Some things just need to be shared

So I just sat down to work on a workbook that I'm writing for the ministry (I know, you're probably wondering how I have time to write a book when I can't even keep up with my blog!) ...when I suddenly got writers block - (you're probably also wondering if you should even continue to read this if that is the state that my brain is in right now. No but really, don't go!).

"I say to myself, I will not mention Him, I will not speak of His name. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart." - Jeremiah 20:9 

I've seen and heard a lot since being on the road with Hard as Nails Ministries this past year. I can't hold in what God has done, because like Jeremiah,  it becomes like a fire  burning inside of me. God's work is meant to be shared. So I wanted to share a few grace-filled moments that I encountered while on the road this year as a way of saying thank you to everyone who has helped me out along the way. I hope you find these encouraging!

1.  I had a girl come up to me telling me that her dad committed suicide just 2 weeks prior to this particular event.  By the end of the event she told me "I don't know how I'm going to forgive him for killing himself and leaving my family alone here, but I know its what I have to do."

2.  I ran into a woman in Times Square in NYC who told me that it had been 18 years since being sober after being an alcoholic for 30 years. Her date of sobriety was the same day that my brother was killed by a drunk driver in that same year. We prayed together in the busy street and thanked Jesus for being faithful.

3.  I met a boy who struggled with pornography for 11 years and went to confession at one of the events and cried because of all the women he had taken advantage of.  He is on the path to freedom.

4.  I spoke with a girl after an event for an hour who struggled with depression, loneliness, self harm, anxiety, and an abusive family for her whole life.  No one ever told her that she was amazing until that day. 

5. I met a senior boy who never had a good relationship with his dad growing up.  He had so much pent up anger that he fell apart and cried in my arms. After, he told me that because of my testimony he had the courage to let his emotions out - he hadn't done that for 10 years.

These are just 5 of the thousands of stories I heard this year. You see, there is a lot going on out there in the world - but if we only focus on the pain we will miss the blessings that come from the pain.  Life if filled with so many struggles and hardships but we are meant to share them with others to encourage them and build them up. Please know that all of you are in my prayers as I continue my mission.

Check out these pics from the road and please consider donating to our online campaign, we have just hours left!  After Monday, July 15 please send donations to...

Hard as Nails Ministries 

P.O. Box 1085 

Paramus NJ 07653

"Above all, let your love for one another be intense, 

because love covers a multitude of sins" - 1 Peter 4:8