At work..shh..

So I'm at work while I update this blog (it's still slow here cause it's the morning. Guests don't like to wake up early!)

Sorry it's been so long since I last blogged. Things have been crazy and I feel like I haven't had time to process everything. But now is that time! Lucky you :]

So the past week I've just been working and hanging out/doing project stuff. Work has been crazy because I'm actually getting into it and am responsible for things..scary. Haha. But I still like it so it's good! I can't believe that 5 weeks have passed as of today and 5 more to go. Insane!! Good news though, Jordan and Krystal are officially married and I'm still exhausted from the weekend festivities. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Maroon :]

The wedding was so fun! I got to see Garrett finally after what felt like the longest month of my life. I really missed him and it was good to hug him and just be able to be with him. This might turn into another partially mushy blog but I just wanted to share this with you all. I gotta brag on him a little, you know?! I began the journey from Daytona Beach, FL to Roxboro, NC early Friday morning with the Tilley's (family friends of the Maroon's who I'd never met before Friday). It took us about 10 hours to get there and we arrived just as the rehearsal dinner was starting. I was so ready to give Garrett a biiiig hug and that's exactly what I did :] It was a good night and he made a slideshow for them which was really sweet. I said goodbye, sadly, and went to spend the night with the bride and her bridesmaids. I slept on a futon with one of the bridesmaids and apparently in the middle of the night I burst out laughing for some strange reason. Don't know why that happened but it was funny. My first impression to this girl is being crazy. I woke up Saturday and Mrs. Maroon (not Krystal ;] ) picked me up to take me to the hotel and get ready cause it was just too crazy with all the girls. I felt like a middle schooler getting picked up from a sleepover. It was cute though. We got to the hotel and, since I didn't have a home, the Maroons all cleared out of their room for me, generously, and let me get ready. Garrett was already gone doing groomsmen stuff so I just hung out until it was time to go.

The wedding was beautiful. Krystal looked stunning and Jordan looked stunned. I love watching the grooms when everyone else is watching the bride walk in because the look on their faces is completely priceless. It went perfectly excpet part way through the vows, Krystal's brother, one of the groomsmen, fainted on the steps. Can you say Garrett to the rescue? No big deal, I'm just dating superman. Calm, cool, and collected Garrett just helped him walk down the stairs and sat down with him. They walked out and Garrett came back in a minute later and sang the song he wrote for Jordan and Krystal..not phased. What a hero :] Sorry ladies, he's mine.

The reception was fun too. I literally didn't know anyone except for Garrett's immediate family. Since Garrett was doing his groomsman responsibilities I just sat around and talked with his family and got in the occasional dance with him when he was free. It was fun. After that, we all went to an Italian restaurant and I heard stories of little Garrett which is always fun ;]. Aannnd then the fun began. The "fun." I was supposed to spend the night at one of the bridesmaids houses which meant I had to leave earlier than I wanted and not spend any more time with Garrett. Pretty sad if you ask me, which I know you were just about to do. So as I was getting my stuff to put in the car for Garrett to drive me over, I had a little break down. After not seeing him for a whole month and not getting real time to spend together throughout the weekend, I just wasn't ready to leave. I felt like I'd been bounced around from home to home without even having a place to go to the bathroom that was my own. I was just a little overwhelmed by it all. So, being the amazing boyfriend that he is, he just let me cry and told me that I could just get a room at the hotel. Well, stubborn Rachel wanted to say yes but figured I should argue first because it couldn't be that easy. After a little coaxing, I finally gave in. I got to spend a little bit more time with Garrett and his family and then went to my own room with my own bed and my own bathroom. It was amzing..although I woke up in the morning on the far right side (which is how I sleep here in Daytona because Sharon and I are bedmates). It was pretty funny. I got up a little late, though, oops 7:01..and went downstairs to meet Garrett and spend some last few minutes with him before I left. We got back in the car and headed "home."

Getting back was better than I thought it'd be. I arrived just in time for the project picture and it was awesome to walk up and see familiar faces that weren't familiar a few weeks ago. It was awesome.

I have a few prayer requests, please. A huge issue here in Daytona is still jobs. 7 students still don't have jobs and a few of them are considering going home because of it. I would be so sad if they went home because they are all vital parts of this project and I would miss them. Secondly, along with that, I have been blessed by all of my supporters (thank you all so much) to have raised all of my support. But there are still some who have been unable to do so. Pray that God provides for them, and if you feel it right to support them, any amount at all helps. Lastly, pray for Garrett! He has a job interview on Thursday and I reeeallly want him to get this job because then we wouldn't have to do long distance anymore. I hate it and I really want him close. I believe that is all, thank ya'll so much for the constant prayer and support. And for all of you who have been sending letters..it means SO much! I love you all!! Have a great Tuesday!!

