All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir

Two months after her wedding, 21-year-old Moore discovered she was pregnant. She delivered a healthy baby girl, Amanda, whom Moore loved with a feeling of purity that was new to her. Three years later, Moore had another girl, Melissa. They were very different: Amanda was eager to please and peaceful, while Melissa was argumentative and active. Family life had some ups and downs, but the four members loved each other.

Moore began teaching an aerobics class at her church with Christian contemporary music in the background. The class became so popular she decided to move it to Houston’s famous First Baptist Church. The activities director there asked her to also transfer her membership to that church as part of the deal. She agreed, along with Keith, and found that the new church offered her multiple opportunities for leadership.

First, the pastor, John Bisagno, invited her to speak about “Making Fitness Count for Christ” at a women’s retreat. The following keynote speaker was a woman, Marge Caldwell, which was unusual at the time. Marge told her she was “called” to speak. The thought prompted Moore to have a flyer printed up describing herself as a professional Christian speaker, teacher, and motivator. She sent them to local churches with no response.