Finding Joy

well, I started this thing as a means of expressing myself and what's happening in my life. I've felt like I should for a while now, but I just finally convinced myself! :) This first post is going to be looong, so bear with me :)

Anyways, 3 and a half weeks ago, I let go of my first love and my best friend, after 3 years of being together. It's still hard to believe and hard to deal with sometimes (understandable?). We both knew it was time. Time for me to find myself and my individual faith in Jesus Christ because I was becoming dependent on the faith he had. It bites that in order for that to happen, we both had to be broken hearted, but God promises that "He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds" -Psalm 147:3

A few days earlier, and a few days later, I got even more news to cope with. My cousin was diagnosed with cancer (thankfully only stage 1), my uncle had major surgery on his heart and is killing his body with cigarettes, and my mom had a mole removed that was possibly pre-cancerous. While it looked like my world was really crashing down, and crashing down HARD, I have never felt so much joy in my life (weird?). God was so evident throughout it all, and what a faithful God he is! I believe now, more than ever, in the power of prayer.

1 Peter 5:10 says, "And the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered for a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." --How awesome is that? This verse was my saving grace. To know I would be restored was so encouraging, and I have been restored. I won't say fully, but I'm still in the restoring process.

The past week was VBS at good ol' FBC Allen.- WHAT AN AMAZING WEEK! Words can't describe it for me. I taught a class of incredible 4th graders, with an incredible group of women and young women. We had so much fun dancing, and singing, praising the Lord. We had some awesome conversations with these 4th graders, conversations that went WAY deeper than VBS curriculum could. IT WAS INCREDIBLE! I have never had so much fun at VBS before and I actually got to be a part of children's decisions to give their lives to Christ! How cool is that?! My life has been changed!

One child very extra special to me, Ashlynn (my favorite 9 year old, ever) gave her life to Christ this week! I could not be more proud of her! I've known her since she was born and babysat her since. I love her :) Her mommy is my unbiological big sister/bestfriend. Jennifer, if you read this, I'm proud of you too! :) What a big day that was for Ashlynn, and myself because I got to celebrate with her!

All in all, life is good, God is great, and I'm loving every second of it.

well, that's it for now,
-looove.