"For everything there is a season..."

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ..." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-5

    I just adore sitting outside during this time of year, witnessing a change in the trees, and air each day. It might have everything to do with the fact that fall is my absolute favorite season. I love the color on the trees that eventually ends up piled in the yard. I love the smells of apple spice, pumpkin and crisp fall mornings that can chill you to the bone. I love the memories associated with fall, the family traditions, and holidays. I jeans and hoodies that smell like fire; the pumpkin spice lattes and the wonderful conversation that comes with each one. I could go on and on, but this is going to be long enough without me listing each thing I love.
    For the past 5 years I have been apart of a beautiful season of life, in which I have discovered my identity in Christ. After my family moved up here we were so lucky to be embraced into a loving and faithful church family. Although I couldn't see it then, as this season draws to a close, I couldn't imagine this beautiful, colorful season without my church family. I guess I can start with saying thank you... to the amazing group of people who never gave up on my family. Even when we ripped down the seams, you stood firm in your prayers and unconditional love. I was to trapped to see it but, there you all were praying every Sunday for a miracle and redemption within my family. 5 years later your ceaseless prayers have been fulfilled not with a perfect family, but with a family, changed, that is willing to work on things as they come. You showed us the love none of us felt we deserved.
    When I came back to the faith you were all so receptive this broken heart. There is one conversation that stands out even now, 3 years later, so vividly I could close my eyes and be there again. It was the same night I saw Tenth Avenue North in concert for the first time. I was so determined to see them, I stood outside in the pouring rain, freezing, with one of the moms from the church. I looked at her and just started to talk about my what was still a very new faith. Since then she has become someone very special to me. She knows that she is not perfect, but never stops striving to be better than she was yesterday. That lesson is something I have carried and will continue to carry with me when the storms of the season roll in.
    I have built some of the most beautiful relationships. I have people who will go to my shows just to support me and remind me that I am loved. I have people who know what I'm thinking and know the encouraging and uplifting words I need to hear. I love the adults at my church for all of those things. Most of all though I have built a bond with a group of people I hope I never lose. We are the weirdest combination of kids but we all just click. The youth have literally become family, I mean were ducklings. We pick each other up when we are down, and encourage each other when we need it. We laugh together and at least Mama Duck and I cry together while everyone else stares at us giggling. We have finally become comfortable enough to worship together at concerts, to be crazy in the name of the crazy Love we are covered with. We have built something beautiful together in the past 6 years, and I love you all. Which brings me to big news...
    The final leaf is falling from the tree of this season this weekend. Last Thursday as few knew I had an interview and audition at a church locally for a worship leader internship. I had been praying for weeks before I got the opportunity that God would take hold of my job search and without a doubt I know He answered that prayer. Yesterday afternoon I got a call, and accepted the position at the church. People have been telling me for sometime that music was my gift but I never imagined God wanted to use it for this. I am excited for the amazing opportunity to get to share the gospel with people I haven't even met yet. I'm excited to build new relationships, and show them the love my church family has showed me all these years. I'm eager to see just how Jesus is going to use this opportunity. I'm leaving one awesome season to walk right into another beautiful, amazing season of change and opportunity.
    This Sunday will be my last for a long while getting to worship with my church family, (don't get too excited to youthlings you will still see your fair share of me at youth group and other events). :) I'm not scared anymore, because I know that our Savior is right there. He has control and never fails. I'm so excited to expand my family!!!! I am so thankful for the amazing group of believers I have gotten to live out the past 6 year season with.... for the encouragement, love, support, hugs, prayers, tears, laughs, healing and understanding.
    I cannot wait to see what God has in store for the next season to come. I pray that I am intentional, real and encouraging to each person I build relationships with. I pray that I have an attitude of embrace and don't wish away the season I am in. I pray that God uses me and I am willing to follow where He leads. I pray that you all know how thankful I am for your support and how much I love you.

"3 I thank my God for you every time I think of you; 4 and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy 5 because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. 6 And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. 7 You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly. 8 God is my witness that I tell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself. 9 I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, 10 so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ. 11 Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God." - Philippians 1:3-11 

Much Love,
McKayla Audrey