Anonymous asked: What exactly do you like about Jackie and April? Not bashing or anything, just wondering what it is about those two.

I haven’t checked my messages in forever and I just had to answer this one.

Let’s start with April…because I met her first. Lol. April taught me how to be zealous for God. I first entered a relationship with Christ back in November 2007. (Thanks Zenn!) I didn’t fully understand what it meant to “be in a relationship with Jesus” or to “Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul.” April pretty much taught me how. By her teachings and her life as an example, I learned what it meant to “become a new creation”, be given a “heart of flesh”, and how to become the personification of Proverbs 31. She was never too tired or too busy to answer my questions or shower me with prayer. She knew all my dirty secrets before I even told her and she’d confront me about it. She inspired me to develop a discerning spirit and a prayerful attitude. She was pretty much my first “spiritual mother.” LOL.

And now we move on to Jackie… I met Jackie at Illuminate ‘08. We weren’t that close but everyone at the camp site became family that week. I’m trying to remember how we even got close at all….and I am coming up with blanks. HAHA. BUT…Jackie has taught me the important of perseverance, the audience of One, and to have an “outward” mindset. When I first started going to Grace Bible Church, Jackie wasn’t around as much as everyone was. I never judged her for it or asked why but I did take note of it. Now that I understand why she was, I admire her. She…had to grow up faster than someone at her age is expected to. Responsibilities fell onto her lap and she embraced them all. She never complains about what she has to do because I know she has the right mindset: all for God. Even though she’s extremely busy, she always makes sure she’s available. She’s taught me the importance of forgiveness, patience, and love for others.

April and Jackie are both part of two different milestones in my spiritual journey. April taught me how to live out the first commandment and Jackie taught me how to live the second.