The last 2 years I have called Bethany Baptist and Crosswalk my family. They have been a huge blessing in my life, and wouldn't change anything...OK, almost anything :-
) But now I am saying my "good byes" and moving on to a new church and a new youth group. Why, you may ask? At the other church I have been offered a position that I can't say no to. This position is going to open a HUGE ministry door for me and GOD WANTS ME TO TAKE IT!! When this offer was first talk about, I thought nothing of it...I didn't want to leave everything I knew to start fresh! But after many hours of prayer and talking to many wise people, I knew that this is where God was leading me. Some times I wish that the change hadn't happen, and other times I am jumping out of my skin with excitment!! As last Sunday approached I didn't want to do it...I didn't want to tell them that I was leaving...I didn't want to face them...I didn't want to cry any more tears...I didn't want things to change! As I stood the in front of them I got teary eyed, but I told myself that I couldn't cry until after I was finished. As I finished Pj came up and started talking and then prayed over me. To be honest I don't really remember what he said...I was too busy trying to calm myself down. The tears started flowing when he got up to talk and didn't stop for awhile. My 7th grade girls, gave me a hug and I started crying all over again...it was a very long day!
) But now I am saying my "good byes" and moving on to a new church and a new youth group. Why, you may ask? At the other church I have been offered a position that I can't say no to. This position is going to open a HUGE ministry door for me and GOD WANTS ME TO TAKE IT!! When this offer was first talk about, I thought nothing of it...I didn't want to leave everything I knew to start fresh! But after many hours of prayer and talking to many wise people, I knew that this is where God was leading me. Some times I wish that the change hadn't happen, and other times I am jumping out of my skin with excitment!! As last Sunday approached I didn't want to do it...I didn't want to tell them that I was leaving...I didn't want to face them...I didn't want to cry any more tears...I didn't want things to change! As I stood the in front of them I got teary eyed, but I told myself that I couldn't cry until after I was finished. As I finished Pj came up and started talking and then prayed over me. To be honest I don't really remember what he said...I was too busy trying to calm myself down. The tears started flowing when he got up to talk and didn't stop for awhile. My 7th grade girls, gave me a hug and I started crying all over again...it was a very long day! One of my youth said, "this sucks (i can't really remember how many times he said that), but they are getting an amazing person!' I was having the same feelings at first..."this sucks...I don't really want to do this God...please, let there be another way!" But God said, "I need you to do this Maria...I need to step out in faith and trust me that I have everything under control. Do you understand me, Maria?" "Lord, I do understand you. I am stepping out into the unknown, knowing that You know that everything is going to be great!"
As I step out into the unknown, I know that things will be fine with God on my side. I also know that I have a whole lot of people of praying for me, and backing me up! I know that the relationships that I have made at Crosswalk will not end just because I am not there. I know that there will be many more late nights, inside jokes, trips to the coast, trips to Silver Falls, La Perla runs, movie nights, pranks, etc.I thank you guys for being amazing to me over the last two years and really happy that I have another 2 years in Salem :-) Love you guys!
