Well the first month of 2007 is coming to a close and I can't wait to see what the year has in store for me next! As most of you may know, I am almost done school..one more year to go..it's so nice to finally be able to say that. As I look back at all the things I have gone through, not only in 2006, but throughout my life, I have noticed a change in me.

For those of you who have known me for  most of my life, you might have known me to be someone who always carried my heart on my sleeve. My heart has been tossed around, broken, torn and used. But only because I let it...

 I was sensitive to almost everything, cried at almost everything bad that happened in my life, all in all I was a girl who was in so much pain that I didn't know how to control it.

I was reminded the other day that I am no longer that girl. I am now a woman who has gained more strength, more knowledge and most importantly, more control over my life. The reason for this is because my faith has grown stronger. My parents have been away for almost three weeks now and I never knew how much work they do for us! Everynight, my sisters and I have been organizing our time to take care of our house, buy groceries, take care of two other properties that my parents are renting out, checking the oils in our cars(I always forget to do that until my dad has to remind me). Three years ago, if my parents left us with all these responsibilities on top of school, I would have whined the whole time they were away. I would have been crying every night wishing they were back. But I realized that I hold something in my heart bigger than anything on this earth. God has taken me through every obstacle in my life and I realized it's only now that I have fully accepted it. I'm twenty four years old, turning 25 this March. I have been in denial for a long time that I am an adult. I have been carried under my parents wings for so long, so them going away was a true test if I could handle it all. The truth is..it's not so bad being an adult! I still have time for school, for friends and time alone.

I have realized that this year will be a true test of the love that I have attained throughout the years, a time for change and growth, a chance to let go of everything in my past. To move on to better things in my life..a new relationship..meeting new friends..gaining more knowledge and most of all, acknowledging that faith that lies within me.

I realized that my faith has grown so much that I don't really want to worry anymore. I know that all I must do is continue to believe that I am being taken care of and that my heart is no longer on my sleeve but is protected inside of me...because I let it..