God is Real.

I love pranks. Even when they’re done to me, I can’t help but laugh. Let’s see, this past Friday our co-worker was out on vacation so we interns decided to leave him a little surprise for when he gets back to the office tomorrow. AKA: His entire office is covered in post-it notes- most of them which have lots of great little messages.

Oh, and can’t forget the day where another intern filled up a trashcan full of water and leaned it against my door so that when I opened the door it fell over and covered my carpet with water.

All this to say, I love the people I am working with. I love that we can have fun with each other and I am so thankful for the amazing working environment I am a part of. I truly feel like I am doing work that is useful. My supervisor is wonderful and I feel extremely encouraged by his support in my work and the valuable tasks I am given each day.

If nothing else, I have learned much about thankfulness this week. Being here in Cary, I am very content and happy and I have really tried to take on a grateful attitude and not take this experience for granted. I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to be able to experience a work environment such as this with people like these. It is not something everyone gets and I feel so blessed to be able to experience it. I am thankful for the encouragement I am given. I am thankful for all the laughter. I am thankful for all the deep conversations that have come so naturally among the interns. I am thankful for the stories that have been shared. I am thankful for good food and fellowship. I am thankful for hard work and for having a purpose here at TWR. I am thankful for spiritual moments and I am thankful for new perspectives.

Seriously, what an amazing organization this is. Every single worker portrays an amazing servant leadership- including the president! He takes the time to serve the interns and learn their names and that is just mind blowing to me. I am actually working on a devotional that the president (Lauren Libby) wrote and my job is to find relatable verses and listener letters. As hard as it is, I love reading these letters and being so encouraged by the hope they were given through the radio programs. It’s so nice to work for an organization that you truly believe in!

All in all, I have been so inspired by the people I have come in contact with. I have been able to see my grandparents, I have been able to meet new people through church and Bible study, I have been able to try new things and get to know people better.

People are seriously just so wonderful. I love getting to know their sense of humors and how they love to be loved. I have loved having conversations that last for hours where we can have fun but also challenge each other and open up to each other and share moments that have happened in our lives to help one another. I have gained so much respect for the people I work with, the other interns included. Seriously, God has worked wonders and these people are evidence that God is real. I absolutely loved just sitting around the fire, laughing and sharing personal stories with each other. I feel like God is using us not only to make an impact at the organization but in each other’s lives as well.

I have never doubted the realness of God. Obviously I’ve had doubts about other things, but the fact that God is real, I have always been sure. And it is moments like these that have affirmed this for me. To hear about the transformation that has happened in these people’s lives and to see the passion they have for the Lord… to hear about miracles and to see pure hope, joy and peace… that just doesn’t come naturally! What we experience through God is proof that he is real! It is just so amazing. I don’t know how else to explain it. And it just makes me even more excited to be God's child and to have the opportunity to love people! What a wonderful day, Father's Day. A day to celebrate the blessing of your earthly father (shout out to my awesome dad here!) and just recognizing the amazing Heavenly Father we have in God. Gosh, that just fills my spirit up. :)

I don’t want to ramble on too long about this, just in case you’ve actually read this far, but I do just want to end with this. God is amazing. Good will always win. It is through Christ that joy is found and I believe with all my heart that I am in God’s will this summer and am doing something valuable. But I also know with all my heart, that when I leave, I will still be given opportunities every single day to share his love. Today and tomorrow, God’s love will be shown and he has given us the privilege of sharing it. He has given us the opportunity to share in his love with him. To feel his love and to be with him and feel real purpose in life and then someday join him in heaven where we will praise him forevermore. What a beautiful thing to think about!

Anyway, we sang a song in church today that I have never heard before and I just thought it was absolutely beautiful. So here, you go.

Abide With Me

By Henry Lyte

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, abide with me.

Thou on my head, in early youth didst smile;

And, though rebellious, and perverse meanwhile,

Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,

On to the close Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence, every passing hour.

What but Thy grace, can foil tempter’s power?

Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless

Ills have no weight, tears lose their bitterness

Where is thy sting death? Where grave thy victory?

I triumph still, abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross, before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.

Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, Lord, abide with me.