New Orleans in 8 hours...

I just got butterflies in my stomach. It's in knots, actually. The last 48 hours has been really crazy. Let me just say one thing to my supporters: Thank you for all you've done.

Now just my personal thoughts, I am so scared about this. I don't know why. I think it's just being away from home for so long. I know that it probably won't be so bad when I actually get out on the field because I'll be working hard and long hours. One of the girls suggested my obvious homesickness was being caused by still being in Springfield. I really am unsure of a legitimate response to that. I hope that is the case, because I am pretty miserable.

If I hadn't been called by the Lord, I would for sure just go home. But, I know that I have a purpose to be on this team of fantastic people.

I know these updates are short and sweet, but I journal a LOT and by the time I get around to these blogs that I don't think anyone reads I don't feel like putting a whole lot of effort into this!

I LOVE YOU that read, and if you LOVE me, please leave me a comment!!

xoxo

Truth talk...

So I'm not gonna lie, this day has been a tough one. I'm tired, cranky, and a tad bit homesick. I had a great morning, and an awesome lunch with my Life Group. Then, a good prayer time with the group and an amazing time alone basically this whole evening after 7. I'm fixing to head to bed now.

Here's a few things for my prayer supporters to lift up to the King for me personally!:

-My heart. That it would be guarded and strong.
-My mind. That I would only think uplifting, fruitful, and encouraging thoughts.
-My body. That I would not become sick.

And, as always, the El Salvadorian people, New Orleans people, and my team. Names: Erin, Shannon, Morgan, Victoria, Matt, Kelly, Chase, Niki, Jill, Leah, Levi, and Stephanie. Thanks from all of us!

xoxo

My spirit is heavy

As I sit here in the living room of the intern house, surrounded by 6 girls that have become a part of my family in less than 7 days, I am utterly amazed by what God has done. I knew what God performed to get me to be able to be here, but when I hear about what He did to get these others here I am moved to tears. Honestly, if I think about it long enough I do begin to tear and want to cry. I have almost broke down into tears several times when just thinking about our God and His sovereignty. Good tears, of course. Tears of joy and thankfulness.

My spirit is heavy. I just feel like God has this 'blessing'/'situation' that is unknown at this time to anyone but Himself. But the closer I get to leaving this intern house and going forth with 12 others to minister to those in another area, the spirit within me leaps and my heart thumps faster and my stomach ties up in knots. Seriously, I think, What could God possibly have planned for me?" More than that, what is it that God has planned for me to DO? All I know is that this time of training has made me more aware of what to expect as far as culture and plan to do to minister to those in need.

Well, I've been up for a long time today and I'm just really tired. I had a goal of being to bed by 10 pm tonight, but it hasn't happened. So I will talk to you later. I am going team building camping with the team tomorrow through Saturday daytime. No clue where it is we're headed, but I am excited!

I Love you guys so much!
xoxoxoxoxo

What a day!

So, I was completely amazed at what God did today and last night.

We filled bags at convoy of hope at a volunteer portion of COH called Hands of Hope. They are local people that come to COH to help do whatever needs done. Last night for our team we filled bags with a toothpaste, toothbrush, and a small bar of soap. These kids are going to be so happy when we give them their small package.

My eyes are being opened to the poverty in this world. I want to make a difference. I was called to make a difference. I am too called to be comfortable. I love you guys so much. Please know I'm praying for you. Intensely.

xoxo

Welcome Summer!!

No kidding, I was prepared to deal with heat in El Salvador and New Orleans; But, not here in SpRiNgFiElD! It is HOT, huh? Our air conditioner broke in the intern house yesterday. The inside thermometer registered 90 degrees. When I went to bed past midnight it still showed 89 degrees. We were one HOT bunch of people. I woke up several times sweating. This morning when I woke up (I slept in my underwears) my pillow was drenched in sweat. nAsTy, I know! Not only was the air conditioner broke, but the stove and the oven were also out of commission. Cooking for 18 people was NOT an easy thing and we all pitched in to help the cooks pull it off. Then this morning, one of the interns, Jill, noticed that the ceiling fan was on the Winter setting all night last night. So all that hot air just kept circulating. YUCK! Lol!

