My last post was about how God has a plan for everything; specifically the bad. This go around I would like to tell you about all the GOOD he has put in my life! My heart just smiles about this subject; my MVPs. The most valuable people God has put in my life!
I am a very strong believer in keeping good company. Having the people closest to you, the ones you tell everything to, and go to for advice as strong Christians. People who are constantly going to encourage you in your walk with God. As Mark Cox has said MANY times, "Show me your friends, and I can show you your future." Proverbs 12:26 "One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." Proverbs 13:20 "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." 1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'" Proverbs 11:14 "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Bottom line, it is very important to have good friends!
I know for a fact God has placed some truly wonderful people in my life! First off, he placed me in a wonderful family filled with so much love! A family that is always trying to do things for one another. Secondly he has given me some great friends! For instance, Kylee Gattin. We've been friends since the 4th grade (if they can make it through the awkward middle school years, you better keep them!!) Or my gorgeous best friend, Madeline Coltharp, who is a true beauty at heart! But most of all I would l o v e to tell you about my church family!
When I say family, I mean it! I would do absolutely anything for that exceptional group of people! Ten10 is definitely where I've gotten the majority of my views on life, and on God. Mentioned below are just a handful of people God has blessed me with! If I went through everyone who has impacted me from ISBC, we'd be here for awhile.
- Let's start with the Pilcher family. I know God gave me them, I have been just completely wrapped in love by Mrs. Becky, Emily, and Bethany. I first met Emily in the 7th grade. We both volunteered to help with mailers from church. She has been there for me through so much! The love and teachings of God are constantly spilling out of that beautiful girl! When we first met she mentioned that if I ever decided to come on Sundays her mom would be my Small Group leader! In 8th grade a youth worker (she's coming up soon, promise!) suggested that I come with her to church on Sunday! Of course I took the opportunity and went! That's when I met Mrs. Becky! One of the sweetest people you'll ever meet! I first met Bethany, Emily's little sister, at Beach Camp in 2009! Once again God gave me another amazing, sweet, beautiful Pilcher girl to constantly encourage me!
- Next up, Mark and Christi Cox. Indian Springs got a bus load of awesomeness when this couple rolled into town! I can only explain Mark Cox as like the best, pesky older brother possible. Pesky as in, he's a little turd sometimes. He likes to pick on us even though we have never done anything to provoke him. (That statement is the quintessence of sarcasm!) But he is, hands down, the best! You couldn't ask for a better guy to lead you through scripture and the lessons and plans God has for you! He is one of the best examples I've seen of someone living their life for Christ! And then there is his amazing wife, Christi. Like a mother to us all! Always there for us! Hilarious, full of love, and beautiful! They are the ones that definitely have taught me the most about relationships. Want your relationships to work out? Keep God first and foremost! Actually, if you always keep God that way, yes you'll have to go through some battles, but in the end God wins! Indian Springs could not have picked a better couple to look out for their youth group!
- A more recent, awesome person God has added to my life is Katie Clifton. You can tell just from spending a few minutes with her that God has touched her heart! And through that she is reaching so many others! Her constant passion, love, and fire for God is almost shocking at first! I was astounded before even really getting to know her and now I'm just awe-struck! God shows me so much with every conversation! A few weeks ago I was feeling completely torn down, broken, lost. I decided to text Katie about whatever was going on and while we were talking she told me to read Psalm 31:22-24 "In my alarm I said,“I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord" For the past couple of years have been rough and I had been yelling "I am cut off from your sight!" But God was always there, he was always listening, just waiting for me to come back to him! I can't tell you how many times I've read that verse in the past month or so! God is working through Katie and my relationship! I'm just so excited to see what else he's going to do!
- And now, finally, the woman I could just tell the world about every single day and never run out of good things to say, the mom I got to choose, Shaleen Phillips. I will never be able to fully express how much I love, admire, and truly appreciate Mrs. Shaleen! She's the woman who finally got me to shut up and really listen in church. Which led to me being saved and baptized in 7th grade. She is the person who got me going to Small Groups. She is the reason I stayed in school the day my grandpa died, because the only person I wanted to see and hug in the whole world was her. God has used her to completely transform me. Shaleen Phillips: a strong, beautiful, unbelievably amazing woman who is always doing for others. You want to meet someone who shows how to be like the hands and feet of Jesus? Yeah, that's her! God has continually blessed me through knowing Mrs. Shaleen! ♥
1 Corinthians 13:13
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
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