Samantha K Schmidt

When our first child was born, I was so excited to share the story of how he made his way into this world. His birth went so smoothly and the process was full of so much joy. However, I’ve held off sharing the full details of our daughter’s birth for several reasons. Firstly, because parts of it are hard to relive. Secondly, because I never want anyone to think that I’m sharing the story in need of sympathy. Despite her birth being incredibly difficult, perhaps even traumatic, we are so incredibly grateful that we were able to bring our baby girl home. We know that this is not the story for everyone, and so I feel almost shameful even telling her story. However, I know that so often mothers come home with their babies greeted with fanfare and excitement, but what they feel deep down is sometimes completely void of joy. I feel for these mothers who are expected to revel in gratitude when they have just overcome both physical and emotional trauma. To those mothers, you are not alone...

Before I even knew God, He was placing people in my life like breadcrumbs leading me back to him. There was James, who despite my reputation of being a cactus in high school (prickly and unapproachable) he opened his arms to me when I transferred to the same college. I thought a popular guy like him would never remember a quiet, unlikeable girl like me, but he welcomed me at a time when I knew no one. He couldn’t miss me walking through the otherwise empty parking lot. He stopped and hugged me. I don’t remember our conversation, but I remembered thinking there was something different about James. Now I realize that he shined the light of Jesus into my otherwise dark world. James is now a missionary in China. At the time I didn’t even know he was a Christian, but now I know he was a breadcrumb. There was Caitlin. We transferred in at the same time, took classes together, did projects together, and sat next to each other on graduation day. Caitlin on the other hand always had Jesus on...

If you don't already know one of my many passions is YouTube. I love that today's technology allows anyone and everyone to have a platform for good. If you've visited my YouTube channel at all you may be used to simple beauty/fashion/lifestyle videos, however, not too long ago I branched out and started a new channel. Last week, I worked with a friend of mine to create a better edited version of the things I had already been doing. The video is a highlight reel from our youth group's time at a camp called CIY Move. It's an awesome experience where students get to experience God in a whole new way. If your a Christian or you are interested in Biblical content be sure to check out my YouTube channel Girl Meets God . Also, check out my friend Livy's Vimeo.

Last week I spent time at a youth camp in Cleveland, Tennessee where a band blasted praise music to more than 1,000 students morning and night. It's always an amazing experience. Music is a great inspiration to me and the many thousands of young people who will get to experience this camp over the next few weeks. One musical discovery was a band called Johnnyswim. The praise band covered a song by them called Hallelujah and the original is definitely worth a listen. This folk duo will sing to your heart and the video will inspire you to do Kingdom Work. The next discovery was a song I've heard before, but it connected in a different way after this week. Needtobreathe's Multiplied has been a favorite among the Christian community for a while, and I must say nothing does this song justice like my good friend Livy's video of her time in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan 2016 from Olivia Taylor on Vimeo . If you liked Livy's work be on the lookout for our collabora...