So, when I got my senior pictures done the lady I did them with said that since I was a rep I could do a group shot. Well, we finally got together to do it and these are the pictures that turned out. =] I couldn't ask God for better friends. These are the people that have come into my life and I know they will never leave.
"Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they are meant to be there; they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or help you figure out who you are."
T.J.- It's taken me a year to figure this out, but I'm really glad I did. Good things happen in really messed up ways sometimes. On January 12th, 2009 you went into prison. I was so angry and upset that I couldn't explain it and I really don't know if I'll be able to explain it now, but I'll try. All I could think was "Why would he do this to me? Why would he treat me like this when I've done nothing but everything for him? How could he do this to my family? How could he be so selfish?" and the list of questions continue, but I think you get the point. I never thought we would be that family that was so messed up. With mom being an alcoholic and now you being in prison, I didn't know and didn't want to know what else could go wrong. You all of the sudden wanted to be a huge part of my life, and I wasn't sure I was ready to let you in. I had NO choice but to be there for you when I was growing up, us being 10 years apart an all, I had to go to all of your stuff. You had a choice to be a part of my life when I was younger, you had the option to stay home or come to one of my school events or a sporting event, you just chose not to. I was so mad at you for not coming to anything. For treating me as if I was nothing. I couldn't believe you seriously expected me to be there for you when you needed it. Then, on February 18th 2009 you wrote me a letter that I will never forget. In that letter you told me you had found God. That I had lead you to it, watching me go to church on my own, watching me change my life around when I rebuilt my relationship with God, and you said you were ready to do the same. I couldn't have been more proud of you. You showed me then that anything is possible and to never give up on anything. As time as past I've really been thinking that if you going to prison brought about the BEST thing that can happen your life, so be it. If it took this, in order for you to have a relationship with God, then I'm fine with that. The most important thing to me is your relationship with God and that you've reached this moment in your life. Sure, I miss you. Yes, I wish you were here to experience these new things in my life, but honestly, this is better. I know right now, you may not see it as I see it, and I hope that at some point in time you will be able to see it similar to this as well. So, my point of good things happen in really bad ways sometimes, is totally true for this situation.
So, God continues to amaze me. All my life, I've wanted someone to "replace" my mom. We've never had a relationship and she's there physically but never mentally. I always wanted someone to love me for who I am and to be there when I need it and just when I want to have a good time. God definitely blessed me with someone pretty awesome.
Tracy Mingo is one of my favorite people on planet earth. She has showed me she loves me time and time again. She loves me for who I am, I've never had to be anyone different around her. She's there when I need it the most, and just when I want to hang out. I thank God everyday for putting her in my life and I honestly don't know what I would do with out her.
So the other night I was at D and T's and they introduced me to this amazing game called Dominion. There are different cards that you can play that allow you to get points and what not. So on one of my turns I played a card that allowed me to discard all my cards in that hand. My following turn I got the normal 5 cards plus an additional 5 cards. Well, then I was playing attack cards, which allowed me to play even more attack cards, which lead to more money, which in turn lead to more points. Let's just say that that hand took me like 10 minutes to play. It was pretty crazy.
So tonight, I got a text from Tracy saying "I'll have you know that the multi-action turn in Dominion is now referred to as a "Sam hand" haha, I officially love this game. =]
So, Carley Kammerer and I are finishing up this dev. called Lord, Only You Can Save me by Kay Arthur. I've found it so helpful in looking at where I'm at in my walk with God. I've found out a lot about myself, and a lot about how to be more of what God wants me to be. It's taught me a lot about being merciful, righteous, forgiving, and how to allow God to be seen through me.
Doing this with someone else has been really helpful to because it's definitely kept me accountable. It's also allowed me to have daily alone time with God, which is something I've wanted to work on for a while now.
In a couple of weeks Carley and I are leading a group and we're reading the book: Lord, I Want to Know You also written by Kay Arthur. I'm super excited!!
"We love him...because he first loved us" -1John 4:9-10
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." -Deuteronomy 31:6
"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD." -Psalm 25:4-7
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears." -Psalm 18:2-6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " -Philippians 4:6-7
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." -Psalm 34:18
