The Journey is Far From Over

Today is a momentous day in my life.


Today I accomplished something I have wanted to do for many, many years.


Today, just a few minutes ago, I finished the last book...the last chapter...the last verse...of the Bible.


Remember when Facebook was all the rage with everyone's lists of their "25 Random Things About Me?" Mine included things like:

• My hands and feet are always freezing. They seem to be the chilliest just before I go to bed. I like to put them on my husband in bed and watch him squirm. It's one of my favorite things.

• I am weirdly obsessed with keeping things clean and organized....like the DVR...I want it to be at 0% capacity so bad...but Matt keeps recording stuff and never erases it. It's one of my biggest pet peeves. I also have to have my e-mail Inbox cleaned out everyday and all of my saved e-mailed organized into folders. I know...it's weird.

• I was Valedictorian of my high school class.

• I miss my puppy and think about her still almost everyday.

• I screen my phone calls. I really just hate the phone. I only call people back if they leave me a message...and usually it takes a few days for that.

• My best friend at work is a 60 year old man with one leg...no joke...he's awesome!
  

Well, unlike my list of completely irrelevant facts, I read a list of one of my "friends" (AKA girl from high school I never talked to) and she said:

• I read the Holy Bible cover to cover last year.

Whoa! Now that's something! I screen my phone calls and this girl read the whole Bible?

Not everyone knows my religious background...or how I came to believe what I believe...but it was not something I grew up with. I wasn't the girl who knew the stories from the Bible she learned in Sunday School. I didn't go to Sunday School. I was the teenager in church who was hearing things for the first time and not understanding how they fit. I desperately wanted to know but felt completely lost and overwhelmed by the daunting task of reading something so intimidating.

But this was my wake up call. I actually knew someone who had sat down and just read. Cover to cover. The entire Bible. Why couldn't I do it too? Plus I had just finished Breaking Dawn which was a huge book so how much longer could it really take me to read a few hundred more pages, right? (Unfortunately, this is actually what I thought.)

Well, clearly it took me much longer than a few weeks. It took me just over a year of reading everyday during my break times at work. It was a time already carved out that I could do something useful. I am now officially, "the girl who reads her Bible in the cafeteria." And you know what? I'm okay with it.

I know that God has made it possible for me to do this. I feel more mature in my faith and I have such a better understanding of my purpose than I did before. I feel changed. I feel fantastic.

Now I am in no way ending my journey here. I haven't exactly decided what type of study I am going to pursue next...but I'm on the hunt (any suggestions?!?). I understand that being in the word is a daily task I need to continue that will only strengthen my faith and relationship with God.

I wanted to share this with all of you because:

If you haven't done it....now YOU know someone who has...and you can too!

If you have done it...know you have been an inspiration to me. I never imagined that blogging could so deeply encourage my walk as a Christian but I have met some amazing women who are such an example to me and I thank you so much for the impact you have had on my life.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!