Final Countdown

Friends, I've made it back to Greenwood, South Carolina. I'm so thankful for the memories, lessons in leadership, new friendships, the rough patches along the way, and the good ole Aquarius V Motel that will always have a place in my heart no matter the condition of it's standing. I will give a more in depth depiction of my summer and overall experiences but I wanted to let you all know about the last part of project.

We made it through the last days of work with smiles on our faces. The bakery helped us celebrate by pulling us out from behind the counter to share with us some lovely cakes they made! They invited our team of CO students at our Bi-Lo to join and even some of the other ladies we work with. On the last day, we jumped in the pool with our work clothes (photos to come soon). 

Last week I also passed our fitness test running alongside Sara while quoting some bible verses in my head and praying aloud together. I just really felt god's strength through it all. I pray that I really rely on him every time I get out there to run and just run through him. 

The last week of LP we had return training! Lots of old friends stopped in so it was good to see friends from last year and other PC students. We cleaned up project and finished up worship and made it out with a smile on our faces to be home in the comfort of our own beds without bedbugs and nice, clean showers. Saturday morning I played soccer with CO Minnesota for the last time which was so awesome to grow in community with them. I was so thankful for that this summer and having some people to enjoy being on the pitch with.

The last few days of project were hard and tiring with meeting after meeting and talk after talk but I made it through! Unfortunately I got sick Saturday night and 3 days later I'm still roughing a stomach bug in bed. Prayers for good health so I can start fitness again! 

And another side note--I was able to pick my car up from the shop after a 3-4 week body repair.Thankful that insurance paid the $5000+ for the wreck with a big fat $0 beside customer pay. And I even got a chance to ride a moped! . Dreams do come true... (:

Here's a few photos I have with many more to come! 

Last day spent with the Gravley's. I can't thank them enough for their service to us in SO many ways.

Done with last day of work excitement!

Joseph and Reid on the moped

Saying goodbyes to the guys we work with and got to know the best. Can't wait to see them all again soon!

Unnamed Rap

Mind's attention, heart's affection
My life I'm living for the resurrection
Of Jesus my revelation
Now I'm living as a new creation.
Every new day I fight these identities,
image of Christ is a new variety.
Not so famous, not so known,
but my faith in Christ is in Him alone!
Romans 6:23--do you see me preach?
He died for my sins,
Christ is in heaven, not out of reach!
Call him to you, praise his name,
On the court or on the field glorify the same.
It't not for my fortune and it's not for my fame,
I repeat again "It's all in His name!"

Coming to a Close

So we only have 13 days left on project! I sit here and think how fast it seems it went by but then I realize it has only been 6 weeks and I suddenly change my mind and think it's been slow. However, I am thankful that the summer is ending soon. It's at the point where I am seeing so much of my own sin and the sin of the girls in my room so much that I can only ask for God's strength at this time. It's about to get to the point where I am so worn out that I just can't take it anymore. We only have 5 days left of work!

This past weekend we joined our host family for an after church lunch at their house and as always they served us so well in so many ways. Then, following the lunch we had our employers banquet at the church. Only 2 ladies came from our Bi-Lo, both of whom work in the bakery. Props to my girls Anna and Erin for making such a beautiful impact on those ladies. Today I can check two things off my bucket list: writing a song a performing it in front of a large crowd and singing opera in front of a large crowd. I performed both during hipster night at the Fresh Brewed coffee house. There were a good 65 people there!

My family is in Pawley's for vacation and I am SO thankful that tomorrow I get to go visit them. My room as well as 6 guys from another room are joining us on a dinner date at the beach! I've ironically been very homesick the past few days--I think it's from seeing all of the Instagram posts from family together and Snapchats from my sister who I haven't seen in months either. So, I'm super excited to see them!

