The Relationship Cake

There once was a baking class, an epic baking class, that a Master Baker offered on an ongoing basis.  He would let you in no matter what!  There weren't any prerequisites or prior baking skills necessary, no certain GPA or test score needed.  People just had to enroll.  So sweetly simple. 

In the class at the same time were two particular young bakers.  They were thrilled to be in the class and to team up for an assignment to create a spectacular cake.  They could've chosen anyone in the class but they chose each other.  The young man was loyal, faithful, protective, a giver, a leader, generous, logical, a hard worker, long-suffering, thoughtful, smart, handsome, honest, and chivalrous among many other qualities and gifts.  The young woman was loyal, faithful, positive, a giver, discerning, generous, logical, a hard worker, encouraging, talkative, caring, smart, honest, pretty, and adventurous among many other qualities and gifts. 

The young woman began by asking other bakers and the Master Baker what they thought.  They approved of the young man.  So, she proceeded... with warning the young man that this cake would take awhile and had specific instructions, a specific recipe.  He said he was all in. 

They began!  They talked a bit about how they wanted the end cake to look like and who's other creations they had seen in the class to possibly try to mimic.  They schemed about what to put in the cake to make it delicious.  They picked out a mixer, measuring cups galore, spatulas, pans a plenty, different flours, all the sugars, eggs, baking powder and soda, and expensive vanilla.  Those were the basics; they were ready to start.  Later, they knew they could request other ingredients or search the classroom, since it offered the most exquisite ones imaginable!  

The days flew.  They were filled with fun.  She sifted flours and asked questions, while he measured and easily placed items in a bowl.  She added things, he added things.  He even teased about putting in crazy foods, so she threw flour at him.  A mini food fight ensued.  

The weeks flew.  They were filled with work.  Fondant was rolled out, sugar creations were painfully crafted, and the timeline was reviewed.  In the kitchen, the young man and woman did not always accept the others ideas or ingredients.  Shocker.  They poked at each other's cake layers, which is necessary to see if it's cooked through but can be exhausting.  However, both added stuff without the other knowing!  So, sometimes they took time to talk and see what the other had in mind, and forgiveness was requested and given.  They got the item out of the batter and started over in love.  They knew the other wasn't perfect but they made a good teammate.  Still, they were smart and asked other bakers for advice in order to make a great cake.  

One day, a layer of cake was about to go in the oven to bake.  The guy wanted it to bake 30 minutes but the gal was sure it would take 40 minutes.  They were at an impasse.  

She simply stated that right now it wasn't the right time.  It was hard to say and hard to swallow.  It was confusing and crushing.  

And that's where the story ends.  The young bakers' cake was not finished.  They didn't blame the other but had to wait.  Each needed to re-evaluate with the Master Baker's recipe.  

Relationships are like cake.  They can be great, even spectacular.  They're fun to make at times, while other times you gotta really focus to put in the seemingly perfect measure. 

Bakers aren't perfect but the Master Baker, Jesus Christ, most certainly is. 

In my dating relationship, what I wanted and what my guy wanted were good; we both wanted a wedding cake in the end.  We both stayed true to ourselves and changed  in many, good ways during our journey together.  We learned a lot and did our best for the other. 

We had fun (hiking, helicopter rides, skiing, etc), we said sweet things (I read my Valentine's Day card basically everyday thereafter), we fought, we cried, we made up, we watched shows, we drove miles and miles, we listened, we cleaned up messes, we said I love you, we laughed, we stared at each other, we made funny noises (okay he did!), we played, we camped, we laughed...

I do not regret anything I said or did or the time we shared.  We let each other into our lives and are better for it.  I will take the blame for taking so long, for struggling.  I wanted it to work; I wanted the cake so bad. 

It's not the right time for us and that's okay.  It still hurts ...a lot.  Though, I'd rather break a bone and have it mend  now in the grand scheme of life versus potentially have years of resentment, years of heartache, years of not feeling good enough, years of unwanted questions, years of not appreciating each other, years of feeling like we're not getting wants/needs met.

We both may not fully understand right now why the relationship had to end, but I am confident that one day we will.

