September 30, 2004
Paula Love

I was sitting on my porch last night, and I always take my portable CD player out with me. My praise CD just happened to be in there so I was listening to it when I got to thinking about CCYM. I thought about how much I love it, and how I'm not afraid to be a christian anymore. CCYM is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I've met so many amazing people throughout the 3 years I've been a part of it. Most importantly, I've become so much closer to God. When I wake up in the morning, I have a reason to smile. Because I know, that no matter what, I have at least 30 friends across the state that share God's love with me and I know that like God, they love me unconditionally. I know that they will be there through anything I happen upon in these hard times of growing up. They lead me to see that everyone goes through things like this and it's ok to be scared. We're all trying to figure out who we are or where we are going. And as hard as that may seem now, in the end God will lead us down the path he has set for us. Now, I'm not saying the road isn't going to be bumpy but God will be there throughout our journey. When I'm trying to get through hard times I always think about what a good friend, and fellow CCYMer used to say..."If God brings you to it, he'll bring you through it" and I can hold my head up high because I know that he loves me. Now that I am writing about all of this, I have a thousand other thoughts running through my head. I guess it's just because I can't even begin to list all the amazing things I feel about CCYM. I feel that a lot of this goes along with the theme to the upcoming winter rally at Casawasco (which you all better be going to!) and the verse it is based upon. Psalm 25:4-5. For those of you who don't feel like running and looking it up in your Bible this very moment...it reads

"Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

I believe that in this search for an identity of our own, God's love will prevail and guide us through any obstacles we may come to face.

+Peace be with you+
Paula Love