We all have a story to tell, whether we whisper or yell!

It's been a couple of months since I've posted. I've had my share of ups and downs so far in 2011, but it was starting to feel like mostly downs. I went through a really hard time of temptation and a lot of doubt and depression. I gave up on writing blogs and I gave up on a lot of stuff and started to live the way I wanted to. Summer started and I started spending a lot of time getting back into devotionals and slowly have been working my way back onto the right path with the help of my closest friends bringing me closer to Him. 

Every sunday for the past few months I just didn't FEEL anything, I felt like no matter how many times I tried to reach out He didn't take my hand. I know that he was with me the whole time but I just felt so alone. These past few weeks I've been getting closer with Him again, but I still wasn't feeling that full connection. 

Today I was thinking a lot about my passion for children with down syndrome. It came up earlier today and ever since then I've been thinking about it a whole lot. I started doing some more research and I could just feel God tugging at my heart. It felt like my heart finally burst like I've been wanting for months. That passion just really broke through to me and if there's anything I'm sure about for my future is that no matter what God wants me to do with it, HE will be in charge and make it great!  It's a terrible feeling to feel like your so lost for so long but then when you finally make it back it's so overwhelmingly happy and great. One thing can change so much. I don't want to let my weaknesses and the months with out growth to define me. I don't want anything or any one to define me but Jesus. I've spent so much time letting other things define and label me and He's the only thing that really matters. I'm not living for myself, I'm living for Him and it's good to actually feel that again!

 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. -1 Thessalonians 1:3 

I've been going through 1 Thessalonians with my friends/youth leaders and 1 Thessalonians 1:3 really stuck out to me. Not only did the thessalinicans work but they worked through their faith. Not only did they do labor but it was prompted and carried out by love! and Not only did they endure but they endured with hope ("Hope is not as blind as a wish but not as definite as faith" -Katelyn Forbish) They did everything for His sake and they were known for their faith and encouragement. 

So very blessed to be able to share all of this and finally get that connection back. I will hopefully post another blog shortly continuing some of Thessalonians! Praying for focus and guidance this week. :) I've got a cool Abba!