Carol’s salvation story: I want what you have

by Carol Boyd

I was born in northern California.  I loved being outdoors, especially taking trips to the beach and the mountains. My family consisted of my three brothers, three uncles, my parents and myself. Needless to say, I was used to living with boys.  We weren’t a Christian family but my parents taught us moral values and always were willing to help others. Our home was always open to people from all walks of life: feeding and lodging anyone who came to our home.   I realize now that I modeled my life after my parents’ example.

After graduating high school, I went to the local Community college where I met my future husband.  He had moved from Illinois after graduating high school. 

After we married, I worked overnight for an electronics company and was pregnant with our first baby. I remember some early mornings before falling asleep, I would watch a Christian talk show. I had no clue what they were talking about but it drew my interest. (Looking back, I know God was sowing seeds in me).  We moved to central California where Jeff finished his associate degree and the police academy training.

I had our baby May of 1984 and continued to work. Jeff worked the day shift and I worked the mid shift. One day Jeff came home from work and had a glow about him that I had never seen before. As a concerned wife, I asked what happened? Jeff grew up in the church but stopped attending after moving to California. He explained to me that the receptionist at work was reading her bible at work in front of everyone. He pulled her aside and asked her why she wasn’t embarrassed about people seeing her reading. She replied that she loved Jesus so much that she didn’t care who saw her. Jeff realized that he too needed Christ and accepted Him that very hour.  After Jeff explaining all that happened, I said, “I want what you have” and asked the Lord to be my Savior. What a transformation we both had… together.

During the next five years, Jeff worked as a police officer and I was a stay at home mom. We had four boys by then and I started homeschooling. In 1994, my father -in-law was diagnosed with cancer. We sold our home, I said a tearful goodbye to my relatives in sunny California and moved to Illinois to help care for my him. We then had our fifth son, fostered and babysat kids.  I worked at Target part time and continued to homeschool.  Now I know why I was always tired!

Jeff returned to college and earned his doctorate, changed careers and started working in the education field. We continued homeschooling for 25 years total.  We taught our boys to help all people, love learning and most of all Jesus!  They took those lessons seriously. Their friends, and sometimes strangers, would come to our home to hang out, eat, sleep, get a haircut (from me), get homework help, etc. One of those friends was Salomon. He came to America, from France, to attend high school.  He came to live with us at 16 years of age as our sixth son. We believe it was God at work because looking back I remember talking to his mom, from France, on the phone. She told me that she was thanking God knowing that her son would be living with us and that her heart was so glad. Less than a week later she passed away from heart failure. We were then told that we are now his parents. Another miracle and blessing for all of us.

After almost 40 years of marriage we have moved around for various God-led reasons: California, Illinois, Virginia, and now Rochester. My husband is the president of RCTC. We are thankful to be attending Calvary. It has given us a sense of belonging in a new (sometimes too cold) environment.  God has put Christian brothers and sisters on every path He’s taken us on. 

Looking back I see a lot of my life in Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps. 

Carol Boyd

Carol enjoys new adventures, traveling to see her children and grandchildren, visiting relatives and the beaches in California, gardening, decorating, and learning.