Testimony Night

Today was officially the first day of lecture phase. It was a busy day. We had worship and intercession this morning, and this evening we gave our testimonies (in front of everyone). Fortunately, I still had an hour or so to hang out at the beach this afternoon. I had a nice nap in the sand.

The testimonies were very cool. I loved hearing everyone's different backgrounds and how we ended up here together in Hawaii. I'm so excited to grow in the Lord with my new friends.

Friday's the big day! We find out where we are going for outreach and our teams. Our outreach teams have a huge role in our experience here. So please start praying that God reveals where I should go, and that he melds together the perfect team for me to go with. I'm very nervous to find who is on my team, and my leaders.

I'm still trying to get used to the time difference. I've been going to bed super early.

I made it!

I made it! Yesterday was very long, I got here around 4 (10 pm in Atlanta). I woke up this morning at 5 oclock wide awake and ready to go. This time change thing is going to be tricky!

I'm staying in a house with about 25 other girls. I'm VERY fortunate because in my room its only me and one other girl. Its the only 2 person bedroom in the whole house. The biggest room has 8 girls in it! Unfortunately there is no AC anywhere on the base. My roommate is from Denmark. She's really nice. I've met some of the girls, but not everyone yet.

I don't have that much to update on yet. I just had breakfast and we start everything in about an hour. I'm nervous, pray for me!

Last night in Atlanta!

I leave tomorrow at 8AM! 

What a strange last day in Atlanta. After raining for pretty much a week straight, yesterday it began to flood, and i mean big time! Noah's Ark style. Roads all over Atlanta completely shut down and were now rivers. Bryce was in Woodstock (which was one of the worst areas) and he was going to come see me to Atlanta, and I'm pretty sure the only way he could get here was by canoe. Somehow he made it! Thank you Lord!

Today most all school were closed. It's not raining right now but they sky is grey, and there is no sun to soak up the water. 

My parents are on their way here from Augusta. We are going to Barbecue Street tonight. Barbecue Street is a restaurant in Kennesaw, where I used to work. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my last night in Atlanta then with my parents, my wonderful boyfriend, and my three best friends. Erin fiance Trent is the manager so he'll be there, and Greg Kelsey's husbands is hopefully coming too!

During my quiet time this morning. I came across this passage. "May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (message version). It captures what my heart is feeling. I'm thankful for "unending help" from everyone who has supported me, and I pray for a fresh heart so I can regularly be reminded why I'm there, and why I'm doing this! 

Francis Chan said, "If life were stable, I'd never need God's help. Since it's not, I reach out for Him regularly. I'm am thankful for the unknowns and that I don't have control, because it makes me run to God." What a great quote! I know the Lord is using that to remind me today that the nervous feelings are from him! He wants me to feel this way, so I run to him for comfort!  And so I keep seeking him and his vision on this journey! 

one week away....

I just sat down to start packing... and the overwhelming thought of how I'm going to fit 5 months worth of "stuff" into one suitcase and one carry on made me think of all the other things I could do right now. So.. I decided it would be a good time to update my blog and put off packing just a little while longer.

I want to thank everyone who has been supporting me financially and with their prayers. Financially, I'm over halfway there!! Which is awesome! I'm incredibly blessed!

This last week at home is hard, I'm thankful to spend time with my family and friends, but the anticipation of leaving is just hard! Poor Bryce says I've turned into a crazy person-- just being stressed and emotional! I'm ready for the time to come, so I can say goodbye start out on my journey! I know whatever is ahead is going to be challenging as well, but exciting! and definitely from the Lord!

I also want to say HAPPY BRTHDAY to my mom! I'm glad I will get to celebrate with her this weekend before I leave! I know she struggles with me being gone for 5 months, as any mother would. But we're going to make it through this mommy. love you :)