Here We Go Again

Well, the time has come and school has started again. Yesterday was my first day and all I can say is, "it is going to be one long semester". I have three semesters left and they will probably be the most stressful three of my college career, but hey, there is light at the end of the tunnel! There is always one plus to school starting and that is school supplies. Plus, I am an elementary education major so our school supplies can even be fun! I guess it's good that I love it since I will be purchasing it for the rest of my life.

Crayons anyone?

Also, because I am going to be a teacher at some point (Lord willing :) ) everyone has encouraged me to go ahead and start collecting things for my classroom. Well, between my mom and I, you don't have to tell us twice to go out and buy "fun teacher stuff"! So we have been collecting for a while now...

It is all in big tubs in my room

These tubs are full of books, toys, and many other educational tools

Oh, and don't worry. Included in these boxes of books are all the Dr. Seuss you could ever want!

It has been so fun to collect stuff for when I teach someday and the collection is only growing! I keep reminding myself and my mom (who loves to continue buying me things) that I still have three semesters left. Lord, please let these three go by fast! Anyways, that is all for now..

Until later...

A Wonderful Life

Hello all! So..thus far I am up to a second post this month. Yes! :) Anyways, since the last post I have stayed busy. I made a quick trip to Phenix City to spend some time with Brett and his family. It was great and we decided to try one of our favorite things that we had in a Brazil, pizza de chocolate! No, it wasn't exactly the same but I'd say we did a pretty good job! :)

Serious Concentration :)

Turned out pretty good right??

When I got home from Phenix City we had a welcome back banquet for international students! It was such a great night with fun, food, and friends.

So, now school is starting tomorrow! 18 hours and observations in a school. I am so excited! I know it will probably be an overwhelming semester but I cannot wait! During this craziness I have been reminded of God's faithfulness. He is so good and I am thankful for His provision. I am seeing His goodness in my life as well as so many others around me. God is teaching me so much about being patient and content in my circumstances. I have a year and a half left of school and I know that the Lord has planned all of my years according to his perfect will so all I can and want to do is trust Him. He knows me better than anyone and I want to be obedient and content. Thats all for now...

Since I've Been Home...

Well, I must say I am doing exceptionally great at updating this blog. I believe I am up to one post a month! Whoops...I will hopefully get better as the school year gets started. So since I have been home I have been full speed. First of all, if you did not know...while I was in Brazil my niece was born. She was not supposed to arrive until I got home but this determined little girl chose to come a week early. She chose July 8, 2009 as the day of her arrival and she is doing great! So...upon arriving home I was able to meet this brand new addition to the family! Here are some shots of this perfect, little girl!

She is pretty much wonderful and we are loving every minute of having her!

After a few days of rest I got to meet up with the rest of the Brazil team and go to Panama City Beach, Florida. We went down to see everyone at beach project. It was so great to spend time with the team and other friends I hadn't seen in months! It made me realize how much I missed my team after not seeing them constantly for a few days! :)

Photo Courtesy of Hannah Meherg

Upon returning home from SBP I celebrated my 21st birthday! It was a fun day filled with family, friends, and 21 presents! Such a great day!

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Jacobs

Last but not least, this past weekend I was privileged enough to be a part of my best friends wedding! Yes, Blake and Katherine finally tied the knot and it was a beautiful and emotional day! Here are a few shots from this past weekend:

Back to Reality..

Hello all. So...first of all I pretty much sucked at updating this while I was in Brasil so hopefully you all got my emails and it didn't matter. My bad. I arrived back in the states this past Thursday and oh my what a bittersweet thing it was to be back. My summer in Brasil was so unbelievable. I met the most amazing people and learned so much about myself, other people, the world and the Lord. Here are a few pictures from my trip this summer...

Oi From Brazil!

It is truly amazing that I have been given the privilege to be in Brazil this summer! I have been here for two weeks so far and already the Lord has been so gracious. First of all, the summer has already been far more challenging than I ever imagined it would be. This is definitely a good thing and God is truly stretching me! Secondly, Brazilians are the most welcoming and most loving people I have ever met! They are so patient with us and so willing to serve and help us! God has been so good to allow us to have such sweet friends here.

