"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." About 29 years ago, I went haphazardly along with a friend to spend a summer working at this camp in Virginia called Caroline Furnace. I was between jobs and she really wanted to have someone she knew with her at this camp, so I went. I was fairly new in my faith and was still figuring out what God wanted for me in my life. Little did I know that my going to that camp was all part of God's plan.
That was an amazing and transformational summer in my life. I lost over 70 pounds walking up and down Ridge Trail. I made some amazing lifelong friends. I met my future wife who I have been blessed to hold the hand of for the past 23+ years. But even more importantly, I learned to trust in God and His plans for my life. God is amazing. And I have learned, and relearned many times, that regardless of my plans, His plans will be fulfilled. I have learned to totally rely on Him and allow Him to work through me. And while my faith has grown tremendously in the past 29 years, a seed was planted on a mountainside in the Shenandoah Valley at a place called Caroline. That seed continues to grow and bring forth the fruits of Faith, Hope and Love. God knew his plans for me. He knows the plans he has for you also. Embrace them. Plant the seed. Let it grow. God bless you. God loves you, and so do I.