Hello there!  I told you that I would return.  You knew I couldn't stay away too long!  I cannot believe that we are almost through the month of March.  Isn't that crazy?!  Anyway, there are some exciting things that I need to share with.  But, before I get started, I need to acknowledge how precious this week is.  Today, is Palm Sunday.  It is really hard to wrap my brain around all of this.   I sat in church this morning and saw a painting of Jesus on the screen.  He was sitting by himself and he was up high enough to look out in the city.  What was going through his mind?  What was he thinking?  Well, in the painting he was weeping.  Because he knew what lied ahead for him.  Yet, we all know how this story ends.  He arose!  How powerful are those two words?

Lately, I have been reflecting.  A lot.  I'm reaching the end of a chapter; the end of a book.  I start class again this week on Tuesday.  This is my last class.  After this, I will begin the practicum part of my certificate.  I will be done soon.  Last year, this moment seemed so far away.  Now, it seems so close.  When you reach the end of a chapter it's so hard get through the last few pages of it.  I just want to rush and skip ahead to the last page so that I can finish.  For me, I just want to end this book so that I can start on a new one.  But do you know what happens when you do that...you miss a crucial part of the story!
 
Let me explain it in another way....You know that feeling of running in a race.  You are on the last mile.  Your legs are so heavy and you can barely breathe.  You want to just stop where you are and just end it here.   It seems so right to just end it now because it's too hard to finish.  You make the decision to quit.  And because you quit, you never know what might have been waiting for you at the finish line. 

I wanted to quit.  Many, many times for so many different reasons.  I told myself that this is too hard and I'm just not smart enough to do this.  But, those were just lies that Satan tried to get me to eat and swallow.  That is not God's truth.  Don't let these lies keep you from what God has for you. Otherwise, you will never know what is waiting for you on the other side.  I have come way too far for all of this to be in vain.  Whatever you are going through right now...please don't give up.  Finish your race!  It's ok to rest when you are weary.  Get up child and keep going!  Don't let go of God and don't let go of his hand.  He is right there with you.  C'mon let's finish.

Have a blessed Easter, everyone.