My 10 year anniversary!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!  -2 Corinthians 5:17

It hit me yesterday that last week was the 10 year anniversary of me becoming a follower of Jesus...WOW! A plethora of emotions swirls through my mind as I think back on the journey I have had since then. I want to share with you some lessons I have learned along the way, but first here's the story of how it all started...

It's the summer after my sophomore year in high school. I had just been dating a guy who I thought was the best thing since sliced bread (he even claimed he loved me!). He dumped me right before leaving for boot camp because I wouldn't sleep with him...apparently he only dated me in the first place as a bet to see how quick he could sleep with me. Not sure how I gained the title of being "easy", but that's besides the point. So here I am, it's summer, and I'm miserable. No, not just miserable...depressed. I honestly don't even remember the months leading up to my conversion because they were so dark. Because I had a moralistic view of God, I thought that if I did the right thing, God would reward me. So I thought by saying "no" to my boyfriend, that was a good thing and I wouldn't be punished. So what was happening to me?? Was God there? Did He love me? Did He even know I existed?

Fast forward to July of 2003. I'm at our annual church camp ("Fun in the Son"...best name ever), which I attended every year. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I had assumed I was a Christian up to this point because I went to church regularly. Silly me. Anyways...I'm totally bumming about my break up when I meet a friend, Paul, that I had met the year before. There were several of us that would come each year, so eventually we became camp BFFs and would pick up every July where we left off the previous year. So Paul and I started hanging out and one night we were walking on the beach (I know, so romantic) and I just started sobbing about everything going wrong in my life. He just listened and hugged me while I cried. I just needed that. But most importantly, he told me that God loved so much that He sent Jesus to die for my sins and that I am worth waiting for and I'm beautiful. That was the first time someone told me I was beautiful and I actually believed them. 

The next morning we had to leave to go back home. We packed up the church van and I lingered to talk to Paul as much as I could. With one final hug we were off...back to reality. Thoughts were flowing through my head as well as Jonny Diaz's "Come Child, Come" song. That song will forever hold a special place in my heart. So here I was, still bummed about Joel (the ex), but giddy about Paul, and thinking about what he said. I started praying and I don't remember exactly what I said, but it went a little something like this "God, I have nothing better to live for, so I'm going to start living for you."

I know what you're thinking...that's the worst sinner's prayer ever. I know, go ahead and laugh because I'm right there with you. Seriously...who tells God they have nothing better to do so they'll become a Christian?!? Apparently I do. But guess what? It worked!! The Holy Spirit grabbed my heart right then and there are transformed it from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh. The next few weeks I began to see a slow change in me and my spiritual walk. I started to pray constantly. I started to read my Bible (and enjoy it!) for the first time ever. I actually listened to the sermon at church. I fell in love with Jesus and there wasn't anything you could do or say to stop me.

So I've been thinking back on the past 10 years since that day and wanted to share 10 experiences and lessons that really shaped me as a Christian. I'll give you one each day for the next 10 days. 

1. Leading Owen Girls Bible Study in college

I have never felt so inadequate to do something, but somehow you let me lead you for 3 years. I remember when Julianna (our leader) asked Kim and I if we wanted to be leaders starting our sophomore year because apparently she saw something in us that made her think we would be good at at. Honestly, I was very reluctant at first because I didn't feel qualified for the job. I finally accepted, but had no idea how much that decision would change my life.
I remember praying with Kim for the girls in the Owen dorm on campus. When we posted ads for the new bible study for freshman girls, I was sure that no one would show up. But I think like 13 girls came that first week, and the second, and the third! I think Kim and I's group broke all normal "rules" for what bible studies were supposed to be like...we were blessed!
When I think of our girls, tears come to my eyes thinking of how God's providence brought each and every one of them together. They taught me way more than I could have ever taught them. The way they loved and served each other, not just on Wednesday nights, but each day. They were involved deeply in each others lives and continue to be today. You are what the Church is supposed to be. When I read about the early Church in Acts 2, I think of you. Your joy is infectious. 
I watched you as you prayed for your friends and family's salvation and then as you poured so deeply into them and shared your faith. And then I watched and prayed along side you as some of you became leaders with your own girls to lead! When Suzanne passed away that first summer I was sure you would all lose your faith. I had no idea how Kim and I were going to walk through that storm, but luckily Jesus carried us all. Your faith is unshakeable. I can't wait until we are all reunited one day and rejoice with our Sovereign king. 
I will be forever thankful for each and everyone of you and the joy you brought to my life. I have loved watching each of you grow up and watch most of you walk down the aisle as the most beautiful brides and I can't wait until we have some more OGBS babies to join Brooke :)
Love the day!

minus a few

creative date to the state fair

at kim's baby shower (our first OGBS baby!)

Semiformal 2007

barn party with suz!

couldn't have done it without this awesome lady, my co-leader and friend!