Seeking Light in the Dark

It seems that the past few months have been filled with nothing but dark, sad, and unfortunate happenings. Really it's been longer than that, but it's beginning to weigh on my heart more and more. 

In recent news, there was the EMS worker from Jessamine County and Officer Ellis from Richmond. Both of these men were just doing their job, and things changed quickly. 

On a more personal scale, it seems that people around me are hurting and struggling. It's a variety of things; death, sickness, stress, heartache, and more. Life struggles that seem to just escalate and become unbearable. 

My heart hurts and aches for these people. I want joy, hope, faith, love, laughter, and happiness. I want to share good news with my friends and family, not the bad that seems to be appearing everywhere. 

Life isn't easy. Sadness isn't fun. Heartache hurts. These are facts, this is life. But it's still more than that. There is hope in a better tomorrow. There is a Heavenly Father we can lean on. There is a church that wants you to become part of their family. There are family and friends that want to care for you and be by your rock. 

As a Christian I know that my life on earth is temporary, and what comes after is something to long for each day. But even knowing this, I can't say that I'm in a rush to leave my earthly life. Even with all of the sorrow here, I want to live on and endure it. But I can't imagine living each day and not knowing what comes next. It has to be terrifying.  

For all of those reading my blog, I want you have a light in your life. Living in this dark world isn't easy, but with the light of Jesus, it's possible!

For all of you who have heartache, sorrow, anger, or whatever, please know that there is a light for you. And if you don't know where to look, then ask me or someone else. I want to share my love and light with you!

Here are a few of bible verses that I have used for myself lately, I hope that they may help you too. 

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. 

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you and help you. 

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

Give your burdens to the Lord , and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall (Psalm 55:22 NLT)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)

The New Ring

I figured it was time to continue our love story. So here it goes…

The date is June 25, 2009 (my 18th birthday)

We have spent the evening celebrating together. Dinner at Sonnys. (I'm a big eater, so all you can eat is perfect for me) We were going to head back to Justin's house to spend the evening hanging out, per my request. When we get there I head to Justin's room while he is off in the kitchen. He asks me to come where he is so I can have part of my present. I like gifts like anyone else so I happily go. I walk into the kitchen where his computer is and he asked me to sit down. 

Justin isn't much on cards, he thinks they are a waste so he had made me something on the computer instead. 

He put together this slide show of pictures of us and had music with it. I'm watching and thinking how sweet this is. Towards the end he has typed up a little sappy love piece. I turn to look at him and he says "Look at the screen!" I turn around and it says he has something to ask me. 

I turn back around to see him on one knee. BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!

It was simple and it was just us. I wouldn't have had it any other way. We were both young, me 18 and Justin 21. But it was a God thing from the beginning. 

So there is the next part of our love story. 

Enjoy a few engagement photos