On my way to NC!

Hey everyone!!

It's 8 in the morning and I am a few minutes away from leaving to go to NC for Jordan and Krystal's wedding! I'm so excited for several reasons, one of them being I get to see Garrett after a whole month! Finally!! I can't wait! :]

Just to give ya'll a heads up as to what has been going on lately, I've just been working for the most part and hanging out. On Sunday we went to a juvenile detention center and got to share Jesus with teenage girls. Gosh, it was crazy. Those girls have been through more in their life than I could ever imagine. They were forced to be so hardened to everything because the way they were raised showed no mercy. I couldn't believe some of the stories I heard. When we got there, we shared our "cardboard testimonies" basically stating who we were before Christ on one side of a piece of cardboard, and then once we flipped it over, we showed who we had become since Christ. It was awesome to see the girls in my group be vulnerable like that with total strangers.

As for work, I've been getting in at 7 and getting off at 3 which is tough but I like it actually. It's nice to have a routine. I've been there for 2 weeks! Crazy! And I still love it! Pray for my co-workers, though, it's still hard for me to find ways to love on them and share Jesus with them.

That's all for now. I'm about to go have breakfast with Sharon and then hit the road with the Tilley's. I'm excited to meet them!!



Jordan and Krystal, happy last day of singleness :] Can't wait to see ya'll get hitched!!

Waaaay too long!

Phew! Feels good to get back on this thing. I have a night to myself and time to blog.

Where do I begin?

How about my job..I'm sure you all are just DYING to know what work has been like ;] Haha. Well, in that case, let me tell you!

I started last Thursday working at the front desk at the hotel right next to where I live. It's called Perry's and it's El Caribe's sister property. So far I'm loving it. My first day I went to a driving range to learn how to play golf (not a normal activity as I found out the following day) and the general manager bought us all lunch. Yumm. I didn't do much when we got back except begin to answer phones and meet the people I'd be working with.

Since I started, I've worked every day but Sunday. I love it there. The people are great and the work is awesome. The only thing I would change is having to stand all day. Talk about needing a foot massage! These puppies kill!! Haha, but that's ok.

I'm having a hard time wanting to be accepted, though. I'm firm in where I stand in my faith..but when it comes to talking about it, I'm more likely to just answer questions than be bold and speak openly on my own. I'm trying, but it's hard. I think a lot of people think Christians are lame and don't have fun. That's not true, it's just different fun. The thing is though, I don't know how to tell people that their lifestyle doesn't fulfill when they ask me if I've ever tried it and my response is "no." Saying "because I just know" isn't good enough for them. How do I share the greatest gift with them without sounding forceful like every other Christian they've probably ever heard of/experienced in their life? I have to be bold and trust that the Spirit will take control of my words and their hearts. Pray for boldness. And pray for change. Our God is big and He is able to bring people to Himself.

Also, ya'll..I'm feeling a little discouraged at the moment. This blog is awesome reflection for me, as I've said before, and looking back on the week, I feel like I've been trying to pour out a lot of myself and not the Lord. I just feel empty and sad. I'm currently sitting on the balcony of my seventh story room overlooking the ocean, a small basketball court, and a pool. I'm listening to little kids playing, a basketball bouncing, and the waves of the ocean crashing. It's peaceful..but my heart isn't. What is it about Satan that allows us to believe one moment that we have the joy of the Lord within us, and then the next minute think that it has been stripped away before our eyes. Oh, the ways of the devil. I'm just in one of those sad moods. But God is good and He has greatly blessed me! Pray that I will cling to Him for strength and put on the armor of God every day!


I cannot believe Jordan and Krystal get married in 8 days!! (well technically 7 cause it's Friday NIGHT) I'm excited to see them get married! WOOO!!! What great people :] I'm also really excited to see my wonderful boyfriend who I miss incredibly. I've been going through random spells where I just start crying cause I miss him in my life. Not being able to hug him is real hard for me. But only one more week!! Yess!! Pray for the Lord to keep protecting our relationship as I know it's going to be hard to see him and then have to turn around and leave for another 6 weeks..but it'll be good! (Also, little side note, pray for Garrett's future :] )

Ok, I know this blog was ALLL over the place. Sorry. I'm tired from getting up early every day and going to bed late. Tomorrow I have to work and miss the social that everyone on project is doing..which stinks..but pray for the boldness to speak truth into the lives of my co-workers.

