West bound very soon...

Last night I slept in my bed for the last time this summer! I am now sitting in my brother’s house, packed and ready to head to Raleigh to stay before we go to the airport in the morning. I feel like tonight is going to be like Christmas Eve because I am SOO excited!! I am just ready to be there!! As I am soaking in this last bit of time with family, I just wanted to leave a verse that I ask will be your prayer for me and my project team this summer. It has been such a blessing to have people pray for me, and I want to have you continuing to pray!

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Colossians 4: 2-6

4 Days

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

1 Peter 3:15

What a hope we have in Christ! It's hard to believe that I am leaving for Santa Cruz, California, in less than four days! I am so excited about being there in such a short time. But with that said, I have a LOT to do before I get on my non-stop flight to California on Monday. These past couple of weeks have been full of fun and visiting with friends before I leave. Yesterday it really hit me that I will be away from friends and family for the whole summer, but I really am so stoked about serving the Lord and meeting my project team very soon. It has been great to spend some time at the lake, visit with sweet friends and spend a little time at home before Monday. Here are some pictures from these couple of weeks with friends.

 With my cousin, Lainey, at her graduation!

Me and Mimi at the Lake

Spent some time in VA with Alex and Kelsey

 A fun dinner in Wilmington with friends

Had lunch with Paige this week. So thankful for this sweet friend who has encouraged me so much as I have been preparing for CA.

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17: 3

I cannot wait for the Lord to use my team in an incredible way this summer. I have been praying for the people that the Lord is going to place in our paths and how he will choose to use us to bring them to Christ. Thank you for those of you who have partnered with me on this journey and for continuing to pray for me. Please pray as my team will be traveling in a few days, as they are continuing to raise support, and that this summer will bring glory to Christ in all ways! Well on Monday morning, I will be flying out of RDU with my precious friend, Kaitlin, and I can't wait! I am soo excited to have her with me this summer! Here is a picture of us when she came to visit Rose Hill with me.

Soli Deo Gloria.

10 Things...

I will miss...

1. Sweet friends and family

2. Being in NC when my sister comes home for the final time!

3. White Lake

4. Living with my parents during the summer like I have done for the past 20 years.

5. Sal’s Snowballs!

6. Louisa, Amy, and Johanna’s wedding

7. Sweet tea!!!

8. Atlantic Ocean

9. Late night talks with my Dad

10. Washburn Beach Vacation

I am looking forward to...

1. Living in California

2. NO humidity!

3. Working a job where I can get on a roller coaster in an easy second

4. Meeting 60 students, who desire to grow with the Lord

5. Sharing the gospel with people who have no hope, and through Christ giving them hope!

6. Doing something different for my summer.

7. Learning to surf

8. Pacific Ocean

9. Growing in a lot of different ways

10. Site seeing lots of neat places!!

Three weeks away

This blog was created for my family and friends to follow as I am in Santa Cruz, California this summer. I will be giving updates about what the Lord is doing in and through me as well as what my life on the west coast is like.

With that said, I can't believe it is almost time for me to leave for California. It seems like yesterday I was applying and then receiving the phone call that I was accepted to do summer project in Santa Cruz. I vividly remember that night getting off the phone and in tears of joy calling my parents and telling them. I was and still am overjoyed for this opportunity to serve Christ there! And I am even more excited to meet my project team of about 60 students and for how the Lord is going to use us for His glory.

Monday marks three weeks until I step out of everything that is familiar and fully depend on the Lord during this very exciting journey. There are moments when it hits me that I will be away from friends and family for a whole summer and I know I will miss them terribly, but there is no doubt, in how faithful the Lord has been to provide, that this is where I am suppose to be. I count it pure joy that Christ chose to use me to share the gospel in California.

Thank you for those who have committed to partnering with me in prayer, there are no words to describe how truly thankful I am. Please continue to pray me and for the people in Santa Cruz that the Lord will place in my path. I cannot wait to be there and I look forward to updating you often on my experience.

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

Soli Deo Gloria.