Where has the time gone?

I absolutely cannot believe that today is August 5, 2009. It feels like only yesterday that I was freaking out about flying to South Africa. Now, the summer is practically over, one of my little sisters turned 21 yesterday, and in a couple of weeks I'll be starting my senior year of college. [Not to mention applying to internships in NYC for spring 2010 and applying to law school for fall 2010!!] Where has the time gone?

South Africa was an amazing experience. I was there for about 12 days with an amazing group of college students and friends. We sang to over 7,000 people, loved on AIDS patients, and played with orphans all over the south coast. At first, I was super nervous to go because I'm not a great flier, but once I was there, God did an amazing work in my heart. I'm so glad that I went and I'll never be the same because of that trip. Success!!

This summer, I have had the joy and honor of serving as Camp Zephyr's Program Coordinator. This was my fourth summer at Zephyr, but my third to work in programming. We programmed three youth and three children's camps, as well as assisted in programming Bay Area Fellowship's Element youth camp. Let me tell you people, God never disappoints. He continues to grow and stretch me every summer, always more than I think I can handle. Another really awesome development from this summer has been that my boyfriend of four years, Luke Hinton, who has now worked at Zephyr for one full year and six consecutive summers, has been brought on as full-time staff at Camp Zephyr. This has been huge for him and for our relationship because he is now employed full-time, finishing up school, and is on salary with benefits before he has even graduated from college. God is honoring Luke's hard work in this ministry at Zephyr and His timing is perfect. We are super excited to see what God has in store for Luke, our relationship, and the future of this incredible camp.

And now...senior year. Umm, it starts in 19 days. Whaaat?! I can hardly believe it. It feels like just yesterday that I was that scared and lonely little freshman, bawling my eyes out because I missed everything familiar in my life. Yes, pathetic, I know. But as I look back, I would not change any of that experience for the world. It was one of those times in your life as a Christian that you are able to look back as say to yourself, "It was just me and God and no one else. I had to cling to Him with my whole heart and no matter how hard or scary or lonely it was, He grew me so much." I hope that each of you are able to say this at least once in your life. Now, on the 19th, I will move one of my baby sisters, Claire, up to Baylor and we will together start my senior year and her freshman year on the 24th. I called Claire the other day and told her that we are doing everything this year. Going to every home football game, hitting up Common Grounds all the time, going tortilla tossing off the suspension bridge, cooking dinners together, taking road trips, and anything else we can possibly think of to do together. Because in January, I move to NYC!! For anyone who does not know me very well, this has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I am going to be, once again, out of my comfort zone, not knowing anyone, handling a new and unfamiliar city, on my own. Freshman year anyone? But I'm so excited, once again, to see how the Lord will faithfully grow and stretch me as I, once again, cling to Him with all that I am. I'm sort of overwhelmed when I think about all of this, but I know it will all be ok.

Up next, packing Claire and myself up and heading to Baylor. Then NYC internship applications, LSAT prep courses, and the LSAT in October and November. Geez, my life never slows down! It's my goal to be more faithful in blogging; y'all hold me accountable, ok? If I don't write (type) this stuff down, I'll end up holding it all in and eventually have an emotional breakdown, ha! We don't need this now, do we? Please say a prayer for me if you think about it. I could use all of the prayers I can get!

Prov. 4:23 <3