community in Christ.

Sunday night at my church's "Crash-a-House" at Josh's, I just was overwhelmed with the love I have for my youth family. I love all of them so much and the sense of community I get from being around them is amazing. These guys are all my best friends.

There is this feeling like none other when I am at church or surrounded by people when we are discussing God or simply doing things in His name. It's just this awesome overwhelming feeling of happiness and fullness and I never want to leave when it happens!

I am also blessed with the people I am given the privilege of doing life with. I have such great parents  who do so much for me and love me even when I mess up and take them for granted. They are freaky weird and totally embarrassing but I wouldn't have it any other way (I may eat my words on that one hahahaha).  I have some awesome friends who encourage me in my faith and make me want to be a better person. They make me laugh when I'm down and they're always around when I need them. I have a great family who never fails to put a smile on my face when we are together. Like, Christmas is so awesome at my house! I have an amazing youth pastor, Ashley, who is my role model and shows to me a great example of a leader and a woman after God's own heart. I am blessed without measure with the people God has placed in my life.

My youth family is so awesome, I just had to say it again. These guys have been there for me through it all. They've been a shoulder to cry on, ears to listen, friends to laugh with, and a rock to support me when I need it. I honestly do not know what I am going to do without them next year. College (or wherever God takes me) will be an awesome journey, but what keeps me strong is knowing that my wonderful youth, church, friends, parents, and family will be here for me still whenever I need them.

This sense of community is so so important, guys. We're not called to be alone in our faith. Yes, our faith is to be a personal relationship with the Creator, but God designed our faith to be lived in harmony and community with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. You can't live this life alone. You need God and you need others.  (Of course you need God more, but that goes without saying haha). These people will be there to listen to you, to support you, to pick you up when you fall, and to be your partners in accountability. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another"-Proverbs 27:17

Have a great day blessed with love and the strength of community!
emily