way to help a few students practice has grown into an opportunity to share something I love with people all over the world.

Looking back, I can see so many little things God used along the way. Things I didn't understand at the time eventually became part of something much bigger.

It's a wonderful reminder that God can use what we learn, what we love, and even the unexpected turns in our lives for His purposes.

So now you know three of my greatest loves: Jesus, interpreting, and teaching ASL!

But There's Something Even More Important I Want to Share With You

I love teaching sign language, but I love telling people about Jesus even more.

Maybe you've heard about Jesus your whole life. Maybe you attend church regularly. Maybe you believe there is a God but aren't really sure what that means for you.

Or maybe you don't know much about Him at all.

I want you to know that God loves you, and He wants you to know Him.

The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

That includes me. And it includes you.

None of us is perfect. We have all said, thought, or done things that were wrong.

Sometimes we try to make ourselves feel better by comparing ourselves with other people. We might think, "Well, at least I'm not as bad as that person!"

But that's not God's standard.

God is holy, and sin separates us from Him. We can't earn our way into a relationship with Him simply by being good enough, doing nice things, or going to church.

Romans 6:23 explains that sin leads to death, but God offers eternal life through Jesus Christ.

And here's the amazing part.

God knew we couldn't save ourselves, so He made a way for us.

John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him can have everlasting life.

Jesus came into the world, lived without sin, died on the cross for us, and rose again.

He did that because He loves us.

Not because we earned it. Not because we deserve it. But because of His grace.

Isn't that incredible?

It's About a Relationship, Not Just Religion

You might be wondering, "Okay, but what am I supposed to do with all of that?"

Well, think about any relationship you have with someone you love.

You don't build that relationship simply by knowing facts about the person. You spend time together. You talk. You listen. You learn about one another.

Your relationship with God is personal, too.

He isn't asking you to perform perfectly, memorize a bunch of rules, or somehow become good enough before coming to Him.

He is calling you to trust Jesus, turn away from your sin, and surrender your life to Him.

Romans 10:9 tells us that if we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.

Notice that it doesn't say we have to become perfect first!

That doesn't mean following Jesus is simply saying a few words and going on with life exactly as before.

When I surrendered my life to Christ, I wanted Him to change me. And He did.

That doesn't mean I've never made another mistake. I certainly have!

It means I belong to Him, and I want to keep growing into the person He created me to be.

What If You're Ready to Know Jesus?

You can talk to God right now.

You don't have to be inside a church. You don't have to have a pastor standing beside you. You don't even have to know the perfect words.

You can tell Him what's on your heart.

You might tell Him that you believe Jesus died and rose again, that you know you need His forgiveness, and that you want to turn from your sin and surrender your life to Him.

You can ask Him to help you know Him, follow Him, and live the life He wants you to live.

There isn't a special set of words that makes someone a Christian. It's about genuinely placing your faith in Jesus and giving your life to Him.

And if that's a decision you're making today, I am so, SO excited for you! ❤️

What Happens Next?

Start getting to know Him!

One of the best places to begin reading the Bible is the Gospel of John, which tells about Jesus' life, His teaching, and His love for us.

You can also begin talking to God throughout your day.

You don't have to be kneeling with your eyes closed. You can pray while walking, sitting quietly, or going about your ordinary activities.

Tell Him what you're thankful for. Talk to Him about your struggles. Ask for wisdom. Spend time learning what the Bible says.

And find a church where you can learn from Scripture and spend time with other believers who will encourage you to grow.

Most importantly, don't assume that following Jesus means life will suddenly become easy.

I wish it did! 😂

I've experienced plenty of challenges, and I know there will be more. But the difference is that I don't have to face them alone.

I can trust God even when I don't understand what He's doing.

And I can look back on my life and see that He has been faithful through so many unexpected turns.

Thanks for Reading My Story!

If you came here to learn American Sign Language, I am thrilled to have you!

But if you found something even more important while reading this, then I am especially grateful that God brought you here.

I hope you'll remember that you are loved, that Jesus gave His life for you, and that it's never too late to turn to Him.

Whether you're starting your ASL journey or your journey of faith, I'm cheering you on!

God bless you, and happy signing! 🤟

Courtney

Sign With Courtney