So, I didn't update yesterday and i'm sure I won't update tomorrow. We are spending a 12+ hour day at Convoy of Hope in training all day and then working with the volunteer program Hands of Hope! I am excited! It will be one day I will remember, certainly.

Today was Monday. I got up at 7:0oam and got dressed. After that I ate a pop tart. (like the play-by-play yet? lol) Then I loaded up in the van and headed to Convoy of Hope where I started the day spending a solid 30 minutes with Jesus. (it was Amazing!) Then, we began our training time. We had a great speaker for our group devotions, and after the training we ate lunch together, and trained more after. Did a lot of brainstorming ideas.

We're going to be focusing on enhancing the wholistic health of kids, youth, and adults. Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual health. Our group is mainly focusing on the Adults. I brought up teaching the local people how to plant seeds and provide healthy meals for their family themselves. I am hoping we will be able to. Of course, providing them with many seeds for gardens and whatnot.

Anyway, I have alot more to type about, but I really want my effort to be poured into my journal and I haven't written for two days. So I'm going to become much more focused on it the next few days.
Love you guys!!
xoxo

From the Intern House

Hey family! Greetings from the intern house in Springfield! Yep, I'm still here. I won't leave until July 1st for New Orleans. We are driving a 15 passenger van down there. Then we will do work until July 5th, and leave for El Salvador on July 5th! It's a 6.5 hour flight. (ooo, flying. . .)

So anyway, I wanted to give a quick update as to what we are doing. When I got here Thursday, we met everyone and ate pretty chinese food from a place in town. Apparently, Springfield Chinese is a pretty widely known thing. It's where Springfield Cashew Chicken originated. The New York Times did a whole story on Springfield Chinese not too long ago. Completely unknown to me! :) For the sake of prayer, here are the names of the interns. (Me), Erin, Stephanie, Morgan, Nici, Leah, Jill, Victoria, Kelly, and our female leader Shannon. Three guys are going named Matt (the leader), Chase, and Levi. Each intern is just simply amazing. Coming from all the way up in Northern California to the panhandle of Florida we make up a team of 13. I am in awe of the team God has put together. Our testimony night is coming up. Or should I say testimony DAY. I cannot wait for this day!

On thursday we met and greeted, on Friday it was our first 24 hours together and we spent the day at Convoy of Hope in a training time. More it was devotional and 'rules.' We also went over a few of the details of what we will be doing. We're going to 3 different villages-very cool. More to come on that later. On Saturday (yesterday), we had a training session here at the house and then we went out to lunch together to Taco Bell and then Matt gave everyone a tour of Springfield. Neat stuff-even I didn't know 1/2 of the history he gave! awesome stuff!

The plan for today is to go to James River. We are leaving in 20 minutes for the church. I'm excited to go to my church one more time before we leave. Man, I love this church so much. What amazing people!! And what a privilege to get to show the team around and 'brag' a little about what God has done in the church!

I love you all! xoxo

It is Time!

I am fixing to finalize things in my suitcase, and run a few errands and then I am headed out to take my stuff to the intern house.

This life of mine is exactly like I want. I asked the Lord to give me a life of stories. Stories that would impact others like some people's stories have changed my life and way of thinking. Listening to my lifegroup's stories about how God has moved and worked into their life. People such as Kristin Temple, @eliza143, @cstrok, @lstrok, @laramie10, Stephanie Field, Ryan and Laci Moore, all have these incredible lifechanging stories. They have impacted me greatly, and I want the adventures, and chance to allow God to use me in the ways He has used them. That is why I am going on this trip. Sometimes I need reminded of why I am going. I also have to remind myself that it was never easy for them. It wasn't a vacation, it wasn't clean sometimes, the food wasn't their favorite, but the Spirit empowered them to move and help others.

I want to Love every person I come in contact with on this trip, including my team members and leaders. I want to Live out everything I have learned at JamesRiver AG to help others to grow in the relationship with Jesus. And I want to Lead any and all to Christ. I want to be a leader on this trip. One that those can look to for support, prayer, guidance, and help.

It's 10:30 am, and I have a lot to do on this hot summer day, so I better go!

xoxo

Goodbye's...

...are always the hardest.