Also, today at work one of the guys from project that works in the Deli with us was off but was just doing some grocery shopping. He ordered a cake and came to pick it up. Erin went to the cooler to retrieve it and came back to give it to him. He calls us all over and asks us what is wrong with it. I'm sitting there criticizing the grammar and I really didn't see anything wrong. My whole room understands and is like, "what's wrong with it?" Eventually, I finally got it and realized the cake was for us and they were asking us out on a group date! It was so sweet and our co-workers got to experience it for themselves!

Sunday night after prayer and worship at the church, I rushed back to project to take my test for statistics. I knew the material very well and thought it was all very easy. I get back and I'm working on it and I get to problem 27 out of 33. I begin missing every single problem and each number has 2 parts. I was getting very discouraged because I knew my grade was just dropping but I didn't understand how I was missing all of the problems. I was about to just call it quits but Anna encouraged me to finish it strong even if I was missing the questions. After the test I emailed my teacher and asked for an explanation for the problems at the end that I missed. I am so thankful for Anna and her persistence to keep my eyes focused on success because had I not, I probably wouldn't have finished the test and definitely wouldn't have gotten a 25 point addition from at 62 to an 87 because I actually did get all the problems right, it was just computer errors since decimals aren't always exact! Pure joy in my heart in the moment I saw my grade. And, I'm very thankful for my teacher's time and effort that she put in to look over the test.

There's a lot I can praise Jesus about today! And, here is a memory verse that my room learned together this week: "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, as you have been taught abounding in it with thanksgiving." -Colossians 2:6-7

O Lord, You are a shield around me

I had never really known what it was like for God to really control my life and feel it until yesterday. On the way home from work a mini van tried to turn into a gas station from a busy highway from the middle lane on my side of the highway. I happened to be coming up beside them on their right so they turned into my car while I was still going pretty fast and they had some speed too. God definitely took over and during the wreck as we were bouncing around, was probably the calmest I have ever been. They knocked us off the road into a shrubbery area where we were inches from hitting a telephone pole. We ran over all the bushes and some box thing connected to the ground. We pulled over into a parking lot and thankfully everyone had their seatbelt on and was okay. It quickly lead to tears as Jennifer called the police and ambulances and fire trucks showed up. Unfortunately, the other car ran off and so it's a hit and run on my insurance. It's not listed as my fault but hopefully insurance can cover most of it. The gas station where it happened has film to catch the car and there were several witnesses to the scene. One made a statement with the police. Some of the guys we work with were on the way home but a few miles back. I called them and they pulled over to meet us. It was very serving of them to come be with us make sure that we are alright. My car window won't roll down and I honestly can't explain how it didn't bust except God's grace. My side mirror was ripped completely off and my hubcap exploded everywhere. The driver door won't open completely but I was able to drive home. The policeman cut a piece off under my tire that was blocking my steering but it still crunches when I drive. The boys followed us back to project and the police went to go find the car that hit us. They were leaking a lot and witnesses said their tire was busted so they couldn't go far. God had his hand on us today. Praising him for his might and power and love!!

Here are some pictures of my car:

Hills and Valleys

AThe past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind of ups and downs. We are past that halfway point of project and it's seemed like summer has flown by since today is the first of July but I also feel like I've been here forever!

As I mentioned before, I had some test difficulties but finally heard from my professor that she had sent the info to the proctor. Well, I got there the next morning in a great mood and ready to ace the test and they didn't have it. I frantically called my professor and left a message and emailed her. I say in the proctor center hallway waiting for some kind of response. After an hour of waiting on what seemed like never would happen finally I got an email with the instructions to take the test. Praise Jesus! Of course he came through. Why I doubted, I don't know!

