Courage!

I read this quote from Nelson Mandela (The former South African President who was imprisoned for nearly 3 decades...fighting against apartheid.)

What he said is so profound and if anyone can say this, it's HIM....

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. "
-Nelson Mandela


I can't say that I've ever known the extreme fear, pain and suffering in which Nelson and many others have faced, but unfortunately I can say that I've known what it means to be AFRAID...I know what it means to hold on to fear and let it get the best of me! I know what it means to let fear make me a coward and to let it stop me from pursuing my deepest hearts desires!!

MY DESIRE: TO BE COURAGEOUS!!

I am now thankful for FEAR, because without it, there is no COURAGE!!

BY THE GRACE OF GOD...and the JOY WHICH GIVES ME STRENGTH I CAN SAY:

* I am learning courage in relationships: both in romantic and friendships:

Friendships: I'm learning how to cultivate and nourish the relationships I have. To invest in others lives and to commit to caring for their hearts, as they do mine. I've seen how benificial it is to stay in one place (to stay put in Ohio for awhile, isn't as bad as I tbought! :)

Romantic: I'm learning to give all the control to the Lord, to wait patiently on him, to practice patience while trusting in his perfect time! Ahh, sweet discipline! and I'm stoked to share this time of singleness with JESUS ALONE!! woo hoo


* I'm learning courage in being content with where I am right now. I'm choosing to get my degree, thus I've commited to going to school FULL-TIME while holding a steady job...in hopes of some day reaching my goal of becoming a counselor to Teens (probably teen girls). <---Dischipleship and mentoring is my hearts cry!!

* I'm learning courage in seeing myself the way God does. It takes courage (especially as a woman) to take a look at yourself in the mirror and to honestly embrace the beauty of God's creation (flaws and all). It's a beautiful thing once you do, and I promise you that i'm trying...and I'm learning to respect God's masterpiece (which is me!! :)

* I'm learning to embrace the sometimes "uncomfortable" life...knowing that the Lord is shaking me up, because he CARES for me. He doesn't care so much if I'm comfortable, he cares MORE about my character and he's waking me up to the FULLNESS of HIS LOVE, GLORY and PEACE! he's waking me up to REAL LIFE in HIM!!

Guys, I am so in love with Jesus and I'm finally running back into his arms...
LIFE IS WONDERFUL...it's the small moments in life that make all the difference.

I'm finding adventure in the small moments of life right now!!

I'm signing off, until next time!!

BE BLESSED, BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!! and may your strength be found in JESUS!
love u.