Dear 2008...

Happy New Years! I cannot believe it is 2008. That is just a weird number! I am very excited with the new upcoming year! But today, I wanted to write about all the wonderful things God did in my life in 2007! :)

2007 has probably been one of the most exciting times of my life! I have embarked on so many new adventures and God has been so good to me! The blessing that He has shown me are unspeakable! But I am going to try my best!

Well... Lets start from the top! In February, I went with student Journey to the Student Life conference at Crossing's Community Church, where David Platts spoke, along with others. Also, Leeland and Charlie Hall led worship! This weekend CHANGED my life! I learned that the bible is FUN to study and I really like to study it now! As soon as we got home, I ran out to buy myself a brand new study bible. Also, during this weekend, I decided to sponser a child from Uganda, Africa. She is so beautiful and every month I anxiously await her letters!

In March, I traveled to Reynosa Mexico, again with Student Journey. After having the most amazing experience two years agao on this same trip, I was doubtful that it could get any better. But of course, God blew me away, and the trip may have been even better than the first. I got to meet so many people of the community we worked in and actually got a chance to show off my mad Spanish speaking skills! I got to hang out with kids everyday and LOVED every min. of it! I have such a passion for Reynosa, and pray all the time that God will make a way for me to go back there someday!

During these times, one thing imparticular layed heavily on my heart. In December, I was asked to join a team of college students to travel on a mission trip to ALBANIA! There was not a doubt in my mind that I should go! Not only did I get to go on a mission trip with the MOST wonderful people I know, but I got to share in a mission with my former youth pastor and his family, Robert and Jenny Wheelis, who are two people who have impacted my life tremedously. Not to mention, I got to see thier two sons who I absolutly adore, and their brand new baby daughter they adopted from China, who I had yet to meet! Thinking and praying about this trip was honestly something I did 24/7. We had constant meetings and prayer time for this trip, and spent a lot of time preparing for it.

In April, I was warned that I might not be able to travel with the team, due to the lack of funds I had. I had sent out support letter, and worked as much as possible at the church to raise money for the trip, but Satan was still trying to hender things by using money to get in my way. But he was unsecceful! I prayed and prayed and prayed and relied on God through it all and HE PROVIDED! Just like He always does! I recieved a VERY greatful gift to help me pay for my trip. God had me covered every step of the way!

After four LONG years, I finally graduated high school in May! It was a huge stepping block (for my mom mostly) and a very exciting time in my life. I was offered many scholarships around the state and a few outside of the state. After a lot of consideration, I chose to go to Oklahoma Christian Univeristy so I could major in youth ministry. But before I was to start that new chapter of my life, I had a long summer ahead of me!

As soon as school was out, I was on my way to summer camp. First stop: The beautiful Heart 'O Hills, for Disciple camp! This is a camp for middle school students, and my good friend Emma and I were student leaders. Together, we lead a group of 8th grade girls. I am pretty sure that WE learned more from the whole week than they did! These girls were brought to us for a reason and each one of them has such an amazing purpose for God's kingdom! I am hopeful to see all of them again next year!

As soon as it was time to say goodbye, up comes FOUR charter buses full of STUDENT JOURNEY kids! It was time for Student Journey Summer Camp! And this time I got to be a camper! This week was full of intense games and crazy fun! But more importantly, it was FILLED with God! We had the most amazing leader, who is now one of my best friends.

Even though I had one of the best weeks of my life, the last couple days of summer camp were very hard for me, and I was VERY ready to come home. In March, I kept getting little infections all over my body. Durning the last days of summer camp, it flared up big time under my arm. After I returned home, we found out that I have MRCA, and infection known as Staff, but MRCA is a bit worse and can be really scary. It is a skin disease. It can be very dangerous if not controlled. I was put on some very heavy antibiotics and I have to be very careful about my hygein. It is something I will have for the rest of my life, and I will have to take frequent trips to the doctors office. Through all of this, God has been so faithful to me. I know that He never gives me anything I can't handle and I know that things could be much worse. Thank God for medicine and technology!! :)

FINALLY, after much anticipation and months of praying and preparation, it's time to go to ALBANIA! We spent two weeks in Albania ministering to missionary students. It would be an understatement saying that God taught me SO much! I learned so much more about the importance of missions, and I literally saw God's kingdom being transformed. God has placed wonderful people in Albania to produce His fruits and to teach others how. I cannot wait until the day when Albania becomes a country who KNOWS GOD!!! :)

At the end of July, I went to a summer camp called Day Spring. It was my very last camp as a camper! Without a doubt, God provided a way for me to go there. I went to the camp knowing hardly anyone at all, but left with so many new friends! Also, God spoke to me in ways He never has before. I was overwhelmed with joy in the LORD and learned so many new things about my faith!

Here comes August! I am finally in college! Scary! I moved into the dorms and have met wonderful people and have made so many new friends! I ended this semester suprisingly succesful. Also, I started a new job at a church in the city as a youth intern! It is called Crossing's Community Church and it is one of the largests churches in the state. I love it and I love working with my students and I am learning so much about ministry!

This next year has so many more opprotunities to come! I am in the early stages of praying for a new journey to Mozambique, Africa this summer! I am VERY excited about this opprotunity and KNOW God is going to provide every step of the way! Just like He always has, as everything above has proven! God is AMAZING and His faithfulness never fails. His glory will reign this next year and I am SO very excited to see and live the wonderful plans He has!! :)

God Bless you all and may God lead you in every step you take in '08!