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Ok, so some of you know my situation and what I have been going through for the last few years. I am finally on my feet again. New housing, free car, food in the kitchen and beds to sleep in, and a job. Not the ideal job, not what I'm trained for and have done in the past, but it's a job. It pays the bills.

So for the last month or so I have been looking into churches in the area, visiting some, trying to find a church home. Last week was very unsuccessful, and actually almost scared me off of going altogether. THIS week, however, I had a MUCH different encounter.

I started off by being lost. This church was supposed to be somewhat in the middle of the Danville area off the 150 bypass. The area it's in is completely dark. No street lights at all. I pull off the road and text my best friend and lil sis (Arria) for help. She looks it up at the same time I am searching for address numbers on the nearest buildings. Turns out I was about 5 buildings off. She calls me as I am pulling into the parking lot of this warehouse looking building with a huge sign that says The Faith Church. 5 minutes to spare!

Going into the building there was this beautiful woman with several small children running about decorating the place for the holidays. They were all having fun and turned to greet me as I came in. She directed me to the sanctuary with a welcoming smile. I take a seat towards the back so as not to be noticed as the "new girl." LOL no such luck as this was a small group that night. Pastor Jay Atkins walked in and shook my hand on his way up to the front. Turns out the woman who originally greeted me was his wife and 2 of the many kids running around were theirs.

There was no live band that night, but I did see a keyboard up front and a couple of mic stands so I know they have some sort of live music. I thought I was coming to a worship service, but it was actually a small Bible study. We did stand up and sing one song though. And as soon as Pastor Jay prayed and we started singing, I felt the presence of God. Something that had been missing in the disaster of a meeting last week at the last church I visited. And the song we sang? God of Wonders. Perfect for what was about to happen.

Pastor Jay was the answer to my prayers. Last week I had left this other church unfulfilled, disappointed and a little confused. This week Pastor Jay had scripture answers to every question that had plagued me all week long! Every doubt or question I had that stemmed from the prior meeting was erased with every passing minute in this new church. And that isn't even the beginning of the blessings that overflowed that night!

Towards the end of the Bible study, Pastor Jay walked right up to me and said "I have been staring at you all night, and I need to pray for you" Say what?!? I put my hands up in a small protest, which he then reached out and touched me. Grabbing my right arm and left hand, he leaned over me and began to pray, right in front of everyone. Normally I would be so embarrassed by the attention. But I sat there, tears streaming down my face, speechless... because as soon as he did I felt the most wonderful sense of warmth and tingles, a peace that I couldn't understand, and so much love just flow through me. He prayed for me, for my finances, for my health, and for direction and clarity for me. Every thing I needed prayer for. I am struggling with my health, was just told I was losing $425 a month in income, and I needed to find a church home. How could he know all this? God. That''s how.

After the meeting I went up to Pastor Jay and asked if there was a Sunday evening service because I work days on Sundays. Unfortunately there is only youth worship then, but I had already planned to return the next wednesday. Then a woman came up to me and placed a loaf of the most wonderful tasting bread I have ever had in my hands and said "This is for you." And Pastor Jay reached in to his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills and said "I don't know how much this is, but I feel the need to bless you you with it." I cried the whole way home singing praises to God. What noone knows, until now, is that my kitchen had been empty and I was struggling to feed myself and my son. God provides, always.

This all happened 2 nights ago. Since then, satan has been trying to steal my joy. But he CAN'T. Because everything he is doing to hurt and harm me, God is turning for good! Not only am I losing the $425 a month in income, my job is cutting my hours back to 32, so I am losing another $56 a week. HOWEVER, with my new hours, I have Sunday mornings off and I get to go to church! So I will be going to this church for the first worship service this Sunday! And with the lower income, I can qualify for foodstamps. Yes, it's public assistance, but I am going to feed my son any way I know how. I have a job, I just need a little help. Anyone who looks down on me for that can go suck on a lemon.

So I have been blessed and continue to be. I won't let satan steal my joy. And as Pastor Jay reached out and touched me and prayed for me, so will I reach out and do the same for those I meet in need.