This whole week I have just spent lots of quiet moments pondering and just feeling grateful. my life is not perfect by any means but i love what the Lord is continually doing in me and what He is continually calling me towards.

Being in Puerto Rico always makes me just really get to thinking about the last year. Right after me and my ex (the one who must not be named, ha) broke up I had to go to Puerto Rico for a trip. Honestly I thought it would be the end of the world (quickly my mom gave me some tough love and told me to put my big girl pants on) but really when I think about. really think about it.  that was a time in my life where the next phase really actually STARTED. The Lord taught me so much that week in what I could live without, what I actually didn't need in my life, how important and special my family and friends are who proved to me once again that they are always there for me and the GREATEST.  It's the people that truly love you the most that will be there for you in the trenches, when you are at your worst and see you as the person that they love no matter where you are at. Everyone's lows in life are different and for different reasons but equally important and life changing for them. I think He allows the people you are closest with to go through so many different things so that you can gain wisdom even if you aren't in their exact shoes. that you can love them through those seasons and they can love you through yours. really when i think about it, i think thats what genuine, true friendship is...loving people when they aren't at their best.

God has just placed so many people in my life for so so many special reasons and I love to see how He continues to use them to encourage me, challenge me, teach me new things, and love me unconditionally. I really don't think a lot of people can say they have THAT in their lives.

Being in Puerto Rico makes me realize that God's plan is always even better than I can imagine at any point in time. That sometimes when you have hit rock bottom, you are at your lowest, you think your world is just ruined...it is really JUST BEGINNING.  And for that I am so, so grateful. Everything that has happened in this past year, I wouldn't change for the world. and for that...i really am just grateful. being here in PR and the Lord just reminding me of that and all the lessons he has taught me and challenged me with this year, i'm just grateful.

It's not always easy but His plan is good and perfect.

"But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge that I may tell of all your works." Psalm 73:28