A Deep Breath

I made it home to Michigan about 4 weeks ago and I have about 17 weeks until I leave for Kenya!

It has been a strange experience to leap from an extremely fast moving environment into such a relaxed one. My Teen Mania brain wants to be continually pushed and stretched, but that doesn't work well outside of such a focused campus. I had a miny crisis the first week home when my mom told me to take a break from something and I couldn't figure out HOW to take a break! Do I just sit here and do nothing, or should I read a worthwhile book or something? Needless to say, I've been learning a lot about rest and balance.



My family got to take a trip to Lake Michigan while all of us were home, which we thought might never happen again, so it was a huge blessing. We relaxed on the beach and visited to biggest used book store I've ever seen in my life! My mom was in heaven!


I've loved spending time with my family, storing up memories for the 16 months I'll be over seas. I considered getting a job to help with the $22,000 I need to raise, but after pursuing some different paths and having each one cut off, I let God show me how he wanted me to use these precious few months I have here. It turns out he's got the money thing taken care of (I should have guessed that) and he thinks relationships are more valuable than money or earthly security! Since I let the idea of a job go, I have had one opportunity after another to serve families in my church and community and invest in relationships.


This adorable little girl is my cousin and her name is Olivia. I just love her a lot and wanted to show everyone how cute she is! :)

So for now, I'll continue to soak up every moment of this deep breath before the plunge into some very unfamiliar water!