DISCLAIMER: This post will probably be too long to read and there will be lots of rambling, but bear with me -- I GREATLY appreciate those that do.

What a week. There's so many emotions streaming through me that at times I can't even cry because I don't know what I'm feeling.. But then, of course, there's those other times when the tears come flowing. I guess I should have figured this would happen considering I'm an emotional girl, but that's besides the point.

I'm home. And by home I mean in Kentucky again. And it's hard. Really hard. There's really a part of me that I left in Honduras. I really feel like I'm lacking a part of myself right now. That trip couldn't have moved me any more than it did.

The simple fact that it was by chance that I went to Honduras is completely by the grace of God. Literally. Down to every. single. little. detail. My friend Tia, who both of us would not have considered each other close friends at all, was in my bible study during the year. Last October, she posted a picture on Instagram talking about this mission trip she was going to be going on in June. Me, being the Spanish-obsessed girl I am, sarcastically commented saying, "ARE YOU KIDDING TAKE ME WITH YOU SERIOUSLY HOW MUCH". As much as I seemed all in on this trip from those comments, I was totally just saying that and would have never thought it would be a possibility.. especially because Tia was going with her church 3.5 hours away with a bunch of people I didn't know and I had no money. Tia didn't think I was allowed to go either.

Until about a month later..

In late November, I received a text from Tia really asking me to actually go on this trip with her. At the time, I was super hesitant and thought I couldn't do it. But I said I'd ask my dad over Thanksgiving Break -- I never did. Fear of him saying no got the best of me, because I was certain he would.

In December, I got another text from Tia asking what my dad said. I told her I forgot to ask, when in reality I was too scared to, but told her that I'd talk to him when I was home for Christmas Break. As much as I didn't want to ask him, the Lord was adamant. After much prayer and nervousness, I did it. I ASKED. And to my surprise..... he said YES.

You could have pinched my five times and I still wouldn't have believed it. Yes, he asked me questions to make sure I wasn't just going crazy, but he ACTUALLY said yes when I thought he would give me a resounding NO.

I asked my leader team that I lead Young Life with because I would be getting back from Honduras less than 24 hours before our annual summer camp trip with high school students. I, once again, expected a huge NO. What if there was a delayed flight? What if this? What if that? But, once again, each one of them gave me a huge YES and reassured me that if the Lord had put it on my heart to go to Honduras, He would make a way to get me back in time to make it to summer camp. You best believe there was a huge sigh of relief after that conversation!

It seemed as though every reason or excuse I had (or had thought) would keep me from going to Honduras was completely torn down and there was absolutely no way I could say no.

Except for the money that I needed in order to go.

I fundraised from January until June. Spent so much money on postage for fundraising letters. Figured out a fundraising website that confused the heck out of me. Took time to write thank-yous. Trusted that the Lord would provide for me. It was tough. So much of my lazy and impatient self wanted to give up and say forget it. There were times when I really thought I wasn't going to be able to go and others when I was amazed at the graciousness of my friends and family. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I felt undeserving and annoying asking people for their money so I could do something I wanted to do, something I am passionate about. But the sweet people in my life proved otherwise. They showed me that you were excited for this big step in my faith and that you wanted to see me go on this adventure, not only to a unfamiliar country, but also on one with the Lord. I had never trusted the Lord financially in such a way before, and I had my doubts, but of course, EVERYTHING was completely covered. Every single penny. I cried, I sobbed, I danced, I laid on the floor in complete awe at the Lord's faithfulness. It was really happening and the Lord really did provide abundantly.

All that was left was to get over my nervousness. I was going to be in a completely different country (something I haven't done in 6 years). On a mission trip (something I've never done). With people who didn't know any Spanish (nor had I ever met them!). I had to fly on a plane by myself (which I've also never done) from Lexington to Atlanta while everyone I was going with on the trip flew from Nashville to Atlanta and I had to try to find them (talk about scary -- that airport is HUGE).

So, yeah. There was a LOT of getting out of my comfort zone and trust put into preparing for this trip. But there was a gut feeling about this, that this was right. And it felt SO freeing not letting Satan hold me back from doing things I've always wanted to do. The Lord took my fear and ripped it to shreds. I was not held back from anything. And that theme carried over into the time I was in Honduras -- but that will be in the next post coming soon :)

"For God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7. 

i'm off to new places, today is my day!

Friends, I am absolutely giddy right now! There is so much that has happened since my last post about my ambitions for 2014 (that you can read about here!) that I simply cannot wait to tell you all what has happened since then! Eeeeek! :)

So, as many of you might already know, since listing all of my options for the summer in my last blog post, a completely different opportunity came up! Actually, it was an option since before Thanksgiving, but I just kind of swept it under the rug because it seemed impossible. It was with people I didn't know at all except one person. It was in Honduras. It was a week before Tates Creek (the school I lead at) left for summer camp. I would get back the night before we left for summer camp. I would be flying into Nashville (which is four hours away from Lexington) when I would be leaving Lexington the next morning to go to North Carolina. And the list goes on and on and on of the things that could have held me back from going for it. But there was this gut feeling deep inside me. The Lord was so adamant about this that there was no way I could say no. There was already a passion deep inside of me for Jesus and for Spanish, and this seemed like the perfect combination! I ended up talking to many people (my dad, my sister, my brother, my leader team, my roomates, my best friends, etc) and not one single person said it was a bad idea nor discouraged me from doing it -- even my dad who I thought would be the most against it!! I called the guy in charge of the mission trip and told my situation and that I was interested. A day later, he called me back with a solution - a flight straight into Lexington from Houston that would allow me to arrive in Lexington early evening the night before summer camp! It was literally divine intervention! Fear and doubt crept in and so many times did I want to back out of this uncomfortable, hectic, crazy mess, but God reminded me of how much He had revealed Himself to me through this. Everyone I sought advice from said a hearty yes to it, there was a plane ticket with my name on it making it possible to go on this trip, deep desires and passions, and plenty of friends who began supporting my trip right away through donations and prayer. It was like every excuse I had to say no, the Lord was shutting it down and gave me no choice but to say YES! So, it's true! I will be spending one week from June 14th to June 21st in Honduras serving alongside Riverside Baptist Church with the mission organization El Ayudante to put water filters into homes, giving fluoride treatments, and working with local churches and orphanages - and I will be one of few who know Spanish! Goodness gracious, that makes my stomach drop! I cannot wait to serve in Honduras and be able to use my skills and passion of speaking Spanish to bring glory to our Father and show Christ's love to the people of Honduras. Ahhhh, I CAN'T WAIT!

