Just call me Willing

College life is going great for me! I am making more friends everyday and starting to find my fit here. I have even started to figure out how my whole schedule is going to work. Most of my time is spent doing homework, working out, and hanging out with Kami.

The one part of my schedule that I haven't quite figured out yet though is my afternoons/job. When I got here I applied at a Prairie Life Fitness Center and was lead to believe that they were really looking for someone to fill the position I was applying for. Due to an unusual series of events, I really felt that God had led me to this place and that it was where He wanted me.

I talked to the guy in charge today over the phone and he told me that he didn't need anymore help. Obviously God shut that door on my face. I was pretty discouraged, but I had been noticing throughout the past week that the main reason I wanted the job was for finances, not because I thought that's where God wanted me. I had been ignoring those thoughts obviously.

All of the messages I've heard since I got here have been about putting God first NOW. Well that didn't all really sink in until today when I was talking to my mom and she reminded me that my life verse was Matthew 6:33. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and he will supply all your needs." That was like God slapping me in the face. When had my life verse become a verse that i wasn't living by? Needless to say, I got the picture. I know that Prairie Life Fitness is not the place that I am called to be right now. I am being called to serve God. Where? I don't know, but please pray that I will be listening for His answer. Also, If you have any ideas of places or ministries that could use someone like me to work, I'm not even looking to be paid, let me know. I am 100% willing to go wherever He leads.

Just call me City Girl

Changes, Changes, Changes. My goodness! Life is so different!

From Kansas to Nebraska
From the Country to the City
From Summer to School Year
From a house to a dorm
From a room to my self to a roommate
From a million friends to like 6
From Public School to a Bible College

These are just a few of the differences, and while not all of them were easy transitions, I am getting used to it.

My parents brought me to college on Friday afternoon and left on Sunday afternoon. I was very apprehensive about the move but the longer I was here, the more the thought sunk in and I accepted it. Don't get me wrong, saying goodbye to them was not fun. I do love that the city has so much to offer. I have applied for a job but haven't heard back from them yet.

Kami (my roommate) and I started class on Wednesday and it was a little overwhelming. I do not like that they do everything on the internet. I like holding my assignments and checking off lists, but I will get used to it I suppose.

The only complaint I have about college is that I get bored very quickly. At home I always had a million things to do and parties almost every night. The people on my hall don't really have a lot in common with me, so I have had a hard time finding good friends, and when you don't have friends, you don't really get out and do much. That being said, you can pray that I find some more friends. Kami & I spend most of our time in our room talking. I don't know what I would do without her. We have so much in common and I couldn't have asked for anyone better.

Just call me Dorthy

That girl had it right when she said, "There's no place like home," but if she would have just stayed at home in Kansas, she never would have taught others courage, knowledge, and love. Through the last several weeks one thing has stood out: People from Southwest Kansas are unlike any others in the world. We don't have the luxuries of the big city so we think up our own fun, and I can promise you that no one else could come up with our crazy stupid ideas. I also am surrounded by a thick cloud of SOLID Christian Teenagers. I know there are other youth groups in the world, but come to TLC for one week and I guarantee you'll never want to go anywhere else. They're not just Christians once a week. They're Christians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But like Dorthy, It's my time to move on. God is taking me to a land somewhere over the rainbow (there might actually be rainbows in Nebraska) so that I can teach people of the love, courage, and knowledge of Jesus Christ my Savior. I know that every day I will want to click my red heels together (one pair of shoes that I actually don't have) and come home, but I realize that God is expecting more from me, and I am ready to follow His lead. 

I'm not gonna be in Kansas anymore Ozzy.

Goodbye Kansas... Hello Omaha.

Just call me Busy Body

Sorry it has been so long!

The last 3 weeks have been INSANELY busy.

July 31 - August 5   I went to the LUC Boys ranch with TLC.
August 5 - 7   I was in York Nebraska at Tanya's wedding.
August 7 - 15   I attended AT LEAST one party a day.
The last couple of days I have spent with my family and packing.

From the beginning...

When some boys go to court they are given the choice of either going to jail or to the Lives Under Construction Boys Ranch. LUC is a Christian organization that works with these boys and tries to bring them to Christ in order to change their lives. They have an 85% success rate. We went there to help them with several building and painting projects. LUC is the most fun summer missions trip because we spend about half of our time on Tablerock Lake. (Any time those two words are mentioned I hear angels singing in my head)

Our group totaled 47. TLC record.

I worked on the crew that was finishing a basement. My job was to frame out walls and put up insulation.

I lead worship for the very last time. After 4 years of building up our music team it was pretty hard to let that go.

Cliff Jumping

Relaxing on Tablerock Lake (angels singing)

Friday (August 5) I said my goodbye to TLC for the very last time. It was not done without tears. TLC has helped me grow so much in my faith throughout my high school career. I KNOW I would not be the solid girl I am now without it. The fellowship with Christian teenagers is unlike any other atmosphere in the world. It is quite possibly the thing I will miss most in Omaha.

Anyway... My family and 3 other kids packed up early and headed out to York, NE for my cousin Tanya's wedding.

We ended up running into traveling troubles because we could not cross the Missouri river, so we had to back track about 40 miles to a 2 lane road that was JAM PACKED full of cars. Needless to say, we showed up to rehearsal about 15 minutes late... did I mention we had the maid of honor with us... oops!

I got to sing in the wedding

It was a beautiful wedding, and the ceremony only lasted about 20 minutes. Short and Sweet!

Tanya & Michael Davis

Super creepy swirly clouds greeted us after the reception.

Sunday (August 7) We decided to see our "Nebraska border cows" on the way home. It was a little out of the way but we felt that it was worth our time.

They are still enjoying the endless pastures of green grass

Since I have gotten home, my hours have been spent strengthening my friendships. I kid you not, most nights I have attended more than one party. I have always been taught that it doesn't matter what THINGS I accomplish in my life, but rather WHO I impact. I wanted to make sure I encouraged my friends to make the most of every opportunity they are given because as I am quickly learning, life moves at a faster pace than you realize.

For some reason they thought it was a good idea to all drive my car while sitting in the front seat. Yes, I'm behind that pile somewhere

My "city friend" Shie came over and we helped work some cattle

CBC bike ride

I spent one day helping these guys pack up all their stuff for P.T. School. They have taken the role of protective older brothers in my life and I will miss them terribly.

I got to eat at Pizza Hut with the Reimer family to say goodbye. Bittersweet moment. I will miss them greatly, but I also realize that I only got to eat with about half of the Reimers... because the other half is in OMAHA!!

My amazing family!

I am exhausted beyond words but I don't regret my "relationship building" decision at all. True friends are always worth my time.

I  have 37 hours left at home. AAAAAHHHHHHH! I am scared to make this step but I know that this is where God wants me to be so I am excited to follow wherever He leads me. However... I would greatly appreciate your prayers: I am very much a farm girl :D