Hi Friends & Family!!
I apologize for not writing a new blog post sooner! Life has been so crazy since graduating, turning 18, going on a missions trip to South Philly for a week, going on family vacations, and spending time with friends before we all go our separate ways! This summer has truly been a blessing to spend my days with friends and family before I go off on this trip.
There are so many things I want to share with you all… I don’t even know where to begin!
My fundraiser at Empanada Mama was incredibly successful! For 4 hours, I saw friends, family, members of the Covenant Church community, and even regulars at work came to support me! My heart was overfilled with joy and it was so exciting to meet new people who wanted to learn more about this trip! We raised $320 for my trip and I am so so so thankful for everyone coming out to this special event!
To prepare for my trip, I have started running regularly! If you know me, you would know that running has always been something that I dreaded. I have been on very few runs throughout my life, but I figured it would be beneficial for me to start becoming a little more fit to prepare carrying a big backpack around and walking more frequently. My high school small group leader suggested that I get the app C25K (Couch to 5K) that would help me start running. At first, I loathed the thought of putting on sneakers and going on a run around my neighborhood. The first few runs left me frustrated and VERY out of breath, but as time went on, I have actually learned to like running! This has been quite the shock to my family and friends, and quite frankly, me as well! It’s really cool to see God pushing me out of my comfort zone even before the trip starts!
I have also been buying a bunch of supplies for my trip. We are required to fit all of our things in a large backpack. I am super unfamiliar with all things regarding hiking and really anything requiring a large backpack. My mom and I wandered over to an outdoorsy store where I was fitted for a 65 Liter backpack! I learned how to tighten and adjust it and again, it’s super exciting to see God pushing me in new ways. I would never have expected to go into a store and buy a huge backpack but here, God is leading me and using me in ways I could have never imagined!
A few weeks ago, I went on a missions trip to South Philly. This was my 4th year going and I was so excited to go! Each year, a group of high schoolers from my church go and help out at an 8-hour day camp. We help run classes and take kids to the local pool and park. I was a counselor for the kids ages 8-9, and boy did we have a crazy group of kids! All of the kids in my group were extremely hyper and fun. God definitely put me in charge of this group to help me learn to be patient and slow to anger. There were points that were exhausting, but there were a million awesome moments that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I miss all of the kids in my group dearly! I also became super close with my team while I was on this trip. I rekindled so many friendships with my teammates and they all blew me away with their abilities to work with kids and spread the love of Jesus. So many of the leaders and teammates brought everything they did back to Jesus and everyone was constantly encouraging each other. Everyone created such an uplifting environment, especially when we dug into God’s word during devotion time. We read a chapter of James every day and each day, I took SO many notes in my journal. My teammates and leaders are all so wise and brought light to points I had never thought of. This trip was truly so amazing and it made me excited to embark on this trip!
This trip is now 20 days away! It blows my mind that it is already August and in just a few weeks I will be on the other side of the world serving the Lord! I am so close to being fully funded for my trip—I just need a little over $900 left! I am SO grateful for everyone who has donated towards my trip. Words can’t even begin to express my gratitude for the overwhelming amount of support spiritually and financially from the community. It means the world that people want to support me and my team!
Blessings,
Natalie
