So, it has taken me quite a while to get this first post, well, posted! Believe it or not, I actually had written a whole entry, and, not surprisingly, I somehow deleted it. (I'm very skilled when it comes to computers.)

So, this is my life right now: BUSY!! I just started track, and I have a really busy schedule in school. Add planning for this trip on top, and I'm booked! But, I don't know if I'd like it any other way. I always find that something good comes out of stressful situations for me. God always peeps through all the confusion, and ends up pointing something out that I completely missed.

What I've been learning lately is this: God delights in me. He really does. In all circumstances, whether I'm laughing, crying, running, sleeping, whether I'm a complete mess or in my finest attire, God sees me as Alene, his precious child. He loved me as I came into this world, he loves me as I am in this world, and he will love me when I leave it. This is something that He's been trying to tell me over and over again lately. It is such a consolation for me, and at this time in my life, it is exactly what I need. He always knows =].

"The Lord your God
is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will
quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

To know that someone who has such power is yet so merciful and loving, to me, is magical. I wonder at this sometimes, and most of the time am dumbfounded, for lack of a better word. Lately, things have been pretty tough for me. I've been struggling through some pretty rough times, and failing on many levels. But what is constant through all of it is His presence in my life. Though a lot of the time I don't feel Him, I always know He is there.

So anyways, if you're reading this, I hope this was of even the smallest encouragement. I hope all that are reading this are doing well! Until next time, Adios!! (One day, I hope to write a post in spanish..... hmmm!)