That's all for tonight. This one was more of my feelings that anything. I'll try to be more diligent in updating more frequently. Thanks for everyone who wrote me letters this week! Ya'll are amazing!! Keep it up!! I love getting mail! Love you all!!

Freedom in Christ

A few days ago, one of the directors here on DBSP gave a talk about real freedom in Christ. Now, let me start off by saying I know what you're thinking..I've heard this a miiiiilllliiioonnnn times!! Yeah..that's what I thought too. But allow your mind to be opened by this summary of his talk and allow yourself to be freed from the chains you've tied yourselves down with..because Christ has freed you and you are no longer a slave to sin!

I think it's interesting; nowadays, don't we believe that being burdened down is normal? That's awful! What kind of world do we live in where a state of constant struggling is normal?!? Aye! Scripture tells us that "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set us free.....what the flip does that mean? I can't tell you how many times I've wondered what the point of this verse was. What does this even MEAN? Christ set us free for freedom? I don't get it. Let me put it in these words: Christ set us free so that we could be free! Ohhh..now it all makes sense! :] Haha. Ok, maybe I'm the only slow one that was confused by that verse but now I finally get it. Christ didn't set us free so that we could just turn right back around and do things that we thought were "good enough" to earn our way to heaven. He set us free FROM those things.

Rich put this in perspective. Being a college student, I completely understand how much work is involved in homework assignments and projects. A paper requires hours upon hours of research plus the actual composition of the paper itself. It's not easy. It takes a lot of time and effort..especially during finals week. Well, let's say finals week rolls around. I'm pullin' all nighters studying for psychology and I'm bogged down with work. Well Friday rolls around and my last exam is at 10 in the morning. PHEW!..I'm done!! It's over, no more work..my grade is in!! Well for some strange reason I'm still kicking. I feel like my work isn't done, so I get back on the computer and pick a topic: Quantum physics (my normal paper topic, of course). I spend hours researching the topic and finally put together a 25 page paper. It's great and during the process I'm learning a lot! I finally finish, and on Saturday morning (because I always write my papers that quickly), I walk up to my psychology professor's office, knock on her door, and hand her my baby.

Pause..

Please take a moment to picture the look on her face........got it in your head??

She's thrilled right? She immediately tells me she will boost my grade..... No. She just stares at me. My grade was established after I finished my last exam on Friday. There is nothing further I can do. I would be foolish to put all of that time and work into that paper because my grade has already been entered into the computer as final. (Do you see where this illustration is going?) That's exactly how it is in our walk with the Lord. All that extra "stuff" is unnecessary.

For example, it's hard for me not to think that if I don't spend at least 30 minutes with the Lord every day, I'm losing favor in His eyes. Ridiculous, right? But it's crossed your mind before. What about when you DO spend time with God in scripture and you tell yourself you have to be in the spiritual "mood" for it or else it doesn't "work." Anyone else getting how stupid this sounds? Yeah. See, we're trying to make rules for ourselves. We want to be able to put a barrier around God so that we can have some kind of structure in our lives. Structure is good, but not here. God cannot be put inside of a box, and our faith cannot be explained away by a list of things we do.

Freedom: a state of exemption from the power or control of another.

I think something really important for us to remember is that we can't come up with a set of rules to make us look better in God's eyes. On our worst day, He is Christ in us. We're going to fail. There will be days when we don't "feel" God in our quiet times. There will always be times when we wake up late and only get 10 minutes with the Lord or not at all, but we need to get it out of our minds that we have to redeem ourselves by "doing" something..because we can't. When we turn in our 25 page paper after the due date, we're only putting in extra work that means nothing to our professor. And it just doesn't make sense.

So be free. Throw down the chains you've put on yourselves and be free.



So Travis is finally here! He's doing great after his surgery..so thanks for all the prayers. He's from Norfolk and is the only person on Project who knows CNU! Yeahhh!! :] Haha. Keep praying for Paul. I haven't seen him in the last few days but if I do I want to ask him how his dad is, so hopefully we'll bump into each other!! Also, the Maroon's get home from France today!'! They're actually on the plane now, so pray for safety!! Welcome home, little worms :] Haha. And my last bit of news, I am now EMPLOYED!! :] I will be working full time at the front desk next door at the hotel (Perry's) for the rest of the time here. Pray that I will do a good job, but most importantly that God will use me in that position for His glory. Pray also for the rest of the students here who don't have jobs. There are still a few and I know it's definitely hard. Thanks!! I really appreciate all the support.

