It's a Saturday night and I'm currently sitting in my dorm room surrounded by my dearest friends and endless supplies of Goldfish (flavor blasted of course) and chocolate donuts, cracking up at some random movie we found on Netflix. Let's just say I couldn't be happier. Lately, I have come to realize the importance of finding joy in these simplest of moments. Because of my incredible friends, my loving family, and this amazing school that I get to attend, I can honestly say that this is one of the happiest points of my life. I thank God every day for what he has done and continues to do in my life. However, I have to admit that being thankful is much easier said than done, especially in those times where it seems like everything is going against you.

Like most people, my life hasn't always been rainbows and butterflies. My family and I have had to go through a lot of struggle and pain and heartbreak to get to where we are today. During those tough times, it was incredibly difficult for me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was hard to have perspective and be grateful when I was going through so much. Over the years, and throughout my faith journey I have realized the importance of trusting God's plan and being thankful for life's twists and turns even when I don't understand how to steer. That's when you let Jesus take the wheel.

When I look back on where I have been and where I am today, I am left speechless with thankfulness. Thinking about the people that I am surrounded by and the opportunities that I have been blessed with brings tears to my eyes. I now realize that everything happened in God's perfect timing and was for His perfect plan.

So friends, in everything, whether it's a bad break up, a family conflict, issues with your friends, or even just a time of stress and anxiety in scool, work or anywhere else, be thankful and stay strong in God's unending faithfulness because He has a plan.