Are we the cure or the disease for this world?

                                            ^My Project Group at Closing Ceremonies 

As LT is ending, I have really been trying to figure out what I will do after this. But I have also been noticing my friends around me and their actions. I'm not trying to judge at all, but I have been noticing how some of us take life differently. Some have the saying "YOLO" which means "You only Live Once" but others have a saying, "I'm only living for Jesus." Some are also in the middle, but it's been interesting to notice all of this.

What sparked this is when a friend started cussing while playing basketball. I yelled at him to watch his language! But then I noticed the people around me and how much they cuss. I have looked into cussing before, but I felt like this was different. It really gave me insight to how we as Christians should appear to non-believers. In James 3, it talks about taming the tongue:

 "And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, than we guide their entire bodies. Look at ships too: though they are so large and driven by harsh winds they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot's inclination directs. So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence-- and is set on fire by hell. For ever kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature has been subdues by humankind. But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God's image. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. A spring does not pour our fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water." (James 3:3-12)

I would really like to break this down. First of all, James is comparing the tongue to a bits in horses mouths and a rudder to a ship. It guides us to who we are and what we are thinking. It is saying that this small muscle is HUGE, it should be carefully guided and watched with self-control. If we don't, it will take over who we are and become who we don't want to be. It will take "fire" and we won't have control. Kinda like what happened to my friend out on the basketball court. What ever is terrible that we put out it is considered poison. Now, here is my favorite part of this passage: not 

^We had a girls night out! 

only do we use our mouth and words for praises to God, but we also use our mouth to cuss and discourage people. We even cuss out people that are a CHILD OF GOD. He made that person, and you just called them a retard. That makes me feel awful that we do that! We should be carrying ourselves with love, not hurtful words! Not only are these reasons to watch our language, but I believe that we are set to a higher standard as Christians. We need to follow Christ and with that we need to be ambassadors for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 it says, "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead for you on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God!". 

Not only do I think that we should not cuss but I think that we should watch what we listen to, watch and who we look up to. I feel like we should be filling our minds with what is good and pure. Not something that is going to make us stumble. In Philippians 4:8-9 it says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, 

whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. And what you learned and recieved and heard 
                                                                                             ^Our last Project Day!


and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you". I really like how in most of these verses I have told you, they have said we are brothers and sisters in Christ. How are you going to treat your brother and sister in Christ? Are you going to be the cure of this world by being like Jesus? Or are you going to spread this disease with your mouth and filling your mind with things that don't make you think pure? I encourage you to maybe go think about these verses. How are you living, and how can you change right now to help spread the cure through this broken world? 

SO, that's what I have been thinking about. I have really be encouraged to just be more like Christ. This is such a hard task to do, but if that means more people will love Jesus and have the gift of eternal life, what is there to lose? I really want to examine my own actions. I realize I haven't been an angel. Because of my abuse issues, I lash out at people when I feel disrespected or not in control. I am really trying to work on these issues and God has been SO great. I don't want to treat my brothers and sisters in Christ like that, because that is not loving and it does not look like Christ when I do that. 

Tomorrow is my last day, and as I pack up and move on from this amazing summer, I am sad. But I am also really excited to see what is in store for me in h2o. I am working on a plan for the Bowling Green women. I feel so blessed that God has given me this heart for women. In fact, at the very beginning of LT we wrote letters to ourselves to God of what we want from Him this summer. I asked Him for His heart for women. I know that my heart for women has grown so much stronger, but I didn't realize how strong until we had a confession time at the last LT service. I had opened my letter and sat there thinking about it. There were women coming up to confess their brokenness, and I couldn't help but feel this sadness take over my heart. I was incredibly sad for these women, so sad I began to cry for everyone of them. I realized that God was giving me His heart for these women, He was sad to hear their brokenness and wanted to be there for all of them. It was incredible. God is going to be doing great things in Bowling Green when we get back and I am really excited for that! However, I am sad to say bye to all the friends that I made. I am also a little scared to move on from this "Christian bubble" but I know that God is going to be with everyone. 

