I have wanted to share these thoughts in my heart but hadn’t been able to come up with the words. I still will likely jumble them up and many of you likely won’t read past this. But here it goes…These last two years I have retreated into a place where I have completely surrendered my life to God. I have knelt at the foot of the cross and have put everything in God’s hands. Why? Because I cannot do this alone. My children cannot do this alone. This weight was not meant for us to carry. God pursued my heart since I was a child. My first memory of calling out to him was when I was maybe 10. I felt I had nobody else to turn to and somehow I knew HE was there and that HE was the source. I did not grow up in a religious home. (His sheep know his voice)I felt this strong tug in my heart and prayed. As a teenager I found myself drawn to the Christian church and as a young Mom I leaned on God for all my fears and needs. He lifted me out of the darkest days and was the ONE and ONLY I could ALWAYS count on. He breathed life when I had nothing left to give and not only helped me out of my misery, he prospered me. As I have reflected his grace upon my life and the peace he provides in the storm, I am overflowing with gratitude. As my children grow into adults I have nothing left to do but hand them to God for protection and guidance and pray they take the gift of knowing Him into their lives. I know he has an amazing plan for them and he will show them grace and guidance like he did me. After all these years as a believer, I got baptized July 2024 and it was a beautiful dedication of my life to Christ. I struggled to find purpose in this life, but he has clearly showed me my purpose as he worked on my heart for the last two years. I have felt his presence so strongly, even in the hardest struggles. I am absolutely excited to walk with Him and bring glory to His name. This year he has put a vision in my heart and I will obediently follow. (Cont. in comments)