the beginning of the rest of my life

hey y'all! so a lot has happened the past couple weeks that i would love to share with you! first of all, I'm officially a DBU Patriot! wooooooo!

a little over a week ago I went to orientation and it was wonderful! registered for my classes and whatnot, and then met lots of new people that i'll be spending the next four years with...it was all just super exciting! I already miss being there. there are so many awesome people and so much to look forward to.. including being on DBU's first dance team! i'm already experiencing the greaaat joys of God's glorious plan starting to unfold :)

this past week: Mission Trip in Memphis, TN!!!! I just got back a couple days ago- I'm still in awe of God's activity in the past week. i want to write ALL about it on here but that would be so much! through all the mission projects, backyard bible clubs, block parties, and just observing the lives around me, my eyes and heart have been opened up so much. God brings people to Himself in such amazing ways. for a lot of the people and children we came in contact with, this was a once in a lifetime thing for them- having a group of people come and show them genuine Love. their reaction to us was life-changing, both for them and for us. these kids were surrounded by a such broken and unstable environment, and their desire for peace, love, and care was so obvious. their need for the Lord was even more obvious. words can't explain the feelings that were seen in these children's eyes. it really really breaks my heart. but nothing could bring me more joy than to see the way God revealed Himself this week, the way He changed lives, the way He healed brokenness, the way He provided pure joy to those who have never experienced it, the way He never ever fails to heal broken hearts and make new creations. I pray that He continues to open up our hearts and our eyes so that through us, more people can be reached, more people can be touched, healed, and made new. i'm so ready and excited for having even more ministry opportunities in college!

as for the overall way my summer is going so far, i can already say this is by far one of the best summers ever! excitement for college, mission trips, fun fun times with friends, and the fact that there's a couple more months of it! such a wonderful beginning to the rest of my life :)