I am excited to be done with work! I really found that I don't like this work and I really need to be with more people and serve them. I am hoping for next summer to possibly be interning for h2o and staying in Bowling Green for the summer! That is a whole year away, so we'll see what happens! But I got these white shoes for work, and let's just say not only are they not white but they are ready to hit the trash! Glad tomorrow is my last day :] 

I know I have talked about this before, but a couple weeks ago I was able to hike Longs Peak. It is the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park at the elevation of 14,259 feet and it is 16 miles long. It is not named Longs Peak for no reason. IT WAS LONG! It was probably the hardest physical challenge I have ever been through, but so worth it. The view at the summit was breath taking. I was astonished while going up. Dale and I left at 1, got at the trailhead at about 1:15ish and began our hike. It took us about 12 hours but as the sun was coming up when we got to the keyhole (a part of the trail) I could see the shadows and the light go across the mountains. It was so magical. Even in the dark, the milky way could be seen from the trail. It was amazing. One of my favorite hikes by far! 

                                                           ^The view from Longs Peak

I think I have done everything that I have wanted to and more. I am so thankful for everyone that has contributed through this trip either through finances or through prayer. THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST SUMMER EVER!!! 

God's Work

These past few weeks have been really interesting. I am not exactly sure where to start. I have learned a lot from God. I have also been trying to cross of things from my bucket list. I guess I should just fill you in on what has been happening this past few weeks here.

I have had the amazing opportunity to go to my first rodeo with my friend Holly. We actually were able to go for free because our friend, Hayley had been given tickets for her birthday and she wasn't going to go. The rodeo was unbelievable! I couldn't believe how many people would risk their lives for something that was just a show. However, watching them do it was really impressive. My favorite part was probably the bull riding because those animals are just so majestic! I also was able to visit the Stanley Hotel with Hayley, where Stephen King got the inspiration to write The Shining. Unfortunately, we were unable to see any ghosts but I really had an awesome time with Hayley and I really got an awesome opportunity to understand and get to know her more. For my project day last week we went to a Colorado Rockies game which is the Colorado's Major League Baseball team. It was really fun, however it ended up raining and we were in what is called the "Rock Pile" and there was nothing above our heads, therefore we got really wet, soaked even! But it was a great opportunity to bond with everyone. The next day I was
^^The Rodeo!

able to go horseback riding with Josie and Dale at the Y and it was so much fun! It was only for an hour, but I was able to ride a horse named Corndog. He had so much character and we really had a great time! That day we also went to go tye-dye a shirt and visited the museum. All of this was really fun! The next day I went to the staff prom that they have at the Y. It was so much fun and I ended up wining a prize! It was a drawing for a $50 gift card to Target. After that I was able to go fly fishing for my first time! It is probably something that I am never going to do again, but I did catch a fish (a rainbow trout!) and it was really fun to try. Out of all of these events, the one thing that was probably the hardest thing that I have ever had to do was hiking/climbing Longs Peak. Longs Peak is a fourteener. This means that the elevation is at 14,000 feet (some of the highest mountains in our country). It is also the hardest fourteener. This was the biggest physical challenge that I have ever had to go through, but making it to the top was the most amazing sight I have ever seen.

There are still things that I want to do here, like take a picture at the Estes Park sign, but these adventures here so far have been so awesome. I wouldn't trade it for the world! Through these adventures, I have been really learning a lot through God. One thing is I have been really praying for the women in Bowling Green. My vision is that every woman on campus hears the gospel. But I have been trying to figure out how to accomplish this vision. God has definitely been blessing this, and I think I have and idea of a plan with help from the director of LT, John Drage. I'm not going to tell you the plan, but I have seen
                                                                                         ^^The Stanley Hotel
that the main problem is women in BG need to know how to be discipled and know how to disciple. So, I am hoping to propose an idea to h2o when I get back that will help fix this problem!

