first time!

Well, this is my first time writing a blog...I leave for Italy tomorrow and thought it would be a fun way to post updates while over there, even though it's only for 10 days. I had been wanting to get one before I went to Africa as well, so this will be good for that too! I'm supposed to be packing right now, but I just can't seem to focus and do that!

Hmm... so about my life, there is a lot going on!

Life is really amazing right now. I could not ask for more and the Lord is just doing some amazing things. This Spring semester was a blessing from God and so many areas of my life that were hurting were healed. For long time I have been praying that the Lord would just surround me with Sisters in Christ and that I would have that fellowship in my life, because I definetly didn't have it- and I think that is part of the reason my relationship with God suffered a lot in the fall. I had no one holding me accountable and it seemed that I couldn't find anyone who actually wanted to talk about God and what He was doing in their lives... and that was frustrating. Through it I learned a lot, but the process was challenging. This semester the Lord opened so many doors and it's just been an amazing ride.

I started attending a different Hope Group this spring because the one I had been going to didn't fit into my schedule as well and the fact that I wasn't going to a HG because of the time conflict wasn't acceptable... I had to be fed and it wasn't going to happen by sitting at home and not going to a HG. I started going to Allen & Kendra's hg and it was amazing and I fell in love with the people there. It felt like home.

For several years I have been praying and asking the Lord if I were to go and do international missions. I looked and prayed and nothing ever came about until this past Easter and I came across Family Legacy Missions International. The go to Zambia and work with the AIDS children in the orphanages... immediately I felt my heart hurt and already begin to love these kids. I would be seeing my parents the next day and that would be when I had to ask my Dad if I could go...thining he'd say no. Well, I asked him and he was like "IF this is something you believe in, then I'll support you." That was confirmation that I was to go...the only thing I had left to do was raise the $3800 to go with about 2 1/2 weeks til the deadline. I trusted the Lord that if He wanted me to go, He would provide a way, and indeed He did! I leave for Zambia on June 21 and I'm just incredibly excited and cannot wait to see what the Lord does. It will be a life changing experience and He's teaching me and going to teach me so much. I

Something else new this semester, well really, 4ish weeks ago... Kendra invited me to dinner at the Smith's house.. and that is just another blessing from the Lord. The fellowship that is had there is like no other- and I absolutely just love everyone that I have met there! Living Hope is church a wonderful place and I'm so blessed to get to know so many amazing people... it really feels like home here!

Well, I suppose I should get back to packing now! I didn't intend to type this much, but oh well! I love you all and will miss you so much!! See you in June!