That is all. Have a wonderful Wednesday night :]

Best boyfriend in the world :]

So I just felt the need to tell the internet world and everyone reading my blog that Garrett is just amazing :] He teaches me more about Jesus than I ever thought he would. Nothing specific happened that is compelling me to write this random blog about my boyfriend, except that I am thankful for his constant friendship and companionship. Since I've been here, I've used him as my listener while I vent about random things, and every time he speaks truth into my life. In my humanness, all I want to hear is someone agree with me and sink down to my level of pity..but Garrett doesn't let me do that. He calls me to more. What an awesome quality.

That is all. Sorry ya'll have to read the mushy stuff along with the serious stuff, but I just care so much about him and he's a big part of my life I want you to know :]

Hey Garrett..thanks for making me do this :]

Battle of the Sexes!!

Just wanted to share a little victory story from yesterday..

Saturday is the designated day for community outreach and internal(only project people) or external (we invite people from the community/work) socials. Last night we had..BATTLE OF THE SEXES!! For outreach we went to different laundromats to do our laundry and creatively talk to people. No one was really at the one I went to but we got to offer 2 ladies some money for laundry and play with their kids for a little to keep them occupied. Not a huge success, but God does work. It was good.

Then..social time! Out behind the hotel we had set up 8 tables for our BATTLE OF THE SEXES competition. 4 tables were for the guys, 4 for the girls. The competitions that the guys had to participate in were as follows: cookie decorating, nail painting (not their own), make-up identification, and sewing a straight line. Next were the girls: Football throwing, burping, watermelon seed spitting, and tool identification. They were tricky, but we dominated. At the end of all of that, we played a major flag football game on the beach. Girls wore black (with yellow bandannas) and guys wore white. We played a normal game of flag football except the guys had a hand tied behind their back. It was a great game and girls WON(of course)!!! We had a great interception at the end and scored the winning touchdown!

Afterward, everyone ran in the ocean water, and then came back to the hotel where people began to jump in the pool. Everyone jumped into the pool with all their football clothes still on, and one by one we all jumped in(most everyone at least). I was hesitant, but I figured..live a little. Clothes can be washed and dried..memories are more worth it than keeping my clothes dry. We all swam in a circle in the pool and created a man made whirl-pool. It was sweet (and legit, I tried to swim against it and couldn't! But that also could be due to the fact that I can't swim! Ha) We all got out of the pool, and went back to 1301 (the designated hang out room) to watch the Blind Side. It was a great night with new friends (even though it feels like I've known them forever).

The picture below is a cookie we stole from the cookie decorating competition the boys did and added some truth. The picture at the top is my D-group before we dominated in flag football. From left to right: Sharon, me, Audrey (D-group leader), Emily, and Christy.

Friday night: Free night!

Now would be the appropriate time to sing the N'SYNC song, "Just Got Paid"......if I had a job!

It has been a week and a half here in Daytona. Tonight is our free night and we're going to a place called the Lighthouse to hang out. I need to eat dinner (gonna make myself chicken! yumm), but I wanted to share a little something beforehand..

I was going to blog this when it happened but I didn't get a free chance to sit down and write. Ok, so on Tuesday we were challenged to really be active in sharing the gospel with people. They told us that sometimes asking the question, "can I pray for you" gets in the door and allows people to open up as it breaks down walls. So, I decided to try it..but I didn't know where or on who I would.

Wednesday was the day we're supposed to have reflection time. It's just a time where we reflect on what we've been learning and soak it all up. Well, I woke up that morning, started to get ready to go to the beach and have my reflection time. I made myself a bowl of oatmeal, ate, and went to go wash my dishes. I began rinsing off my bowl and soaping it all up, when all of a sudden I looked down and saw water flowing out of the door from under the sink. Uh oh! Now, the normal person would get..the sink is leaking...without opening the door...but I'm not normal. Woops! You know how that turned out.

