Emily

"No place I'd rather be
No place I'd rather be
No place I'd rather be
Than here in Your love
Here in Your love.

Set a fire down in my soul
That I can't contain
That I can't control
I want more of you God
I want more of you God."

     Last summer, I had the opportunity to volunteer at Teen Mania. While I was there, I met a girl whose name was Emily. She was the sweetest girl I have ever met. And she was sooo hungry for the Lord. She was a new Christian. I've never met anybody quite like her.

     Once I came into the dorm and a girl was having trouble breathing. It was just me and her in the dorm, and she called out for help. She needed to go to the hospital. I was scared and fearful. I tried not to panic, but I was. I called our volunteer supervisor, and he was on his way.

     Meanwhile, me and this girl are in the dorm all alone. I didn't know what to do. And then God sent Emily. She came in, I told her what was happening and she took over. She began praying over this girl, singing, worshiping and loving on God. Her voice was so beautiful!! I was in awe. For about 15 minutes, the only sound in that dorm was her voice, filling it with sweet words to Jesus.

     Our volunteer supervisor eventually arrived and took the girl away, but I was just sooo....speechless. Emily just took over and did great. She did things I had never even thought of. I had a great respect for her.

     She had come to Teen Mania with her best friend, Rachel. Rachel was staying on as an intern, but Emily would be going on a mission trip to Africa, and then she would go back home. The day she was about to sign up to become an African missionary, she and I and three other girls had a bible study. Emily had such powerful insights about the things we talked about. It was such a good day.

     Another time, we went to Sonic. While we were sitting at the outside table, I randomly asked Emily "What is an odd fact about you?" And she thought about it awhile and responded. "Elephants. I love elephants."

     Another time we were hanging out, and we both wanted some coffee. We walked to the coffee shop and realized it was closed, so we went to the store and she bought a drink. We sat at a table for awhile and just talked. And talked. You could just see that she was overflowing with God's love. I felt like I was in His presence when she was around.

     She celebrated her birthday while she was volunteering. She turned 19. Some of the other girls went and bought "birthday supplies" and decorated her bed. They also had a surprise party for her at the pool. I didn't attend, and I regret that now.

     Any way, the reason I am writing this post is to wish her a happy birthday...even though she is not on this earth any more, she made a lasting impact in my life. Although she passed away over a month ago, I just found out today. It was a hard day at work. My mind just cannot comprehend that she is gone.

     The cool thing though, is that when I get on her Facebook page, all sorts of friends are posting on her wall. They're not sad posts...but happy, joyful posts. That she is where she has longed to be. In her heavenly Father's love. In His arms. While I mourn her passing and the fact that she no longer lives here on this earth, I rejoice in that fact that one day I will see her again, dancing and singing at her Father's feet.

Our bible study...she is the girl on the far left