Time to Share My Story By Cheryl Florian

I was on a Quest to visit all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder homesteads when I met Cheryl and her husband Gary. I almost didn't go to Burr Oak Iowa. I was heading back home from a long work trip, but something told me to just go. I stop at this little town, where Laura and her family took care of a hotel as one of the homesteads of the family. They left in the middle of the night and headed to South Dakota again. When I went into the building to where you pay to take a tour, A biker couple showed up for the tour too.  I was a little taken back by their dress and the desire to see a Homestead of the Ingalls, we soon hit it off, as Cheryl shared with me since she was a little girl, she had always wanted to see every homestead. She had read the books over and over again. Gary had promised her that one day they would begin the journey of going to each one. I was touched and impressed by their love for each other. Biker clothes and Motorcycle riding didn't fit my picture of who they were, but once again God has a sense of Humor. he builds relationships where we would walk away. We both could have sat for hours talking. We shared our faith with each other. We talked about politics.  We formed a kindred spirit. I drove away knowing it was a divine moment given to us by God. We shared each other's Facebook information. and continued keeping in touch. I had asked my friends to share a story on my new website and Cheryl responded, that she would. I am excited to share her story, May. her story minister to you as it did me. She is brave and courageous and my Hero. 

I grew up thinking all dads did it. I was around 8 or 9 when I realized it was wrong. My dad had been
molesting me for as long as I can remember. I allowed it to happen so he wouldn’t touch my siblings. At
the age of 13, my brother told our mom and our dad went to prison. That was when I found out I wasn’t
the only one. My siblings had been going through it also. I remember my dad allowing an uncle to touch
me also. Around the age of 11 I had, what I believe was a miscarriage. Because of all this, I felt I was only
good for one thing and was willing to let any boy do what they wanted.
After my dad went to prison, I wrote to him because he was my dad, until the day he told me that he
forgave me and my brother for what we did to him. He never took responsibility for what he did.
I met my future husband about 2 years later, at the age of 15. I got drunk one night and told him about
my dad. I think I had to be drunk because I didn’t think anyone could love me. He stayed and we just
celebrated 40 years of marriage. He is my best friend.
When I was around 27, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. After I did, I realized that the hatred for
my dad was in contrast to what I wanted to be. I forgave him and my whole life changed. I no longer felt
worthless. I had been married 10 years at this point with two beautiful daughters.
I was always afraid of older men because of what happened. My father-in-law changed all that. He
showed me what a real dad is.
I am no longer ashamed, and am willing to talk to anyone about it.

Genesis 50:20    As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about what many people should be kept alive, as they are today. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.