So for maintenance, we're supposed to call Cara, one of our Project Directors so that the staff isn't bombarded by that kind of stuff. I called Cara immediately and she said she'd get someone to help out. A few minutes later, a knock came at the door. I opened the door, and there stood a tall, semi-lanky man with slightly peppered hair. He came in, and I went back to my business. Of course, I was ready to get down to my reflection time..I had other things I had to worry about besides a random man in my room (P.S...Emily was here too so I wasn't alone..phew). Ok..now pause..if you read my last blog post, you can see how much my attitude has changed toward evangelism. Oooorr not. My eyes were not on the prize at this moment. I went about my business while he went about his. He came around the corner and told me he'd fixed the sink, but he had to go get towels to clean up. Thank you, God, for knowing I sometimes need a kick in the pants to get me going. A few minutes later, another knock came at the door. I opened it, and started thinking, "Ok, Rachel, you need to take advantage of this opportunity." So, I walked up and started talking to the man in my kitchen. I noticed he had an accent and asked him where he was from. He told me he was from England and we began talking about his family and his time in the states. It was an interesting conversation, but I didn't bring up Jesus. The conversation began to die down, so I said, "alright, well thanks for fixing our sink! What's your name, by the way?"..his name is Paul.

And I walked away..

Now, God knows me better than to just let me be able to walk away and have it not bother me. Yeah right. I couldn't stay there..I had to keep talking to him. So I thought of something to restart the conversation and I walked backed over to the kitchen. "You know, my school does a study abroad to Oxford. And I visited England when I was 10." Another entry to a conversation. We began talking once more. Thank the Lord. This time, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity.

My wheels started turning. The subject we were talking about started to fade out, and I asked him if he'd seen the other students walking around the hotel and if he knew what we were here for. He said he'd seen us all and I told him we were here on a mission trip for 10 weeks. We talked a bit about that, and then I did it..I asked if I could pray for him. He told me I could pray for his father who was recently diagnosed with throat cancer. He started going a little further into details and opening up a bit more. I asked him if I could pray for anything for him and he said no because he was agnostic. He told me he grew up Catholic in England and was an alter boy for several years. He never missed a Sunday until one day he had a high fever and woke up later for church. When he got there, the other alter boys had already started lining up, and the priest told him if he didn't want to be there, he shouldn't come. Wow..that's a great experience. It was great to see him be honest. I started sharing basic principles with him. He said he believed there was a higher power but didn't want to "commit" really to anything. He told me he was a good, moral person. I told him that's great, but that's not what gets us into Heaven. It was so good to hear him be surprised when I told him that. He kept telling me he was happy that I'd found something for my life, but it just wasn't for him.

The conversation ended and he left. I told him I'd be praying for his dad.

Romans 10:15
"And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!'

Time for dinner and the lighthouse! Pray for God's provision in jobs..and Paul the maintenance man from England.

Happy birthday, Mrs. Maroon!! Hope you are having fun in France!! Tell Mr. Maroon not to ask any kids how old they are (or TRY anyway ;] ) P.S...we've been playing BOGGLE and Nerts (however you spell that) here!!

Officially a week on Project

It's Tuesday!! 1 week down, I can't believe it!

I'm trying to have reflection time on what we've been learning here in Daytona. Last night Earl (our project director) talked to us at "Family Night" about our theme for the week; Going New Places. He taught us from Matthew 9 and told us about the 4 keys to revolutionary involvement: Going, Seeing, Praying, and Feeling. Enjoy!

Jesus shows us how to do these 4 things and displays great examples of each. Several times in this scripture it says "Jesus went." He stepped out of His "normal" life (well for Jesus I guess this was normal but you know what I mean) and actively went. What a great place to start the convicting. Comfort plays a huge part in this. I'm on a beach with warm weather where thousands of people gather for summer vacations. My whole purpose for being here is to lead people to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Ok..great..that's my job for 10 weeks (9 now). But what about when I go home? When classes start back up again and I have homework and projects and meetings. What about when I work and I have people to meet with and a small group to lead. Will I be too busy? I'd like to say no..but the truth is, I'll probably find an excuse. "I can't tell that person about Jesus because they don't have enough time." Please hold while I continue to blankly stare at you while you find a better excuse. A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. I need to believe that statement a LOT more! My prayer for this summer is that my life will be changed by what I'm being taught here. Pray with me and for me for that. Where did Jesus live? I don't know. He was always on the go. Let's be more eternally focused. How much do you have to hate someone to not share the truth of Jesus Christ with them? Think about it.

So after Jesus went, He saw. So important. I think it's really big to remember that we have to be looking for people and opportunities that God provides. If we honestly live our lives not seeking out opportunities to be used by the Lord, we are going to miss SO much. I'm really realizing that. It's actually interesting, we have different ministry teams here, and one of them is the outreach team. They plan different ways to do outreach, and this weekend they planned for us to save our laundry and go to a local laundromat. We have to sit there to do our laundry anyway, so why not go out and find people to talk to about Jesus. What an awesome idea. That really is a great example of what Jesus was telling us, through HIS actions, to do. We have to see people but we have to look for those people too. Maybe it will involve spending a little unnecessary money. Maybe it'll be hot and humid in there like it seems to always be here. Maybe no one will walk in. Can we really live life like that? Love takes sacrifice, and if we're loving like Jesus, we'll be willing to do just that.

