True Friends

When I was a child, I changed friends like dirty clothes. Sometimes, due to someone moving to a new city or a new school, other times because of childhood drama that came and go as often as the sun rises and sets.
In High School, I was the odd man out (uh...girl). I didn't quite fit in. I didn't really belong. My friends were those who, like me, stood out too much to blend in with this clique or that group. Ours was a comrodare of existence, not necessarily of similarity; so, once High School was over, so was our friendships.
Upon entering college, my goal was to make friends! I wanted to be popular. I wanted to belong! I wanted to go to parties and out on dates. I wanted to be "cool" and I thought the key was in blending in with the crowd. But that was short lived and left me very unsatisfied. I had to change myself to fit in, and eventually, it became too much of an effort for me to keep up such a facade. I grew tired and irritated with myself, as did everyone around me. One by one, I lost every friend that I tried so hard to change myself for... and I lost myself in the process.

Fast forward eight years after college, I now know the worth that God has given me. I know understand and appreciate His calling over my life and His gift of Salvation, through Jesus. Once I began to grow in Him and keep my heart in His word, He began to bring people into my life who could love me, for who He made me to be! I can smile to myself at the miracle of true friendships that Christ has surrounded me with.
We all come from different backgrounds, life experiences and testimonies. We all have different hopes for the future and goals for our lives, but what we do have in common is Jesus! We don't take from each other, rather we invest in one another. We love, lift up, correct and support one another, all for the sake of Jesus. I don't have to be someone I'm not. I can be me: quirky, sensitive and silly, with a dash of vanity! I can confess my short comings with out being rejected and I can extend my advice, knowing that it falls on hearts who appreciate me. Isn't it a wonder how, when we begin to seek God with all our hearts, he ushers in people who can love us the way He does!

Last night, I celebrated my birthday with all of my friends! It was the first birthday for me that included a group of people, happy to see me and eager to love me! I cry as I write this, because it's taken me a lifetime to enjoy and experience this kind of closeness with other women in a mature and mutual way. I don't say this to hurt any of my friends from the past, but I see a difference between Christian friendships and those based off of other interests. In Christ, I have security and my friendships fall right in line with that. In Christ, I have purpose, a hope and a future; my sisters in Christ remind me of that in every hug, every laugh, every conversation and yes, even in every argument. I see Jesus in them and I experience that unconditional love through my friendships with them. They make me want to strive harder in Christ! They make me want to push myself to shine my light for the Lord!

If you don't know what it's like to have a strong core group of Christian friends, let me encourage you to ask the Lord for some. I know there are thousands of women out there, searching for like minded people to walk this journey with. God will connect you to the right people, you just have to ask him for the guidance and direction to find them!

As I close this note, I want to just tell all my Pearls how much I love them! (I LOVE YOU!!!) I'm so thankful for each and every one of you! Thank you for being a part of my journey with Jesus! Thank you for sharing your lives and your hearts with me! Thank you for loving my husband and I and thank you for encouraging me to rock my life for Christ! You girls are an answered prayer, and I don't think you will ever know how much you all truly mean to me!

I love you, Pearls!

~Katrina

Meet Some of the Pearls!

This is a repost of our FIRST VIDEO! We wanted to re-share this with all of you, just to refresh you on our purpose, our mission and our goals in Jesus! Please watch and enjoy!

~Pearls

Give Your Dreams To God

A thought interrupted my prayer today: "Lord, my heart is willing, but my direction is unknown".
How many times in our lives do we say that? How many times in our days? I find myself turning these words over and over within me, at any given moment, buecause like many I'm sure, I struggle with the aspirations of having faith and the actual practice, itself.

Faith is what we hope for, yet cannot see. Faith is having a dream or a goal, yet no thinkable means as to how to create it into a reality. Tell me this: why is it that some people can create conglomerates out of absolutely nothing, while others struggle to launch? The ingredient is Faith.

Scripture tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), so then what are we left yo do? How do we navigate through waters of doubt, unscathed by fear of the unknown or worries about tomorrow? How are we suppose to handle dreams that seem too big or plans that fall apart at the very intent?

Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.~1 Peter 1:21

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ~1 John 5:4

So that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power. ~1 Corinthians 2:5

It strikes me profoundly that each of these scriptures, and others throughout the Bible, tell us that the source of our faith is not in faith alone. It's not our dreams that we need to build our beliefs in. It's not our determination and perseverance that we need to hold tightly to or increase in order for our aspirations to survive. No. If we want to grow our faith to the magnitude in which our hopes are seen and our dreams are realized, we have to rely on God, who gives faith and allows the outcome for dreams, for hopes and for goals. It is in Him, and only Him, where the mustard seeds of our faith can grow. God is our source, not the seed.

As of late, I've been very overwhelmed with the unrealistic expectations of my own dreams. If I were to tell you what's been in my heart, you might think, "well how do you think that can happen?".  Even as I bring my dreams to Jesus, I tell him, "Lord, I know this seems impossible, but it can happen if you open the doors for me". See, I realize that I have nothing to offer to ensure my dreams come true. I don't have the resources, the required degrees, the experience or the connections to do what I feel God has placed in my heart. Yet I know it's there for a reason and the vision sparks a light in me! I am excited about this dream- I am hopeful in what may one day come, but I must remind myself, even as I am doing now, that if not placed properly in God's will or in Him as my source, my dreams will be misplaced and my faith will never grow.

D.L. Moody, a 19th century evangelist, wrote, “A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul.” Isn't time we experienced Heaven in a personal way? Don't you want to partake in active faith, not just wish about it, but live it out? I know I do! I want my own story to tell about the acts of God and His response to my faith in His promises! I want to use my lack as fuel for my faith in The Lord, who never lacks. He never needs to ask or borrow from anyone, so why do we hesitate to start with Him?

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. ~John 14:12

When we put our faith in The Lord, there is no limit to what He can do, through us! We don't need to be afraid or embarrassed about our hopes and dreams with our Heavenly Father. He loves us and He wants us to come to Him in all that we do. I'm Let's do great works, through our faith in God! You
and I can impact the nation...we can impact the world, but it takes faith in a God who is always faithful! He will never disappoint us. He will never give to us less than who He is!

Keep the Faith!

~Pearls