my heart is happy.... REALLY happy

God is blessing me tremendously the past few days (when doesn't He?). Back to the patient I talked about a couple posts back- the friend I made. Well as I had said, he invited me to church sometime with his family and gave me his phone number to call if I ever wanted to meet them before a service. Well, I called Saturday night because my heart was really longing for a friend, and I got his answering machine. I told him that I'd love to meet he and his family, so if they'd just let me know what service they were going to, I'd meet them there. He left a voicemail while I was working full of enthusiasm that I was joining them. He then called Sunday morning about an hour before the service to make sure I got his voicemail.

I don't know if I'm in love with the church yet- it's hard to tell on just one service. There were things I liked better than West Side, yet there were some things that were lacking for me. I think the main thing was; I was with a family. I think I've gotten beyond that college phase where you're amped to go to services with everyone the same age as you, and those are your closest companions. I think now my heart is really longing for families. For community. For diversity. And I got that at the United Methodist. It was so wonderful to be SO welcomed not only by that patient, but by his wife as well. They were wonderful about introducing me to people and explaining different things to me, that were out of the norm during the service. I think the thing that touched me the most was their genuinity. He told me at least 12 times during the service how happy he was that I came with them. It was so wonderful to hear that; to know that he has a deep concern for my spiritual life and finding me a church home, whether it's with them or not. I really think they should adopt me. Yes, I am 23, but I want to be a part of their family so badly. And I truly feel like they're making me part of that. Thank You, Jesus, for providing that.....

I also arrived safely in Florida this morning at 7:30 am. I cannot tell you how BEAUTIFUL this area is. The sunshine is doing wonders for my soul, my nephew is absolutely amazing (we're best friends now), and the family time is just the biggest blessing......

God has me in the palm of His hand.... and He's reminding me of that day by day.