SEARCHing for Faith and God

Last weekend I had the privilege of making SEARCH, and let me just tell you that it was AMAZING! Making SEARCH is definitely one of the best decisions that I have made for myself so far. I was a bit hesitate about going just because it was completely out of my little comfort zone, but I decided to put all of my fears aside and listen to God. I kept having this little ounce of feeling that I should make SEARCH. Every time that little feeling was taken over by fear I would have somebody email or text me: "Hey Gracie! You NEED to make SEARCH!" After about a billion battles that went on in my mind of fear vs. SEARCH, I decided to make SEARCH! I feel that it was part of God's plan for me to make SEARCH. My faith has never been so strengthened and supported. 

Other than being class chaplain and writing this blog, I have never felt so comfortable to talk about and share my faith with others in public. Not only was I comfortable opening up about how I strive in my faith, but I was also so comfortable opening up about the struggles that I have had in my faith. We were asked at the very end of the weekend to share how we would describe SEARCH to others. I said I would tell everyone that SEARCH is simply "a huge support system" because everyone in that entire room (and all who have made SEARCH before) want you to grow in your faith. They all want to hear your heart, offer advice, and listen to you because they all love you. SEARCH is a place where you feel loved and supported. The whole weekend you are surrounded by people who are searching and hoping for a better and deeper relationship with God. The whole group is bound by one common factor: we all want to grow in our faith and relationship with God. 

My main point in sharing a little insight on my SEARCH experience with you is so that I can show you how important it is that you let your faith be incredibly bigger than your fear. I think that so often we are so wound up in our fears and doubts that we just give up on our faith--I know I have. I have definitely let my fear take over my faith, which leaves me feeling empty. If I would have let my fear take over my faith when I was making the decision to make SEARCH then I would have missed out on such an incredible experience. I would not have been able to meet some of the wonderful and faithful people that I did nor would I have been able to grow in my faith and relationship with God. So my point is: DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT, let you fear or doubts over come you! Instead, keep your faith in God that he is leading you in the right direction. Which is exactly what I did when I made my decision to make SEARCH, and look where God led me! He led me to an environment and a new little SEARCH family where my faith was completely strengthened and supported! 

I do not want to go too in depth about the actual SEARCH weekend and what we did because I want you to go and have your own experience! I will just end with I highly recommend that you go! Even if you are not very strong in your faith or if you just have the tiniest little feeling that you should go, just GO! It is a life changing experience that has made a beautiful impact on so many lives, and I would love for each and every one of you to experience it! 

Also, I promised some of the SAA girls in our class that were there that I would shout them out in my blog about SEARCH, so I will just go ahead and shout them all out! Emily Barker, Rachel Baioni, Lily Davis, and Jennifer Parker all made SEARCH with me, and Grace Becker was on crew while Cara Rogers and Emily Wilson were both table leaders! I could not have asked for a better little group of SAA Class of 2019 girls to make SEARCH with! You all are so amazing and I love you all so much! :) 

Now, this is not in any way a public service announcement trying to recruit some of you to make SEARCH! This blog is simply just a way of showing you how important it is that you find organizations and activities (like SEARCH) to join, so that you can strengthen your faith and relationship with God. Finally, this week I challenge you to let your faith be so much stronger than your fear and to let God lead you where He wants you to go because he truly has the BEST plan for you!

Have a wonderful week and stay faithful, friends!

Love always, 

Gracie