thankful for summer 07

I have loved this summer. I only have a few weeks left to enjoy time off from school, but I feel like the Lord has prepared me to go back to school and serve Him and to really enjoy myself in the process! I'm excited to begin my senior year (senior?!) at UNC and to finish strong. Let's hope senioritis doesn't kick in anytime soon...!

Summer Projects are great! Last summer, I went to San Diego in desperate need to know what it means to walk with the Lord. I was tired... tired of trying to do things on my own and ultimately failing. Have you ever felt that way?

I am incapable of doing anything on my own. And I'm thankful for that. It is through the power of Jesus Christ that my weakness is made strong. By myself, I am nothing. With Him, I am everything.

I went back to San Diego this summer for 7 weeks to intern with the Project. Man, did the Lord blow me away! I'm going to write a ton about it later... but until then, I just wanted to share what I've been feeling about the Lord's goodness. He's captured my heart! :)

....it's finally the weekend....

For some reason this year of college has been by far the craziest. But also the best. The Lord tests me... quite often... but my faith is secure and I know to rely on Him.

For those of you who I haven't talked to yet, let me tell you about Summer Project. For 10 weeks I got to live a block and a half from the ocean with 100 of the best people I'll ever know. The friendships built were amazing. But more than that, I learned I could experience the Lord and follow His call for my life. And now that is my #1 desire... to let the Lord use me.

I worked at Sea World. I didn't realize it until work started, but working at Sea World was one of our main ways to evangelize. It was so easy to talk to people at work... they knew who the "Crusaders" are and are interested in what we had to tell them. We all worked in the culinary department. I worked at a restaurant called Mango Joe's... no mangos to be found, though!

We did outreaches all of the time. I got the priviledge to co-lead the Evangelism team with a guy named Mitch after the staff left halfway through the summer. That was an awesome experience, too. It taught me the importance of relying on the Lord while in a "leadership position"... even though all I really did was facilitate meetings.

And then I had to come home. Dang. No, but really, the Lord's plan is perfect... I am really happy right now. I am taking 5 classes and working about 15 hours a week. Sometimes more than that. I'm a Daily Tour Guide at the school... so I do just what that says... give tours. On Tuesdays at 9 and Thursdays at 2. But on top of that I have to work in the office 6 hours a week and do other stuff. I'm really involved with Campus Crusade for Christ this year. I was asked to lead a Bible study in a dorm called Wiebking hall... LOVE IT! The Lord has brought a consistent group of about 20 girls to this weekly study. I also go to discipleship Bible study every Wednesday night with other junior and senior women.

I try to go see Roma, Eric and Danielle whenever I can. Sometimes it's hard... but even if I only have a few hours the visits are still good.

The newest addition to my life is my boyfriend, Eric (haha.... same name as my brother... yeah, it gets a little confusing) He began pursuing a relationship with me back at the beginning of the year, but we didn't start dating til the end of September. I like him a lot... and we have an absolute blast together. He said he wants to help me grow closer to the Lord... I can't complain! And.... he's a really interesting guy! His brother and sister are both deaf, so he is fluent in sign language... I'm learning, too... right now I know "I like football" and "I am good, how are you?" and "I like my boyfriend" and the alphabet. Random.

I love that I get to be lazy in the morning. But as for right now I'm going to bed.

Blessings!

It's been a while...

Friends,

Life is a little different now that I'm home... it is immeasurably better than when I left for San Diego. I can't attribute all of the great things in my life to Summer Project, but I can attribute all of the great things in my life to the Lord.

Grandpa and Grandma, I thought I forgot my password... but I didn't. I have to go to work now, but I'll post a lot in a little while. Love!

Sharing Ben and Jerry's...

Day 4...............

Friends, this place is amazing! The beauty here goes way beyond the surface (the waves, the lack-of sun, San Diego in general), but God is present! So many things have happened that tell me that this is a Divine Appointment and that I'm meant to be here.

I arrived on Sunday, and was very overwhelmed with the huge amount of people here! It was fun to start to meet new people. I have 12 roommates... yes, 12. They are all wonderful and patient. Never have I seen so many bunk beds crammed into a small space.

On day 2 we got into our "Growth Groups" where I'm with 3 girls and a leader and we get to dig deep into life... how exciting! We each had as much time as we wanted to share our souls. But this summer is going to be full of soul sharing. Also on Monday we got our SeaWorld jobs! I'm working at Mango Joe's cafe... ah, food service.

Day 3 was the day to jump into sharing the gospel on the beach. I was scared, but we've done that again since and it's becoming a little more comfortable, even though it's still scary to approach strangers and share my heart. I actually tried to share the gospel with a monk...

We were all put into different ministry teams... I was placed in the Evangelism team.... I didn't want to be in that because I didn't think it would fit my personality/abilities/interests. But I know God placed me there because I'm loving it! I know I'm meant to be there!

I have high expectations for San Diego, and they're being met and exceded! GLORIOUS! My discipler Jenni is investing a lot of time to get to know me.... I'm really happy.

I'm really happy here. I keep thinking it's like summer camp and I'll be leaving soon... but I'm so thankful that's not the case!

Pray for us! And the evangelism we're doing... big things are happening!

Love!

It's time for me to go...

Hi friends!

So, I'm boarding a plane in just over a day to head to San Diego for 10 weeks. I'm going with Crusade on a Summer Project -- with 120 other college students!

I have to trust that God will use this time for His glory. It isn't about me, and that honestly excites me so much!

This blog is to keep everyone updated on what's happening in that sunny city (although, I just saw a live clip of SD on tv, it's not so sunny... funny.) I'm not bringing a computer, but I'm sure there will be tons of people with their's, so I'll sneak away to a coffee shop next to where we're staying and get online to post some thoughts.

I had to say goodbye to my brother, my sister-in-law, and my beautiful niece last night. That was hard! A huge fear I have is that Roma is going to be so different when I do actually get the chance to see her again. I was telling Danielle that my selfish side is crying "STAY!" so I can sit and play with Roma all summer. But we all know that this is what I need to do... God's called me to it! I believe that saying goodbye to them was the hardest part, now I'm just plain excited! It's a weird thought knowing I'm leaving for the entire summer, though.

I have a discipler named Jenni who is going to take me under her wing for the next 6 or so weeks. I'm excited. She's from Wisconson and seems like a really down to earth person who'll be easy to talk to. She's going to push me to do things I'm unfamiliar with, and she's going to help me learn so much. She's been on project before, so she knows what's up.

I fly out at 8:15 on Sunday morning... the next time you'll hear from me I'll be in sunny (or not so sunny) San Diego!

Be Blessed!

Prayer Requests:
For everyone traveling on Sunday
That God would defeat any Spiritual warfare happening in our hearts and in San Diego
Friendships that are going to be made
Our trips down to Mexico on the 12th and the 13th
Good Attitudes
Open Hearts!