After finishing off the year with the girls, I then packed for a regional conference in Lancaster, PA. That was 3 days, and then I drove to Baltimore with my EDGE team. We stayed there a night, then flew out to Colorado Springs the next morning. We had about 7 days of training at Glen Eyrie - a good time to recap the year, focus on the summer, and discuss ways to better our next year. I learned a lot about how to better disciple some of the girls I meet with . . . how to be more intentional with them, sharing my life with them in many different ways - moving beyond just meeting in the coffee shop! They talked about making true disciples by living our lives with them so they can see all the different sides of us and not just what we "say" but also what we "do". I really like this idea. It will definitely take some work for me since this whole year I pretty much met with them one-on-one and talked and read the Bible and prayed together. But now I am interested in also opening up my life to them - having them over to my house more often, taking them shopping when I have to run errands, and letting them see me in different situations so they can see what it looks like to pursue Christ beyond our coffee shop meetings.
Here are some of my dear girlfriends that were at the training with me in CO.
Here are some of the Bible study girls at our end of the year bbq.
After our time in Colorado, we flew back to Baltimore, and then the next day drove back to State College. I immediately threw all my clothes in the washer, dried them, and repacked them the next day. I packed for my month in Colorado as well as my 5 weeks overseas. . . its hard planning that far in advance and trying to make it all fit into one big suitcase!
Here is a photo of my EDGE team - our last photo together before we all took off our own ways for the summer and coming year.
The next morning I then woke up and began hanging out with Ashley, my dear friend who was getting married! I got to be with her that whole day, and then stand by her side in her wedding the next day in Hershey, PA. What an amazing time and a beautiful wedding.
Here is a picture of me and my friend Caitlin as bridesmaids!
The next day I then drove with my friends Sharon and Griffin to Philly and the day after that flew out of Philly back to Colorado Springs - and PHEW! Here I am! Back in my hometown, soaking up the Colorado sunshine, taking a breather from all the traveling and chaos...and gearing up for another "sprint" of fundraising. I'll be working on raising funds for the next 4 weeks...then its Holland for 4 weeks with a week of travel to Prague and Germany. What a summer!
The school year ended on a really good note - one that left me definitely excited to return. One of the girls in my study asked me for help on how to lead a Bible study - she already talked with 5 or so friends from her hometown and they all wanted to be a part of a Bible study this summer. Some of her friends know Christ, and some do not. So we spent time discussing how she could lead this study. I was blown away by her desire to do this! Another girl wanted to go home and start a Bible study with her sister and their friends also...and another girl is headed off to a summer in Vermont spending time with other Navigator students, working daytime jobs and then learning more about God in the evenings. Another girl is going to be reading the book of John. She is not a believer but is wanting to learn more about God.
Here are some of the girls!
There are so many avenues that can be pursued when I get back to Penn State. Lots of girls to continue meeting with. I really want to give the girls a vision of what it could look like for them to pursue their friends and share what God is doing in their lives. Its an epidemic really. = )
On a more personal level, I am still dating Nate! He is currently in Guatemala on a mission trip with the University of Alabama (he has good friends leading that trip who asked him to go with them). He'll come out here mid-June to visit and I cannot wait! We are entering into a "long-distance" relationship because he took a job with BP Solar in Frederick, MD....its about 3 hours away from where I live in PA. He will have moved and started his job by the time I get back to PA in August....sadddd!!!
Nate and I at our last Nav Night of the year.
I'll be in 2 more weddings this summer, Bree and Dan's wedding on June 7th, and Megan and Greg's wedding June 21st. I am excited for these weddings - not only to see them become one - but also because I really like the bridesmaids dresses. = )
Well I am headed to bed now. Goodnight!
