I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

SO MUCH HAPPENS EVERYDAY HERE.

im not complaining at all though :)

i feel like i have SO much to say just about the past two days.

i am being more and more reassured every minute that I'm here, that I'm exactly where God wants me. I never really had doubts about it before I came, but I am so sure!

Yesterday. Morning, we did more orientation. Everything is starting to make more sense,

and I am so excited about starting to work more with the kids next week.

I was assigned to afternoon preschool yesterday. I HAD SUCH A BLAST.

I love preschoolers so much. I can be a complete goofball, and they LOVE it.

I've never pushed so many kids in a short amount of time, heard so many "push me, push me's" in my life, and never once thought about being tired, (even though I started to get that way.)

They have such a joy, and I LOVE being around it.

For our morning devotion yesterday, Debbie told us her testimony.

It wasn't anything she's been through that was so incredibly moving or anything, but I just LOVE listening to her talk about Christ. She has this passion that is truly contagious, and I love being around it. She emphasizes all the time how much she just takes one day at a time, trusting God in faith. She is one of the most content and joyful ladies I've ever met, and it is SO encouraging. 

Last night, we got to get out.. WOO HOO!

We went to a couple in the church's house for dinner.

They were some of the most genuinely sweet people ever.

It was such a blessing, with DELICIOUS food! :)

Today.. to describe it in one word would be INDESCRIBABLE.

Sarah and I went for our morning run, after some much needed sleeping in a little later than normal:) On the way back, the altitude kinda got to me.. but I was glad I did it.

At 930. We began.. all 13 of the missionaries.. to give our testimonies.

The moment I've been so nervous about turned out to be a HUGE HUGE blessing.

The only way I can describe what we all felt was completely humbled, and realizing that God had placed all of us together for a reason. 

Walls came down, and 11 girls that were strangers 5 days ago suddenly became like my bestfriends. We all cried our eyes out as each of us just spilled our hearts out about how God has changed us inside and out. I am that more excited to be surrounded by so many girls that are so in love with Jesus Christ for the rest of the summer.

This also provided a moment for me to completely connect with one of my teammates.

We share so many of the same struggles, and were able to completely relate, and just talk through it all. I see this as nothing short of a blessing. :)

Tonight, after a fun night with the girls, and dinner,

We walked to downtown Tahoe which is only like a block from our church,

and is more like a strip of buildings. 

It provided for more girl time though, which is always a blast!

After finding the rest of our team on the beach, the two Sarah's and I decided to hike to the cross for sunset..

Even though it ended up being cloudy, it was still pretty awesome.

We literally sat and stared out into creation, and talked about God for a good while.

I love those girls, and have SO much fun with them! 

Tomorrow brings our first day of actual church here, and a tour of LAKE TAHOE.

Full of more blessings I'm sure..

Until then, bedtime and rest from a long, emotional, but ABSOLUTELY BLESSED day :)

-PSALMS 37:4-5

Hit the Ground Running.t

I debated on whether or not to do one of these..

UNTIL. I got here and realized how limited my time is going to be.

Right now, we have more free time than a week and a half from now..

So. this is the best way for me to update.

As Debbie says, that time is called "After Christ."

and everything will change. :)

We landed in Reno/Tahoe yesterday afternoon and I don't think I've looked back since then.

Meeting ten new girls plus all the staff I'll be with all summer was quite overwhelming yesterday,

but its crazy how much fun we're already having together. 

I found a running partner to keep me in shape out here, and our run this morning was such a wonderful start to my day. We went down to the lake which is about a block from our church, and it was BEAUTIFUL. at 6 am, about to die from running in this high altitude, I couldn't help but stop and thank my Jesus for making such a beautiful picture for me to start my day with.

I can't help but think that it is times like these that will help me get through this summer, 

when all ten of my girl teammates are driving me crazy.

((I don't see that happening anytime soon though!))

Some things I've had to get used to already.

Living in a room the size of my dorm with 7 other girls. 

-So far I have no complaints about this.. I love my roommates :)

Talks of bears breaking in everywhere. I cant wait to see one!

High, High altitude!

Now on to the reason that I am even here.

Jesus has been opening my eyes to my fear lately, and how much it can control areas of my life.

I'm working on that so much, and as soon as I do..

I see that we are giving our testimonies later this week to our team, 

and I'm teaching my first lesson on Monday morning to 1st and 2nd graders.

Speaking in front of people is something that intimidates me a whole whole lot,

but not this time. I'm giving it to God, and realizing more and more that everything I do here,

is for his glory.

((Even my daily chores for the next ten weeks))

We got to work with some of the little ones today,

and I realized the reason that I am here once again.

To bring them, their families and the people of this community to know MY JESUS.

the one that gives me his undeserving grace everyday, and changes my heart and life all the time. 

So, even though I'm just getting started on this journey..

JESUS. come. continue to reveal yourself to me. more than ever before.

READY OR NOT.. TRANSFORMATION, HERE I COME!

:)