Hello Blog World!

     Let me just begin by saying that I am so excited to have my blog up and running now. It has taken me about three days now to learn the basics of setting up my page. Don't laugh. I have not been gifted when it comes to technology but, what can I say, I am a work in progress. I decided to start this blog as a place to share my testimony, what God has laid on my heart, marriage tips, recipes, and just about a little of everything.

     Since this is my first post I have decided to share a little bit of my testimony with you. I am a child of the King who has been redeemed by grace. I did nothing to deserve what God has done for me or given me, which is why I decided to title my blog immeasurably more. God has been so faithful to do just that. Everyday I am blown away by what God has done for me, and it is by far, immeasurably more than anything I could have ever asked for or imagined. (I am tearing up right now just thinking about how faithful He has been and continues to be to me.)

     For about three years during high school I was in the deepest, darkest pit that I have ever been in. I was heart broken over a boy, and at the young age of 14 I took my first sip of alcohol. Drinking was a momentary escape for me and I drank very heavily for almost three years. During those years I made decisions that I will forever regret, but thankfully, because of God's amazing grace I no longer feel the guilt or pain of those decisions. That is one of the things I love most about God; He is able to make beauty from ashes and he can redeem absolutely ANYTHING.

     I continued to drink all the way up until half of my senior year before God reached down and rescued me from the pit. It was a cold January night and I wanted to go out with my friends.( I was planning on getting drunk that night as well.) My parents said no because it was supposed to snow that night and they didn't want me to be out. Out of anger I went to my room and began to cry. I felt so heartbroken and so empty inside and I just wanted to escape. Out of the middle of nowhere I had this thought (which I now know came from God) that told me to go put in a Third Day CD that my brother had just bought me for Christmas.

     I put the CD in and began to read through some pages in the booklet. I came across a verse in Psalms which I found to be very comforting, so I decided to open up my Bible and read through some of the Psalms. I then came across Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." I very vividly remember thinking to myself, "I am so tired of feeling brokenhearted and empty and I want to be healed." I stayed up half the night reading, and asked God to forgive me of my sins and come into my life. It was my AHA moment so to speak. I am always so amazed to know that on the same night I wanted to go out and drink, God choose to save me. I wasn't even looking for Him but He found me.

     On Feb. 13, 2005 I was baptized and my life has never been the same. I met my husband Jeff about a month later and we have been married for a little over 4 years now. He is such an amazing Godly man and I am honored to be on this journey with him. He is my spiritual leader, best friend, and partner. I love and respect him more than words can express.God has given me so much and I am forever grateful to Him.

     I know this was a very long post and I apologize for that. I promise they won't always be this long, I just wanted to share with you what God has done in my life. My hopes for this blog is that you will be encouraged, inspired, and challenged in your relationship with Christ. My greatest desire is for everyone to be transformed by Christ and live in the fullness of His grace and love. Know that He loves you so much today, and always dear friends!

     This is a beautiful song about how God is able to make everything beautiful and new. We had the privilege of having Rebecca St. James lead worship at our church today, and I fell in love with this song. I hope you enjoy it too!