Agoniiaa
She spent her whole life learning how to carry everything alone.
Desiree Alvar knows how to survive.
At twenty-five, she is a resort manager, a breadwinner, a sister, and a granddaughter. She has learned to put everyone else's needs before her own, always saying the same words whenever life becomes too heavy-
"Ako na."
But Des is keeping a secret.
A secret that has given her a reason to count the days.
When a Christian youth camp arrives at the resort for twenty-one days, Des expects nothing more than long hours, schedules, responsibilities, and another season of putting everyone else first.
Then Nathaniel walks through the doors.
Years ago, when Des was at her lowest, she met a stranger who protected her from a room full of judging eyes and quietly reminded her that it was okay to fall apart.
She never forgot him.
He doesn't remember her.
Now, they meet again-not as strangers in a crowded restaurant, but as two adults carrying stories the other knows nothing about.
For twenty-one days, Des will be surrounded by young people learning about faith, brokenness, purpose, and the God who sees them.
And somewhere between campfires, worship nights, quiet conversations, old memories, unexpected friendship, and a love she never planned for, Des will have to face the greatest temptation of all
the temptation to believe that God has forgotten her.
Because sometimes, the hardest thing isn't accepting what God didn't give you.
Sometimes, it's learning to trust that what He has given you is still enough.
And perhaps, before Des learns how to love someone else...
she must first learn what it truly means to be God's daughter.
A story about faith, suffering, surrender, love, and the dangerous temptation to give up on the One who never gave up on you.*
Soli Deo Gloria.