Parents weekend was really good and refreshing. I got to spend a lot of time with my mom and rested in a real hotel with a bed to myself and a nice shower. We went out to eat a lot and took a walk on the beach. We finished the day with church and prayer training at Faith. My friend and old teammate who is a staff wife at Clemson gave the talk at prayer training. It was really awesome! She talked about praying big prayers because our God is LIMITLESS! So true! She asked us all to draw a picture of the biggest prayer we could ever ask God that we feel like might not ever happen. I drew a picture of every player on our team coming to Christ. Funny story is, right after Mo shared her biggest prayer and it was equivalent to mine. We want to build a team of laborers for Christ! It was a short weekend, or so it seemed, but I was very thankful for groceries, a tank of gas, and some time to rest with my mom. 

Last Sunday we also met our host family, the Gravley's. They are amazing! They invited us for a cookout and to swim in their pool at their house. It was a great day spent with them and they served us so well! David, the father went to PC and so did the son who graduated a few years ago. It was just really awesome to spend my sabbath with them. We also visited this Sunday for lunch and plan to make it a weekly habit! 

Some other things that have been going on: we switched churches this Sunday to Trinity Episcopal which was sooooo good, Anna gave her testimony tonight at our theme meeting and it was super encouraging and awesome, my friend Meghan is getting married this weekend, we just had a theme talk on relationships which was really awesome, and tonight I lead the skit team for the theme meeting based on identity and it went really well! Well, have a blessed week! 

Sunday at the Gravely's

Dinner on the porch at their house

Our crazy room in the pool 

Timone and pumba

Our room snuggling on the top bunk

Animal theme meeting with Rachel!

Rough Days

It's been some rough few days here at LP. I'm just trying to survive through work tomorrow and then there will be freedom. 

Yesterday I was VERY busy! I had ADP bible study at 8am and then immediately after I went to Leader's/Servant's training. From there I rushed back to project, ate lunch, studied, and then went to evangelism training. Instead of going on the beaches yesterday to share the gospel we stayed at the church and got into groups with the people we work with from LP and prayed for our coworkers and prayed for our service to them. We got done a bit early so I had the opportunity to study a bit more for my test which was set to be proctored at HGT at 5pm. I got there about 25 minutes early and I had a bad feeling before I left. Well I got there and they didn't have any of my testing information. I bawled my eyes out in the proctor center which was rather embarrassing. Haha! But the lady there was very helpful and nice and is allowing me to just drop in whenever my test becomes available. She also allowed me to use their computers to contact my professor to get the info sent as soon as possible. So I cried my eyes out the whole way back to project. 

I got back and started helping the girls prepare for our group date. We cooked them a wonderful dinner served in the garage on project and gave them white tshirts with their names on the back. Then, we went to Market Common and played Never Have I Ever with paint and squirted each other. In the end it turned into a paint war. And for the finale we went to Coldstone and got ice cream! We met a lot of other Campus Outreach groups while we were there from Charlotte and Minnesota which was awesome. It was the best group date I've been on including all of them from last year. And let's just say I may still have paint remnants on my body from last night. 

This morning I woke up early to spend some time with God and studying a few verses. After my time with him I studied a bit for my class just in case I was going to get the confirmation that morning. I was planning to leave ADP early to do so. As I looked into my book bag a thought hit me: I didn't have my calculator when I went to take my test the first time! And a calculator is very crucial for my test. By the grace of God I didn't take that test. I was suddenly excited but still anxious because I hadn't heard from my professor. The day went by and still hasn't heard. I even called and left a message for her but no response.

Just a bit ago after curfew I was sitting with one of my girls at the table in our room just talking and I was about to draw some tears again, because it was so late and tomorrow is my last chance, and then I got an email from my professor! She apologized and said I had slipped through the cracks. Erin had already offered to work my shift tomorrow afternoon if that's what it took. However, I soon came to realize that the testing center is only open 8am-noon on Fridays. But it still works out well even though I will have to miss part of my Leaders D Group and bible study training. Our team leader, Sara, is being such a servant to help out and be there for me to help my girls during training tomorrow. God has his hand on me even when I'm having trouble finding good in things. I'm extremely thankful for what he has given me.

