Hello All!

Hi,

A lot has changed since I have written last. I became an AUNT to a beautiful baby boy. He was born on August 20th. He is 6 lbs. 6 oz. and 18 inches long. His name is Aidan Nicholas Samuelson. Right now he is living at home with my parents and that is also were I am living so . .  life has changed considerably.

He is a little fussy and right now I’m keeping an eye on him while he sleeps so Amy (my sister can get some sleep). I have never had more respect for a pacifier.

I’ve been meaning to post for a long time cause I really liked something my pastor said on Sunday and wanted to comment about it. He just came back from a 3 month sabbatical and so that was his first Sunday back. So he was talking about the dark times in our faith. I can greatly appreciate his sentiments because their was a time in my walk when I felt like I would be in the darkness forever. Knowing God was with me but not feeling his presence.  I tried a a lot of different things, prayed a ton, but to no avail. Then finally one day, poof it was gone. I was sitting in starbucks doing my devotions in a crowded mall, and the darkness was gone. I just kept praying and journaling and trying to get closer to God and he revealed himself to me. It was amazing.

We need to walk with God in the darkness and not give up hope, but their is a dual side to it. We need to walk with God when its light too. I find it hardest when their is nothing getting in my way, no great obstacle to get close to God, then when the darkness plagues me. Their is always that desire to get closer. (Not that I am saying that working to get close to God will get you saved, but Christianity (healthy  Christianity) takes effort.)

Love,
Em