A little bit of Joy and a whole lot of Blessings

I am overwhelmed with joy, love, blessings, grace, and mercy while I am writing this.

The Lord is so faithful! His promises are true! And your labor is not in vain!

Within the past 7 months I have seen the Lord fulfil all of his promises, really within the last year.

After I graduated from college, I went back to SkyRanch camps for my second summer as a photographer. Working at camp was the most rewarding work I have ever experienced in my life thus far. The kids I was able to invest in, even though I was not a counselor, were the sweetest, most rowdy, kindest, and most loving kids ever. The friends I made, will last a lifetime. I learned so much about stewardship and discipleship from the people that invested in my walk with Christ at Sky. I honestly could not have imagined a better way to spend my last summer before fully entering the big girl job world.

Upon returning home after camp, I took a job as an elementary school teacher at a new private school. I taught there from August to the second week of December. This was a time of learning as well. Many things were thrown my way that I was not prepared for. My bosses got COVID so for two weeks I was in charge of the whole school. I am not a trained teacher; therefore, I defiantly am not an administrator. Through some unforeseen events I was not being paid what I was promised and had to take on many side jobs to be able to provide for myself.

While I was at camp, I prayed that God would provide for me to where I didn't have to ask my mom for money. Maybe I was being prideful, maybe I was adulting for the first time in my life. Whatever the case, the Lord came through, as He always does in His way and timing.

Through working at this school, I met two incredible ladies. One of these ladies taught me how to rely on the Lord above all else. Unfortunately, she also taught me that people will fail me, however, God never will. The Lord allowed me to have a front row seat in her life as I was able to watch her grow in faith and blossom in Jesus' love. The other lady taught me how to simply not stress. She taught me how to truly hand everything over to the Lord. She taught me that there is sincerely no need to worry or stress. She taught me that the Lord of the universe is still in control, and I have a direct line to Him. How marvelous is His grace and Mercy!

The Lord rescued me out of an unhealthy for me work environment and handed me a financially stable job. My best friend had been working at Church for serval years and due to having to move back to her college town she had to quiet. The Lord was faithful, and I was able to take over her job. I gained so much knowledge about ministry and how to do it well. The Lord sent me to a place that cultivated Ministry over Money. This church also felt like home. I found community with the people who attended the church. I was poured into, spiritually, during work and services. I finally got comfortable and was blessed with my new job and home church.

Six months into the job the Lord laid it on my heart to start looking for an opportunity to serve in my dream job. I started "looking" for a more permeant job. One that would provide enough financial support for me to move out of my parent's house. A job that would open more doors to do what the Lord has laid on my heart to do. A job that would lead to my dream career.

Yet again the Lord was faithful. A friend of mine sent me a job opportunity. I will be honest my first reaction was "really God? right now? I just got settled! I didn't think it would happen this fast!" He told me, "Yes right now! When you are comfortable! When you did not see it coming! When you least expected it!" See I hadn't really started looking for a new job because I loved where I was. I had been through so much change I was just happy to final be somewhere that was good for me. But the Lord knew what was best.

I prayed about the opportunity my friend sent me, and the next day when I opened my phone that opportunity was staring at me right in the face. I sent in my resume and about a week later I got an e-mail back asking for a cover letter. A week after that they asked for an interview. The day after I interviewed I official told my then current bosses that I had had an interview at a different church for my dream job. I let them know that nothing had been set in stone, yet it was just an interview, and I was just doing what the Lord told me to do. They responded well and told me to let them know if they could help in any way. That night the job I had an interview with asked for references and if they could contact my current employer. I said yes. I think it was a couple weeks later, they contacted me for a second interview. I was stocked! I honestly was hoping that call would have been a job offer but I was happy about the second interview. The next day they called and offered me the job, upon being voted on by the church. I accepted. I knew that the Lord had been a part of the process every step of the way and therefore this was His plan. The following Sunday I was voted in at 100% yes.

I now am in full time ministry as the Director of Children's ministry at First Baptist Church Queen City. I have completed four weeks in this position. VBS ended two nights ago. Camp is coming up. The Lord has been so faithful! His Promises are true! and my labor was not in vain! Praise God from whom all blessing flow.

So, there you have it. A little bit of joy and a whole lot of blessings. A life update if you will. But honestly just a proof of God's faithfulness, His grace, and His mercy.