I hope we both go to God in our hurt, anger, confusion -- any emotion or thought -- for answers and evaluation.  I hope we both can be exceedingly happy in the future, whatever happens.  I hope, as we go to God and godly friends, we get to know Jesus better and love Him more each day, for each of those relationships to be deeper and richer.  I hope we both know we're in God's hands and loved by Him just the way we are and well beyond any love either could ever give the other. 

Happy Easter

This year, I was away from my family but spend the holiday with friends.  I am grateful.  I ended up keeping myself busy by going to a church service Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.   That doesn't happen often, ha!  Each were great in their own right. 

I liked all the songs we sang on Good Friday.  I liked the question and answer mini session on Saturday that was different but eye-opening to see that people are hurting and going through all sorts of life events.  So, I'm not alone.  

The message that day was about how Jesus overcame the obstacle of death so that we can be overcomers, while also touching on the fact that Peter was specifically called out, which is important because he denied Christ.  Peter had messed up but God still choose to use him.  We, in turn, can have hope.  Then Sunday's sermon was about Christ's resurrection.  All I can say is praise God we, as Christians, serve a living God!

All of this was great and kept me busy, in a good way.  I was able to catch up with friends and see some of them, too.  Yet, I think the big takeaway for me this weekend was seeing the movie "I can only imagine."

First, I highly recommend going to see it.  Second, I didn't know what to expect exactly since I hadn't seen a preview, but the song with the same title came to mind.  It is in fact about that song -- how the man who wrote and sings it came to be that man.  

It's an incredible and powerful true story about forgiveness, redemption, and God's power to change people.  I don't wanna give away too much in case you see it but the man who sings that song is in the band Mercy Me, who overcame the obstacle of anger, hurt, rejection, and more towards his Dad to be able to forgive and love his Dad in the end. 

He was changed by God.  His Dad was changed by God.  I love that!  God can truly do anything!  He can take the lowest person or the most self-righteous person or the most hurting person or the most angry person or the most fake person or the most questioning person or the most doubting person or the seemingly most undeserving person… it doesn't matter!  Christ changes lives and restores relationships.  

We have to listen to truth, to His Word.  And guess what?  The process isn't always awesome.  It will take some work or time to listen to that still, small voice and respond.  It will hurt to dig up past offenses, past hurts, past sins.  But one must in order to work through them with Christ. 

The end result is beyond worth it.  

The man who sings that song reaped the reward of a restored relationship with his Dad, relationship with the woman he loved, and relationship with God.  It's beautiful.  And his story didn't end there. 

We are overcomers in Christ alone. 

I am overcoming a broken heart right now and pray that the man whose heart I broke is also mended through and by God and that we both go to God wholeheartedly.  I know healing will happen with time.  Maybe we'll be like this singer/songwriter and we both change for the better by God and reunite down the road of life or maybe God just uses the relationship we had as a catalyst for Him as we go separately into the future.  I don't know.  I don't know if we both will go to God or what the future holds but I'm choosing to trust God. 

Another life example of spectacular change is when I uncovered that I was actually an angry person.  Surface level, I would have never ever said I was angry but when I went to God, began reading and studying about anger, and peeling back the layers, I could see anger was an issue in my life.  It was rough.  

The truth will always come out.  Some signs of pent up anger are weight gain, intense fatigue, and memory loss.  I had those.  Some causes of anger are broken expectations, blocked goals, and effects of others sin upon your life.  I had those.  A progression is bitterness, resentment, turning into vengeance, then hatred and gratefulness, loss of hope, loss of faith, depression, and finally death.  I had progressed to quite a few of those. 

Recognizing my anger and dealing with it properly was the only way to go; I had to "give your feelings of anger, hurt, and disappointment to God."  I evaluated my anger and forgave the offender through Christ. 

My bucket of anger that I had been slowly putting drops into over the years was full and then I dumped the bucket out completely.  It felt so good!  Now, to prevent anger, I ask for God's help, I spent time in His Word, I pray, I cultivate a spirit of gratitude and humility, I get adequate rest, I try not to do too much in too little time, I look at vulnerable areas and deal with them, I keep short accounts, and I try not to take someone else's responsibility. 

I'm happy to say I have been so much happier, physically felt lighter like a weight was lifted, feel as though I have truly forgiven people and could love them and show love to others better, and I knew I was closer to God for dealing with those sins. 