Tomorrow my mom is coming for parents weekend so I'm extremely excited to get away for a bit and relax. It's perfect timing. God's timing. Prayers for me and my room for this weekend would be greatly appreciated. 

Dinner prepared for the gentlemen

Before picture

And after...

Sunset at Market Common

Anna and I splattered with paint!

Sabbath

Today was a beautiful day spent in the sun. The group of room leader girls headed out and we rested in the Lord on the Atlantic intercostal waterway. After about 1 hour of driving we stopped and spent time resting or reading our Bibles. I got really sunburned but still enjoyed the day.

This morning my team went to Faith Presbyterian. It was a very confusing and historical sermon. The pastor lost everyone in the crowd after the first 15 minutes. He realized later that he ran way over on time and just stopped mid-sermon. It was really interesting and there's not much else to say about that.

Tonight I finished the last section of my math homework for this unit. I hopefully am taking the test on Wednesday. I'm very nervous but I'm sure everything will work out just fine. After I finished the last section, some friends and I went for our first official Roo Run of the summer! I'm hoping that I don't gain too many calories. Off to bed because tomorrow starts a new week in Proj!

 

Boating for the day! 

Roo Run #1

Can you believe LP is already 1/4 over?

Today is a blessing from God. A day off of work. I'm enjoying catching up on some homework, some time with the Lord, and some time just to rest in Him. I'm hanging out in a hammock between two palm trees swaying in the breeze as we speak. This morning I had the opportunity to play some pickup soccer with another CO region, Minnesota. Some of our guys, 2 staff girls who formerly played and I joined then for a little fun. It was cool to meet some others with the same passion for the God. 

Work has been going well! I've gotten 2 weeks out of the way and my first paycheck. I put the check into my bank account and went straight into Bi-Lo to take advantage of our monthly Employee Appreciation Day of a 10% discount on anything at the store. I stocked up on microwave rice and pasta. 

Honestly it's been really hard to find some time to spend with God, which is why I'm so thankful for today. I feel weak and tired all of the time with late nights, early mornings, and hard workouts. It's a struggle to get up and spend some time with God. This is one thing that I need prayer in. I know that if I rest in Him then he will provide time for me to get my other things done.

This week is our Sadie Hawkins. The guys perform skits to win over a room of girls and then we take them on a group "date" to grow in community and to serve our brothers in Christ. This is much different that our usual group dates led by a room of guys. 

Tomorrow a staff girl from Clemson, my friend Mo, is taking all of the group leader girls on a boating trip after church. I'm excited for some time off of project to spend with them.

Here are some photos from the past week or so:

First day of work excitement

First theme night with my room. Can you guess the theme?

My friend Patrice helped me find my long lost package at the post office

Some weird things happen while you're at the laundromat

Spaghetti dinner for Jennifer's birthday

Worship by the pool

Some late night time on the beach

Hammocking in the palm trees today

Good ole Aquarius V Motel

Week One

Well the participants have been here almost one week now. It's been so great to get to know the girls in my room. I love them so much already and I'm really excited to help them grow closer to God this summer. 

Friday we found out official job placements. We are actually at Bi-Lo! Some of the girls in the room had never heard of Bi-Lo until working there but it's been great so far. We work about 20-25 minutes away in North Myrtle so it's a long drive to and from. Jennifer and I both work in the deli cutting meats and making subs, wraps, and sandwiches. It's much more relaxing than my experience at McDonald's. Erin and Anna (the two others in my room) work in the bakery right beside us! It's been so good so far and our coworkers are really nice and helpful all of the time. 

ADP has been literally about 12x harder than last year. Our plans to work out and use local high school facilities has failed us so far so we instead all got memberships paid by CO to work out at an indoor facility called XGym. They have some mini indoor soccer fields and weights and stuff too. The warmup was so hard and once we get into the workout I'm already dead. Working hard but it's going to pay off when we get back to school for preseason! 

