Change for the Better.

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

 Well...here I am. Sitting in a coffee shop with my friends here in Wetern New York and I am about to write about all of the changes that God is doing in my life. As I think through all of these changes, I have no idea where to start! Maybe that's a good thing... I guess we shall find out!


THE FIRST CHANGE happened about three weeks ago when I lost my job at Coffee Culture. As much time I have spent on trying to understand on why it happened or even how it happened, I can't. There is nothing inside of me that can comprehend why I lost my job, but I am looking at this as a blessing from God. Yes, being an associate at Coffee Culture (a.k.a CC) has had its ups and downs, but God has blessed me in so many ways that I will never in my life forget! I met the people who I consider my friends and my sisters. Such as my two sisters (in Christ) and best friends, Kelsey and Maria. God has allowed all three of us to grow and walk together in discipleship and in Christian unity. Working at CC has taught me the importance of community. Not just a community where there are people, or a great environment, but most importantly, a community where you can be yourself and talk about Christ without being worried on what others think. God has blessed me in many ways through Coffee Culture, much more than what I can even write about. I have met new friends through conversations among customers. I have seen the variety of different personalities of customers and my fellow employees through the frame of morning and evening, opening and closing shift.  It was incredible! But...in the midst of it all-God was there! I loved working at Coffee Culture, and I am sad to see it end but I am also happy to enter into a new chapter and season of my walk with Christ in wherever He leads me job wise.

 THE SECOND CHANGE happened yesterday! I received a text message from the family that I first lived with when I moved here to New York. The mom told me that I had a letter from Camp Buckeye that came in the mail. Now, let me remind you that I have been praying for this specific letter for the past three months, but also ever since I was fifteen when I first applied to serve at Camp. As I am driving to their house, my heart was racing, anticipating the anxiousness. The thought of whether or not I got the position...being told yes or no, made me all the more anxious and nervous (in a good way). I prayed the whole way there and when I got there and opened the letter...there it was! The medical forms, the background papers, what to bring and what not to bring list...all of which is only given if you are given the job or a camper! So...with all of that...I will be serving my King and the camp from June 22-June 28th. I am so happy to show others the love of Jesus and to be a disciple!

 SO WITH THE SECOND CHANGE comes the third change. OHIO! HERE I COME! That's right! I am moving back home! I have no idea where I will be living, but I am putting everything into God's hands and I trust and believe that I will be okay. He has never left me or forsaken me and I know He never will! As much as I love being in New York, God has given me peace with going back home and that is all that matters. When He calls us to go, we go. He is calling and I am going. I am so happy! There is no fear and no doubt and I love it! For the past three months, I have been praying that God would open doors for me to move back to Ohio somehow but I was leaving that all to Him and in His timing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing and that is exactly what I did! God is so good! He answered my prayer!
   Being here in New York, God has taught me so much! He has taught me how to love others more than myself, but place Christ first in everything. He has taught me the meaning of discipleship, community, and friendship. God has strengthened my heart for integrity to live for Him, have a heart of obedience, honesty, and loyalty. Discipline has been a huge thing in my daily lessons from God. I am not going to deny that I have growth to do, because I do! We all do! But I can say, that I am willing to do whatever it possibly takes to follow Christ every single day from here on out, for all the days of my life! I am a daughter of a high king, and I must do my duties of a follower of Him. I am beyond blessed to have had this opportunity to live in Western New York because I have met so many brothers and sisters in Christ, God has become my everything, and my faith is growing every single day!

 My prayer is that when I move back to Ohio, God will use me to bring glory to His name and to His kingdom. That I will not live for myself but for Him and only Him. I pray that my heart will be steadfast and consistent in His Word and His truth to disciple to others as Christ works through me. I believe now, that I am here for a reason, and that reason is for God and no other! I ask that you continue to pray for me, and my family as we begin the journey to mending our relationship. Please pray for strength and endurance as we come together as one to run the race. I do not know where my family stands with their relationship with Christ, but I ask that you pray for salvation, guidance, wisdom, peace and comfort as we all move forward. Also, please pray that God will bless me in the ministry that He is calling me to, whatever that looks like. Everything that I do, and everywhere that He places me, that is my ministry...His ministry, and I ask for prayer that God guides me on His path and can continue to disciple me through His word and others around me. Thank you!!!

God Bless and my God-given Ohio family...I will see you soon!!!