God is so great. I got a job! I'm so excited to teach the preschoolers in my class. And it's a Christian school, so I'll get to share Jesus with them. I'm just so excited, and know this will be a great ministry and teaching opportunity for me. Thanks everyone for your prayers and encouragement!

Yesterday my family (minus my brother) made the 12 hour drive down to Texas. On the way, I had several opportunities to stare out the window and gaze at the clouds. I realized then that everything, truly everything, has a purpose on this earth. From the clouds in the sky that hold moisture and then let it out to rain down on the earth, to the cows of the field that eat the grass and don't allow it to get too overgrown. Even tiny amoeba's and bacteria all have a purpose in life.

So in this time of trusting in God to provide for my future, I too realize I have a purpose. And if God allows such small or simple things (in our eyes), to have a purpose, how much greater is my purpose in life? As I wait for the right job to come to me, I must realize how important trusting God to reveal my purpose in His timing is. And as I go to interview after interview and get rejected for each one, I must realize it is only His purpose unfolding before my eyes.

"No Man is an Island" I've heard that all my life. But until a few years ago, I didn't realize how true it is. I grew up in a family where everyone was disconnected. Some of my extended family live in the same town I do, but the only time we see them is if we run into them at the store. Growing up, I'd listen to my family complain after company left because they dropped in unexpectedly, or complain if they knew they were coming. They never go to parties, or get togethers with friends. So growing up, I never realized how much I needed other people, because I didn't see it lived out in my parents lives. It wasn't until college that I realized how important other people are. Going to inner-city St. Louis on a mission trip, I learned how to lean on others, be myself, and be vulnerable in front of others. It felt so good to truly fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. They became closer than my real family. I then became part of another family through the church I was going to. And now I have a second set of parents.

The youth group I'm helping with is learning about the importance of relationships. Religion with relationships isn't powerful...it's just religion. So not only do we have to be in a relationship with God, but we must continually be in relationships (real, meaningful, show your scars) kind of relationships. It's a reminder to me as well that I must continually be seeking out relationships with not only Christians, but non-christians as well (but that's a whole nother blog). So relationships, they're important, hard, scary, but so worth it!