Youth ministry is hard!

Its never easy to see one of your students floundering, even after all that you have poured out of yourself for them. The enemy will come in and try to tell you its not worth it... not worth your time, effort, and heartache. Sometimes you feel like believing that, and you are so close to just giving up, but something keeps you hanging in there. This idea in your head that there is still hope that something will change. You have absolutely no factual basis for this hope, and all the odds say your stupid for even thinking it. Yet, you keep going, keep encouraging, keep uplifting, and keep speaking truth. Why? Because God is up to something, and He doesn't want you to miss it! Even after you have done everything humanly possible and still seemed to have lost, you know that God will come through. He is capable of all things, and He is never late! His timing is always perfect, and the mystery of His ways leave us in awe of Him every time.

To all my fellow youth ministers out there, be encouraged today! Remember that God has never, and will never give up on anyone, so we must not either. Prepare yourselves to be in awe of God Almighty, for He is indeed up to something!

There was a girl in 180jv who was sitting next to me. She talked and gave sarcastic remarks throughout the whole service. She went out of her way to make it clear that she was smarter than everyone there, and that the whole thing was not worth her time. Any other day, and I would have been so irratated by her ignorant and arrogant attitude..."what a little punk!" But last night, I felt something different. She was exactly where God wanted her. Even though you couldn't tell if she was listening at all, God was clearly speaking to her on a whole other level. She continued her sarcasm all the way till the end of the message. All I felt God saying was, "just watch, and see what I am about to do!" So I watched.
When Steve gave the call to except Jesus Christ as their savior, she was the first to raise her hand! Praise God! Don't ever worry about what you cannot do! Just be ready for God to blow your mind completely!

Hey all, I don't know who actually reads these, except for my great friends Molly and Grace!...but here it goes with the updates:

Life has been amazing! Like Pastor Ken says: "This is the year of the Lord's favor!" I have had so much break through in every area of my life. My two horses are doing well, and God has opened up some wonderful new opportunities for me toward some of the goals I have with them. I have had them boarded with Krista and Tony in Tumalo, and they have been so kind and generous to me! They are currently building me a 1bed 1bath apartment right on their property! And when it is done, my horses will be in the pasture right next to it! I am also excited because this will give me the privilege of serving them, and giving them some days off. It is due for completion some time in March! So ya'll have to come see it now ya hear!! I am also working with an amazing Dressage trainer (teaches people the fancy way to ride a horse, for those of you who don't know what dressage is!lol!), who has been encouraging and uplifting me in the Lord, and is helping me pursue the visions God has given me for ministry with horses.

I have a great new job...
I work for Premera Blue Cross.

I have been there for 3mo. and God has blessed me already with favor and success, and I currently hold a 100% accuracy record! Woohoo! (Not to mention the great benefits!!)

I feel the presence of God on my life more than ever before! I have had major breakthrough in my daily devotions, and I am seeing my prayers being answered. God is so faithful...and everything He does He does it above and beyond our expectations.

But also like Pastor Ken says, "new levels new devils!"
Breakthrough does not mean its time to take a nap...you're still running for the prize! I have reached an incredible season of prosperity and blessing, but it has come with higher expectations, and a greater need for accountability. Now that I have come this far, I don't want to ever go back, so I must keep going forward.