“So we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another”

- Romans 12:5

One thing that is very important to me is my faith, and the journey that I have taken so far on the path that God has mapped out for me. For me, God has always been a very real part of my life, whether I was living the life He wanted me to or not. When I was little I went to CCD at St. Mary’s Church, and recieved my first communion. It wasn’t until I was supposed to go through confession that I shied away from the church. I stopped going to my CCD classes because I had other commitments such as girl scouts, (although it was Sunday school, they changed it to the week night that I had my meetings on…) and not to mention that my cousin told me that after I confessed they would tell my parents everything I said and I would get in trouble. (which isn’t true…and I did not do anything wrong at the time anyways, so I am not quite sure what I was worried about. After that, though I still believed in a God, I placed my faith on the back burner for a while.

God would reappear in my life slowly throughout the years. Whenever I was in need of help beyond any of our control, I would cry and ask God for His help. When my Meme died, He was the only one to see me cry; He was my shoulder to cry on. When boy after boy broke my heart, He reminded me that everything would be okay.

Throughout this time I became familiar with 24:Seven, a youth group that my life-long friend Amanda Mancini attended. I was still in the stage of figuring out who I was, and what I wanted in life, so I really only went with her to socialize. I felt awkward there many times, but I believe that was only because I was resisting what God wanted to show me. But He would not give up on me. And in November 2006, I finally acknowledge that Jesus was my savior, and died to save me from my sins.  That was the beginning of the long road that is my quest.

I was not completely serious about my faith at first. I knew that Jesus was my savior, and was more confident in the fact that there was indeed God. But it took a very good friend from Ohio, through his encouragement, to add feul to the fire. And once that happened, there was no turning back. I started changing things in my life slowly, and my life began to turn happily. I loved my church, learning about God, and attending youth group.

It wasn’t until the spring of 2008 that I realized I needed something more. I had started dating Jaryd in June 2007, and we had both been attending High Point Church up until then. But slowly we both began realizing that we were getting weak in our faith. We were learning the same things over and over, and youth group had become more people there for socializing than ever. And most of the people did not even know that I had been attending that church for over a year…and it was so hard to get involved. I needed something new to refrest my faith, and get me closer to God. It wasn’t that it was not a good church–I am not sure that is ever something you can say about a church. But I realized that it was not for me–that I needed something more.

So one day I was talking to a good friend of mine, Matt Baxter. He told me about his Church, the church I attend now, Hope Community Church. He told me that they had a youth group every Friday night where they would play a game, and then have the service. The game part sounded a bit weird, but Jaryd and I decided to give it a try. I knew a few people that went there, and that comforted me. And to our surprise, when we went to church that Sunday, Pastor Jeremy, the youth pastor, remembered our names. Pastor Greg, Jeremy’s father and the Pastor for the adults/Sunday service, came right up to us and introduced himself personally. At our old church, the Pastors had been more like celebrities–people that it would be awesome to meet–but they were so hard to approach. But at Hope Community, something was different. And I felt at home from day one.

It has been over a year now that I have been attending Hope Community Church, and I could not be happier. Slowly we are getting know more and more people there–and Jaryd and I were both asked to be ushers. God really helped me find a church that would help me find my talents and gifts that would help me share the Kingdom of God in the way that I can best. He helped me find a way to serve Him. And I have felt closer to God, and to my church, than I ever have so far. Without Him, I know that I would not have made it through some of the most difficult times in my life. My parents fighting, dealing with college, and any of the conflicts I have had throughout this past year. I feel so amazed by Him. And the fact that I have an awesome Church that supports me, and answers the questions I have just makes it that much better. I feel so blessed to have known Pastor Greg, Jeremy, and Stephanie so far–they have taught me so much, and have been such wonderful influences on my life with their messages. And I also am thankful for all of the people that go there, and that make an effort to create fellowship and a better community in our small little town.

That is what my life in faith is now. What do I hope to come? I still have a lot to learn, that is for sure. I hope to be someone that can share God’s word and all of the wonderful things He has done in my life. I hope to see my family members come to my church, and hopefully I can be the light that guides them their through the changes God is making in me. But, as for the rest, only time will tell. But of course, I know that I am in good hands…God’s.

That is all for tonight, I need to get some sleep. Until my next entry, Happy Blogging!!

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