Olivia G.

Olivia shares with us how God comforted her through a time of bullying and loss, what she sees in the story of Ruth, and how God has fulfilled her dreams.

Olivia

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: Psalm 46:5, it’s my verse for the season I’m currently in; “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” Every time I read it, it gives me an instant reassurance that God is in me, with me and for me always!

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Patience; I use it daily with teaching, but I want/need more in all aspects of my life! When I feel anxious, uneasy and unsure while waiting for the events of my life to unfold, patience gives me the comfort I need not to worry! I know I’ve gained so much since I started seeking it, but I still have a loooong way to go!

Profession: Full time Christian, blessed wife of 3 years, a K-2nd teacher, Scentsy Consultant, and janitor!

A one sentence bio of yourself: Hi, I’m Olivia, I’m a 22-year-old, Jesus loving, coffee drinking, Jeep driving wifey– always up for an adventure!

When did you first encounter God? I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home with a loving, supporting family, but the first time I remember God making a huge impact was when I was 10 years old. At that time, my grandma had just passed from battling with Alzheimer’s disease, and I was also dealing with bullying by my “school friends.”

I felt so perplexed, so mad, angry and alone because I just lost my best friend whom I had be confiding in. Thankfully, that’s when God showed up, picked me up, held me in His arms and told me I was going to be all right. He showed me that while I was sad and hurt, I could be happy that she was in Heaven, enjoying being healed and that I would see her again. With the bullying, He showed me to keep going, find the friends that were true, and keep them, with all I had. I can thankfully say I still have those friendships with the girls that truly wanted to be friends.

“With the bullying, He showed me to keep going, find the friends that were true, and keep them, with all I had.”

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? Friendships have truly attributed to my spiritual growth in ways I didn’t even know was possible! With my professions, I constantly am talking to people, and having true relationships with them is a real treasure to me! I take joy from my daily dealings with the people that I love and care for that do the same for me!

Top three essentials: Jesus, Hubby, Hedgehog.
This is the order they go in everyday! First, time with Jesus, then catching up with Anthony, then taking cuddling with my 2 year old hedgehog, Quincy!

How did God speak to you recently? Through His unwavering faithfulness! My goodness, life is so crazy, but His faithfulness is a constant, consistent comfort to me. He is always faithful to take care of my needs and the needs of my loved one around me!

Hobby: Oh goodness, I have lots of those! My two largest ones are these; I’m an avid “deal” finder, whether if it’s modest clothes, vintage decor or stuff for my classroom, I’ll find it on sale somewhere! And the other would be volleyball, I’ve had such a passion for it for the majority of my life! I get to coach my team which I love every minute of, thankful for my girls!

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong:
1. God.
To have God means to have a true relationship, not putting Him in a box, but talking with Him as your closet friend! He’s first on my list because He should always be first in our lives!

2. Bible.
His Words written down in book that we have the freedom to read whenever we want? Wow, what a true blessing that is when you think about it. I find it truly amazing that every morning without fail God places a verse on my heart that applies to that day or that week.

3. Church.
Whether you’re a full time “churcher” or not, that time of fellowship with Him and Christians of like faith is so precious and needed for growth! A place where you can share your heart, support each other and help your community see Jesus. I am so truly blessed with my church and church family. I always look forward to Sunday morning and night services to be that “recharge ” I need to take on the coming week, and Wednesday night is the little “pick me up” to keep going. God. Bible. Church. These three with prayer intertwined!

Favorite person in scripture? Ruth, oh how I see myself in her story every time I read it. In the start, she’s thinking that her life is at its peak, but then suddenly takes a sharp turn with her husband passing, and her life is totally changed for the better! She doesn’t know that yet, doesn’t complain or question, but is content and keeps following God’s plan. She gives up all her previous life, comforts, and friends to come to a new life she couldn’t of ever imagined. God moves Boaz in the middle of it all to show her that He had a plan for her life even when she thought it was over. To me, it’s so encouraging when you feel like life is getting crazy, it’s just God showing you the whole picture!

“She gives up all her previous life, comforts, and friends to come to a new life she couldn’t of ever imagined.”

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you?
This question really hits me hard… I hope they see that God knows best, to fully give yourself to Him and when you think it’s over, it’s not, God’s just turning the page of your story.

Favorite season? Ahhh, that would be autumn. The crisp breeze, vibrant colors of the leaves and the smell of change lingering in the air!

Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving; a time where we’re reminded to step back and thank the Lord for all He has blessed us with!

A dream you have? This may sound silly, but most of my dreams have come true, God gave me my soul mate, and I get to be a teacher. Other than that, I hope to have a home of our own with little babies in it.

“This may sound silly, but most of my dreams have come true.”

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: At Thanksgiving, we go to my grandparents home, where we laugh, eat, talk and play the night away, it’s seriously the most fun. It’s one of my favorite nights of the whole year!

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? As soon as I see my Saviour, and my daddy, I will be so beyond happy to just be there with them that I know I’ll forget any questions I once had.

Thing you want to raise awareness about: That life is short, be real with God, yourself and everyone around you. We’re here today and gone tomorrow, so live for God fully and everything else will fall into place.

What do you usually do before 9 a.m.? I’m a morning person, so I get up at 6 a.m. have Jesus time till 6:30ish, workout till 7, then put on my face and uniform, then off to work at 7:45. By 9, my class and I are talking about what we’re having for lunch.

What is on your nightstand?
My Bible, my journal/planner, lip balm, lotion, mints, and tissues!

Define Christianity in a sentence: Dying to self to pick up your cross daily to follow Jesus, so others can see His work in your life.

For more Olivia:

Insta: @modestmodernwardrobe

Until next time, keep witnessing!
XOXO