                                               ^^The look from the Summit of Longs Peak

Another thing that God has been showing me is healing from my past. I have been going to workshops about women being exposed. So far they have been really awesome but a lot of work on myself. One thing that they talked about two weeks ago was emotional healing. Macie, our teacher for this workshop really encouraged us to ask God to go into our lives and try to heal from our past, present and future hurts. I know that I have healed a lot through counsoling and time but I also have known for awhile that I need more healing. I know I am not completely free from my abuse, but when I asked God what I needed to heal in, He definitely showed me! At work, I found people getting upset with me. I didn't understand and soon after I realized what I was doing. If I ever feel disrespected, or not in control of the situation then I lash out on the person. This is really horrible because I make the person who was just talking to me, feel terrible. I was feeling very convicted and at the next workshop, I talked to Macie about it. She suggested that I try Theophostics Praying, something that helped her a lot. This is where the person that wants to heal prays to God, there are usually two people helping and they guide you through the prayer by asking questions to dig deeper into what God is saying. So, I scheduled an appointment with her and I did it just yesterday. It turns out, I have a lot more to heal from, but God really blessed the session and helped me heal from a lot. At work, this girl who was getting mad at me was really making me feel dumb, unworthy, and not a good Crew Leader. I was starting to believe these lies and through this prayer, I was able to get a little bit of healing from it. I still think that I need to keep getting healing from it, and it is not a overnight heal, but God is really working in my life and trying to heal these different situations. It is so awesome and such a blessing! Although, I am not going to lie, it is SO hard! I really feel like I am growing through my abuse issues and I am definitely growing more with God.

In my project group things have been really going well. We are getting a lot of opportunities to bond and just have so much fun together! This past week we made a video together which I will post soon! There is a competition for whoever makes the best video at closing ceremonies. I am personally excited for ours and I think it is really hilarious! Some of my project group made a fake twitter account of me, if you would like to see it or follow me, here it is: https://twitter.com/FakeMsMichelle I have heard that it is pretty funny and mind you, none of it is me, it's just some of my friends who have made it up!

I still have 10 more days here, and 8 more work days. I am SO excited to go home, although I am really going to miss everyone that I have made friends with and the community here. But I am really excited to get REAL food, a REAL shower, a REAL night of sleep, and to see my dogs and my family! I won't be home for very long, but I'll be glad to be home!

A lot of change

^Some girls in my lifegroup (this is a smaller group branched from our project group!)

I have been going through a lot while I have been here at LT. However, one of the things that first has come up with me and God is what I want to do with my life. I have always thought that I wanted to teach little kids for the rest of my life. I STILL have a passion for that, but the desires of my heart are changing. For the past 6 months I have been thinking about going into woman's ministry. I have a huge heart for women that are hurting and are in pain. I can see women covering up that hurt and pain with things that don't fill it. I have felt this hurt when I was going through my abuse and I feel like I can help this for other women. 

One of the talks that John Drage gave was about management and planning for the future. I learned a lot through this talk and through it I thought that I should start planning for being in women's ministry. I am still unsure if this is exactly where God is calling me, however I have had an amazing time trying to grow with women and connect with them. One of the things that I learned through that talk was to form mini goals to my future goal. So, two of the goals that I want to work on now is

1. I want to become a more disciplined disciple. Meaning I want to be more consistent in my quiet times and listening to God. 
2. If I want to be in women's ministry I want to connect with women that I don't think that I can connect with. 

During one of my quiet times I was really reflecting on this talk and I realized that in my project group I have a huge opportunity to try and connect with the women in my group! I realized that some of the women I felt like I couldn't connect with. So, I made a list of the women in  my group. Then I numbered them on who I felt more disconnected with. Since then, I have met with 4 women out of my list of 10 and it has been AMAZING! God has truly blessed each conversation for His glory. Each conversation has gone so different. For example, my first conversation with a girl named Benni was really about undrstanding who she is and where she came from. My second conversation was with a girl named Macklin and it was really amazing how God spoke through her and I as we talked. It seemed like we could really inspire each other in our relationship with God. In my second conversation, it was with Jessica and I heard her testimony for the first time. Throughout the whole story I would tear up and just imagine how much she had to go through. But it was SO amazing how Christ had been chasing after for all those years. We could have talked forever and I feel like I made a really great friend! Then the fourth person I talked to was from BG and she and I really got a chance to have "girl talk". It was fun talking and listening to all of these girls. I loved connecting with each one and learning about them and what I can do for them through the project group. Just seeing God really use my gift of encouragement and being intentional with each woman has really made me see, maybe this is something that I could possible do for the future. 


