What if one night could change your life forever? What if one night could be the beginning of the answers you have stayed up late at night asking yourself? What if you did not have to be alone

When I first came to Awakening, I started that journey for myself. As soon as I started to unlock the chains that I carefully wrapped around my heart I broke open and began to be undone.

All I could do was weep at the fact that I was created one this earth to cultivate a gifting that Jesus had given to me. I was meant to be someone. I was free to be the loud crazy person that was bold. I saw the bigger purpose in my life for the first time. I was awakened for the first time.

I can credit who I am today to Awakening. From being a survivor, a fighter, and a leader. I was impacted by a single moment. Just like a drop into the living waters I began to see a shift in my life.

I have learned that leadership is serving, and that “perfect love casts out fear.” I have learned that you need a crew of strong people if you are going to succeed in life. I have learned how to be loving to everyone I meet. I have learned that passion, mixed with the Holy Spirit is a force that even a giant has to bow down to. I have learned how to be a young woman that strives to be after God’s own heart.

During Awakening anything can happen. Not only are expectations meet, they are superseded. Giants over us are trampled and torn down. Fragile hearts that have been broken from premature love, are gently healed. Personally, last year during Awakening, I was struggling with severe anxiety. I was scared about what people thought of me, and did not leave the house for three months. I woke up, ate, and slept. I was miserable to be around, and done with trying. Hearing Pastor Jordan Boyce on the last night of the conference talking about legacy changed my perspective.

I began to see that even though I was in such a terrible state of mind, that Jesus had something more for me. I had to decide whether to continue in my pity, or try something different. I decided the later and threw myself full force into the things of God. Soon my mourning for the past was turned into eagerness to move forward and try new things. The light in my eyes came back, and I was unrecognizable from the month before.

I remember walking into Awakening Conference engulfed by the buzz of electric energy. Everyone so joyful, and expectant. Walking into the room, feeling scared, but bold at the same time. Jumping, going crazy in the crowd, turned into full on abandonment into the arms of the one who loves purely. Hearing the words of the speaker cut my spirit like a sword, but starting the healing process of the battle wounds I carried. Feeling truly at peace for the first time. Forever changed, forever new.