An abundance of blessings & a rearranged outlook.

YWAM people are just awesome. Like, seriously. I cannot wait to go there. I called them today to tell them that I really did not have the money to go on Monday, asking a whole bunch of other questions. They ended up praying over me twice and were extremely encouraging. They're pretty neat. I am so stoked to be a part of such a Spirit-led place! BAAAHHH. It makes me really happy. And another awesome thing: It looks like the Lord is already providing a way for me to be able to go to YWAM this coming January! I got a job working at a group home in town until I live in, which is just cool beans. Praise Him!

I must admit that it feels very strange for me to be back at home, even more so now than it would have if I was to be on my way to Colorado this Sunday night. It's especially due to the fact that all of my friends are off at college, or some that are seniors in high school this year. It's odd to not be in classes or have homework to do. Confession: the entire time that I've been home while everyone is gone I have secretly wished that I had homework to do or school to go to. Is that sad? I feel as if it is... I also would not have seen myself being here from the time that I left camp until YWAM stuff got rolling. I suppose it proves my previous point of God's plans being entirely different than I thought they would be. God is just taking me in such different directions than I would have expected! It goes to show how flexible and willing I must be in my walk with Him. My oh my has all of this been stretching. And I still have much left to learn! I'm not even close to being done growing in my faith walk - not in the least. Jesus has been oh-so-faithful to me, and I am so in awe that, despite my daily failings, He still chooses to call me His daughter. It's amazing.

Last night after Nate and I went to The Head and the Heart concert (which was utterly incredible, to put it lightly), we went back to my house and had tea, then chatted for a while. During that time I started looking back on all that I had gone through before I had come to know Christ, realizing once more how much the Lord has blessed me with and healed me from. I saw the grace and mercy that He had revealed to me, how much He has transformed my entire life, turning it upside-down in such a marvelous and beautiful way. Through all of those struggles, that pain and sorrow, that shame - guilt, He has shown me how much better life is if only I seek after Him whole-heartedly, completely and recklessly abandoned to the call that He has placed on my heart, allowing Him to show me the love that He has for me. There is nothing else that He asks of me but to continually drop everything and run to Him, loving Him, others, as well as myself with my heart, my soul, and my mind - all of me. Thinking about all that God has done for me just fills my heart with such joy! I am absolutely unworthy, but I am reminded time and time again that He has given it all to me anyways because of His kindness. He is just so good.

I just really want to let you all know how grateful I am for all of your prayers, encouragement, and any kind of support that you have given me. I appreciate it more than words can express - truly truly.