This is obviously something that I am learning spiritually. Something that I am learning emotionally is the fact that because I was abused by two men, I have a hard time to reach out to them. I work with all these men, and a HUGE blessing has happened in the work place: I have been promoted! This means that I am actually telling what these men (who I am somewhat afraid of) to do. This is a little hard, and sometimes I don't get the respect I want. But man, God did an awesome job at helping me get through it. I am learning a lot about putting my own feelings aside to really get to know these men and help them get to know me. It's been a pretty cool experience but it is definitely hard. I am also still grieving over Hilary. About a week and a half ago, Bryan Wiles from Bowling Green spoke about death and I just bawled my eyes out. I couldn't stop crying and after he was finished speaking he said if you were touched by this talk or need to talk to anyone or have someone pray over you, to go to the sides. He also said that this would be an awesome time to be humbled. I thought, for sure I won't go because I am a leader and I don't need that. But I couldn't even sing because of all my tears! So, despite what I was thinking, I went to the side for someone to just pray for Hilary. It was amazing what he prayed for. He asked my heavenly father to give me comfort and peace. This is something that I have never heard or thought about. So, I have been really praying for God to just give me His comfort and peace. And He has totally been faithful in that. I am still grieving, but God is helping me through it. 


Something physically He is pushing me through is hiking. I never knew how much hiking took all of your mind, heart, and any strength that you have. This past Tuesday I went on a hike. It wasn't just any hike it was really awesome. We left around 5ish in the morning, started the hike at 6 am and then didn't get back until 6 pm. 12 HOURS! It was around 15-17 miles (this is my estimate, although it felt like 100 miles). And then we went to five different peaks: Flat Top, Hallets, Oatis, Shark Tooth, and Taylor. By far, Taylor was my favorite with an amazing view! We got to see cute little Marmots (pictured on the side) and even some prairie dogs! It was really cool, however something that I have been learning is if I am tired, it is okay to go 
my pace and admit that I need a break. I think this is something that I need to relate to my life right now. I am exhausted and need rest. However, there is SO much to do. I want to have my quiet times, run, talk to my family and friends that are here and at home. It is so tiring. But I do need to take a "Sabbath" if you will. I need a rest, to recoup and concentrate on God. 

Some fun things that are happening are: last week we played in a volleyball tournament! We got to play against awesome players and dress up in 70's style! I was on a team of 7 funky cool cats (who are pictured on the side) and we ended up coming in third out of 16 teams! I think we played pretty darn good! My mom is going to be here in a week and half and I am so STOKED! I can't wait to show her everything that is here and show her what an amazing community is here! 


God is doing amazing things here at LT. I am so shocked  
everyday that I get to wake up to these amazing mountains and be able to work here. I am so blessed for the people in my life that are at home and that are here now. Thank you so much for supporting me so far, this has been such an amazing journey! We are on week 5 and have 5 more weeks to go. This is crazy for me, and part of me I can't imagine how I can leave this place. But God has so many amazing things for me in Bowling Green when I get back that I just can't wait! 


If you ever want to check out any of the talks that are  going on here in LT Colorado, go to this link! http://coloradolt.tumblr.com/

Some awesome worship songs that have been really getting to me are: With Everything by Hillsong and The Climb (Nothing I Hold On To) by William Matthews

You are all I want

(On top of a rock in Merana Park)

I am not skilled to understand
 What God has willed, what God has planned

I only know at His right hand

Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed

Christ died to save me; this I read

And in my heart I find a need

Of Him to be my savior

**Lyrics from the song, My Savior, My God by Aaron Shurst

This week, this song has stuck out to me. I have no idea what God is planning in my life and instead of leaning on my own understanding, I am leaning on Him and Him only. He is the one that has given us the most amazing love. 

Sacrificial love. 

He gave up His life for all of our sins. ALL. OF. MY. SINS. Sometimes I forget this. That when He went up on that cross he didn't just die for Israel's sins, or the people that had put him up on that cross, but he died for my sins today, tomorrow and every sin that is in the future. So, when our director of Leadership Training, John Drege went up on stage Thursday (May 31st) it was to my surprise what I was going to realize after he talked. His talk was about pride and I realized I am so prideful. I am prideful in myself and in my relationship with Christ. I never realized that I was so prideful, but I am so glad that I know now so I can be more like Christ and let go being prideful. 

Having a full time position and working as a project group leader is really difficult. (On the left is my project group!) It's hard for me to find time for everything that I want to do. However, one by one I am accomplishing things I never thought were possible. I have planned two Project Groups and all I believe have been a success. I visited my family and even though I would have been able to stay longer and be with my sister more it was fun. I have been hiking like CRAZY! Last week we did 3 different peaks, Emerald Mountain, Bible Point and Eagle Cliff. I went with four other people and it was probably one of the hardest things I have done here. Eagle Cliff was so steep, but every person that went was a key role to getting to the top! We even saw an Eagle at the top of Eagle Cliff. Just yesterday we hiked our highest elevation yet, 11,006 feet! We hiked to the top of Estes Cone. It was probably one of the best views yet! I have noticed with hiking that there are times that I need to stop, however for some reason I am so scared of stopping. Like when I stop it's going to make me seem weak. However, I am learning that it is okay to stop now and then to catch your breath. I think this can also relate back to life. It's okay if you need to cry a little bit every now and then. It's HEALTHY and completely understandable! 

