A Summer of Fun

This summer has been a summer of many adventures. I can hardly believe all of the places I have been and all of the lessons that I have learned. I started my summer off with a road trip to Virginia Beach to deliver one of my dear friends to the start of her bike and build journey. The road trip out was full of fellowship and I found myself praising God for placing these beautiful women in my life. They have impacted me in such huge ways, it’s really incredible. When I think of our friendship I am reminded of Ecc 4:12

“Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Anyways so we arrived in Virginia Beach and we were able to spend a little bit of time together exploring the city and taking everything in. The Atlantic Ocean was gorgeous, powerful and overwhelming all at once. I found myself standing in awe. The God of the universe that cares about me created this huge, vast, powerful ocean! That is incredible. After spending lots of time standing in front of the ocean it was time to say goodbye and good luck to Kristen. I had a whole speech planned but in the end I was just so moved by her dedication to service and to God that I just hugged her a cried a little. The silent communication was powerful and effective. I said everything that I needed to say without saying anything at all. After seeing Kristen off it was back to Michigan and real life for a while.

Kelly left a few weeks later and I found myself without two of my main support systems wondering “hmm what now?” And then God answered. “Choose me, draw near to me, lean on me and I will help you grow.” So that’s what I did I started spending a lot more time with God and diving into some of the things I had been struggling with. June came and then I was off to Iowa to do some flood relief work. This was another eye opening experience. I met a ton of beautiful people that are on fire for God and it was so amazing to see and be a part of. After a week of hard work and bonding with God and his people I found myself recharged and on fire for service in a whole new way.

Iowa taught me two important lessons. Number one, always be thankful for what God has given you because he can take it all away in the blink of an eye if it will bring more people to him. It’s all part of a much larger and greater plan. Number two, God has given us each a unique set of gifts, passions, and personality characteristics. Use them! There are specific needs small and large that you can meet every day. It’s that simple you just have to be willing to put yourself out there and give to others. Leaving Iowa was bitter sweet. Going back to work and the daily grind seemed pointless to me when I could be out meeting needs and helping people rebuild their lives. I prayed a lot and I questioned why God kept me here this summer and then once again he answered me! Because I had been working all summer I was in a financial position to give to some friends who are serving God throughout the world and I was also able to take a surprise road trip out to Cannon Beach Oregon to surprise Kristen at the end of her cross country adventure.!!!! Driving across the country is such an experience. First of all it’s exciting! I mean cross country road trip with three of your best friends! Awesome. Going state through state I was just impressed with the beauty of it all. Everything is unique and beautiful in its own way. The plains of Nebraska are a simple beauty. The desert of Wyoming is an ever-present beauty. The cannons of Utah are and unspoken beauty. The mountains of Idaho and Oregon are a powerful beauty and the forests of Oregon are a peaceful aged beauty. Everything unique and beautiful and all designed specifically by the God of the Universe! The fellowship along the way was great and I will cherish those conversations for a very long time. After arriving at Cannon Beach God gave us an opportunity to improve on patience. We didn’t know for sure when Kristen would be in and we were all very eager to see her after two and half months of writing and phone conversations. So we waited and we waited and then they group sped right past us! After a sprint across the beach to the real finish line and some more patience Kristen came out of the water and when she saw us, after having just biked across the country, her face was that of pure joy. God filled joy. If he had not sent her on this journey and kept me home working all summer that moment and that face streaming with joy would not have been possible. Oregon taught me that God knows exactly what he is doing even when we do not and he has set his plan in motion long before we even realize it. After spending a few hours with Kristen we were back on the road. The car broke down a few hours later but God provided and we were back on the road within 12 hours. Montana was beautiful. I slept through most of North Dakota and once we hit Minnesota we were reminded of home sweet home. We have been back almost three weeks and I still can’t quite believe that God took us on a cross country road trip!

But it gets better! Last weekend, I embarked on another journey with my awesome friends! Road trip to New York!!! That’s right, after picking Kelly up from camp my roommates and I conquered the big apple:) We started in Times Square, took in the beauty of Central Park, remembered those fallen at the Trade Center Memorial , very very moving (a must if you visit the city) we ended our adventures by taking the Staten Island Ferry across the bay, observing Lady Liberty herself! Then we hiked across Manhattan to meet one of Kristen’s Bike and Build friends! Totally awesome weekend. We arrived home without any issue and now it’s back to school and real life once again. I am excited about this year and what God has planned for me! I cannot wait to meet new people and share life together:)