Today marks one month.

5 months ago, I graduated college.
5 months ago, Pastor Shay asked me to consider moving to Winchester.
4 months ago I once again became a staff member of Camp Cowen, and began to serve a thousand campers and counselors.
3 months ago I struggled with trusting Christ in making an extremely difficult decision.
2 months ago today actually, I posted the blog officially declaring the final decision to pack up all my belongings and be obedient to a journey God had set before me.
1 month ago today, with blind faith, I moved to Winchester, VA. 
And today. Today marks one month of living in Winchester.
It's strange to think that just four months ago, I had no idea I would even be here.

So? What's happened? What's going on in my life? What is God doing? 
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~The Church @ Winchester.

Wow. We have now met 3 times at our location (a school basically in the heart of Winchester) as an official church. Every Sunday the core shows up around 9 and spends an hour or so setting up the school into a meeting place and nursery. I LOVE it. Everyone works so hard, and with each passing Sunday we are becoming faster and more efficient in our set-up and tear-down. Even in the few weeks we have met, we have had several guests and a few new legit attenders. God is doing something in the hearts of the people of Winchester... and it's incredible to see it come to fruition.

I am also finally finding a routine and somewhat understanding of what each week will look like as the children's minister. I love the emphasis on the community, as my favorite way to reach out is to bake for people... (this past week I was able to bake up a storm for the coffee shop lady and her staff. :-))
I eagerly anticipate the weeks ahead as God continues to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. Also, did I mention how incredible it is to work with a staff that is so legit?? I am so blessed to be part of such sincere and direct accountability.



~My new family and friends.

I find that part of the beauty of being a believer and part of God's family, is that the family is always growing. Even when I leave one area to move to another, I don't just forget or divorce my old church family... I simply add more to the mix and count myself blessed to be a member of God's family. 

That being said, it has been rather difficult leaving my mom and dad. Which seems silly since I left them to go to college and such, but I think that this time is different since there were so many uncertainties and unknowns. I know that they both miss me dreadfully, but are constantly in prayer for my safety and continued obedience to Christ.The most incredible testament to their faith both in God and the use of me in His plan was shown when my mother was asked how she felt about my move to Winchester and such... her reply had been, "I'm scared NOT to let her go..." It brought me such comfort to hear her say it because it was not only accepting that I was not her own (rather belonging to God), but fearing God in trying to hold me back from Him working through me. What an incredible woman. 

I also count myself blessed to have become a part of the Osborne family. I love watching as they faithfully raise their children in Christ... I love observing as they continually grow in their marriage as a couple in Christ.  I feel unbelievably loved and genuinely cared for.
NOT TO MENTION MY NEW CHURCH FAMILY! Amazing. Simply amazing. The friends I have made so far have been beyond wonderful. I feel as though I have known many of them for years; and yet it's only been 4 weeks. They have been so accepting and eager to build relationships. It has made my transition into Winchester as smooth as it could possibly be.

~Life

 Life. What can I even say about it? It has been a whirlwind of an adventure so far... and I don't anticipate that changing anytime soon... ;-)

~God

God is GOD....and i am not. Actually, i'm less than not. i'm nothing. In the past four weeks the Lord as taught me, lead me, humbled me, challenged me, disciplined me, loved me unconditionally, ((did I mention humbled me??? haha))and brought me peace and comfort. It it been in Christ through this uncomfortable move that I have found comfort. Peace that passes all understanding. i have been able to not only feel His presence as though He were sitting right next to me, but also as the Holy Spirit has lead me in discussions and such.... how have i not embraced the power of the Holy Spirit's potential till now??!? It's unbelievable... seriously though... words on a computer screen cannot even begin to express... so let's grab some coffee and chat it out!

~Me

HE must become greater... i must become less.






Until we meet again... 
<3