Agape

Wow! I have been so busy the past few weeks that I haven't been able to update you all on what's going on down here in North Myrtle Beach! I'm also in the process of figuring out how to use the free time that I do have more wisely, which hopefully will include writing here more often.

Last week was World Vision week, so we learned a lot about the Campus Crusade partnerships in Ghana, Australia, the Middle East, France, East Asia, and Uruguay and opportunities we have to serve all over the world by praying, giving, sending, and going. We studied the Word to see God's heart for the lost in the hope that our hearts might also break for those who don't know their Creator and Savior. The United States is 78.4% Christian, so I think it's safe to say that a very large majority of Americans at least know about Christianity and who Jesus is. But if we look at places like Thailand, which is 0.07% Christian, or Turkey, which is 0.09% Christian, chances are that a large majority of people that live there go there entire lives without even hearing the Gospel. In Matthew 28:18-20, God calls us to GO: "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This week's theme is Agape, which translates to the deepest love - unconditional and self-sacrificing. Only God can express agape perfectly, although we, as Christians, should be striving to love one another with that agape love. We are focusing a lot on words of affirmation and just building one another up. It's also a week of transition as we prepare for the staff to leave on Saturday. Some students were asked to step up as leaders for the last 5 weeks, but we will ALL have to work together to continue bringing glory to God. I was asked to co-lead our Thursday Weekly Meeting Team, and I am really excited to work with the team to serve God through what goes on at our Thursday weekly meetings. It will be sad seeing the staff leave, but I can't wait to see how God works in us as we adapt to our new roles and come together as one.

Working at Chick-fil-A has been such a blessing. I love getting to know my non-project coworkers and build relationships with them as well as my project coworkers. The job is very enjoyable, apart from having to wake up at 4:30am most mornings. I am learning a lot of self-discipline in going to bed early instead of socializing... :)

I have a few more pictures so you all can SEE what I've been up to!


This is me with my friends Emily, Lauren, and Anna.


One night a group of us went to Broadway on the Beach in Myrtle Beach. It's basically a giant outdoor mall with tons of cool shops and little carnival rides and games. My friend Brooke and I decided to ride the Caterpillar ride.


I took this at the staff vs. students softball game that we played at the end of All for One week. It was really fun coming together as a team and cheering one another on.


This is my impact group. We gave mom a gift for her birthday and dad a gift for Fathers' Day. They love us :)


This is my Bible Study at our last study with our discipler Jocelyn. It will be very sad to see her go :(


My impact group/family decided to take family photos - this is one of my favorites. Classic.

All For One

Well hello there! It's been awhile since I've written. I think the busy schedule is finally starting to catch up with me; although I am getting the hang of balancing work and project activities with socializing, personal quiet time, and sleep.

This week's theme is All For One, so we are focusing a lot on Christian community and combining all of our strengths for one common goal, which is to glorify God. I also think the staff wants to test us and make sure we can handle being by ourselves and working with one another for when they leave in a few weeks. We've specifically been learning how important it is to communicate and help one another out. We need to both encourage and challenge one another in our faith and work to solve problems that may arise, such as conflict.

I've seen God work in so many ways through the other students on project and the people we talk to on the beach. One cool story is actually about one of my roommates. One day on the beach, she talked to a girl who was going through a really tough time in her life. As she was walking back to our apartments, the girl's grandparents stopped her and thanked her for talking to their granddaughter. They had been praying for someone to come and talk to her. The grandparents even called Campus Crusade headquarters to express their thanks. It's just so encouraging to know that God DOES have us here for a reason. And He already knows who we will be talking to on the beach or at work or even right next door to where we live.

There's not much left for me to write about. Hopefully next time, I'll have more pictures!

Until then, please continue to be praying for everyone here, that we would be fully relying on the Holy Spirit to work through us to impact the lives of everyone down here in North Myrtle Beach.

Killing the Giants

Each week, we have a different theme, and this week's theme is Killing the Giants. The idea is for us to really step out in our faith and trust God with big evangelism goals. We also want to encourage one another to "kill our giants" or face any specific fears we may have. Sharing on the beach can be really scary and exhausting, but it is SO worth it. Dusty, one of the staff members, gave a talk on Sunday night about the reality of eternal death and how important it is for us to get out there and share the gospel with the lost. Please be praying for us this week as we rely on the Holy Spirit to fill us and guide us.

It's hard to believe that exactly two weeks ago I was leaving Neenah to start the trip down to North Myrtle Beach! These past two weeks have gone so fast, but I've already seen God move so much!

After the first day of the job hunt, I got a job working at Chick-fil-A! Eight other project students and myself started there last Tuesday, and I really like it! My shifts range from starting at 9am to starting at 5:30am... guess I'll have to get used to going to bed early!

It's so amazing how many friendships have formed... only two weeks in, and we are already a family! I've gotten really close with my roommates, the girls in my bible study, the people I work with, and many others. Another group that I am so blessed to be a part of is my impact group. Everyone is split up into impact groups, which consist of about 5 girls, 4 guys, and 2-3 staff. My impact group named ourself Family Carlson after our "mom and dad" (aka staff members), Ryan and Jenna Carlson. It has been so great getting to know one another and participating in various activities like an Iron Chef competition and a photo scavenger hunt. Honestly, I can't wait to see how God works through all the friendships already formed on the project because we still have nine weeks left to grow closer!

Now, time for PICTURES!!!



Chandra and I on the beach right when we got to NMB


These are my BEAUTIFUL roommates!! (Liz, Chandra, Bethany, Erica, Me, and Jess)


Dana and me... people tell us we look alike :)


A big group of us went to Applebees one night for half-off appetizers. This is Lauren, Will, Thor, and me.


Yes, I busted out the Kan-Jam... couldn't go a summer without it.


This is my family!!! (Anna, Lauren, Geoff, Tiffany, Josh, me, Jenna, Will, Katie, Alex, and Ryan)


These are the wonderful women in my Bible Study (Jocelyn-our discipler, me, Brooke, Tiffany, Rachel and Kelsey).