Overcoming.  Seeing and embracing change.  Being redeemed.  All these things and more because of Christ, His work on the cross and his rising from death that I celebrate today and beyond!

Dietitian Life

Dietitian  

[dahy-i-tish-uhn]  

noun

1. a person who is in expert in nutrition or dietetics. 

I also saw today, since it's National Registered Dietitian Day, the following explanation by Kristi King:

"We are not just label readers.  We are not the food police.  We don't just make meal plans.  What are we?  We are educators.  We are counselors and communicators.  We are the cheerleaders for you to live your best life.  We help kids grow and sometimes we keep you live when critically ill.  We are in hospitals and private practice, food service and industry.  We are instructors and professors."

We, as Registered Dietitians, are the expert!  I love when people recognize this. 

I don't much enjoy when people confuse me with a nutritionist, because, to me, anyone can be a nutritionist be it your mom, your grandma, or your little kid nephew.  Anyone who has a passion for nutrition (which is a good thing, mind you) can be called a nutritionist.  However, not everyone is a Dietitian.  That Registered Dietitian or RD title goes to the one who earned it with schooling, degrees, internships, and passing the national exam (or as some may say, boards). 

Now that that's out of the way, I will say I love being a Dietitian!  I changed my degree sophomore year of college and never looked back.  It is definitely one of the best choices I've made in life.

A patient literally came in this week asking me if I like being a Dietitian and if I would talk about my profession because they were interested in pursuing a career in health.  I gave the over-arching "yes" answer and then dove into specifics.  All of it.  They took notes :)

I provided background into why I even became an RD.  I explained all the things the Dietitian can do and all the places one can work.  The sky is the limit!  I rattled on about my experiences in pretty much every aspect that dietetics has to offer except higher education, though I'm qualified (and I've thought about it, ha!).  I stated the reality of the route to become an RD -- all. that. science. (Bio, O-chem, Anatomy, Physiology), the medical vocabulary, food management, food lab, etc.  I gave job perks like not being too stressed, being able to help people, and loving what I do.  I also said the not so pretty side of things...

[To be honest, I wrote a lot of this next part in November '16 while I was angry.]

Like any profession or really any thing in life, there is greatness that I can't get enough of and there are annoyances that I am totally over.  

I love those all-star patients, who 1) actually listen to what you say and 2) do it.  I love those all-star people who exclaim that diet/nutrition is actually really important.  Typically, they are the living, breathing example of a life turned around by right eating. 

Can't. Get. Enough.

It's these people and these moments that help being a dietitian be that much greater and the bad days become that much less deflating.

I realize I'm in a profession that people have ample opportunity to get their hands on information.  There is no telling how many websites and books there are on nutrition or the next latest and greatest fad diet.  Yet, it just seems so baffling that because one may have a smidge of information that is correct and that they might actually implement that gives them the air of knowing all and thus dismissing truth, help, or a new idea.

It's like saying to the plumber "Oh no, I got this.  I know what's wrong.  I fixed my drain from a hair clog once, so whatever you just said, can't be right."  AND "Even if it is, I can fix it myself with a YouTube video, despite the fact that I've never seen the pipes in my house."  Yeah, you do that. Personally, I would trust the plumber because he's a plumber, and I am not a plumber. 

People say this all the time, whether explicitly or inadvertently.  And that's sometimes just the beginning. 

Me:  Do you (the patient) do anything special in your diet?" 

Patient:  no.  

Me:  Okay, I'm going to talk to you about the cardiac diet, which is a low fat and low salt diet...

Patient:  Oh no, I don't use the saltshaker!

They just tuned out.  And I'm over there like "That's great.  Just at dinner?  Because you're in the hospital, so ya ain't perfect.  Let's dig a little deeper, shall we?"

As a Dietitian, you're the nutrition expert.  You're the one who went to school for a number of years, took all those hard science classes, maybe even has a masters… or two, has done an internship to acquire the hours and experience necessary to take and pass the national exam.  To become registered.  To get the credentials.  To then turn around and tell people who, in fact, need your expertise and help but who dismiss you because they don't use the saltshaker.  I love my job. 

Don't even get me started about doctor's "God complex"!

