My spiritual journey started when I was a young child, but has become more real and meaningful to me as the years have gone by. I have had many God encounters that have affirmed both my faith that God is the Creator of the Universe and that He is a relational being who desires a personal relationship with me. I grew up in a loving and supportive home. My parents encouraged me to seek my dreams, but along the way there were distinct moments where God showed up in a more direct way. Although God doesn’t often speak through a burning bush like in Moses’ time, He has spoken to me very clearly in various moments and defining seasons of my life. 2024 was one of the hardest in my life, as some would say, I experienced the dark night of the soul. Yet God, “His faithful love endures forever.” James 1:2 says, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials.” In the midst of suffering, it is hard to consider it a joy, let alone a great joy. Yet God, “His faithful love endures forever.” Over the last year I’ve encountered the living God in profound and intimate ways. He went before me, rescued me, and strengthened me. In the midst of great suffering His presence brought me great peace and great joy. So many times, I felt broken and alone. Yet God, “His faithful love endures forever.” His faithful love, in addition to His presence, was manifested through my family and faith community. God surrounded me with people who sacrificially walked along side me. God’s love, through His people, in this season of my life, has been a profound, overwhelming, overflowing, and never extinguishing source of strength, hope, and great joy!! I could not have survived this journey with great joy without God’s presence and His people. “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1).