The Word of Their Testimony. . .

Those were some wonderful days I have just had!

Yesterday was Sunday and  yes I went to church. I was extremely tired though and couldn't stop yawning all day! Had creche during the morning service it was just Benjamin, Esther, and Joshua, and all three were excellent. Talked about the Good Samaritan. . . only it was Julieville verses Jackietown and how the two cities didn't like each other. Haha definitely an interesting version of the Bible story! But the kids grasped it pretty well :)
Ended up sleeping for most of the afternoon. I was beyond tired. Was a bit difficult to wake up for the night service but I'm so glad I did! Jacs spoke her testimony tying it in to God's love - amazing word! And then 4 teens came up and shared what God's love meant to them. Some gave a straight answer while others opened up a bit about "their story". One of the guys - AJ got up and shared how he wasn’t wanted by his father. "My father was cheating on my mom" AJ told us. "He named all of my brothers. It was what he did - coming up with the name. But when I was born he left that for my mom because he didn't want anything to do with me". AJ suffered from rejection and attempted to end his life on several occasions. He grew up living with his mom, but planned on living with his dad once older. The night before he was to move in with him his dad has a heart attack and dies. The last thing his dad said to him was, “I hate you.” AJ again tried to commit suicide - once again it didn’t work. Since then, however, AJ says; "I now have found God’s love. I've been saved for 3 years and I know that God accepts me". He then walks off the stage, tears glistening in his eyes. And I knew - in that moment, a small weight was being lifted from his shoulders. A verse in Revelation came to mind  "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the the word of their testimony."
I know there is still so much more AJ has to overcome - but last night. . . he took a huge step towards victory.

Today was my off day. Gotta love Dream Centre Mondays :) I slept in a little bit and then went for a run. Didn't last as long as I wanted - but I was just proud to be running on my off time :)

After I went into Belfast to buy Jacs a couple b-day presents (tomorrow is her birthday). I also had to get some things for Junior Youth and some groceries as well. In between all of that I went to get a massage and facial. A gift from Rachel Kirk. (her kindness over these past 6 months has been unbelievable!) It took me a bit to find the place but I finally got there. Best hour of my life! So relaxing - just what the doctor ordered!
Must say though the bus ride home was a bit crazy. It was a single-decker bus and every seat was taken as was most of the aisle space! I put all of my gifts, groceries, my purse, and some bouquets of flowers (for Jacs) on a shelf thing and stood next to them. Keeping my balance while holding onto everything for the next 20 mins turned out to be tricky. . . ha but that was nothing compared to carrying everything up the hill from the bus stop! (Ya I forgot about that as I was shopping!)

Got home in time for dinner. Jacs made us soup :) Allison picked us up at 7.30pm to go and meet a girl named Rachel. (Marie's daughter - Marie is a new member of JCC who has gotten involved with Junior and Senior youth as well as Street Reach) She (Marie) had asked us over to meet her daughter. I loved her! She is friendly, loves sports (even American ones!), loves America and animals and pranking people. . . we had PLENTY to talk about! Hoping she will come out to youth on Thursday so we can visit a bit more :)

Well I feel like I've over written tonight. SO SORRY!
-J