As a Dietitian, I am personally not the "food police."  One friend had the fortune of knowing myself and another Dietitian and said along the lines of "Does this mean I'm going to have to eat healthy [around you] or that you guys are going to tell me what to eat?"  Haha!  Heck, no.  That is called a client.  

Besides, this Dietitian likes to eat!  I tell people I have cravings, I gave in, I like desserts, food tastes good, etc.  So, I'm just like you in that regard.  However, I have an arsenal of knowledge on how to eat in a healthy way.  Think proper portion sizes, self-control, moderation, balance, actual healthy, nutrient dense food choices.

I give advice to whomever, if they ask.  I may have the occasional telling facial expression or slip up, though sometimes I don't care and I say what I know, but I try and refrain.  It is my profession but I'm going to try to not push anything on someone, and I know that some people don't want advice or to be helped.  You learn to read those people quick. 

Man, if I had a dollar for every time someone told me "I am doing this (fill in fad diet here) diet" or "It's expensive to eat healthy" or "Well, there's just so much conflicting stuff out there about nutrition" then I would be pretty rich!  

First, let's stop spreading those falsehoods!  The majority of Dietitians sing the same song, staked in good research.  It's the media who does not.  Heaven knows you can't have cake for breakfast every day and be "healthy" or lose desired weight.  My grandfather always did want me to concoct a diet in which chocolate shakes were a staple to enable him to be skinny.  Wouldn't that be rich.  Second, you're the know-it-all so you should know already what's true and what you should be doing, and there shouldn't be any confusion, right?  No?!  Maybe you do need that person who's gone to school just to look at all the research and bodily processes who is able to bring it down to your level of understanding.

Praise God for those who do realize this!  Just the other day a guy said he had lost a lot of weight and people started to ask him what he did.  But you know what?  He decided that he should go to school first to become a Dietitian to get the credentials to tell people what to do and to actually know what the heck to do. 

Then there are the lovely people who are recipients of those Dietitian's brains.  One lady told me she is a Celiac and a Dietitian worked with her when she was 95 pounds with no muscle.  She's now 105 pounds, weightlifting, and feels the best she ever has.  She also looks awesome. She is also at least in her 50s and has had several kids.  You can tell the expertise and that woman's hard work have paid off. 

So, hats off to Dietitians everywhere! I'm grateful to know a lot of them :)

And hats off to those who rightfully take advantage of our services and who have made the necessary changes to lead better, stronger lives!

Even after a year and a half, sometimes those same negative thoughts run through my mind, but, in the end, like I told my patient this week, no matter where I've gone, I've always met at least one patient who stands out and whom I will never forget because of the progress they made or because of the conversation we were able to have.  

I've shared my nutrition knowledge with a lot of people as well as my faith in God, which is the ultimate.  

I know I was there at that time with that individual for a reason.  That.  That makes it all worth it.

A Hard, Messy Road

I was angry and tired (more like exhausted), and out of control.  I suppose it was a slow brew, which culminated to an unpleasant peak this week.  I know the reason, the real reason.  Of course, I also know other contributing factors that just added fuel to the fire.

I can blame my anger on miscommunication, frustrations, differences, hurts, misunderstandings, loneliness, rejection, unmet expectations, and more.  They're all valid.  But is that healthy and right?  The answer is no.

The answer as to why I'm angry is me.  I'm the problem.  I allow things to fester and grow and not in a righteous anger kinda way.  For instance, sometimes I just want what I want.  I want to do what I've always done, and occasionally I drag another person along for a so pretty drive.  That's bad.  I'm aware. 

I once felt someone was saying that I talk too much and it's exhausting.  All my questions, all my "let's do this!," all the work was just exhausting.  That's hard to hear.  Because, yep, not gonna lie, I am all about trying to give 100%, trying to figure it all out, and trying to alleviate potential problems or problems that already exists.  It is exhausting.  So, you know what?  I decided to be quiet and, consequently, stir the anger pot until I could cool it (i.e. process everything said and the feelings that went with it).  Man, it was hard.  

It was more of a frustrated and angry quiet, obviously.  It's not in my nature to be that noticeably angry or, rather, I'm not trained well to keep things in or wait for a possible better time to bring things up.  Anytime is a good time to me, ha!  So, learning timing and to "pick my battles" better are life lessons going down.

