It is amazing how in one moment your life can change everything you have worked for. One bad choice can affect the way you look at yourself and the way others view you. God promises to love us no matter what as long as we ask for forgiveness. What an awesome God I serve! The start of this semester has been and on-going battle. The enemy is really trying to get me down! Yet I am certain that God is here and is with me guiding my path. LeTourneau is an amazing school and there are many good qualities to it. Yet, a lot of people just assume everyone is okay and often don't take the time to ask. I know I am just as guilty as anyone else is concerning this. Even though I acknowledge the fault I still have yet to try to make a change in it! I just think that Encouragement is such a vital part of friendships and I am so thankful for the people that do have an encouraging spirit. It is something I strive to have more of....

Considering the fact that it is mission emphasis week, I feel compelled to write an entry concerning my experience with mission work. It seems like just yesterday I packed a big black duffel bag and embarked on a two month trip to the rural areas of Honduras. Being fourteen, my initial goal of going was to leave home and explore the world. I had no idea how much God had in store for me in such a short time frame. When I entered the hot Florida climate and introduced myself to my team members, I was confident that I made a mistake in coming on the trip. I felt as if I was outsider not belonging in the world that I had just fell in to. Over the course of the eight weeks my attitude was everything but optimistic. After almost being left at a Pizza Hut and not knowing a bit of spanish, or getting a parasite and infentigo, I had very little to be thankful for. As I look back now, six years later I am so thankful that God placed me on that trip. I returned home having a much more diverse and new found appreciation for my home and my family. I see Shannon daily, ironically we were on the same mission team to Honduras. After six years of no communication, God placed us in the same suite, in the same dorm, at the same school, and most of all to Texas! God does amazing things if we seek him. He calls us to go to the nations and tell of His love. There is not greater reward than this!

What a week this has been! I came back to Longview a little over a week ago and what a rollercoaster it has been! Before I went home to California I was confident that I would be so much happier there. Yet, the entire time I was home I missed everyone here at LU. It is so difficult to find a balance between my old life and my new life. How do you manage your time evenly between the two? Or are you even suppose to manage them both? I have been finding it so difficult to keep my old friends because of how much I have changed, as well as them. I have been so blessed with all of my new friends here at LeTourneau. God has provided me with other people that have came from completely different places then I have. This past semester has been so incredible and God has taught me so much already! I can't wait to see where the rest of this semester ends up...