Here I am, Lord send me!

So this is my first official blog post..everrr! And I must say that I feel like I'm actually taking part in something like MySpace, since I can change the colors and layout and fonts. I really hope I'm not able to get addicted to this like I was to dedicating hours to finding the perfect MySpace layout...wow, high school. However, I'm creating this blog because I want to use in while I'm in Nicaragua on my 3 month long mission trip. I want to be able to write and make new posts so everyone will know what is going on in my life. I like the idea of a blog..it's like a new outlet for me to talk more than I already do and a type of social networking, except that everyone will be tuning into my life, instead of me tuning into theirs (as I do on Facebook..for hours. I have no life!).

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So as I said, this is a beginning to my summer blog. My Nicaragua Blog. My Nica Blog :). I'm not quite sure how often I will be able to make posts...or what I will be doing, honestly. I just know that mission trips are busy, busy, busy! And that this summer, we will be amazingly busy. If you haven't been on a mission trip, I encourage you to go on one. I believe that there is no better way to experience God's beauty in people and the environment, and no better way to feel His presence with the Holy Spirit moving through you (or me). It truly is amazing and I wish I could describe it, but until you have felt this overwhelmingly comforting and inspirational feeling, it is impossible to speak words about it that give it justice.

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Anywho, I do know though that I am excited. I'm excited that God chose me, of all people, to go on this amazing journey. I'm excited that I can share His word with those who do not know Him. I'm excited to see how He will work throughout the country of Nicaragua. I'm excited to see how he will work through the lives of the other summer missionaries who I will be with all summer while spreading His name, word, and glory to the Nicas. Finally, I'm excited to see how He will work through me. I've prayed that I could say, "Here I am, Lord, send me!" and that He would, and now HE IS!

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"" Isaiah 6:8

I've often wondered "How will He impact me today?" and although I sit and wait and try and see what He is doing in my heart, it is always in hindsight that I seem to put it all together and see how His will changed me in many ways. I LOVE IT! And that is kind of how the feeling of going on a mission trip is. During the process of spreading His word, you become caught up in the glory of everything that you don't even have time to stop and look at the ways He is working in your heart, but then in that moment when you have time to stop and think, you know there is something new and good and EnCourAGing in your life! Can you tell that I'm excited? Ok, well I'm excited :) I want everyone to be able to experience Him...trust me, you wont regret it.

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As I think about my upcoming summer (at 2:31 am, and over the past few months) I don't really know if I am scared...I think I'm more anxious than anything. The one thing that scares me is my capability to overcome my (sadly) fits of homesickness. I'm 21 and still have a hard time not seeing my parents for more than 2 weeks. I will miss my boyfriend Nathan, my parents, my brother Jeff, and my friends, but I'm placing my trust in the Lord. So this experience will be a test for me. I know though that if God brings me to it, He can bring me through it. I have to keep in mind Jeremiah 29:11:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

My Savior will take care of me, no doubt! I can't allow myself to be in fear of going to this 3rd world nation because I am going with the utmost purpose--to serve Him.

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I leave in 3 and 1/2 weeks...WOW. A. This semester has blown by so fast! B. I cannot believe I will be embarking on this amazing journey sooo soon! I guess it's time to whip out those new hiking boots and break em in. I definitely look funny in them...so funny...they're huge, I'm small...oh boy. Ok it's 2:44 am...I should be sleeping. I could go on and on and on, but sleepy time is calling my name!

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For anyone who does end up reading my blog, I hope that you enjoy it...and the fact that I could be completely wasting my time and talking to myself here absolutely does not bother me. As long as I'm in Nicaragua, I will write about God and His amazingness and how He is working through me and the people of Nicaragua. Enjoy :)

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Isaiah 52:7