Update that has been needed

Since I have last wrote on the blog, a lot of awesome things have happened. I will try to write about most things I have done. I would encourage you to read as much as you have time for then read the rest later.

Leaders' Retreat

I just wanted to say your support financially has allowed me to talk to several college students. I believe that because of your support prayerfully I have developed some deep relationships with some students. It really started at the leaders' retreat I was about to go to when I last wrote to you. During that weekend, the leaders around the state had an opportunity to grow in the Lord and plan out how they would start changing their individual campuses. I met some of the girls that I am now discipling/coaching. By the time we left, everyone was pumped!

Campus Time

Over the course of the next few weeks, we were getting into a routine of meeting with students that had attended events We were (and still are) meeting with the student leaders and training them to go up to other students to share the gospel as well as learning more about God's word.

During these few weeks, I had an opportunity to me with a UCA student who had been to church her entire life, but was too shy to go to the front of the church to commit herself to the Lord. In case you are wondering, going in front of a church to say you are a Christian is not necessary. So, this shy girl had never been explained to that a relationship with Christ is personal that means no big crowd of people is needed for someone to accept Christ as his/her Savior. After going through the basics of Christianity with her, DeBion, an African American student, became a child of God on August 25th. Praise the Lord!

The students of UCA have created a MEGAstudy, which is a bible study for really big people! I am only kidding, a MEGAstudy is a bible study which allows men and women to come together to analyze a Bible passage or learn about a topic and then discuss things in smaller groups. It is a great way to learn and grow from what other believers have to say.

Movements Launched

The first definition of movement given by Google is motion: a change of position that does not entail a change of location. I find this very interesting because what we want as a ministry is for a movement or movements to develop around the campus so that the entire campus would have an opportunity to know or hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Applying the definition, we want students to change their positions on campus to impact that particular area of campus but to focus on the students at their campus. Neat, right?

So far movements have been either rejuvenated or created on many campuses. One of these campuses is South Arkansas Community College. This campus had about 7 people total at the end of last year and only 2 leaders. Those 2 leaders came to the Leaders' Retreat and God started to develop their desire to reach the campus. Currently, the leaders put on 2 bible studies, a worship jam once a month, and have doubled the amount of leaders while TRIPLING their attendance. If you cannot tell that God is working, I would like to assure you He is incredibly at work.

Fall Retreat

This past weekend was the Arkansas Fall Retreat where students from all over the state went to Sky Ranch in Oklahoma to learn more about God and refocus. Boy, did it work! Today, UCA students are going to share their faith with students around campus. One of the female students from Arkansas Tech sent me a text message stating how great the weekend was for her. She is leading a movement of prayer on the Tech campus as well as sharing her faith with students.

Several of the students that went to fall retreat are wanting to go on summer mission projects around the globe. God is here. We are all excited.

The Aftermath from Fall Retreat

I would like to preface this section saying that I am not sure how much Fall Retreat had an impact on what has happened. With that said, this past week has been an incredible kingdom week. On Wednesday, Jason and I went to Tech where students went out and started intentionally starting spiritual conversations with fellow students. Also on Wednesday, Kendra, a leader on the UCA campus, met up with a girl we received contact information on the first week of school. Normally, contact information is usually "hot" in the first few weeks of receiving it. However, Kendra met up with a girl and through the power of the Holy Spirit, a girl named Carolyn accepted Christ as her Savior. That same girl is going with other UCA students to share their faith today!

On Thursday, also known as yesterday for now, Becca (my discipler/coach) and I went out onto UCA campus and had the opportunity to meet with a girl sitting on a bench. After about a 45 minute conversation, Brittany accepted Christ as her Savior. The Kingdom is growing!!!

Upcoming Events to Pray for success

Worldwide Day of Prayer (October 6)

A week in Washington DC to launch movements on college campuses near the capital! (October 10-16)

Keep a lookout for photos and videos to come soon!!!!!!

School is for the Birds

I need to find me a career. Here are my qualifications (gifts from God): I am good at math, I am good with people, I like to be organized, I LOVE office supplies (pointless), I am not really an indoor kind of girl. So, if you know of a career that deals with this, please forward the info to me. If you do not know of a position, please pray that God will give me a direction to go. It is going to become a big deal soon.