We had our first evangelism training day and tomorrow is our first Bible study group with our room. I have most of it planned out so I'm excited for tomorrow! 

Oh! And the bathroom is fixed! Woohoo! Early morning tomorrow for ADP so I'm headed to bed. 

The Life of a Room Leader

Leadership Project 2013 has officially and non-officially begun! Yesterday the CO staff and leaders arrived to Project and we spent the entire afternoon until 10pm setting up the rooms. We moved out the motel beds and began building the bunk beds that we brought in. The twin bunks got new mattresses! Too bad my room has double sized bunks. But we spent some time getting to know the other leaders and worked hard and fast to get these rooms prepared for everyone. I am not on the stinky back hallway this year and I thank God so much for that because last year our room was just awful but it did teach me a lot about sacrifice and the things that really matter. This year I am on the front of the motel, Room 245! Unfortunately, the bathroom is a complete wreck right now. It is in need of extreme repair. When I arrived yesterday I jokingly laughed at the bathroom as I was checking out each room, not realizing it would soon be mine. I can't even begin to explain the state that it was in. Let's just leave it with the tub was clogged with black gunk and it may have exploded everywhere. My friend Steph also got put in a stinky situation (literally) because her room smells like straight baby poop. I slept in her room last night since I was lonely and my bathroom didn't work and I think I eventually got used to the sour smell. Eek!

Today I woke up well rested and freezing from the air conditioner but I am so thankful for air because I know what it's like to sleep in a 100 degree room. Sara and I went for a run before leader's Servant's training today. This year the staff is making a big effort to train us as servants of Christ, although the idea still applies as a leader. Servant=Leader. The meeting was really great and encouraging as almost everyone felt the same that we are incapable to be leaders and to lead all of these students this summer. We all felt unworthy and it was really reassuring to see that everyone was on the same page and that yes, we are not worthy but because of Christ, we can lead these girls. At times we all will make mistakes and screw up but we can still glorify God through our own faults. Super pumped to be here right now. I'm about to go back to the room and prepare a little for the girls! Tomorrow is the day that all of the participants arrive! Woohoo! Say some prayers, friends!

Surprises

God always seems to surprise me at just the right time. And he does know what is best and can see what is coming ahead so I trust that he has a plan. I just finished up exams yesterday and now I'm resting at home for today but I'm off to Hilton Head with some friends tomorrow for a week. I'm very thankful to be done with school and thankful for such a great year at school. A LOT of things went not as I expected but like I said, He knows what is best and so much happened this year that I didn't anticipate or weren't part of my plans but now I can see how great they truly are.

A few weeks ago we had the Leadership Project retreat in Greenville at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church which is where the CO Greenville branches out of. Usually at the retreat, everyone meets up from Lynchburg and Greenville and spend the day getting to know everyone who is going to be at Project. This is when we meet our room leaders and other disciples, find out what team we're on, plan for ADP, learn a little about the summer theme, get support training, and apply for our given jobs. However, this year a lot of the students were busy and couldn't make it and also it looks like LP is going to be a lot smaller than last year. We had regional meetings instead and just got to know some of the other people attending from the Greenville region.

A few weeks after the retreat we still hadn't found out jobs or rooming or anything. I was at a Ben Rector concert in Greenville with a lot of my friends involved with Campus Outreach, including a lot of friends from Furman. It was really cool to spend some time with girls I don't see very often. I got an email about room leader training while in Greenville and it scared me a bit because technically I wasn't a room leader. We have a new CO staff girl at PC, Rachel, who I've known for awhile because she went to PC, and she was at the concert. I asked her about the email and she said I was just getting it because it is part of the training as a leader.

