Wow, has it really been 3 months and 6 days since I last posted anything?

There are so many things I could talk about, but I've chosen two focuses for tonight's entry- Jesus and people.

Firstly, and most importantly, I would just like to remind everyone that tomorrow is Good Friday. Good Friday is the day that Jesus was betrayed by Judas and carried the very cross he would be hanged on to the sight of his crucifixion. Easter Sunday, is the day Jesus was resurrected and ascended into heaven. To me, this is such a powerful, emotional holiday. How blessed are we to have been given Jesus- the living God in flesh who DIED so that we might join Him in heaven and live forever? That's certainly nothing I would be willing to do. I'd also like to remind everyone of Passover and the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt. Great movies to check out, especially at this time of year, are The Ten Commandments, The Prince of Egypt, and The Passion of the Christ. If you haven't seen any or all of those, WATCH THEM! They're great, great movies that I watch time and time again.

Secondly, isn't it funny how people change? I was on Facebook, which seems to be more and more uncommon for me these days, and came across the profiles of two people- a cousin and an old friend- who have changed so drastically in the past 5 years. Sure, 5 years is a long time but not so long that I don't remember a time when I talked to these people everyday. They were among my best friends. I have many of these- numerous neighbors and countless classmates- so help me out here, why do people drift apart? I understand that like them I have changed but when I remember all of the things we did together, the days we spent together, I feel a pang in my heart because I miss them. And the truth is, it hurts. Maybe some day I'll have a better understanding of this but I definitely don't at this point in time. I am so blessed to have a great circle of friends, I just wish my old friends would join me. It's so hard to watch people throw their lives away, it really, really breaks my heart. I'm certainly not always right but I have my beliefs and nothing can change that. The reality of life is that not everybody has the same values and it's extremely difficult to maintain a strong relationship with someone who has different values than you. I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm happy where I am and grateful for my friends and while I haven't stopped talking to said people, I miss the level of friendship we used to share.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to PRAISE THE LORD for his work in Demi Lovato's life. I hope, and pray, that she and anyone else in a situation similar to her's realizes that there are people, and an awesome God, who love them dearly. As soon as I found out that she was again struggling with eating disorders and depression I just wanted to go to her and be a vessel of God's light, warmth, and love so that she might know how infinitely His love for her stretches. And I totally love her and Seventeen magazine's new campaign, "Love is louder than the pressure to be perfect".

Grace and love,
Gina

PS- my two new(ish) "mantras" are "LOVE is the movement" and "A thankful heart is a happy heart". And check out one of my fave worship songs (below)! :)