God Moves, Yeah.

So today has been great so far (granted it's only 3 PM, but I don't see much happening to change the fact that it's been a great day). I got up this morning and got ready for church, had to leave way early because my grandparents' service at the Presbyterian church starts at 10:45. So we got there around 10:30, and I walked towards the Methodist church and called my friend Daniel to waste some time. I admit, I was super nervous. Going someplace by yourself when you're used to always being with people, is scary- even church. But I walked in and recognized the pastor, Woods, who I spoke to on the phone from the picture on their website. I was really excited because he remembered my name and our conversation, and introduced me to one of the other pastors and his wife. They were all three very nice and glad to have me. I sat by myself at the end of the row, and when the pastor encouraged us to get up and greet someone, I did. This lady named Krista talked to me for a few minutes. She had a son and she was so sweet. Talking to her helped to calm my nerves and get settled in for the service.

Best thing about Prattville First Methodist Church: the praise band. This band was phenomenal. There was a guitar player, who also sang, a bass player who didn't sing a word, a drummer, two female vocalists, and the younger pastor played keyboard. They all sang so well and the song choices were great. I let myself open up and sing and just be immersed in the music. Second best thing about this church: the speakers. They are all amazing! The three pastors rotate preaching each week. This week, it was Rob who preached. I was stoked because the message was about hope, and finding it when you are feeling completely hopeless. The message, I swear... I was meant to find this church today. It was absolutely everything that I needed to hear. And something that I feel the need to share with a friend who is going through a really hard time. I have been starting to get very discouraged here in Alabama, with finding a good job and making friends. I've been super homesick for my friends and their presence. I have been struggling every day with getting over my past relationship and moving on from it. I've gotten stuck in this hum drum of going through the same basic motions every day. Granted, things could be MUCH worse. And I am thankful for the opportunity to be down here. But the message that Rob spoke today really touched me. He talked about how when you're absolutely completely helpless, that is the best spot to be in. Because it is then that we go to the Lord, that we actually pray. Prayer is never our first solution, or our tenth one. It's always the last resort. So when we become completely desperate, that is when we turn to God. I felt Rob's message. I needed to hear it.

I know God was speaking to me all through that service. His final words came to me at the end of the service, when we sang the final praise song. The song was "Give Me Faith," by Elevation Worship. Just any old worship song, right? Well, not for me. Back when I was a junior in college, I reached a breaking point. I was tired and exhausted and completely broken from life. It is also around that time that I got offered to work as a counselor for SummerShine Resort Ministry over the summer. I went to the orientation weekend completely worn out and tired of existing. But that retreat restored me. I was surrounded by people on fire for God and spreading love and fun and His word. Give Me Faith was one of the songs that the praise band played. I had never heard it before, but I swear that song spoke to me. It is the song that got through to me. And in that moment, when the song played and we were all singing at the top of our lungs, I broke down and let everything go. I gave it all to God and begged Him to use me over that summer to change peoples' lives That song has always been important to me since that moment. And when the band started playing it and those lyrics came up on the screen, I knew. I knew God was telling me that I had found something good. Once again, I have come to Him- worn out and tired. But I know that He will restore me. I gave Him everything this morning, lifting up prayer concerns for myself and for my friend. Asking Him to use me and mold me. It was awesome. Seriously a great moment for me.

After the service, several girls came up to me and talked to me. I met Allison, who is married and has two young children. She came right up to me to introduce herself, which was seriously awesome. Then Pastor Rob's wife, Chrystal, introduced me to Leigh and Brianna. Leigh was one of the vocalists in the praise band, and Brianna is Woods's fiance. They talked to me and were so excited to meet me. And I was obviously stoked to meet people my age... Cool people my age. I also met the guitar player, Josh. They invited me to stay and eat a soup lunch with them, and I did. They were all so nice and cool. I exchanged numbers with Allison and Leigh. Josh and Leigh told me about the hookah bar that they like to go to, and invited me to come the next time they go. I also got invited to the women's bible study that Leigh hosts at her house every Thursday, so I'm really excited about that. Basically these people seem like exactly the kind of friends I am looking for. Cool, hipster Christians with lives and positive outlooks, that have a good time but are good people. Leigh texted me within an hour of me leaving, telling me how excited she was that I was here. THIS IS A BLESSING, PEOPLE. It's so nice to actually have talked to people who know what it's like to be a 22 year old kid/adult/thing.

Needless to say, I am feeling great right now. I'm super excited to possibly hang out with someone this week, start my job (hopefully), and get to know these people. I'm proud of myself for going in there by myself and not being super shy. I'm confident that this was a big step in the right direction, and that God has an amazing plan for me. So excited to see what that plan is!!!!!