My classes are going okay so far, I really like Statistics; and hopefully will fully understand Advanced Calculus soon. I am reading the chapters thoroughly on that one. Senior Seminar is very interesting. Oxford Tutorial takes a lot of time and reading which is not my forte. World Lit II is horrible. My professor is extremely nice, but all the classes I am taking outside of it say to read the book for a general concept. Not in World Lit, no no, we must remember every little detail in the book so that we can really analyze the book and understand it. Woo hoo! I am not very good at realizing a monkey represents the mind, a Buddhist priest represents spiritual impulse, etc.

I figured out today that I am only going to need 2 classes this next semester. American Nations or US Government and Thesis for honors. I am excited about that! If I would have been smarter in my course selection throughout the history of college, I could have graduated this December. Oh well! I get to be with Russell for at least another semester. Either that or he has to deal with me for a few more months.

Well, I am out of time for now. I have class in about 2 minutes. It is just next door though. I love you all! Bye!

Midtown...to Downtown

So, the Lord took care of everything and I got my room like I was supposed to.

I then embarked on an exploratory mission. I left the hostel and 1 block later arrived in Central Park. Very neat place!

My computer won't upload pictures right now, so I apologize for that.

Hopefully you will all get to see my pictures at some point.

Anyway, I walked 61 blocks to Times Square and rode the subway back because of tired feet and pouring down rain.

Anyway, going to Statue of Liberty and a Broadway show (Monty Python's SPAMALOT!) tomorrow.

Over and out.

Gotham City

I am currently en route to New York City. I'm travelling there and back to D.C. via bus. Woke up at 0450 this morning to make sure I got up to Reagan National airport to catch the subway to my bus stop. I ended up getting there over an hour and a half early. Oh well, right?

Currently I am in New Jersey watching the bus driver make his way through unending traffic all the way in to Manhattan. Supposedly I'm going to be there around 1330. We'll see about that.

Other interesting news: Just received an e-mail this morning from the hostel I'm staying stating that they've cancelled my reservations. How is that possible? I don't know. I called to confirm yesterday and the man at the front desk said that, "As long as you've received an e-mail, then you are fine." So I believed him.

Who knows what's next?

Not me.

I'll try and update this once or twice a day for the next 3-4 days.

Over and Out.

WOWZA! I was on TV!

So, I have not written in a little while. My days are somewhat hectic. I spend almost every day at the Graves. I love them so much. They are the coolest folks ever! Faith came in last night. That was really exciting. Her sister came with her. Together they drove from Orlando, FL to San Diego in 2.5 days! That is pretty incredible. I am super stoked. Last night our episode of Celebrity Family Feud aired. The back of our heads can be seen several times. I attached the link. You will have to go to the full episodes. We were with the Office, American Gladiator, and My Name Is Earl. It is a very funny show. Today, we are going to the homes of some of the people who have come to the events CrossChurch has put on. Tomorrow, we are going to Los Angeles for the Live show of So You Think You Can Dance! on Fox. Maybe some of you can watch it. It is on at 9/8c. Also, we are going to a Dodgers game after tomorrow night. I am really excited! That will mean I have been into 4 stadiums. I have a few more to go to be able to see them all.

Also, I was told via e-mail that if I am out past 11 then I should not go home at all! Lovely. It is a wonderful idea. Let me tell you, God is working in Cindy's life. Please pray for her. I don't want to tell the details on here, but it is big! I hope that you can watch one of the shows that I will be on. I am ready to come home. I mean, I love being here and I absolutely love the people, but nothing compares to my family! I have missed everyone so much. I cannot wait to see you all. I am going to go, so that I can start working again. Please, again, pray for Cindy! She needs the Lord and his love!

