Blessed. Seriously blessed.

So starting in Decemeber, I have really had some amazing blessings in my life. First, and most exciting for my parents and I, I passed this semester! :D Good grades actually, hardwork really does pay off. Now we just gotta kick some butt next semster and then only 2 more years of college!

Another HUGE blessing in my life is that I've had some certain friends re-appear in my life, just at the right time. Friends I weren't as close with for a little while, but that were always just a phone call away. Friends that lift up and are there to laugh and to cry with. Guy friends and girl friends, but seriously just true friends C-: Gotta love that!

I've always had a wonderful job working for my parents and it's definitley been a blessing in this bad economic time, to always have that. And now I'm also working a little on the side catering with Chelsea and her dad, The Deaf Chef, which is sooo much fun! Awesome how God just always provides when you need!

And of course, I met Zaza Pachulia!! #27 for the Atlanta Hawks. Ballaaaaa

So PRAISE THE LORD for all the good and for the bad. It's what makes us and actually realize the wonderful blessings we do have. We are so blessed and it's all because of Him. Hope everybody is having an great Christmas break! <3

update with no words

crazy thankful

So evidently I'm really bad at this whole blogging thing...looks to be a few months that I've skipped...but I want to do a post on what I'm most thankful for, since it was just that great holiday.

1. My Saviour!! Jesus Christ is seriously the most amazing for dying for all my sins! Seth Oprea preached last Sunday and he said something that really made me think..."Even it had been just me on this world, just one person, Jesus would have still come down and did the same thing. Died just for me." How awesome is He?!
2. My family: I truly am blessed to be born in such a Christian and loving family.
3. My friends: They're the bomb.com C:
4. School...yes, I said school. Anybody that gets the opportunity to attend college should be crazy thankful for that. It's not something we should take advantage of.

Some pictures from the break of thanks...

Kenya

Background info: Almost two months ago now, I was blessed with the opportunity to go into Kenya, Africa and witness to people for my Lord. I became a Christian when I was 16 years old at World Changers Chicago and since then, have felt a call to missions. Backtrack two years: I saw a video on children in Uganda, fighting a horrible war.( www.invisiblechildren.com ) when I was 14, my freshman year in high school and ever since then, my heart has burned for Africa. So, when I found out I could go to Kenya, this past January I was beyond excited. I prayed over it very heavily, and asked for others to, and definitely felt like it was truly God's will for me to go. So I went :).
Kenya: I arrive in Kenya on August 1st (Saturday) and thanked God with every ounce of breath inside of me. It was happiness like I had never felt before. Finally where He has called me to be. Sunday morning we woke up and went a church in Nairobi, which was AMAZING. God was there and the people worshiping Him were really worshiping Him. They were crying out in Swahili and English, to their Lord, my Lord. It really was the coolest thing.

Monday: We went into Kibera which is one of the largest slums in Nairobi. One million people living in one square mile. Can you even begin the comprehend that?! I didn't until I witnessed it myself.  You really do not know poverty until you come across this. The coolest part tho? There was a bible school in the midst of all this sadness and despair!! God really is everywhere, even when it looks like He cannot be found.
Later on that afternoon, we flew into South Horr Village where our missionary friend, Stakwell, had his sports camp that we would be serving at that week.  I literally fell in love with every child I saw. God had put me in the place where He knew I desired, yet where He wanted me. [Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3]

Tuesday-Thursday: We worked at the sports camp in the morning and the afternoon. I heard there was over 900 kids that came. 900!! That we planted a seed in for the Lord. How cool is that?! A couple of children really caught my attention however, and would come greet me everyday, each time they saw me. :) It was so wonderful, knowing I was making an impact in these children's lives. Nade was probably about 5/6 and she even gave me a necklace at the end of the week, that her mother made for me. And that really just broke my heart. They make items like that, to sell for a living, yet she wanted me to have it. Wednesday night we went to a "church service" under the stars. A group of Somburos meet under a big tree every Wednesday and sing  songs and dance and then hear a bible lesson in their native tongue. I understood nothing of what they said, but heard God talk more than I ever had in my entire life. There were children laying over all of us, sleeping, while they're families learned about their Creator. It was such an amazing presence, that I will cherish forever.
We left Friday morning and I must admit, it was the hardest good-bye I have ever done. Not knowing if I would see those children and adults ever again.

Hopefully, the Lord will send me back, but until then I wait patiently serving Him. Only He knows where I'll go. And I will go wherever He sends me. But I do feel like I will be there again. With those beautiful smiling, singing faces. With the people who expect nothing but are so appreciate of everything. Some of the most beautiful people in the Lord reside in Kenya, Africa and I am more than thankful for being blessed to go and witness their lives and be a witness for my Savior. Thank You Lord.