Finding Purpose in Problems

Well, I looked back at the previous post I made today and realized it made almost no sense. So I am writing now to try and clear up some potential confusion that may exist there and also to add some stuff.

This weekend, Alyssa and Kami slept over - Saturday night. We went to youth group, Church, and then FrootLoops. Things were going fine up until about the middle of the church service when Pastor Jeff mentioned Mormans. Kami follows the morman faith and I dont even remember what Pastor Jeff said, but I know it wasnt exactly... (how do I say..) encouraging to followers of Joseph Smith. I noticed her mood go significantly down after church. I dont know whether that was because of the comment made in church, the conversation I had with her afterward, the fact that we were real tired, or something entirely different. But I am really thankful about how she handled the situation. I know she sometimes has a problem withholding her anger in events like that and she did really well. She told me she prayed about it, that whoever was "in the wrong", whether it be Pastor Jeff or her, that the Lord would convict them. So that was good. We drove her home after Froot Loops.

But throughout the weekend, I guess Crystal had been talking with Alyssa about her faith in Christ and the change in her life. Alyssa has just expressed how she has grown so happy realizing she needs Christ in her heart and that she needs to dedicate her time to serving Christ, similar to what our youth group is doing over the summer. It was more encouraging than I can explain to see her coming to the Lord and it lifted my spirits. But again, satan couldnt stand to see us joyful so he tried to bring us down. Alyssa's step dad bought this $55 colon a few months ago, left it sitting out by the entrence to their house, and recently started looking for it. Its not there; he thinks one of Alyssa's friends stole it or she gave it to one of her friends. He told her he wouldnt feed them or spend a penny on that household until he got his colon back. Well, she didnt have it so there wasnt much she could do. That all kind of happened Saturday. Sunday, after church and FrootLoops, she called her stepdad just to say she loved him - she was in such an incredible mood - like i said. He basically said he didnt care, and he wanted his colon. She felt so rotten, started tearing up on the spot. Next thing we did is we went to her house, packed up a huge suitcase of her stuff and she moved in with us; because he basically told her to leave. He told her he wouldnt be happy if she stayed, so that was her cue out. Anyway, she is living with us now.

I talked to Dad later in the day and he is not doing all that great. He has a real bad cough and it could be phemonia. He allowed me and Crystal to stay home tomorrow though, thank God. I have to catch up on my purpose driven life study that I only started a few days ago but still managed to get a day behind in. Also Crystal is going job hunting, along with Alyssa, and I am going to get some applications.

Well, Saturday was Brians last night at Roots. It was really sad, and it really began to sink in when I was writing my goodbye. I realized I barely got to know him in the few years I had him as a leader. And I started to think about the influence he had on my walk with Christ and realized it is a pretty significant impact. So Im going to miss having him around: his desire to be a servant, his sense of humor, his endless creativity, his understanding, his knownledge. Its always going to be a gap in Roots for the original members, but Steve is great and I know we are so blessed to have him, and possibly River, on our team.

I have been thinking a lot about my spiritual gifts lately. Like, what are they? I dont even know what different spiritual gifts there are so I was having a hard time trying to figure out what mine is. Im going to join a "Wider" study at my church, along with Crystal and Alyssa, which I think will really help me figure things out a bit more. Also the "Purpose Driven Life" study should help me gain a grasp on things. Julia mentioned what one of her spirtual gifts may be, and it kinda rung a bell in my head. I know Ive always known that I have an odd grasp at consciously knowing right from wrong. When I looked into Wicca, I knew it was wrong and that very inkling is what kept me from it. The very concept that if being not of God was being of satan was enough for me to turn to Christ. It was always this constant knowing of right from wrong, and Ive tried to help others I know get that same understanding and conciousness of right and wrong but it doesnt seem to exist as strongly for them. So maybe that has something to do with my spiritual gift, but I honestly have no idea if thats even possible. Hah, I just cant wait to find out what it is so I'll have a purpose driven life.