Putting It Into Words

This past week has been an emotional roller-coaster with my friend being in the hospital but thanks to all the prayers, she is doing much better and hopes to be released tomorrow! Thank you for all the prayers you sent up for her and her family.  Amidst all of that, our executive director asked us to submit a story and photo to the Catholic Volunteer Network (where I set up my profile and how CVIF found me) about our year of service in terms of faith, community, simple living, or social justice.  If my story/testimony wins the competition, it will be published on their website and in their RESPONSE directory of volunteer programs.  I have two months left down here and only one month left with my class.  I have yet to be able to really summarize and put into words what this year has done for me. I know that my story will be about faith but as I start to write it, I am definitely struggling with what to write.  This year has become so important to me in so many ways so I want to keep writing my testimony about it but I just keep rewriting it and starting over.  I need to just give it up to God and it will flow perfectly but I really want others to hear about how life changing an experience like this can be.  If you really surrender everything you have and put it into God's hands, He will take care of you.  Personally, I used to have a big trust issue with letting God have control of my life but in reality, I've never had control of my own life.  A good friend of mine had to remind me of that last week when my friend was in the hospital.  I just wish I could really let people of all ages around the country know that it's okay to take a chance.  God is not ever going to put us in danger.  It might be scary but that's only because we do not know what's coming next.  That's why we need to have faith.  “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)  


That is the Bible verse I have opened my story with and I am hoping that as I continue to write, this verse provides me with more inspiration and that the Spirit guides my writing.  


I'm saying extra prayers for all those graduating and ending their school years this week.  It's mind-boggling to think that just over a year ago, I was graduating from ESU and how much has happened since.  Lifting up prayers for everyone, as always.