 

This is the group that came on the 3 peaks! Ben, Clinton, Josie, me and Dale

I have been reading this book called So Long Insecurity: You've Been a Bad Friend to Us by Beth Moore. First, if you haven't heard of Beth Moore, watch this: Beth Moore-Hairbrush I definitely look up to her as being a woman of God and someone to admire to be like. I am learning a lot about my own insecurities and how I need to depend on God so that he can clothe me in strength and dignity.

As an LT group, we have been doing a book study called Walking as Jesus Walked. So far it has been really interesting and it has been really motivating to be MORE like Jesus. I think that this is really my goal for the summer. Yes, I want to be more consistent in my reading, memorize verses, and have more listening time but all in all I want to be like Him. 

I have also been trying to work on my evangelizing. About two weeks or so ago, I was eating dinner with my friends and right after we were supposed to go to prayer. I had a funny feeling like God was telling me not to go to prayer but I didn't know or understand why he was saying that. But then this man, who is about the same age as me sits down at our table. We started to talk to him, but one by one the other girls left the table to go to prayer. Pretty soon it was just him and I. We had an awesome discussion about his church upbringing. All of a sudden, I felt Gods presence in me and I told him that it sounded to me that he was insecure of his faith because he had so many questions. He thought that if he would ask some of his questions that people would look down upon him. I told him how much my church community means to me and that if he was in a good community, that he would be able to have his questions answered and people would praise him for his questions. So, I invited him to LT services (which are every Tuesday and Thursday nights). I told him to meet in my lobby before and we can go together, so I waited but he never showed up. I was used to this happening from other people that I have invitied to church and them just not taking the final step to actually go. So, I went on my normal night and went. After the service, I turned around and there he was. He came by himself! I have been talking to him ever since, and so far he has made it to all of the LT services. My next goal is to have him sign up with a project group or even get discipled by one of my close guy friends. But this was just so encouraging to me because it really showed me that God works in us at all times. He is just SO amazing. 

If you're interested in listiening to or hearing an LT service, just go to this link: LT Sevices I encourage you to listen to the one on pride from Thursday, May 31st! 

All in all, I am staying very busy. I am planning to do laundry today and give blood! I am working night shifts this week so I will be working from 4:30 pm to 1 am. They make me extremely tired, but it gives me lots and lots of time to read and learn more about Jesus! 

All I want to do is live for Him and do His will. Whatever that looks like, that's what I want to do. 

My Rock in the Rockies: The Only Thing That Remains

*** This is Mearna Park, a very easy hike, but I found that this verse has been the essence of my time here so far!

This past week has been pretty incredible but very busy. I am in the process of learning how to balance work, LT (Leadership Training) stuff, Project Group stuff, as well as staying in touch with my family and friends from home while still hanging out and building relationships here. However, let me explain exactly what I've been doing. 


My job is in housekeeping but it is in the department called Center Services. I am basically cleaning the main lodges and setting up for meetings that are in the meeting rooms. We also tear down meeting rooms, clean different offices and bathrooms. The job is not routine which I like. It keeps me moving and keeps me working! 


LT stuff has begun! We had our first teaching and worship last night and today we are in the middle of our retreat. So far we have had the opportunity to hear John Drege, the director of LT talk and then he had us go out and have silence and solitude for two hours. It was pretty intense, and I definitely learned a lot. I went outside at the begining and I sat off to the side of the road and there was 5 elk. It was pretty amazing to watch them graze and pray at the same time. One thing that John talked to us about was Psalm 62.

Truly my soul finds rest in God;   

 my salvation comes from him.Truly he is my rock and my salvation;    

 he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 

How long will you assault me?

Would all of you throw me down—

this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

Would all of you throw me down—

this leaning wall, Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies.With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.

 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people;    pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.  Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods;though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.  

Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie.If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.

