Rebecca...

Becca is one of my dear friends. When I moved, I started going to a bible-study with her. And she befriended me. I am so grateful for her friendship. Over the years she has shown me how to be joyous, humble, and perseverant. She has taught me how to never judge from the appearance, from the first glance at someone or a group. She is a beautiful person clearly on the outside, but on the inside even more. She is constantly growing and learning. An inspiration. I love you, Becca, and I myself cannot believe you are a senior. BUT I do have so much confidence in you as you set out to complete high-school and begin your new part of life. What is most exciting is that everything may change.. your friends, your church, your car, your room-mates,  your meals, living place, majors, classes, ect.. But God will be constant.  And even though I will miss you so much, I just can't wait to see you go. Because you are going places. You are going to change lives. :) So proud of who you have become and who you want to become. I love you so much!

When preparing this blog post I wanted Becca to write too. So I asked her what her favorite bible verse was and what God has done in her life through high-school. And she answered from the heart:

My favorite Bible verse is Galatians 1:10. It says "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." There is a reason why it is my favorite verse; it ties in to my story. During the middle years of high-school, I struggled with wanting the approval of others, instead of the approval of God. I was a selfish mess. During my second year of high-school, I basically lost a couple of really good friendships, for different reasons. I felt alone. I felt angry. I asked God why it had happened. Again, being selfish. I was completely blind to the friends who I did have and to the welcoming arms of the Father. When I finally realized complaining about my life was doing no good, I asked Him to show me what I could learn from these times of loneliness. I can't remember how, why, or when exactly I found this verse, but when I did, something instantly clicked. I understood what God was trying to tell me all along: God. Is. Always. Enough. I needed to stop wasting my time on others' opinions and others' friendships. I changed my way of thinking, and overtime I learned to focus on what really mattered: the approval, friendship, and love of my Savior. People's opinions are completely insignificant. I don’t want to be some brat because someone else thinks it’s cool. I want to be a servant because it will make a difference for Christ. Thanks to the healing of the Father, I have restored broken friendships, made new ones, and grown in some bigger than I ever dreamed. I am who He made me to be, so I might as well use it to the pleasing of Jesus, rather than to some immature kids who just say things based off their own insecurities. I've grown to who I am now, because of what Christ has done and is doing in and through me everyday.

We love you and we are so so so proud of you! 

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

- Isaiah 40:31