"How is their story and my story going to come

together so that HIS story can be shared.

I am growing and I am thankful. Jacob has challenged us to pray together as a church for 40 days. I want to be challenged. I decided to use this time to put aside reading habits that are pure escapism. And spend time reading books that will challenge me, change me and help me grow. I am allowed to be real in my offer group. And they challenge me to be better for the right reasons not because I have to. I am growing and I am thankful.

I am starting to hear God's call and I am thankful. It is very faint. It isn't clear by any means. Thoughts are entering my heart and I wonder "Is this it? Is this where I am called to serve?" But then I slow down and just wait. In the past, I would jump on it and be immersed in this new thing God needed me to do. Pretty sure that wasn't God calling. Maybe it was guilt calling.

I know I must wait because I realize the way we have served in the past will most likely look very different now.

• Working with youth might mean working with homeless teens.
• Loving children might mean helping a child draw water from their village well.
• Running the computer in church might mean helping a single mom type up her resume.
• Taking pictures might mean giving foster children caught up in a system their own childhood pictures.

I feel God is preparing me for something great, and I am thankful. God loves me and just wants me to authentic, real, messed up, and deeply in love with Him. I don't have to make it so hard anymore. Just relax and trust Him.

I am thankful."

-Tara Spradley