For the past year it’s been pretty smooth sailing for David and I… Blue skies, bright futures and everything to look forward to:) God has blessed me immensely with a great husband who loves me, a beautiful home, my dream job, the perfect internship with MANNA Worldwide and the opportunity to work in Kenya with Chris and Lisa Moore.

I’m somewhat of a pessimist though (I don’t mean to be, but someone has to be realistic right???). I know that everything can’t be perfect forever, but over all I’ve been enjoying life this year. So when things started getting a little rough, I told God “I know you give and take away but I will still choose to bless your name.” I kept a good attitude for a while, but as more and more things started to go wrong I became disappointed and let my joy fade.

I’ve seen several of my friends really struggling. I know that things can be hard to deal with and it’s easy to  ask God why he is letting this happen, but I know He is with us and feels our pain. He is always faithful and will never leave us. I want my faith to grow and to always depend on God in every circumstance. Today, I want to be full of joy and say it is well with my soul.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.