Was supposed to be posted May 23, 2006

I could have never guessed one year ago where I would be today. One year ago it seemed as if my life had no purpose. I had hit my rock bottom. I had no where to go. I could not go anywhere. I could not improve my situation and I definitely could not go on with it. The only thing I had left, my only option other than give up, was to hand it over to God. Since then, He’s showed me the mistakes in my life and showed me how to correct them.

As I stood in the church one year ago today at a stand still, I was reminded of the power of prayer. I told God that I could not do it anymore. I couldn’t be selfish and rebellious anymore. I could not continue on in the relationship that I was in and I certainly could not end it; so I gave it to God. Little did I know what God had had in mind when I repented of my stupidity and truly rededicated myself to Him. I had no clue that in less than 24 hours later the relationship would be over, I would have the interview that would change my life (on what would have been the two and a half year anniversary nonetheless), offered a job half way around the world two days later, and less than two months later I was in Korea.

The Lord is amazing! I just wish that I could tell all the single young women and girls the lessons I learned the hard way, and have them truly learn from it. I always thought I would learn through other’s mistakes so I did not have to make any on my own, boy was I wrong. I want to instill in them (especially the ones closest to me) the importance of dating a Christian man/ young man. I am not talking about the fence riding, mediocre Christian that never takes a stand for anything. I am talking about a true man of God; one who wants to do nothing more than serve the Lord and follow the path He has laid out before him. Excuse the cliché, but it is like night and day dating a non-Christian as opposed to a Christian man who has dedicated himself to doing the Lord’s will. It is so important to be able to share that aspect of your life. If you cannot share your faith with the one you are dating, there is no way you can successfully share anything else.

I speak from experience when I say that it is absolutely amazing to stand (or sit) next to the person you’re dating and praise the Lord. It is awesome to know that both of you are doing the same thing. Things are so much easier when there are common goals and a shared, God driven direction. The Lord is gracious.

It is so amazing to be treated with earnest respect without any motive. I could have never dreamt nor expected what the Lord has blessed me with.

One year ago, I could have never imagined being on the mission field serving the Lord, and being more on-fire for Him than I ever have been. Praise the Lord for what He’s done for me, what He’s saved me from, and what He has planned for me.