Along For The Ride.

     Today has been one of the best days I have had in awhile. It started out rough, but it turned out beautiful. I went to class this morning and then right after I came home to take a glorious nap. I then started to clean and prepare my house for our women's bible study. During this time I got to hang out with my cool three year old neighbor who just so happened to be dressed up as batman, and I also got to see two boys that live on the other side of our apartment complex. The two boys followed me back inside and we got to eat candy, play temple run, and laugh ALOT. They were still hanging out when me and Katherine started to prepare dinner. She started to make her homemade salsa and I started to make cookies. The boys came in the kitchen and wanted to help with everything. We let them make a beautiful mess and then told them how awesome they were at everything. The smile on their faces was absolutely priceless. Lets rewind a second- six months ago I met these two boys and I thought that there was no way they would ever listen to me or respect me. They were very disrespectful and were very mean to the other kids. With many I love you's and hugs later, we are where we are today. They take out my trash, say please and thank you, and also respect others and have become quite the gentlemen. This proves that every child is one caring adult away from success. I am thankful for the time we have together and I get to help shape them into the men they are supposed to be.
      It was time for them to leave and then Mrs. Carolyn came over for women's bible study. As soon as she walked in the door I could tell that she had a rough week. She was frustrated and discouraged but she came to bible study anyway. She said that she knew that she needed to be there with us. She talked about how hard it was for her some days to just get out of bed. So we then read James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." She then began to cry and tell us how thankful she was to learn about scripture and she was so happy that she was able to understand it. She told us how thankful she was that we were there for her and how blessed she always feels afterwards. She said no one has ever taken the time to teach her how to read the bible. I was so humbled tonight by her brokenness and her willingness to share her heart. I was supposed to be teaching her the bible but I received so much more from her. She has taught me about love, joy, and what being blessed is all about. I love doing life with her.
     After bible study we went to hang out with our family who loves us so much. We always have so much fun together and it has been a blessing for them to be in our lives. They are constantly available to us for wisdom and guidance. Our relationships with them are so important and I am thankful for our time together.
     As I sit here tonight feeling overwhelmingly blessed, I can not help but thank God for placing these people and this community into my life. I am just along for the ride, and I am just letting God use me as he sees fit. I am rolling with the punches, loving people, and standing firm in my faith. Which is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. A wise person once told me to go BE not DO. So that is what I am doing, I am just being here for others in this amazingly crazy journey that I am on. My only hope is that God gets all the glory. I would not be able to make it this far without the support and prayers of everyone. Please keep praying for us, and our new family!

SO. MANY. ADVENTURES.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.-Proverbs 22:6