Consider it PURE joy

James 1:2

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

This verse is basically what my life has been very much about in the past 4 months. I have realized that one of the reasons I have come back to YWAM is because I wanted to be in a christian environment, with people that I clicked with and were comfortable with, where I can sorta feed off of their relationship with God, and call it my own. I didn't fully realize that I needed to make my relationship with God my own, and really get into the Word every day and pray for at least 1-2 hours every day and spend time with God every day, without ceasing. To let His love, spirit, thoughts and Word penetrate my life, flow through me, and impact the people I am living with and ministering to. Now, I have strived to do this, and of course I haven't done it every day because I am human and not perfect, but even through my striving and yearning for this, God has taught me soo much. He's taught me to persevere, and to keep seeking Him when I need guidance. To go to those older and wiser than me when I need help making a decision. To rely on my peers and friends to be there when I need to confess sin, and to be completely honest and open to everyone I meet and live with. To let the furious Love of God fill me, and give me Joy whether I am doing well with finances, or way behind in finances; or when I am worried about taxes or not, or when I am dead sick and tired and can't go on, I rely on Him to give me Joy and I pray He fixes me and I rejoice in whatever happens!

I have now realized the deepest meaning and longing for me to come back to Boston and work with YWAM, instead of going to college right away. It's because 1) God is changing New England, He is on the move and has been for many years and I want to be a part of it! 2) I love telling people about Jesus! I love using my talents to bring the gospel to all of the world, and yes, I totally could be doing this in college, and it would be good, but I have been led by God here and I can say that it is not only good, but the BEST way to use energy and talents and life. I have learned so much about living for Jesus by being here in Boston. I absolutely love living here, I am excited about being here, our students are amazing and are becoming unbelievably FEARLESS about telling people about Jesus! We had an outreach yesterday (april 15) and went to 2 parks. Our staff did a drama called Doors (a mime) and we saw 27 people over 2.5 hours come to the Lord for the first time, starting a relationship with Jesus, and with us! This is why I love being here! Because God has called me here to teach me and use me to help change New England. And man, am I excited about it!

So now I just gotta praise Jesus and thank everyone who has helped support me and send me money and pray for me because what keeps me safe, and in health and keeps me living is your prayers! God is listening and he is answering! So, thank you! Keep it up! Pray now for Maria, Gabriella, Devin, Deshawn, Christian, Hosea and whatever other kids, and adults that decided to follow Jesus yesterday! Pray that they fall in complete Love with Him and that He keeps them safe!

So, ya, despite my struggles and my emptiness and my down-right stubbornness, God has changed me. He's grown me. He's filled me with love and I am exploding! And His joy has filled me, and I pray every day it stays with me, no matter what the day will present me with.

God Bless!

Aaron