When I signed up to be gone for six weeks, I didn't quite envision having to tell my family goodbye. I still have several to say, and even though I will not be leaving the US until the beginning of July, it's always hard. I won't see my Daddy again after tonight until the beginning of August. I laid beside him tonight on the bed and listened as he told me how special I was to him and how I needed to be careful. He teared, as did I.

I said goodbye to my sister tonight, and her son (my nephew), Jalen. He is only 1 1/2, and doesn't quite understand. All he knows is that I'm leaving for the night. He cried, and kept clutching for me-even though he was with his momma. I'm still fighting tears right now over that! I've never left my family. I've never been farther than 130 miles away from them, and I've never been away for longer than 2 weeks. I still have to say goodbye to my Mom, which I am hoping she will get to come see me off from Springfield when I fly to New Orleans. And, I also have to say goodbye to my grandma mom and papa tom. I am so close to them. ahhh... That is so hard. It's hard every weekend, and not getting any easier.

I know I am twenty, but I am still so fresh at adulthood. I don't ever want goodbye's to become easy! When the Spirit said to 'Go!', I didn't ever consider the consequences or emotions involved. I know I will probably encounter many more emotions while gone, but for now, I am just believing that God will help control those feelings.

Pray for me, please. Because I don't like this at all!

xoxo

One Week!

I leave in 7 days from tomorrow.

My schedule for the next 7 days:

Thursday-Sunday: Church camp Babysitting

Sunday-Monday: Go home

Monday-Wednesday: Pack for 6 weeks. (Is that possible?)

Thursday: I leave!

Currently, I am listening to Stomp by Kirk Franklin. You are too, if you are reading this blog! I added a playlist! Isn't that fun? :) I love Kirk Franklin! Just a little fyi, lol! I'm sitting on this chair that I fell asleep in last night watching a movie. My roommate is exercising using a magazine article titled, "How to get Michelle Obama's arms. . ." haha! Best of luck to her! Shoutout to Kelsi C.! Ah, this is all random stuff, but it's fun to type a little freestyle. I always have something I really want to say, but at this moment I am just really enjoying peace!

I leave tomorrow for church camp (as you saw in my schedule above)! I am so grateful to the couple who has done this for me! They are paying my last money that is due to Convoy of Hope for the trip! I am so blessed!! They may not know what kind of impact they are having in the kingdom but I pray that they experience it greatly!

I heard this song over the radio a couple of days ago, and I fell in love with it. (Not Stomp) This one is by a band named Sanctus Real. I have seen them in concert several times. Never have I been just in awe of what they have produced. (Sorry Sanctus), but this song is different. It has come to my ears in a season of meaning. I'm going to post a link where you can go listen. I recommend it. Just close your eyes, and let Jesus speak to your heart.

song: Whatever You're Doing Band: Sanctus Real Album: We Need Each Other
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqp1JfEl27o

Good stuff!
Be praying for me. I know you will!
xoxo

11 days=264 hours..

It's hard to believe it's so close.

I've gone through all sorts of emotions ranging from "I don't think I can be gone that long" to "I can't wait til I leave!" When in all truth, I'll be spending approximately 11 days here in Springfield to train and connect with all those that I'll be spending 6 weeks of my summer with! It kind of makes my stomach swirl and get all blagh inside. My heart pounds a little harder, and I can feel the pulse in my forehead. I've never flown before, and I have never been out of the country. (Canada doesn't count.) After our training time, we will spend a time in New Orleans and work all July 4th and put on the biggest outreach Convoy of Hope has done in the city! Then on July 5th, we will be on our way for a several week adventure in El Salvador! Can you believe it? I cannot.

I am amazed by all of the faith that people have in me. You definitely seem to have more in me than I think I have in myself. You have been incredible. To just name a few, my parents, grandparents, and extended family, Brenda Jo and the rest of her clan, my Lifegroup, Casey, and FGBC! Big shout out to all of you and the rest of everyone else who has instilled into me a hard work ethic, and trust in the Lord!

I'm 20 years old. I'm ready to begin my life. I know I still have one year of school left, and no doubt I am living. At 21 years of age, I will be a registered Nurse. That's pretty dang cool! I will have my first degree at 21 years old! If I knew of anyone else that did something so amazing (which I know there are!), I would be in awe of their accomplishment! And, to think, I am doing that!!