The next day I was meeting with my coach and I got a call from Rachel. She asked me to be a room leader! At first I was really against it because I had been certain that God had plans for me as an LIT and I was really certain that I couldn't handle it with a job, ADP, an online class, leader training, and all the other meetings for LP. I talked to Rachel about it and I decided that I felt like God was offering me this opportunity as a challenge. It was perfect timing because I had started to doubt my decision to go to LP but when I was asked to be a room leader I felt like I had more of a purpose to be at project. So I will be leading 3 girls- one from Wofford, one from PC, and one from Randolph College. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time! Also, my team leader is my friend Sara who plays soccer with me so I'm even more excited about having her lead me all summer!

We still haven't heard about jobs yet but it should be coming very soon! I know they're planning for a lot of athletes to work at the Polo outlet because they had a really good schedule that worked well with us. There are new jobs at Bi-Lo and they added Build-a-Bear back this year so there are a lot of options! I know that God is working graciously through the CO staff to provide work for us and wherever we are placed, God has a purpose.

From L to R: Jessica, Raleigh, Me
This is from the Ben Rector concert with 2 girls from Furman who were at LP last year. Raleigh is going back again this year as a room leader!

Winter Retreat + More

A lot has happened since my last post and God has already started making changes in my life. To start, as I mentioned, I will be attending Leadership Project again this summer. I submitted my application around 2 weeks ago and a few days after I submitted it, I was asked to be an LIT (Leader in Training). Basically I would experience the training that room leaders get without being a room leader! I personally think this was all God's work because I was not expecting it at all. I know that this summer it would be so difficult to lead other girls if I were a room leader because of having a class so this is literally best case scenario. Today, I was accepted as an LIT! Woohoo!

Secondly, I'm not sure if I have already mentioned this or not but after New Years Conference, some of the soccer girls really wanted to start a team Bible study along with the volleyball girls. We have been going now for about 6 weeks and it has been really good reading into God's Word with girls from another team and getting different perspectives from other athletes that experience similar things and also some extreme differences.

Last weekend I went to Furman and stayed with my friend, Raleigh from last summer. We got in some serious girl talk and caught up on life. I also got to spend a lot of time with one of my roomies from LP, Julie. She is freaking awesome. Then that Sunday I spent the afternoon with another one of my roommates, Teresa, which was just as wonderful! I love all of those girls so much and hanging out with them was fantastic! I got to see some of my other close friends at Furman, too, which was really great. Sometimes I just wish we all lived on one big campus so I could be with them more often. The relationships I built last summer were/are the best relationships I have ever experienced (besides my relationship with Christ of course!).

Also, I have just started helping with a freshmen girls Bible study in my dorm. However, we actually haven't met yet but we are in the process of getting schedules together. I would just ask you guys to pray that the Lord would give me confidence to speak His truths and share the gospel and God's love for us.

And finally, this past weekend God changed some plans for me and I ended up in Asheville all day Saturday. The Campus Outreach ski retreat was this weekend and it was definitely something that I wanted to be at but I already has prior commitments with my high school alumni game back home that I felt like I should be a part of. So I get home Friday after class and planned to stay the whole weekend when it was announced later that afternoon that the game was canceled due to weather. I quickly texted my high school friend, Morgan, and threw out the idea of going to the retreat on Saturday for the day. She was down with the idea and we hit the road early the next morning, 6am to be precise, and arrived in Asheville shortly after 8. It was really great to meet a bunch of other students from other CO Greenville schools and met a few others that are going to LP! Daniel Hill, one of our staff guys, gave a talk that morning and then we all headed out to Cataloochee to hit the slopes. (Or shred the gnar gnar as some of my friends would say) I beat myself up on those slopes for sure. My knee is still in dyer pain and both of my knees are covered in bruises. But it was really awesome to hang out with 3 girls from my team and now 2 of the freshmen have started getting more involved in Campus Outreach. I'd love to see either of them at project this summer but that's something to pray for because only the Lord can do that.

And as a side note: I spoke with some friends from LP last year and it was just really awesome to bond with them and I was really encouraged by what they had to tell me. One of them reminded me of Psalm 19:7-10 which says "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making the wise simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb."

