2013 coming to a close

Usually as the year comes to an end I like to reflect on how it has been what has changed what I want to change and what is to come for the next year. I am not one for New Years Resolutions as I think I may have stuck to them for maybe the first three days.

 2013 Wow where to start... Well I started off the year by bringing in the new year with my daughters, My sisters, my brother in law, my nephews and my parents here at my house and I even let them throw confetti in my house... which I still found some this summer. But I also made the decision to go to Overflow church.  I happened to see their bus at IHOP at like 2:30 in the morning and after a much disappointing night out that I remember sitting in Czars (after leaving south bend because it had nothing that was bringing me what ever it was I was looking for) and so I was at Czars and I can remember thinking this is not fun, Im not getting fulfilled. So after we went to eat at IHOP and there was a large group inside and I was drawn to them but more so to their bus with the OVERFLOW logo and so the first weekend after the new year I went to Overflow. I from the beginning felt at home and they were talking about doing a fast and I was thinking I am in. I went home and I called my sister and I told her all about this church and about the fast and she wanted to visit with me and she and I didn't even wait till that Monday to do the fast we started that day and I fasted from social media. I realized a lot about myself and I heard God clearly. I now call Overflow home. I am helping with the youth group and I LOVE IT, in fact it is giving me peace with leaving the juvenile center...

        Yes you heard me right, leaving the juvenile center. I have stayed because I for one need a job and a good income to provide for my family but the hours are hard for my family I work 2:30-10:30 and I am single mother but my daughters need me in their lives. But I couldn't leave my kids (juvi kids) these kids have such a stronghold on my heart. It was since working there I realized my passion for youth and felt a calling to the Benton Harbor area. So I am looking for a new job and think that the transition will happen this summer. This is of course if this is Gods plan but I am feeling confident in this. God has more for me to do. So please keep me in your prayers that the right position comes along. I have a strong desire to be a foster mother when I have a job with better hours maybe adopt. Benton Harbor is the city God has called me to and is where my heart is and as much as I would love to move south where its warm... I hear that little whisper "I have you here for a reason".

School, Ugh well it has not been easy and I have had to look at some things let them go and say I am going to keep pressing on. I am moving forward and I will continue.

My girls- Kyleigh decided to take on motocross this year. She had a blast and I had a blast watching her. She is such my spunky child with a huge imagination. She loves superheros and she really doesn't care what people think... spiderman backpack and she doesn't care what people say. She always tells me how much she loves me and still climbs in my bed everynight. She is doing great in school and she likes it this year which makes this mommy happy. Time flies and she is growing fast and I love her too much.
McKenzie well well, she is that girl that everyone loves and likes. She is kind and caring. She is good at everything she does. School not a problem. Gymanstics she was level 5 state champion and she lives, breathes gymnastics. She is so responsible and helpful with things I am very lucky to have her and be blessed with a daughter who has a good head on her shoulders. Sometimes she thinks she is older than she is but we keep her level. She is my mini me and I love her to the moon and back.

As for my love life well I love my God who is faithful and always there for me. I love my daughters and my family and friends and I love ALL my kids (juvi center) and I love my OSM family. I have been so blessed this year. I am still praying for my husband and hoping God thinks its time we meet. 2013 has been great but 2014 will be better. I wish the best to you all and I pray blessing upon you. Thank You God for yet another beautiful year and keeping us safe.

Isaiah 61 on my heart

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives    and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

 

I know that I have read this in the bible before but it wasn't until a few weeks ago when I read it that it really weighed so heavy upon  my heart. I mean I could not read it without sobbing because I heard God speaking this to me.

So when I came across this verse which is so powerful to me. I started working at the juvenile center 5 years ago and really I just needed a job. I was going into social work and it seemed right. NEVER did I imagine I would fall in love with my job and grow such a strong passion for the youth that I serve. Never did I imagine the heartache and heartbreak I would feel for these "inmates". I just wanted them to know that someone cared I wanted to be a vision of Christ's love to them. 5 years later and 100's of kids later I have hundreds of kids who I am confident is knowing that they know that I care about them and they know I don't judge them for what they have done and that's because of my personal belief in God because of all the things I have done he still loves me and forgives me and it allows me to see them without judgment. I still cannot fully tell you how important this message in the Bible means to me. Except that it still brings me to tears when I read it. He has sent me to  preach the good news and to show Christ's love to the brokenhearted so that they may begin to heal. I make this my prayer and I pray that God use me to the fullest capacity that he can that I am not content with just mediocre. I want to do more its a burning desire in my heart to do more. Let me be obedient in what you ask of me father God and help me to hear you more clearly and do as you ask of me. Amen