One Week... Say What?

One week. I never thought I would say those words. One week until my life starts changing and I being the new chapter in my life. Every moment I have time to think, all I can think is... I’m going to Africa. For six months. Okay.... Now what? I have a list I go over in my head everyday all day. I make sure I haven’t forgotten any necessities and I remember the logistics. 

A few days ago I got back from a place I have called my second home since I was a kid. Mt. Elim Bible Camp has hosted many young children trying to find their place in the world for decades. About 65 years ago, my grandpa helped started Mt. Elim to be a tunnel for children to learn and grow in Christ. Not only were they able to do that for a week, but they were able to do it in one of the most beautiful settings Colorado has to offer. About 40 minutes outside of Steamboat Springs, on Lynx Pass, lies the quiet and serene camp.  On the week of camp though, the scene changes. There are dozens of elementary aged kids running around camp, ready for the experience summer camp has to offer. When my grandpa started it, I believe that is what he truly wanted. A place where young kids could escape their everyday heartache, come up to camp, be loved by the staff and learn that God loves them even more. After growing out of the elementary age, my little sister and I decided we wanted to continue our journey and experience at Mt. Elim. Every year we would come back and move up the ranks of the staff. We have moved up from the pristine position of ‘Dishwasher’ to ‘Girl’s Counselor’ over the years. Mt. Elim started my fire for ministry and helped me being in the position I am right now. It lead me to the “Holy crap, I’m leaving for Africa in a week,” position. 

As I started applying for volunteer work in Africa last year, I was worried my time at Mt. Elim would not happen in 2012. I started praying that if there was a way that I could still go up to the place that kept my eyes set on God over the past 13 years, that God would make it happen. Interviews and acceptance letters were sent to me over the next few months and all excluded me from camp, I was heart-broken. I would miss out on so many experiences that I wasn’t ready to give up. Although, I knew God was calling me to Africa. Experience Mission changed everything; I was accepted into the program and was still able to come to camp, have a summer to see my four year old brother, baby niece, and my best friend (my little sister). Things were turning around for me. 

So this summer has been on of trials and tribulations as I prepare to depart from my life and from the States as well. But along with those trials, there have been even more miracles. I have seen people congregate around me and bless me like I never thought was possible. I have had a changed heart before my trip has begun. People I barely know have supported me over the months and it is amazing to see the heart they have. 

As I get ready this last week at home, I want to say thank you. Thank you to all that are reading this and those that aren’t. Thank you for supporting me, listening to my story and hearing what I have to offer the world. Please, please, please keep reading my blog. I know that it has been slow, but from here on out, it is about to get mighty interesting and exciting. I hope that you have all enjoyed hearing a little more about me and I can’t wait to share this journey with you! 

God Bless


P.S.- If you like the pictures posted below, they are by an amazing photographer, Brian Kainz. Like him on FB, BK Photography. You can check out more of his brilliant work, I promise you won't be disappointed. :)

Goodbyes at a Glance

For some reason this never got posted last month :( So I apologize!


Being so caught up in the finances of Africa 2012, the stress, preparation and thought that goes along with it; I forgot to take more time to look at more than the money. Last week, I was finishing up college, fundraising, housesitting for my parents, and wrapping up soccer. After my week last week of college was over until January 2013, I started to notice how much I was missing. I had to do a lot of goodbyes this week (some good and some bad); saying goodbye to some of the greatest friends I have ever made, saying goodbye to college and the thriving I get from being in the classroom, saying goodbye to studying and homework, saying goodbye to soccer (which has been there for me through the good times and bad), and starting to say goodbye to my former self. I knew that when I returned to the campus in January, I would be a different person.

When I got home to Grand Junction, I once again got into the flow of money. I was stressed; stressed that I wasn’t raising money fast enough and that all my dreams may come to a crashing halt. My dreams of Africa that only got closer everyday might slip away just when I was so close. I then started to express my concerns to my dad about my trip and how close I was and once again, he reminded me that it was only money. That God has all the money in the world and nothing so little would stop him. I had another wake up call, I shouldn’t worry so much, God always has everything in control. As I picked up my four year old brother from preschool on Thursday, he reminded me of how special time is, not money.

 I told him, “Sam! I have a surprise for you when we get home.”

He excitedly said, “Don’t tell me what it is because it’s a surprise. And I have a surprise for you too. We can switch when we are home.”

So when we got home, I gave him his ‘gangster’ shirt that said, Best Brother in the Universe. I asked him where my surprise was and he said it was in Africa.

I said, “Uuuhhh… what is it?”

“Its an elephant, your favorite animal.”

“Thanks bud. I can’t wait to get it.”

Then he proceeded to beg me to take him with me, he could fit in my hiking pack, that it wasn’t a problem, and I could do it. I couldn’t help but have my heart break, just a little as he looked at me with those sad and pleading eyes. I had finally started to look past the money, concentrate on the people that I would miss,  and the growing up that my niece and brother would do while I was away. The last moments my family would have with my grandma, that I would also miss. And the other moments I don’t know I have missed yet.

This may seem like a sad post to most of you, but I assure you that it is more than that. I have been so excited about the opportunity I will be having and how much we will do in Africa. I have never been good at goodbyes and treasuring time and I think that is important. It is important to say your proper goodbyes and treasure the people you have that will miss you. I want to thank all the people who have gotten me to this point and thank them for missing me while I am gone. It helps me realize that I am not alone, that I have people who love, support, and cherish me.