Where Do I Begin?

A month has gone by since my last update - A MONTH! I have no idea how this time is flying by so fast.

It seriously feels like I just wrote that last update two days ago, and yet a month (and then some) has passed by. Spring Break trip to Orlando, FL happened, the Spring Formal happened, we are beginning Freshman Spring Training, I'm starting to meet with a couple more girls weekly, I saw Obama speak on our Old Main lawn, one of my best friends Jamie visited me for a wonderful week, we have begun studying the book of Ruth in Bible study and its been INCREDIBLE, God has answered multiple prayers dealing with some of the girls I meet with, life is happening right before my eyes! ...CHAOOSSS! And I'm already buying my tickets to fly back home for my 4 weeks in Colorado. My tickets have already been purchased for my trip to HOLLAND June 30 - July 30. I'll be in 3 weddings within the next 3 months, and I'll have a training for Navs out in Colorado for a week, fly back to PA for a wedding, and then fly back home for another 4 weeks where I'll have 2 more weddings, fly to Holland, fly back home for a week, then fly back to PA to continue my SECOND year here at Penn State.

Can someone tell me if I fell asleep and just recently woke up and didn't realize all this time passed me by? Wow.

I really don't know where to begin to blog about my time here with you all. Maybe I'll trying using short sentences to sum up some of the highlights.

Spring Break was incredible. I served a group called Pioneers (Christian organization that has a HQ that needed labor done outdoors) by raking dirt, painting a building, washing windows, and sweeping cobwebs off ceilings. I got to spend 4 hours a day serving side-by-side with one of the girls in my Bible study and another freshman girl. I loved those times - we talked a lot about relationships and God.


This is a picture of Sarah and I after we painted one side of this building!


Here is a photo of my work "van" - we rode to and from the worksite each day. Me and the boys. Ha! We look tough...its because we are. Especially me with those heavy work boots and large chain.

The Spring Formal is our traditional semi-formal dance that is held at Toftrees, a resort out here in State College. We all dressed up and had a nice dinner and danced the night away. There were a few girls from my Bible study there, and nothing bonds women quicker than lip-syncing to "Turn Around"....gotta love it.


Me and the Bible study girls at the dance!

Jamie's visit to State College was such a blessing. It was fun to have one of my best friends see what life is like out here! I recall her stating that "you are always around people!" And its true. We nonstop were surrounded by people - I didn't realize how much I am interacting with people day in and day out until she came and reminded me that this is not "normal" life...haha. What a fun treat it was to have her here though - I introduced her to the Bible study girls, brought her to Nav Night on Friday night, and walked her around campus - we even bought Penn State clothing. Now that's a true Penn State experience. We also got to take photos at the famous Lion Shrine - something I hadn't done until she came!


Jamie and I at the Lion! WE ARE Penn State!

Spring Freshman Training started yesterday and will occur each Monday in April. It is where we invite the freshman students to come and be "trained" for an hour each Monday. This is a good way to get them introduced to the heart of Navs, as well as connect them to other freshmen they have yet to meet in Navs. Yesterday we talked about the Gospel, next week will be about sharing your testimony, the 3rd week will be how to share the Gospel message through an illustration called the Bridge, and the 4th week I'm not sure. = ) 6 of my girls came though, and that was really exciting to see. We all went out to dinner and watched a movie afterwards. I have had so much fun hanging out with these girls - I am way more comfortable with them now then when I first moved here, and it is clearly a gift from God!

Holland! I don't know how to talk about this yet - and don't have time to write about it. But maybe I'll dedicate a whole blog to it because I am SO EXCITED! yayyy!

So, that's a quick update for you all. Sorry it has been forever since I wrote! I hope everyone is doing well... = ) Love you all. Thank you for your support and encouragement... all this is possible because of your partnership with me! ; )