My Walk

As an assignment for our Awakening class, Chad asked us to write "our story" of what God has done and is doing in our lives. So, here it goes:
Hi! I'm Liliana, a.k.a Lili. In the last year, my relationship with God has gotten stronger and stronger. During this time, I lost friends due to the changes God had been leading me to make in my life. In April, I was heart-broken, dumped and felt alone. On Easter Sunday I heard the Bible verse that forever changed me: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18) The next day, I got on my knees and surrendered everything I had to Christ.
Mid-late April I get an email from "Chad Herold" about this thing called "Underground" (I had been to church, but never been involved in any "extra-curricular activities"). I read that this so-called "Michael Head" was going to be starting a series called "Life Interrupted: Real Answers to Real Problems". Wow! So, I have problems (check ✓), I need answers (check ✓), it's at my church (check ✓), and I got nothing better to do besides cry (check ✓). I'm in!
Thursday comes around and I walk in, knowing NO ONE and see that dude with the long hair (Chad) and he says hi, introduces me to several very friendly and inviting people. The music, the message, everything synced to be perfectly what I needed. I was hooked! From then on, I built a relationship not only with the people in church (who currently are my best friends), but also with my loving God. I absolutely love my church family!
I am thankful every day for the suffering I needed to go through to get to where I am and will be through my Lord, Jesus Christ. Since then, I have gone to beach retreat, participated in several church-wide events such as Vacation Bible School, missions, outreach, etc. I am currently teaching Bible study for the Awakening class (singles 20s-30s) on Sunday mornings (which I never in my life thought I would be able to do), I lead a Collision group (Bible study) for Taylor High School girls (which I absolutely LOVE), I am part of the leadership team for Underground, and co-lead a women small group Monday nights. How do I do it? "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13)
I had to be alone, to realize that I am not alone. I had to get on my knees and surrender it all, to receive it all. God is great!

"...Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5