I just wanted to add something about the last blog I posted. I email Gail Griffith the next day after the conference. I wanted to share with her the hope and forgiveness I have in Christ. I got an email back from her saying "thank you for your kind words". If you would please pray for her and her family, I would appreciate it. Pray that there will be people in her life that will point her to God and that she will have a heart willing to listen. Thanks.

We have this hope....

I posted this on my facebook last week, and wanted to share it again...especially for those who can't see my facebook.

I went to a conference yesterday with a bunch of staff from Grace in Omaha, NE. The keynote speaker was Gail Griffith. She shared the story of here teenage son's attempted suicide and his battle with depression. It was all very interesting, but very sad. During the Q n A time a gentleman asked what advice she had to parents who go through the same thing and struggle with forgiving themselves. She admitted that she hadn't forgiven herself yet, and she wasn't sure what advice to give. I felt so sad as she said this because I knew that she didn't have the hope that I do. She doesn't know about the forgiveness that God has, and how God can help her heal. It made me very thankful to know that I have that forgiveness and hope. I know that, though it is hard at the time, it will get better and I have a loving Father to hold me and guide me. It made me think about what all has been going on with my dad and our family. If I didn't have hope in Jesus Christ, how much harder it would have been to go through that whole ordeal. Same with when my friend Emily died. If I didn't know that Jesus would be there with me every step of the way, I don't know how I would have survived. I wanted to share my revelation, if you will, and hopefully encourage you. The hope I have in Christ is an everlasting hope that will never fade with time. No matter what I go through, He will always be there for me to guide me, strengthen me, love me, and carry me. If you ever find yourself in a hard situation, or even when things are good remember that you have someone who is always there for you and will never leave you.

I have been in Henderson, Nebraska for exactly two weeks today. Last night I finished my first full shift in the Girl's Cottage. For those that don't know a full shift is working 6 days and then having 3 days off. It went pretty smoothly. Last night we had a few bumps, but nothing too major. I am finding it harder to adjust then I thought. I knew it would take a while for the kids to warm up to me, but it seems to be taking longer with some than others. I just had one of the boys tell me I should see if I can work in the Boy's Cottage for a day. All in all, I am enjoying my time here. We have had rain, wind, frost, sun, and clouds. No snow yet, but I'm sure that will come soon enough. I feel very out of the loop and almost stupid at times because this is such a new environment for me. It will take a lot of time for me to feel comfortable with what I do, but with God's help I know I can do it. It's just hard feel optimistic at times. The staff here are great, and I have enjoyed working with them....so far. :-) I need to go get some lunch, so I will write more sometime this week. Please be praying for patience, energy, and a willing heart to learn for me. I think it is going to be a bit rougher than I imagined. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers!