In October 2008, I found Jesus. Knowing Christ personally changed everything! The way I think, the way I talk, the way I live, it's all connected to Him. Being a Christian for me is much more than just a 'faith', or 'belief'. This is my life, this is who I am now, the old me died away and now I have a new life and God's given me and is constantly giving me the things I need to be whole in Him. In Him, I find peace, strength, hope, life. I feel like life got much more complicated but easier at the same time.

There's no way to explain the peace of mind that comes from knowing and rooting yourself in God. I constantly make mistakes, I'm far from perfect, but I know He doesn't reject me, and loves me along the path of becoming who He wants me to be, who I can be through Him.

I think the one phrase I never truly understood before I became a Christian was that 'God is good'. He is good, not just in general but for me as well. Unlike most things we call 'good', too much of Him can never be a bad thing! He sticks to me, through those times when I'm unreasonable, selfish, cowardly, just plain awful and those times when I'm full of joy, bold and loving. He meets me even though I know I fall short of His glory. I don't ever want to forget that God doesn't "need" me to love or worship Him, but He wants it, He enjoys it and I gain more from it than He does.

I know I still have a tough time ahead of me, it's bound to happen, I'll face challenges, have my faith stretched and might get tired from time to time, but I know He'll stick with me as long as I let Him. Every day I learn something new, constantly growing, it's a journey of a life time and I'm backpacking light, with Him. I have never been more at peace or joyful. I just pray that others can find God as I have done, because He truly does affect everything from how you live, your relationships and how you think, to your very character! This is my life now, it began that day when I found Christ, found Love.