Then there's praying. Obviously we know that Jesus spent a LOT of time doing this. I think it's really important that we follow Christ's example of this because we tend to not give prayer the importance in our minds that it actually has. Jesus spent so much time in prayer. He sacrificed physical rest to talk to His best friend and Father. He prayed specifically and generally. He prayed for everyone and everything. He prayed when He felt scared, He prayed when He felt happy, it was a constant conversation with God. What a picture. Our Savior spending the majority of His time on His knees. What a humble man He truly was. Do we really believe prayer has the power to really do anything? I know I don't half the time. But from stories I've heard about the power of prayer, I know that it really can do wonders. We know how D.L. Moody prayed for food to give the children in his orphanage and then all of a sudden, a milk truck would break down in front of his door and, so not to let the goods go to waste, they would be donated. God sure does provide, but I know most of the time I don't think He really, truly has that power. I've heard stories of people becoming Christians because of years worth of prayer. Jenna, my best friend, is a perfect example of this. There were random people praying specifically for her for years and then, guess what God did? He brought her to Him because of His goodness and grace. Why do we doubt God's power like we do? We've all heard the miraculous stories of God coming through right when we think it'll never happen. We've all seen His hand in our lives. I say we follow Jesus' example of prayer and learn how to make our most comfortable place the place where we are on our knees in front of Him.

Lastly in the list of the 4 keys to revolutionary involvement is feeling. In verse 36 of Matthew 9, it says that Jesus had compassion on the people who needed healing. Wow. You know, I think I've heard this so many times but I wanted to really apply it so I thought about how it is in my life. I am so quick to judge people who are different than me. I so rarely really feel for people before I size them up in my mind. Sadly, I think while you're reading this, you're thinking the same thing. Who are we to do this? Garrett and I are reading the book "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado and we just read the chapter about how man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. I know for me, I don't even get a chance to see the true heart of a person before I put a label on them: "not worthy," "too weird," "the clingy friend." Gosh. God, I am sorry. Since I've realized this in my life, I've actually found myself being freed from it. It's only been about a day since this talk, but I'm learning that it's not us who judge the "degree" of love we are to show others. We are commanded to love always; purely and entirely. Now, I'll never get to a point in my life where I just love everyone that comes, but with God's help I know it is possible to grow in love. We love others because He first loved us, and oh, how He loves us! Also, in this, I think we have to let ourselves feel! How often do we put the "face" on and tell people we're ok when really we're not. Ok, so people will think we're always upset, but God created us with emotions..feel them! We all know that famous verse John 11:35 - Jesus wept..shortest verse in the Bible. Well I think God allowed that in scripture because He wanted us to follow the example. Guys, especially, I would encourage you to follow this. Worldly manliness will tell you to be strong, pound your chest, and laugh it off, but spiritual manliness tells you to practice humility in emotions. I encourage you to follow the example of your Savior in this. As for women, allow the men in your community to feel free to cry, and cry with them if the situation calls for it. We're more emotional, and sometimes we can use that to our advantage and really grieve or just feel with others. Just a side thought.

Well, that's all for my thoughts. Sorry that was a lot. I think this blog is going to be a good place for me to get my thoughts down and reflect. So by you reading and giving me your feedback I'm actually growing in my faith and hopefully you are too. I hope this summer will be huge for me. I really want to leave here and have my horizon expanded and my world shaken. I want to learn how to be creative in going and seeing people who need Jesus, and then constantly keep them in prayer and feel what they feel and allow myself to feel also. That's all for today BUT something very important!! Jenna, Kyle, Sarah, and TJ are all arriving at their summer projects today!! Pray for them as they trust the Lord in their new journey starting today. Praying for you guys! Also, one of the guys on our project had emergency surgery and doesn't know if he can come yet so pray for God's will in that. Another one of our guys here lost his grandmother a few days ago and I know that's hard, so keep his family in your prayers. Our last roommate, Sharon, gets here tomorrow so I'm really excited. She flies though so pray for her safety! Thanks, everyone, for your participation in this blog. I hope you're all enjoying it!! Have a great first day of June!! Jordan and Krystal get married in 25 days!! Wooo!!

Adios!