Thankfulness

I haven't blogged in over two years, my life has been full, filled with joy and sorrow. Good days and a few bad in between. I believe I was in a season of blogging, but for my own personal eyes to see. It's what I like to call journaling. I filled over 2 journals in the past two years, and most of my pages haven been filled with pages of healing and promises from the Lord that I was longing to see fulfilled. I will fill you all in warp speed about what has happened in the past 27 months!

November 2011, I  moved to Waterville to become an active member in a church now known as Kingdom Life Church. I got my first apartment in December and a few jobs to boot. I rang in the new year with some amazing new friends, and I became convinced that ringing in the New Year praising the Lord was the way too do it.

January 2012 I was in full swing of two new jobs, I was actively taking part at my church, and  I was knee deep in the Leadership Development Program that took place here at "Crave". The end of February my best friend moved up and moved into my sweet, cozy apartment. March came and I thought I found love, I later was pleasantly surprised that he was not the man for me. Spring came, I got freedom in a lot of areas of my life, I would say the day in May is my "Third Birthday". You see we all have the day which we celebrate the day when we entered this world, then when we are "born again" we have what I call my "Second Birthday" or what other like to call it "New beginning's Day" and then I have my third "Birthday" the day which the Lord came in and spoke right to my heart how much he loves me, cares for me, and so graciously took out all the yuck from my heart and gave me a new one, delivered me from all my fears, and whispered dreams back into my heart again. He gave me life!! Summer came and went, it was one full of roof-top tanning sessions, trips to the lake since I no longer live near the coast, and lot's of Ice Cream!!

The end of summer began quickly approaching and the Lord reminded me of my dream to go to the Nations and tell everyone of his wondrous love....September 13th 2012, I boarded the plane to head to Israel and later on Turkey. I was excited but so nervous at the same time! My journey was life changing to say the least and that is for a whole other blog :) Here are a few pictures of my journey there!

                                       
                                                       Sarah and I at the Sea of Galilee

Part of our team at the Wailing Wall....This is the Wall the Jews pray at.

Our day off before flying to Turkey we went too Tel Aviv, and swam in the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea in Turkey!

 I conquered Masada!! One of the hardest hikes I have ever accomplished and because it was sooo hot and we were in the middle of the desert, our water quickly became very warm so it was grueling!

Returning home from my 2 week trip  October was right around the corner. I celebrated my 22nd birthday, my good friends wedding, and Beth and I got a new roommate! I interviewed for my dream job as a High School Cheering Coach, and landed the gig! Fall was over in the blink of an eye and into Winter I ran. November and December were full of firsts for me. I started my job as a cheering coach, I coached my first High School Varsity practice, made it through my first Home basketball game, created my very own competition routine with the help of a few precious gems in the cheer world, and got pulled over for the first time since having my license! ( Not so fun part! But I didn't get a ticket, probably because I was in full blown hysteria)

I rang in 2013 quite differently then I had 2012 and after that I was determined to see changes in my life and the people around me. Well as it goes, that is usually never the case with me haha I finished my First Season as a cheering coach, I ultimately became jobless and trusted that the Lord would provide for my needs. He did! I was hired at Home Depot and then during the summer took a job as a nanny a few days a week. The end of the summer came and I was asked to take over as the director of the Youth Cheering Program. I happily agreed and coached 7th and 8th graders, 11 amazing Middle Schoolers to be exact. As we neared another October, I headed off to Canada for the first time ever....get that! I am a born and raised Mainer and had NEVER been to Canada! I celebrated my birthday with some amazing people and then a day later celebrated the marriage of two great friends!!

 I was in my first bicycle accident, and I got to take my second trip in an ambulance. Case still waiting to be solved!

Due to my accident, I had to leave my job at Home Depot but the lord came through and provided me with a job within the same week. I get to teach two amazing children about the Lord daily and it is seriously one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever obtained. Towards the end of last year I attended the Love Project in Salem, Massachusets  and once again was blown away and rocked by the fiery love and passion that God has for His children! November came and I decided I would write something for every day in the month of November about what I was just simply thankful for. I will share those in another blog as well! December was a whirlwind of events as well, (kind of a pattern, aye?) I conducted my first kids play at church, started and very quickly ended my cheering season as a coach, attended a Fancy Banquet, got iced in at a friends house for two days and had a much needed "Vacation", Went to the movies for the first time in over two years, and many more things!! 

2013 has gone and we are now in a year of New Beginnings! I have my goals set and am determined to accomplish them with the help of my friends and family. This year has already started out great and I am soo excited for what the Lord is doing! Stay tuned for some exciting news about what I will be doing this summer!

Much Love,

Alyssa