One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God,

and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”

This passage really stood out to me because I realized I haven't been looking at God as my rock. He can't be shaken with anything and He is so strong! As I was in my quiet time, I hadn't looked at this passage yet. However, apparently God really wanted me to take a look   at it. I have been doing a reading plan for this whole year, and apparently all the passages that I read today, connected with his sermon and Psalm 62. With everything that I am going through now, I needed to be reminded that God is my rock. He can help me with anything and can help me have peace and comfort. I am still having a hard time with Hilary's death, but knowing that God is my rock, it helps and comforts me. 


I am a Project Group Leader, which means that I am planning to do things on Monday's for 14 people. We plan to basically share what we have been learning this summer, create a community, and do fun activities. I have a project coach that I will be meeting with weekly and a male co-leader to help me! I am definitely not alone in this, but it does stress me out a little bit. However, this position is perfect for me! I love to plan and I love to be with people, so what more can I ask for?! Our first Project day is this coming Monday, and my project coach and co-leader are planning tomorrow (Saturday). I am very excited and I know that it will go well! For all my family reading this, I think we may be able to play Crazy Kickball! 


At the service last night, one thing that really stood out to me and something I want to practice over the summer is God being the only thing that remains. This worship song came on and I fell in love with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ This is the link that goes to the song in YouTube, if you would like to check it out. 


I will continue to keep you updated :] For all my family, I am hoping to skype with you tomorrow (Saturday)!

Taking THE step

I feel like I am on a limb.

 It's shaky. 

Not very sturdy. 

It's up pretty high. 

And somehow I need to jump. 

But I'm scared. Nervous. Anxious. Excited because who knows what's going to happen after this. 

I trust in something that is bigger than my self. 

And as I take the leap, I feel wings growing and I take flight. 

This is how I felt as I was driving three other girls from Delaware, Ohio to Kearney, Nebraska. I was so scared and nervous driving and being in charge of these three ladies lives, and my own. I was also scared about getting there. What are we going to do? Who are we going to meet? What is this summer going to be like? I knew it was going to be a hard summer but I didn't realize how rough it's going to be. Until I went on Facebook Thursday morning (today). Hilary Mankin, my friend, my co-worker, she lived down the hall from me died in her apartment in Bowling Green the night before. She was 20 years old, a theatre major and had the most outgoing, wonderful personality and I can't believe that she is gone. Why not start off a summer that I know was going to be hard, with something that I have never experienced before or dealt with before? I am right now understanding that when I go back to BG she is not going to be there and that is a hard thing to realize. ***Hilary is the one on the far left in the picture below. Hilary, Melanie (in the middle) and I were all Co-RA's on the same floor this past school year. ***


I know I need to trust God with everything, have my full faith in Him this summer because He's the only one that I can depend on. So, right now I am trying to understand what that looks like. I know that He's going to do amazing things this summer. I'm just not sure what that is going to be. Just trusting that whatever He does do this summer, it's going to be for the good. Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."


I start working tomorrow, hopefully. I am not sure really what it entails but I found out that I will be housekeeping all the main buildings here at YMCA of the Rockies. I guess I will see what I will have to do! 


I want to take this time to thank everyone who supported me. I would love to mention names but that would be more than 30 people (financially) but more than that with prayer. However, all of you are SO important in my life. Getting here, and doing this is going to be so amazing. I know God is going to change my life and you're apart of it. Thank you so much, seriously, in an indirect way, you are changing my life through God. 


2 Corinthians 5:6-7 "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. 

ROAD TRIP!!!

Not that I am counting, there are 16 days until we leave for Colorado! It is not going to look anything like the picture, but I will be driving 3 other girls, Kirsti, Christina, and Josie! I am really excited to be having my first real road trip with these girls. We have planned a lot of fun things, like at every stop that we make, we will chalk where we are, how many miles to go and the stop number and take a picture of it! I have asked my parents to help me out with a Trip Tik so that we can get there safely (I also am planning to have a GPS and a US map!). Kristi and Josie are coming up on the 15th to my house and then we will leave to pick up Christina early on the 16th. We are planning to drive half-way there and then drive the rest on the 17th. Our first day of work starts the 18th! I found out my job for the summer: I will be a housekeeper. A lot of the people that are going from BGSU are going to be in this job, so I won't be alone! I may even get the opportunity to be a part-time intern, but I will update you later when I get official details about it! All I have to do is finish my finals...


<3


"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." -Hebrews 12:1-3