Repeat?

Summer decisions are starting to set in place and I feel like as of now that God is bringing me back to Myrtle Beach this summer! I'm really excited to be back at LP and experience his love with a bunch of college students again. It was truly the best summer of my life and I'm anxious to be back again. The application process is simple and the early application is due February 19 (so soon!) so I will most likely apply before then. 6 months ago I would have never guessed that I'd be back so soon but it really was a great experience and not much bad to say about my experience there.

I think I have my summer class figured out as well. I talked to the head of the math department at Piedmont Tech and they are offering a stats class online this summer so I'm definitely going to jump on that! I am nervous about getting into the course and being prepared for the work I'll be doing this summer. I know I will have to be disciplined and spend most of my free time studying. It is going to be hard to balance work, ADP, a class, and the other LP activities but with motivation from my roommates and from God, I know this is something that I can handle.

On another note, Monday night at practice I injured my knee. It doesn't seem too serious but tomorrow morning I have a doctors appointment at home to get it checked out. It doesn't always hurt but after being on it for awhile, it throbs a little and often feels stuck. I have a feeling it might be my meniscus because I've already torn this meniscus once before and had it repaired with my ACL. I really want to be back out on the field but we will see if that's where God will put me this spring or if he wants me more as a supporter on the sidelines. I have to keep in mind of 1 Timothy 4:8: "For physical training is of some importance, godliness has value of all things, holding promise both for the present life and the life to come." Say some prayers, friends!

Summer 2013 Plans

Where is the Lord leading me this summer? I ask myself this question tens of times each day. Recently it has become very stressful for me to think about what I want to do in my life this summer, and more importantly, what is God wanting to do in my life this summer? I originally had 4 options but I'm down to 3 options. I plan on explaining all of them to you, even the one that is crossed off my list. There are also some notes I would like to make prior to explaining each choice. First of all, I HAVE to take a summer class. I am trying not to take more than one math class per semester as much as possible so if I take one this summer, I will only have one semester with 2 math courses at a single time. And basically it's too late now because I'm short 3 hours in order to keep my scholarships. Also, my mom's number one issue is that she wants me to get a job where I will be making money. And for the final note, I need access to as much soccer, weights facilities, and encouragement to work out as possible.So here we go...

1. Internship at Church Back Home
With this opportunity I would be leading children all summer and planning activities for them during their break away from school. I would also be helping with Vacation Bible School which I attended growing up and have assisted with in the past. However, the job is not a done deal; I have to apply and be interviewed and who knows, someone might get the job offer versus me. I am not 100% but I'm pretty sure it's a paid internship. Since I need to take a course I would commute to PC during summer session 1 every weekday morning. There I would have limited access to a weight room (I think) and I would be able to get out on the field and play some and get some fitness in on the actual field where our fitness test is run. Too add, I may also be able to help with our PC soccer camp in the summer and maybe even get paid.
Benefits: well paid job, fitness/weights/fields, accessible class with familiar professor
Disadvantages: not much actual soccer, lots of early morning travel for commuting, low spiritual growth

2. CCP (Cross Cultural Project)
I was offered from the Campus Outreach staff at PC to participate in a 2 week long trip/mission in Brazil. It is a $5,000+ trip but the core of that money would be from support raising from family, friends, and neighbors. I would still be able to take a class at PC in one of the summer sessions but I probably would have to find a job in Greenwood (which is difficult). And I'm also already going to Scotland, England, and Wales for soccer in May. It was just a lot. But the trip was canceled because there wasn't enough interest.