Fun Plans

So, I've been trying to think of some fun things to do on weekends for the rest of this summer. Tomorrow, for Independence Day, myself and the DeVenuto/Kilmans are going to cook out and shoot fireworks. (On the subject, you can't by firecrackers, M-60/M-80's, bottle rockets, etc. in VA--it's absolutely unpatriotic.) I think on Saturday I'm going to head down to Virginia Beach to chill out for the day and drive back to Spotsylvania that night. The next weekend, I think I'm going to go to a Washington Nationals/Houston Astros game (thanks to Becky's family for getting me interested in baseball :). ) Another weekend, I'm going back to king's dominion theme park. Another weekend, along with some excess leave time, I hope to venture up to NYC for a couple nights and chill out again. Another weekend, go down to experience OBX (Outer Banks, North Carolina). Another weekend, camp/hike in the Shenandoah Valley/Appalachian Mtns. That leaves me with one or two weekends to still plan something. I'm sure I'll think of something!

I'm not really ready for the fall yet, except of course to come see Becky, family, and friends. I'm slated to take 19 hours in the fall and probably won't be available much for fun times (but I'll force myself to regardless.) For those who are reading, how are things on the homefront? Any cool adventures in life right now?

Oh, and everyone who hasn't should check out my dad's/my family's blog link on the right sidebar of this page and check out the bear video from my brother (David)'s camping trip. Amazing film, let me tell you!!!!


TTFN!!!!!

My Summer Mission, July 1

Boy, oh boy, do I have a lot to talk about. This past weekend I got to hang out with Cindy for a day or so. We had dinner on Friday night and we went to watch Wanted on late Saturday afternoon. It was my first experience of, I think, with Greek cuisine. It was delicious. I ate a gyro (which is lamb), falafel, spanakopita, a greek salad, and baklava. Everything was absolutely delicious. The movie on Saturday was neat, but it had TOO much language and a two sexual scenes. I had read the review on PluggedInOnline.com before going so I knew that it was going to happen. I suppose I was hoping for a better situation. I figured Cindy would like it though. Anyways, after the movie we headed out to dinner. We ate at Tony Roma's which is becoming my favorite place to eat at here. Anyways, after dinner we walked back to the house since we walked to the theater. On the way back home I started talking to Cindy about her beliefs and thoughts on her spirituality. It was very interesting. I told her about some of my experiences as a Christian and told her a condensed version of the Gospel. Of course she did not pray to receive Christ that night, but maybe she will think about it and change her mind.

We were told at Austin trek that 30 days after we left, our group leader would call us and check on how we were doing. Well, Angela had called me about a week or two ago, and I could not talk. So, I have been trying to call her back and finally got in touch with her on Sunday. It was great to get to talk with her. She is a very cool woman. One of my goals was to tell 3 people the gospel by the end of the summer. I told her that I have gotten to share with 2 people so far and I have been doing my quiet time with the Lord everyday this summer.

Also on Sunday, I met the mission team that came in from First Baptist Sprindale/Pinnacle Hills Church. The team only has about three members, Luke Harper, Brad Mayes, and Alyssa Stewart. Russell knew the latter two. They are all very good people. Sunday night after church we all played Rock Band for several hours pictures are on facebook, and also a game called the "Name Game" where I won twice!! Woo hoo. On Rock Band, I am good at the drums, that is about all though....no singing or guitar for me! We should all play the Name Game sometime when there are a lot of us.

I have really been thinking about the trip back and how it is going to work. I have a possible route and itinerary. Here is the Summer Itinerary Google Map. I was thinking that we leave Friday, July 25th at about 4 pm. We would arrive in Vegas about 10 pm. Stay two nights and leave at 8 am on Sunday, July 27th. Drive 30 minutes to the Hoover Dam, look at it for about half an hour. Drive 4 hours to the Grand Canyon, stay and be inspired for two or so hours. Leave and drive again for 4ish hours, take a picture at the Four Corners monument. Keep driving until Farmington (which is about an hour away) or until we get tired. On Monday, July 28th we could drive 12 hours (through Santa Fe) and stay the night at Oklahoma City. Finally, Tuesday, July 29th drive and finish off the trip.

Today, I have been feeling really bad. I had to not go to the Graves and stay in bed all day. I had a fever for a portion of the day. I did not like it. That is all of today for you! I can't wait to see everyone.


OH YEAH! I almost forgot. The Celebrity Family Feud is on Tuesday nights at 8/7c. The episode that I went to the taping for will be on next Tuesday (July 8)