Sawatdee, Kha!
A Bright New Year
It is crazy for me to reflect over the past year. So much has happened, and now I am a sophomore at BCOM! I have
learned a lot in the past year, and it is hard for me to find the words to
summarize it all in a few short sentences. I now understand so much more about
sanctification and intimacy with Jesus. Jesus likes me, and He likes you. Yes,
He loves us. He loves the world and came for us. But even more than that, He
likes us. He knows us in our ugliness and sin. He knows us in our brokenness.
He knows much more about us than any other person. He understands us and
through it all, He likes us. He wants to be with us and desires time with us.
He wants to be a part of every moment. I’ve learned that you definitely cannot
put Jesus into some box.
Summertime
At the
end of May, I had the chance to return to Kansas Bible Camp (KBC)as a group
leader for the Leadership Training Camp. It was a great week, and I again felt
surrounded by the body of Christ. KBC has a special place in my heart, and
being able to return is such a joy. My heart is filled by the conversations I
share with others there. I returned in June and July for three more weeks which
I spent as a counselor, sharing the gospel and having conversations with the
girls. I have had some very interesting conversations this summer, but one of
the most encouraging ones was when one of the fifth grade girls asked me to
pray with her so she would trust Jesus. I also loved having discussions with
the high school girls about what the Lord has to say about a variety of
subjects. I also spent time with my family which was really great; it was hard
having to leave them all at the end of summer. On August 3rd, with
all of my things packed into my car, I begin the drive back to Minnesota. Then
on the 5th, my team left for Thailand.
Thailand
Upcoming Adventures 
A lot is
happening in the next year and I am looking forward to all of it! First of all,
an opportunity arose last spring to become an RA with a program for students
with disabilities. I was accepted for the position this summer, and I am
eagerly anticipating the arrival of the two young women who will be moving in
very soon! This program is called Beyond Limits and gives these students the
opportunity to develop skills to eventually become independent and live on
their own. For me, this means I am living in an apartment with the other female
RA (my good friend Kendyl), and we will soon be joined by the two women who
will be living with us. All of our responsibilities as RA’s are designed to
encourage equip them with the skills they need.
The other
exciting part of this year, aside from my sophomore year of college, is that I
will be spending the next year in preparation for my 16 month internship which
will begin next fall. I deeply desire to go to Thailand. In order to go, I need
to raise $30,000. I need to raise about a third of that in order to go, and the
rest should be in monthly support. This is a daunting task, but the Lord is
gracious and good, and I know I can trust Him. I have many people who have been
supporting me, and I am eager to see where these next steps will lead!
Please be
praying for:
- The young women who are moving into my apartment, that their transition will be smooth.
- Grace as I step into a new position as an RA, and that the Lord would be leading me.
- Wisdom in pursuing internship and following Jesus.
- Financial blessing in the next year and that I would be able to raise all the funds needed to go.
- Peace throughout sophomore year even when my schedule gets very crazy.
Thank you
so much for your support and prayers! I am so eager to see what the Lord has
next. This summer has been such a joy, and I’m sure the next year will be even
better.
