Thankful

It is two days before Thanksgiving and I sit here thinking back on the many things God has done in and through me since this past summer. I am so thankful for so many new friends that have come into my life and the seasoned friends that I have grown closer with. I am thankful for my Savior, my family, my Second family, my two small groups, my amazing boyfriend, and this life that I have here on earth to share His love. God has taken me on a great journey through many joys as well as hardships. I have learned so much more about the character of my Heavenly Father and His Word. I have also learned so much more about myself and the purposes that He has for me.

Since May, I have been on a roller coaster ride and here are some of the many things that God placed in my path….. 

·         I started attending the “Rooted” Women’s small group on Thursday nights led by Kim Cox. For so long I had been pouring into the women of my small group and was missing out on being poured into. Kim and the ladies in this group have helped me dig into His Word and grow ever so closer to Him. I have been challenged in many ways to step even further out of my comfort zone.

·         My mind at times has literally been a battle field. As I grow closer to Him, the enemy has fed me so many lies about myself and different situations. When I am rooted in His truth, I know that I am a conqueror.

·         Bobby and I started asking each other deeper questions to get to know each other better. We started having Wednesday evening chats before my small group.

·         God made the sun stand still for Joshua and I asked God to do the same for me in my life.

·         I was a leader at Beach Retreat for High School and Junior High. It was great to be back at the beach and God sure had a plan to grow me. I was faced with many challenges and learned that if I am not focused on Him, I can do nothing. I need His strength for everything I do and cannot rely on my own or I will fail.

·         I helped lead a VBS class with Bobby. We had some fun and crazy 4^th graders.

·         I taught the Chinese Exchange Students about American culture, our holidays, and about the love of Jesus. I relied on Him to give me the words to speak, guidance, focus, and confidence.

·         I applied for numerous jobs for the fall and gave God the reins of my job situation. I was overcome by an amazing peace that He is waiting to give me the exact job that is right for me, no matter how long I have to wait.

·         I learned that I have a true inheritance in Christ. He did not let me be born on this earth to let me walk in the wilderness forever. I have to be willing to follow Him blindly and lose more of myself to gain more of Him.

·         Bobby and I started taking dance lessons and have learned more about our relationship with each other through dancing. We learned a thing or two about each other while reading “For Women Only” and “For Men Only” also.(I highly recommend everyone read BOTH of these books.)

·         Somewhere in the midst of our time together, I fell in love with an amazing Godly man that makes me want to be an even stronger follower of Christ. J

·         I have strengthened my relationships with my sisters in Christ and have focused more on praying for them individually. I have come to love being face down on the floor praying to My Father for so many others.

·         I have seen that as I go deeper in His Word, I grow in His character; I see He is even more holy, majestic, and powerful, and I want to be closer to Him.

·         I have attended a handful of weddings, bringing together Godly people and I pray for Him to truly bless them as a unified team for God. In the joy, I have also had to see close friends move away. (So thankful for amazing technology!)

·         I was asked to long term sub for elementary PE and I start in two weeks.

Throughout this season in my life and continuing on this journey, my love is for Christ, my desire is to experience Him more, and my passion is to serve Him and His people.