Coming to a Hard Blessing

     A day here at the ranch is always new. There are new challenges, new adventures, and new things to learn every day. I have really enjoyed being a part of this ministry.

    The way I heard about this place in the first place was because of a couple of families from my church. They came to an event up here and heard that CEM was looking for interns. On the same Sunday 3 different people from the 2 families came up to me saying that I should apply to be an intern. I think God was definitely involved in speaking to me that day through those people.
    So here I am working among at risk youth and pouring what God has given me into them as He moves. It really is an awesome experience.

    I have laughed with them and let them cry into my shoulder, and have let go of my own tears. It is hard but good. It's good to see the growth in the students and see how my first view of them has changed. It's also hard to see how even though they are growing in some areas they seem to be behind in other areas.
   I have heard more of thier stories and have shared more of mine. I'm learning that everything I have gone through in the past was not necessarily going to have to wait till I was in my 30s or when I "grew up" so to speak (by the way, does anyone truely reach the state of being fully "grown up"?). God is using my story right now and not just in the form of a book but in person.
   I was told by a very wise friend that it's important to share your testimony with others because you never know when or how God is going to use that in someone else's life. Recently it has become clear that God not only may use that testimony in someone else's life but also in mine. It has helped me to see how far I have come. It has helped to reinforce the fact that God has continued to work on me even if I can't always see it right away.
     Every day is new. It is challenging and beautiful because God has made it for us to learn to lean on Him more. That is a blessing beyond measure.