Deanna Brost
God has blessed me with many talents and gifts.
I love art — whether it’s painting or drawing, I enjoy it all. I like sketching landscapes, animals, and everyday objects, especially focusing on shading and depth. Lately, I’ve even tried sketching icons. I also enjoy painting and blending colors, which is why I tend to prefer watercolor over acrylic. I use my art to bring joy to others, often giving my work as gifts. Once, I painted boxing gloves with my friend’s name on them for his birthday because his family boxes. Seeing his face light up made me so happy. Making others happy through art brings me so much joy.
I love music and singing. My musical journey began with piano—though my mom jokes it really started with singing in the bathtub! When I was eight, I wanted to quit piano after a difficult experience, but my mom encouraged me to try again.
After some resistance, I kept going, and later my teacher introduced me to the ukulele and guitar. It was challenging at first, but I eventually grew to love them.
I love composing song. It began with a poem I wrote for my dad when I was nine, and I started adding a melody to it. After that, I wrote songs for my mom, sister, and grandparents. As I grow older, my love for creating music continues to grow.
I love church. Because I’m homeschooled and don’t meet many people, church has always been my main community. It’s where I learned about the Bible and about God, sang, and spent time with friends. I love greeting people too with a little “hello” or a hug. It felt like home.
Over two years ago, in October of 2023, my parents asked my sister Natalie and me to sit down for a talk. They told us what they were about to share would be hard to hear. My heart began to race.
They explained that we would no longer be attending our previous church - my heart dropped. It was the church I had gone to since I was a baby. I thought of it as the place where my friends were, where I had grown up. It felt like everything familiar was being taken away. Yet, I could see that this decision was even harder for my mom and dad. I knew they weren’t leaving because they wanted to, but because they were trying to follow what they believed God was calling them to do.
Not long after, I wrote a song to encourage them. The chorus said:
“Get up, get up, get on your feet.
You're doing what God wants, that's all you need.
So, get up, get up, get on your feet.
You are praising the Lord.”
The song talked about staying strong even when people bring you down and keeping your eyes on God no matter what. Writing that song helped me process my own feelings too and reminded me that obedience to God is more important than comfort. Leaving the church was painful, but it taught me to trust Him even when things are hard and unknown.
We searched, we prayed, and we took our time—and by His grace, we found Orthodoxy. Over time, I have grown to truly love the people here at St. George. Your kindness, friendship, and faith have meant so much to me. You welcomed me when I was shy and unsure, helping me feel that I truly belong. Father Cristian played a special role in our journey, patiently teaching us the true faith and taking the time to come to our home to teach. Being part of this church family has strengthened my faith and encouraged me to draw closer to God each day.
Looking back, I see how God has guided me through change, uncertainty, and growth. I am deeply grateful for where He has brought me and proud to call the Orthodox Church my home. In gratitude, I recently wrote a song called “Orthodox, We Found You,” which tells the story of our journey and celebrates what we believe as Orthodox Christians - Enjoy!
Orthodox, We Found You
Verse 1
One day we were without a home
Lost sheep, looking for a place to go
We were invited to the Orthodox Church
Unsure in the start, we had to analyze first
Verse 2
With candles lit and incense high,
Our whispered prayers began to fly,
This Ancient faith, both tried and true-
Daily dying, and rising too
Chorus
We searched, we prayed,
we took our time,
Found truth, both old and tried
And every step, with time, and grace
We found you faithful in this place.
Not something new, not passing through,
At every turn, still proven true,
—------Orthodox, we fo—und you!
Verse 3
All the people gave us a warm embrace
And always had a welcoming face
When God proved that this was the way
We decided to obey
Verse 4
So when we stepped and said our Yes,
It wasn't blind or born of stress,
But formed by prayer and patient site,
By searching long for Holy Light
Verse 5
Later we were baptized, no longer lost
To die to self is one of the costs
It’s not the end, but just the start,
Orthodox in faith and in heart.
- Deanna