Honestly, I probably do need to just be quiet more often.  Bring things to God and take time to personally reflect and process.  Yet, for example, when dealing with issues involving a [significant] other, I want them to be more like me.  I think it'd be easier to understand them and whatnot.  It's not going to happen but I want it.  With this desire, though, I'm not acknowledging the other's differences as a good thing and how they could make me better, just that the other person is different and I don't want them to be.  Ha! 

It's funny, I thought of the time all five of us reversed roles one family dinner.  It was pretty revealing.  It's actually probably one of the most memorable family meals because I got to see how I looked and acted to someone else ...and that I was not always the most pleasant, to put it nicely.  

Differences are hard but good.  They can be irritating and glaring in those closest to you, though stretch you to love, to extend grace and mercy, and to even put yourself in the other's shoes.  They can broaden your perspective, thus enhancing it.  They make us who we are and help us be less boring.  

I've let differences bog me down, lately.  I don't know what's wrong with me.  I used to be so confident and sure and in control and not as emotional and I knew myself ...and, and, and.  

And I was beginning to just not care and it was easier.  

Sounds terrible but it's true, because it takes more work to talk fully about your day or ask questions to instigate conversation.  It takes more work to go out of your way to show someone that you do care with kisses, cleaning the house, sweet cards, a smile, or whatever.  It takes more work to stop and truly listen.  It takes more work to not complain and to see a positive.  It takes more work to turn in a good, solid finished product or to do your job to the best of your ability despite no foreseeable reward.  It takes more work to contact a family member or friend far away.  It takes more work to be patient with kids, whether yours or  not.  It takes more work to plan a meal, shop, and cook to be healthier instead of having someone else do all that for you.  It takes more work to trust God in all things and read His Word to renew and guide than to let thoughts fly or go on your own.  It takes more work to be okay with the uncomfortable and, as the case may go, overcome that discomfort when you really don't want to change or really just don't want to be out of your known comfort zone.  It takes more work to talk with those you love and spend time with them or even take the time to take care of yourself with exercise for example, especially if you are not coming being filled up, you feel drained or worn down, or you don't see the point.  It takes more work to own your faults and ask for forgiveness. 

Life is messy and it takes a lot of work.

I want to be more selfish, which is a bad idea.  I want to be more assertive, likely good.  I don't want to be as angry and want to display grace, love, and mercy, obviously good. 

I want a lot of things, good and bad.  But really, I need Jesus. 

Only He can mold me into a better person after trials and suffering, bringing me through to the other side in a positive way.  Only He can provide the ultimate motivation, which is to bring him glory in all that I say and do and to give him ALL the glory.  Only He can give hope to keep going and to extend that hope to others hurting.  

"And when each of us looks back at the turns and folds God has allowed in our lives, I don't think it looks like a series of folded-over mistakes and do-overs that have shaped our lives. Instead, I think we'll conclude in the end that maybe we're all a little like human origami and the more creases we have, the better."  ---Bob Goff

"We won't break...  After Jesus affirms that the greatest treasures are not earthly are temporary, he encourages us to release our anxious thoughts.  The creator and sustainer of the universe loves and provides for his children, so we don't have to waste our precious time worrying.  God knows our needs and will care for us. (Matthew 6:19-32).  He also knows we'll be tempted to succumb to worry.  He tells us to come to him first, trust his presence and provision in the present, and live by faith one day at a time.  When we trust God, we won't break.  We never have to worry, Lord, because You never fail to meet our deepest needs."

"What is staggering about this passage [Exodus 1:1-22] is amidst the trauma, murder, hurt, neglect, and systemic injustice the people of God were experiencing, God was still hearing their cries and remembering His covenant.  He had not forgotten and was not deaf to their cries for help, rescue, relief, or home.  “God heard their groaning; and God remembered his covenant” (Exodus 2:24).  Even as the earthly and wicked leader grew old, frail, and died, God was still on His throne hearing, preparing, remembering, and moving on behalf of His people. 