We have been on the campus of UFMG for about 2 weeks as well. I have met so many people which is a challenge because I have so many names to remember! The girls and guys I have met are amazing. One thing that has been a challenge is the language barrier. Unfortunately, I do not speak Portuguese fluently but it has definitely been a fun experience to learn different phrases! Did I mention that Brazilians are extremely relational? Oh, and I'm pretty sure that they do not get tired! Being here has been a challenge because I am not used to staying up so late! One thing to pray is for our team and that we would take time to rest!

Well, that is all for now. Sorry I have not been updating regularly! Our time is so limited here! We are constantly busy! Until later.......

4 Days Away

I cannot even believe that I will be leaving for Brazil in four days. I am so incredibly overwhelmed but so excited. In thinking about leaving I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts....

First of all, the Lord is truly amazing. I am not even in Brazil yet and my, how I have seen His hands all over this trip. In raising support to go I have had some major ups and downs just thinking that I was never going to reach my goal. "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) This verse has proven so true, as if it wasn't true before. :) We serve a great God and "he is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20) I am in awe of all that He has taught me over the past few months. He has shown me my lack of faith and I have learned better how to trust Him.

As I am preparing to leave for Brazil, I am getting anxious about leaving for the summer. I am anxious to leave my family and nervous about being in a completely different place for 2 months. I know that God has so much He wants to teach me this summer. I am begging the Lord to continue to make me sensitive to His Holy Spirit. I want to be a learner and pour my life into this summer. I want to be teachable. I want to embrace it all. I was reading in Romans the passage that has truly become a verse for "those going on mission trips." "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" (Romans 10: 13-15) I am thinking about my summer realizing that God truly has called me to go to Brazil, however, this is not a summer thing. From the moment that I became a new creature in Christ I was called to bring the good news. I am excited about the opportunity to go and to experience a whole new culture and to hopefully, see the Lord use me. But, I am called to share the good news all the time. I know that I fail daily but I pray that my life reflects the Gospel.

I am so grateful for this opportunity. How amazing is it that God would choose to use us. He definitely does not need me at all...but He picked me to go to Brazil this summer and to be His hands and feet. What a wonderful God! For now, I would ask that you would pray for me as I prepare to leave. Pray that God would continue to mold me into a humble learner as I go to Brazil. Pray for the hearts of those who I am going to be meeting. Until later, Love Wins. :)

A Break from the Madness

Even though my life has been incredibly crazy lately I had an amazingly relaxing weekend before finals and more madness starts this week. On Friday night I was blessed to celebrate one year of dating with this amazing guy. The past year has been amazing and I am so thankful for him. What a blessing he has been to my life so far. Thanks Brett!

So after dinner with this one we went swing dancing with some pretty amazing people! It was such a fun way to end the semester. Here are just a couple of pictures from the evening...

mmm...love these two girls

So...needless to say...the start of my weekend was amazing. Then, Saturday, Sarah, Julie and I had our traditional trip to Fairhope! Sad to say this was the final time this tradition will happen but it was so much fun! I love my original roomies and I couldn't ask for better friends! They are the best!

Let's Start Things Off

So, I'm new to this whole blogging thing....we'll see how it goes. I'm starting this so that I can keep my friends, family, acquaintances, etc. updated about my summer. I am going to Belo Horizonte, Brazil with Campus Outreach this summer. I absolutely cannot wait. We literally have less than two weeks before we leave! Between now and then I have to move out of the dorms, take finals, and pack for being out of the country for two weeks. Sounds easy enough. Well, I'm out because I have an insane amount of stuff to do and also because I'm not really feeling witty at the moment. P.S. Don't expect much from this blog :) I'm new so give me a break. Also, some quick updates as far as Brazil. Pray that the rest of our support comes in before we have to leave! We are so so close! Also, pray for our team (which is studly by the way) as we prepare to leave..I think everyone is feeling a bit overwhelmed. Until later.... Love Wins.