I have to give an inspirational speech tomorrow in my speech class... I have put it off for way too long and figured I do my best writings on this blog- so hang in there while I try to figure out something inspirational to share...

Many if not all of my classmates know about my story... or at least parts of it. I hate getting up there and sharing my sob story but it is who I am and it's why I am who I am today. I want to mainly share about the hope in Christ that I have now.. and even share about the times that I thought God quit on me.

I will start off by saying that I would do anything in the world to bring back my parents so that I could tell them I love them just one more time... but I will also say- looking back at the last 21 months of my journey, I can confidently say that I am blessed. I struggle still to comprehend why this all happened to me but I am thankful for the life that God has given me. 

At first.. *sigh* I cannot even begin to describe how it felt to have my entire world taken from me. I shake at the memories of when I pulled up and saw all the police cars .... and was surrounded with state troopers in my sisters house as she told us the news....

that day I lost more than just my mom and dad- I lost the security of a home, the love of a true family, and my hope in God.

I know this is all hard to hear- trust me, it's even harder to say.

But I want you to all know- that the girl who sat on that kitchen floor as she talked to the officers on August 3, 2009- is not the same lady who stands before you here on May 2, 2011-

She was forced to skip the rest of her "childhood' and was immediately thrown into a very adult and very difficult life.

I have been "on my own" for almost 2 years and even though at first I made some very stupid decisions and turned to all the wrong things- I am happy to say that I found God again even though He had been  there the entire time.

Everyone told me that- "God doesn't take such huge parts of your life away without giving you something in return- your testimony is huge and God is going to use you in big ways!"

I never really believed them until about 7 months ago when God started pouring blessings over me!

God gave me my childhood home back and my future husband! I am so blessed and so happy!

I never in a million years thought that he was going to answer my prayers- but He did and He answered in a BIG way!

I just want to inspire those of you who are going through tough times, and even those of you who are not- to keep holding on and to never let go! God is there and He has major plans for your life!

My life verse is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE AND A FUTURE!!

It's a promise that He is never going to break! If you just call on Him HE WILL ANSWER!- it may take a lot longer then you were hoping for-it may not even be the answer you want- but I promise...

He will give you the desires of your heart!