Beautiful Youngstown

Beautiful is not typically a word you hear associated with Youngstown, Ohio.

You hear words like- Poverty stricken, murder capitol, cloudy, dark, boring... the list goes on.

Yet, in all my travels I have never experienced a city like my hometown!

Maybe everyone says that? I don't know. :)

I've personally been praying alot lately for a new and more passionate love and drive to see Youngstown saved and turned around for Jesus!

I've been thinking so much about how my heart yearns for the nations and peoples of the world, yet I'm still living here. Obviously, God is not done in Youngstown, Ohio yet- So neither am I!

I have decided I will serve, interceed and work for this city with my WHOLE heart until God calls me elsewhere. And what better ground to prepare for the nations then in my own city?

Infact in Acts 1:8 thats exactly what Jesus told the disciples to do!

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria were the disciples hometowns. Jesus specifically told them to start there first!

So thats exactly what I'm going to do!

I've also come to realize the true beauty of Youngstown isn't in who she is today, but also in who she used to be. (And no, I'm not just talking about the Mafia years and such.) And it's not just in her buildings or landscape, but in the people who live here!

There's so much history to her. So many people have spent their lives loving, living working and raising family's in Youngstown.

She has survived, even when no one else thought she would.,. And for that I love her! (Yes, I'm aware I'm refering to my city as a girl. haha!)

So this blog I'm dedicating to my beloved hometown! Its going to be the best summer and I can't wait to see all that God does here! Let the preparation begin...