Hello everyone! It wasn't until yesterday that I decided to start a blog; I thought it would be a great way to keep you all updated on my life here in North Myrtle Beach this summer!
First of all, thank you so much for your support!  Whether through prayer or with finances, I am so thankful that God used you to help me get here!
It's absolutely crazy to think, but I have been here for a week now! We took off last Tuesday afternoon and made it to South Carolina in about 24 hours. The drive was long and squished, but we all love each other, so it really flew by.

An interesting experience occured in Indiana last Tuesday night; I had just taken over driving Andrea's stick-shift car, and after about five minutes of driving (we were in a small town looking for food), the brakes went out and we almost had a little collision with Freddy's car! Praise God, I was able to hit the curb instead, but we were all pretty darn shaken up after that and really scared we wouldn't be able to continue our travels without getting the brakes fixed. We began praying over the car, that God would fix it and that we wouldn't have any more trouble with it the rest of the trip. Forty-five minutes later when we tried it out again the brakes were working perfectly and continued to work without fault for the rest of the trip! I was simply amazed by God's provision and protection; He loves us so much.

After finally arriving, I moved into my beach house apartment with two other girls from UW-Madison and UW-La Crosse. They are such nice ladies! Being surounded by 100 new people, I have to admit that it has been a bit of a culture shock. I am so thankful to be here, though, surrounded by God's incredible creation. The palm trees, the gorgeous sky, the warm ocean air. The ocean is such a wonder to me; the way the waves keep coming to the shore every second of the day. I  keep thinking to myself, this is so much sweeter than the wave pools in the Dells!

The first five days of being here have been orientation, which have been busy, stretching days. We've been learning how to evangelize to perfect strangers in an approachable way that really opens doors for the gospel. We've been learning how to study the Bible in a deeper way. We've been meeting with our disciplers and our Bible studies, going out sharing the gospel, as well as spending time in community by eating together and hanging out till the late hours of the night. I even had my first injury of project! While playing ultimate frisbee someone threw the frisbee from about ten feet away, right into my face! My nose gushed blood for a while, but I couldn't stop laughing! 

We've also been learning how to live in a community where a bunch of high school and college students come to party, and how to reach out to them. This has been loud, and at first, a bit intimidating. I am finding, though, that they need Jesus just as much as I do, and I don't deserve Him any more than they do. I have a heart for these people finding true satisfaction and fulfillment, because deep down, they all know that this world can't give them those things.  

Besides learning these ministry tools, a large part of my time has been spent searching for a job. This has definitely been the most difficult part of being here. I applied to over 20 different places during the past 5 days without much success. I have gone from feeling confident to completely freaking out. God is definitely testing my faith, and it's really difficult. However, I know that through this struggle He is so faithful, and I am reminded of 2 Timothy 2:13, where it says, "If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is."

I know I will be able to look back and see His plan through all this. I've found it's so easy to trust God when things are going how you want them to, but when everything seems to be going the opposite of what you want, those are the times when it is so hard to stop relying on your own strength and leave it in His hands. I am so thankful for the numberous brothers and sisters that have come alongside me through this and have encouraged me through this whole process.

One thing my sister, Amanda, pointed out to me was that sharing the gospel literally means "as you go." Another friend also pointed out to me that ministry is not just at a workplace or a certain community, but rather it's wherever you go. Our motivation in life, which includes in finding a job, needs to be to share Christ's love "as I go." I gave the struggle up to the Lord after hearing that, and yesterday I got the chance to talk about the gospel with a 20-year-old employee of a store I was applying to. She has a thirst for Christ, and she really wants to come to our Thursday weekly meeting. I was amazed at how God showed me how He could use me when I chose to trust in Him. Later yesterday afternoon I also got a good lead on the restaurant Zaxbys! God works is awesome, awesome ways!

The theme for this past week has been thirst. Not only have I've realized how the world thirsts for Him, but even how my own heart thirsts for Christ in so many ways as I've tried to accomplish my goals running on my own strength. My heart thirsts for Christ's strength and power in my life. By His grace there is so much hope for me and for this life He gives me.

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." -John 7:37-38