Outreach

This my sister, Sarah Grace! I use to HATE when my sister, Sarah, would 'preach' to me. I would think,'She thinks she is better then me'.. I didn't recognize she was trying to express her love and concern, instead I thought she was being judgemental. What a great way to reach out to people?! Without saying anything, you minister by writing your testimony on cardboard. "I Was Blind" I can relate to this cardboard sign in SO many ways...

Many people have been where I was. When I was 20 years old, I lived in Greenville, NC, downtown of all areas. It was the first time I had ever gone clubbing. Which after the first time, I had to go every weekend and then it was every thursday, friday, and saturday nights. I remember one night getting so drunk in a club, I got sick in the bathroom. {{EMBARRASSING}} That is just the beginning! I threw up in a trashcan walking out of the club with a line of people trying to get in. Um.. {{SUPER EMBARRASSING}}Then I passed out in the arms of my roommate's boyfriend's arms and a Cop walks by and I have huge {{Xs}} on my hands. He tells them to get me home and kept walking. I got really lucky. :( I don't remember anything from that night. My roommate told me a lot of things I had done and I felt SO ashamed. I ended up throwing up the whole day. <-- Now I look back at this and ask myself 'Was all this worth it?'. Does it sound like it was worth it?!

I quit drinking at 21 years old.. I know {{WEIRD}}. My boyfriend, Michael, said he didn't like 'drunk girls'. So, I quit for him! We ended up living together and in March of 2007 I found myself pregnant. As someone who never thought much about abortion, it was the first thought I had. My thoughts were, I would rather have an abortion then tell my parents or even Michael. Michael was very supportive and comforting. The parents were upset but eventually came around. We debated on what we were going to name our baby. Michael would choose the boy's name and I the girl's. Our first ultrasound we found out we were having a girl and her name would be Lilly. We found out through an amniocentisis Lilly had Trisomy 18 and would not live. That is the moment I got down on my knees after years of avoiding God. And I prayed to Him like I have never prayed before.

When I started building my relationship with the Lord, I found comfort and strength and Love. He opened my eyes and my heart to so many things. Abortion was the biggest issue. I had no choice in my situation. As bad as I wanted my little Lilly to live the Lord had other plans for her. This I have to say was just the beginning. While holding my daughter, I prayed the Lord would take me instead of her. WOW! To give your life for someone else. I never would have imagined myself capable. I realized that is how much the Lord loves us that He gave His only son to die on the cross for ME. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about that LOVE! When I started living my life down the path God set for me, I have found a lot of ease through my walk. The path gets a little bumpy but its a test of my faith.. and He gives me the strength to continue walking with ease. The opportunities are endless through Him....

Is there HOPE?!

I just sent a message to my friend... it read... 'Tassels is closed and I don't know how much longer my parents are going to be together'. The sadest message I think I've sent someone. In this situation I see Satan working...

My father isn't a people person. He works so hard and comes home to his recliner, laptop, and dog. He separates himself. I remember growing up, my father would come home and we would all rush to the door to greet him and fight over who would be the one to take off his boots. His boots smelled like saw dust, which now is one of my favorite smells.. its a smell that brings me comfort. He and my mother raised us to love the Lord.

My father's 50th birthday was yesterday. My mother had wanted to take him out to eat and it ended up being her and my sisters going. After getting home, my father basically broke it off with my mother... saying, 'He would never be able to be the man he once was.'.. the man she married.

My father has had a lot of hurts in his life. He always feels like he has to be a protector and keep every situation under control. After my sister, Kristen, decided to choose living her life worldly, after Lilly passed away, after my sister, Katherine started having seizures, and after Kenneth Copeland says,'When someone dies, its because you didn't have enough faith.'.. my father has turned to drinking to cover all his hurts. With this has opened the door in his heart for Satan to enter. This is why I stress surrendering. Surrendering all your hurts to God will help to heal your heart. The Lord doesn't want us to deal with hurts on our own.

My mother goes to church every sunday without my father by her side. My mother and father NEVER go out to eat or do anything together. It hurts me to see my mom upset or unhappy. I'm 25 years old and the thought of my parents getting a divorce hurts SO bad. I don't care how old a child is, it hurts to have your parents separate. I know that if my parents were to get a divorce they wouldn't get married again.

All my life my father has taught me to turn to God for help...

Lord, I'm pleading for your help and your strength. I know you love my father and I pray, Lord, he will surrender all the hurts he is feeling to you. I pray he will also realize You are the only one who will fulfill all the desires of his heart and that alcohol will always be a temporary fix. It has hurt me to see the person who raised me to you, Lord, fall in Satan's trap. Please give me the knowledge to know what to do and strength to get through this trail set before me. I know in this situation, Lord, that my mom will be okay but I pray you will continue to give her your strength and your peace. Amen-