3. UP (Urban Project)
Again, I was offered to participate in another project taking place in San Diego for all of June. A girl on my team went last summer and I have spent a good time discussing it with her. This project is around $4,000 which is also support raising. I would most likely be able to take a class at PC during the second summer session however, I would most likely not have a job. In San Diego, we spend the mornings in designated quiet time with God and then there is some form of training. Then from 11am-5pm we go out and build relationships with the students at San Diego State University. At SDSU, there are gyms available and some, but not many, soccer playing opportunities. This project would definitely stretch me more than I have ever been stretched in my faith. I don't know many girls that have been given this opportunity but I know 4 guys (probably 4 of my best guy friends I have) who were asked to go.
Benefits: fitness/weights/fields, class back home most likely at PC, extreme spiritual growth, living in Cali with some of my best guy friends
Disadvantages: minimum-some soccer, lots of support raising (this is difficult to do 2 years in a row... I'm not saying it's bad to support raise), no job

4. LP (Leadership Project)
This is the same project I participated in Myrtle Beach last summer and as I've said before, I had the best summer of my entire life. This year my friend Sara was asked to be a Team Leader and Steph, who was there with me last year, was asked to be a room leader. I wasn't asked to be anything because of my other opportunities I was offered so I would get to be a disciple again! Of course I would have designated time to work out each day at ADP and be able to play soccer with girls from my team. I could either take a class online (this may be super hard to do) and I would probably need to get a job. This project is $1,700 in support raising but food and gas is not included unlike the other projects so it typically is around $2,000. I would have some form of training every day as before and I would be alongside some of my best friends growing in my faith. The other option with this is to only go the first half of the summer and then return home to take the class but this is not advised by the CO staff.
Benefits: high levels of access to athletic facilities and fitness opportunities, growing with my best friends, high level of spiritual growth, low paying job
Disadvantages: some support raising (I could probably handle this a lot better than $4,000 but truly, it's all in God's hands), difficult schedule with class to take

So that's about it. They're all great options and over the past few weeks I have just felt led in so many ways and it's so confusing and I still have no clue. I know the Lord has it all under control and I just have to leave it with Him to control. After all, whatever I do, I am doing it all for his glory! Say some prayers as I begin to make decisions in February!

1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God!"

JAX2012

Yesterday I returned home from Jacksonville, FL from the Campus Outreach New Years Conference. To say that I learned a lot is an understatement. A lot of the time after big conferences with a bunch of messages, devotions, and seminars, it becomes difficult to answer the question, 'what did you learn at conference' because everything I learned/reminded of was jam-packed into 5 days! Here are just some points that really hit me:
-Galatians 2:20-21 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing."
-God has never been surprised by what he got for what he paid for. Even in our crappiest crap days, he knew he was getting us. And really, we are far worse than we even know but he loves us and believes we are worth it!
-As an athlete there are 3 key points: I, myself, need to walk with the Lord, speak for the mystery of the gospel and pray for opportunities, and multiply my life.
-Psalm 19:7-10 The value of God's Word is more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey.
-We believe we are smarter than God and we fail to acknowledge Him. He gets the credit when bad things happen (i.e. "why did He let this happen?!") but rarely the good (i.e. "I am so thankful for the Lord keeping me safe today").
-God is powerful enough to transform anyone even at their worst. He invites our unbelief.
-Don't pray for strength in something that hasn't happened yet. GOD WILL GIVE YOU STRENGTH WHEN AND IF IT EVEN HAPPENS!
-Are you using someone in a friendship or looking through them to Christ? To love someone more, need them less. To need them less, love Jesus more.
-We need to be in brotherly relationships with other believers.

This week at Jax was amazing. I really learned so much and have pages of notes I've just been going through. It was great to have fellowship with friends from LP and also spend time with some other students from PC. We are a growing Christian campus and I can't wait to see the soccer team in years to come. Pray for me over the next few weeks as I make decisions about my summer plans. I know that God will work things out the way he has planned whether I'm at Myrtle again, Greenwood with an internship, or in San Diego for Urban Project. Who knows! Excited for the upcoming semester because I know God has some crazy plans up His sleeve and he is gonna do BIG things!