A Year of Trials and Blessings

The past year for me has been a very... interesting one. There have been many ups and downs and in betweens. But despite the massive roller coaster of a year that it has been, my faith has increased immensely. The change started almost a year ago when me and my boyfriend of 5 1/2 months broke up. It was my first real relationship and we were super close, but despite the breakup we were able to maintain our friendship, so it made it easier, but still not easy (there is more to that relationship story, but that will come later). The breakup seemed to set the tone for my summer, though the next "event" didn't happen until about a month and a half later.

After getting back from an amazing chorus tour out to California and a Earth Science Field Study trip out to South Dakota and Colorado I was told some news that would affect the rest of my summer and that still affects me now. I am not going to say exactly what happened, but it had something to do with my family and I found out just a few days before I had to go work at a summer camp for the next 2 months.

Working at a summer camp where I was supposed to be happy and encouraging was very difficult. I had to hide my break downs and anger from the campers and do my best to keep a smile on my face. Thankfully I had a couple close friends working with me there that were able to help me through my more difficult days, but that didn't solve all my problems. Because I was at camp I was unable to fully come to terms with what happened and process through it. Because of this, I did not really deal with what happened until about half way through the fall semester at college.

I made myself extremely busy during the beginning of my sophomore year because I did not want to deal with the reality of what has happening in my family. I was hurt, angry, disappointed, and many other things, but all of that caught up to me after I had consumed myself with school, a musical, chorus, a smaller singing ensemble, helping lead worship, working with a ministry me and some of my friends started, and a few other things. The fact that I did not confront what I was afraid of thinking about made my semester an emotionally draining one; and on top of that, I was missing my boyfriend who lived 12 hours away that I had not seen in months. Before I continue, I should briefly explain what happened with the boyfriend situation...

As I said before, after my boyfriend and I had broken up we remained close friends, and about 3 months after the breakup we hung out for the first time all summer, due to camp. When we started to hang out again, we realized that we still had feelings for each other, but soon after that realization he moved to Virginia for about 7 months. Those were some very long months. We kept in touch the best we could and continued to develop and improve our relationship. He was able to visit once while he was gone, and during that visit was when we started officially dating again. But, despite the fact that we were back together and forming a stronger relationship than ever, did not hide the fact that he was gone on top of all of the other craziness that was going on. However, things were about to start changing again.
Christmas break 2010 was when everything started to look up. After almost a full semester of family issues, a far away boyfriend, friendship problems, lots of homework, and many other things, the focusing on God that was a result of all the disaster started turning things around.

During Christmas break I was able to talk to my parents about what happened and get some closure there. I was also able to take some time to reflect and spend time with God that was desperately needed. About a month after Christmas break my boyfriend, Clay, was able to move back to MI and our relationship continues to grow stronger through God. Also, throughout all of this, I have built and strengthened friendships that will last a lifetime. With those friendships comes support, love, encouragement, and fun that I, hopefully, will never take for granted.
I also found out I was accepted to go on a missionary internship to Africa this summer with 3 of those friends. It amazes me how awesome God is and how he can work through any situation.
He helped me get through some really tough times by sending me a group of friends and a boyfriend that has been there for me 100%. He has taught me to be forgiving, loving, patient, and so many other lessons and continues to teach me more every day. He has presented me with wonderful opportunities to serve Him and He continues to show me how I can glorify Him in any situation.
So this has been my past year. It has been crazy, but in the end God has been glorified, and in more ways than what I have written.
I am so thankful for God's love and forgiveness and I am doing my best to embody that so that others may see how great He is.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28