None of us are immune to pain this side of heaven; Christ assured us we would know sorrow in this world (John 16:33).  We can probably all readily recall some recent and very real struggle in our own lives.  Today, as we operate in our selective hearing of our Father or delayed disobedience to the Holy Spirit or constant forgetfulness of the work of Christ on the cross for us, let’s remember afresh that God never ignores us or forgets us.  Our Father is a perfect parent and His Son is a perfect Son.  He keeps His promises.  He is always active, always attentive, always remembering, and always moving on behalf of His children."

All of this has been coming together and coming to life through my study of God's Word and in the personal struggles I've had.  I recently was given a glimpse as to the "why" I went through some of the hardships.  I was with a patient and able to talk about what I had gone through and was doing to get through and offer advice and hope with God.  I would not of been able to do that if I hadn't gone through that short (praise God!) but angry phrase along with some other life experiences.  I probably would have been sitting in my chair across from the patient with a blank stare and the panicky thought of "Oh man, how much longer is this session?" but that was not the case at all.  I really felt I was able to help.

Despite my sin and unbelief, God still chooses me. To Him be all the glory. 

Love Is

One night I was driving home while talking to my Mom and, being in an uncharacteristically emotional state, I began to cry.  I was talking to her about my boyfriend.  After hearing me talk through sobs, she asked why I am dating him [still].  I told her three reasons immediately as I wiped tears: 1) he's a good guy and likes me, 2) for some reason, he wants to be with me, and 3) I think I love him. 

What is love, though?  In a sense, I didn't know then and don't feel as though I really know even now.  Or maybe it's more along the lines of the fact that your mind's understanding of things of this nature grows and deepens as you experience them truly or just simply again and again and again.

Most saw love when they grew up with parents and take it for granted, at least I did.  I still see how my parents love me every day as an adult; it's these days of experiencing it over and over that's helped me bring it to spotlight status.  Now, some see and experience love in marriage.  Obviously I'm not there yet, though I see glimpses of true love and my attempts to display it while I'm in the dating camp.  I fail; I even told my boyfriend that I don't love him well and I don't show him God's love ...and again that crying thing happened.  I admit that I am definitely seeing how selfish I am, not loving.  I'm out for me, my comfort and my norm.  It does not go over well. 

Thankfully, I see love and experience love deeply with God.  Jesus loves me.  Jesus loves you.  It's so simple, and yet, we miss it.  I'm given the opportunity to stop and think about it in my organized Bible study and it is so deep and freeing and personable and constant and forever and the list goes on!

Possibly we miss God's love because we are busy with our definition or the worlds definition of it or because we're too busy trying to obtain it from people, pets, places, or pizza.  (I just had to keep going with the p's. Ha!)  Seriously, there are a lot of definitions or pictures of love out in society.  

I think of what the world says love is or how it appears -- acceptance, positivity, surface level, sheer, doing it your way, sex, passion, desire.  Not to mention the unattainable world of Hollywood, Disney, and the like.  Not every scene will burst into song, there are not rainbows and butterflies constantly in the sky, there is not always a knight in shining armor, the guy does not really know your next line or move, there's not always a happily ever after, etc.  You may think I'm terribly depressed and I have no romantic bone in my body but that is false.  I'm just not seeing things with rosy painted glasses.  And let's not begin to talk about the promise of finding love with just a swipe or whatever. 

Moving on, the literal definition of love in Webster's dictionary includes the following:

1. A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person

2. A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, friend

3. Sexual passion or desire

4. Affectionate concern for the well-being of others

5. Strong predilection, enthusiasm, or liking of anything

I'll let you take that as it is. 

I heard a new definition tonight as love "looking at the highest good of another."  Oh, goodness.  I do not do this.  I am always comparing people to myself -- "I would not say that," "I would never do that," "Well, I would've done it like this" or I would've said this" -- because, obviously, my way is the best way.  Man, my heart is ugly.  Grateful my family, boyfriend, and friends forgive me and show me love! 

My mind is ugly too, but I filled it once with a good book called "Love Does," in which love is portrayed as an action.  I liked it and thought what the author was saying was true.  I just need that lasting and unquenchable example of love in my life. 

So, what does God have to say about love?  He says:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I'm still all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  **Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, it's not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.** 

This is love. And though I have a long way to go, I know God is changing my heart every step of the way.

I know this because God has given me the greatest example, which was giving his Son to die on the cross for my sins.  For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.