I don't know what God has in store for me on this trip. I don't know who I'm going to meet, what I'm going to see, how things are going to work, or even specifically where I am going. But I do know one thing; God is sending me.

If nothing else, I have learned the sovereignty of my God through this experience thus far. I have seen Him perform a miracle in fundraising. I have felt His peace in my heart, strength for my emotions, and His hand has been placed upon my head. I have felt like His daughter. Truly, I have felt as if He is watching me as I learn to walk in this life He has given me; Just as I did when I was 9 mos. old learning to take my first steps. When I compare the two, I realize just how much of this journey with the Lord I have left! It is so uplifting, englightening, and encouraging.

Please keep up with me as I travel on this 6 week journey. Place my name on your refrigerator, and go before the Lord each day as you eat! :)

Pray for:
Protection
Health
Patience
Strength (physical and emotional)
My Family at home
New Orleans residents
El 'Salvadorians'

xoxo

Miracle

Here's the scoop my friends,

My last post was a slight update as to what this past Saturday and Sunday was going to hold for me. I asked all that read to be in fervent prayer for the weekend and I am positive that you were! My family and friends pulled out all stops and worked very hard to raise money for this Convoy of Hope internship that God called me to for this summer.

My goal for the weekend was $800. Without making this amount of money, there was no possible way I would be able to go on this mission trip to New Orleans and El Salvador. I was feeling like there would be a real possibility that I would have to prepare myself for a letdown. I was holding a carwash/bakesale on Saturday and a church dinner on Sunday. Donations only for the carwash and dinner. And, of course, we priced the bakesale items. I needed to make $400/event. Weeellll....

On Saturday, we washed like 7 cars. And although we had tons of baked goods, I really didn't think we could make 400 dollars off of it. My Mom and a good family friend, Brenda Jo, manned the bakesale with the occasional help of us carwashers. After the 5 hour day, we went home to BBQ together. I didn't know how much we had made, because they said they would tell me later. Right before dinner, they told me the total came to not 400 dollars, but a whopping $500!! I was AMAZED. I thought to myself, If I could just make 300 dollars at the church dinner, I will have the 800!!

I prayed continuously for these two events for about 2 weeks before they were to take place, and after the bake sale, I prayed even harder for the church dinner that was happening the next day. I prayed specifically this prayer over and over:
God, I have seen you do amazing things at James River. I know how You work. You perform miracles and have provided in supernatural ways. I know You can do above and beyond what I need. I ask You, Lord, to do what You can do to allow me to serve Your people on this Convoy internship. Amen

Sunday night there weren't many people at the church. I'd say top 40 or so. And 18 of them were my family. I was feeling a tad embarrassed. I mean, this service was devoted to raising money to send me to New Orleans and El Sal. But, not many people came. Again, I was limiting the Lord's capability of performing His best. I went ahead and talked just the same as if there would have been 500 people there. (With the same nervous, shaky voice.) It lasted a whole five minutes. After I talked, we started singing. Only 4 songs were sung, and then it was time for dinner. We served everyone as they sat and mingled and visited. We cooked Baked Rotini, with salad, and Texas Toast. Refreshments were served as well, being Red Diamond Sweet Tea, and Lemonade. It seemed to be a big hit. We made enough food for about 60 people. So there ended up being enough left over to donate to our church's children camp that began today.

During the time I began to eat, the church treasurer, Tony, came and dropped an envelope before me. It had my name at the address spot, and then in the bottom right corner, the amount $800.00 was written. I was speechless. Not only was it over 300 dollars, but it was the amount that was my ENTIRE goal for this weekend!! Crazy! Awesome! Incredible! MIRACULOUS!!

In addition to the other money I had been given at church that morning, and my babysitting money I had saved back, I was able to write Convoy of Hope a check for a total of $1,664.31. Above that, when I took the check to COH today, I found out that I had an additional $320 that had come in since I had last heard. Which brings the final total at Convoy of Hope to a little over $2660. With the other financial support that will be coming in, I will not only be able to reach my goal of $3,100, but also be able to have money to take with me as I go-which was a major concern for me. I really don't feel to wonderful travelling thousands of miles with no cash!

Keep praying for me and the team! Your prayers are being heard and answered.

I love you guys!!!!
PRAISE THE LORD!