"All adventure begins with a YES."

Next up, Tates Creek Young Life Camp! We're going to Windy Gap in North Carolina! These high school students have stolen my heart, ya'll. It's almost been a year since I've been placed as a Young Life leader and there have definitely been times where I haven't been motivated or had passion, but I can't explain to you how desperately I yearn for these students to know the fullness of life that Jesus has to offer. I want them to know that it's okay to not be okay and that there is so much more than this world. Gosh. Every summer, though, we go to a camp with students where they get to have the best week of their life and hear about Jesus. It's seriously one of the craziest, funnest, and funniest weeks ever! This will be my first time going to camp as a leader and my first time at Windy Gap also! I can't wait to see how the Lord is going to use me and challenge me on this camp trip! I can't wait to grow deeper with my leader team and with the girls at Tates Creek. Our camp trip is from June 22nd to June 28th! This picture proves nothing but it being a blast!

Windy Gap! How perfect does that look?!

Another thing is I finally applied for Summer Staff on January 14th... Now it's just a waiting game! And I'm growing impatient! Summer Staff allows me to volunteer for a month at a Young Life camp over the summer, free of cost, except for transportation there and back! I've never done it before, but according to many of my great, great friends, it is the best month of their lives, so you could say I'm definitely looking forward to it! Haha! I applied to two camps in Colorado (Frontier Ranch and Crooked Creek) and one in North Carolina (Carolina Point) and would be gone from either July 19th to August 20th or from July 5th to July 26th respectively.  I just found out recently, though, that there aren't any more spots open for Frontier Ranch or Crooked Creek for the jobs I wanted, but I am on the waitlist and there's always a chance of someone dropping. I've been feeling a bit discouraged about not getting in to my first choice, but still hoping I still get in somehow! Whatever happens, I know it will be a life-changing experience! If I were to go to either of the camps in Colorado, I would be able to visit one of my best friends the week before or if I went to the camp in North Carolina, I would be able to visit my brother the week before. Either way, it's a win-win situation! But there's definitely A LOT on my plate for this summer if I do say so myself! I can't wait to be a part of high school students having the week of their life and being able to see their lives be changed.

Crooked Creek!

Frontier Ranch!

Carolina Point! It's not really this cold always! :)

Any of these camps would be such a blessing to me to be able to give back what was given to me through Young Life in high school and now! Thankful for this tool to show how great God really is and how good His people are! :)

Last, but DEFINITELY NOT LEAST, two weekends ago I GOT BAPTIZED again! AHHHH! :) As a baby, I was baptized into the Catholic church but grew never really viewing baptism of importance or even knew what it meant. Ever since I gave my life to Christ my Freshman year of high school at a Young Life camp and learning what it means to walk with the Lord, I've contemplated whether it was necessary or appropriate for me to be re-baptized or not. One night last semester a church service I attended was doing pond baptisms after the service. I was overwhelmed with how much the Holy Spirit was putting it on my heart through the service to be baptized. It was literally this gut-wrenching feeling that I cannot explain. But I let my fears take control of me and define me. "Is this the church I want to do it at?", "Is everyone I want here?", "I have somewhere to go after this, I can't be wearing wet clothes!", and the list goes on and on. I decided not to do it. After that service, I felt more and more regret for not listening to the Holy Spirit. My friend even asked me a few weeks later if I wanted to be baptized with her and I told her no because I over thought the whole situation and chose to think it was about me and not what the Holy Spirit was pulling me to do. How selfish of me?! But then, on January 26th, 2014 at Turning Point Church, the Holy Spirit gave me that gut feeling again. The difference was this time I chose to go for it and declare my commitment to the Lord publicly and let my sin and pain be taken care of! I didn't want fears to control me anymore. I didn't want to hold back what God wanted me to do because I was nervous about what people would think or if it was the right time. The time is NOW and always will be! God met me where I was and didn't ask me to change my life of my circumstances before I came to Him. He wanted me right then. So I said YES... again! You see the repeating pattern here? Funny how He works, huh?

So here I am, washed white by a forgiving Savior when I should still be stained. But there is this intriguing hope, love, and grace that we can't deny. So the question is, will you respond to it? Will you choose to let love in and let Jesus rule your life? I'll tell you what friends, life with Jesus is not limiting. If anything, it's freeing! It's allowed me to say YES to things I've been too afraid of in the past. But this year, I'm putting my past far behind me and allowing Christ to give me new life that I so often overlook.

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has GONE and the new has COME!"                                                                                                                           - 2 Corinthian 5:17

Embrace His call and don't let fear control you any more. You are free, for you have life with Christ. No more insecurities. Don't let them tell you who you are, let God tell you who you are. Let your FAITH be bigger than your FEAR.

If you'd like to help a sister out and support me through prayer or donation, click here! I would be completely humbled with any help for these new adventures! Blessed by you! http://www.gofundme.com/6dlxfk 

January was a great month if I do say so myself :)

{adventure is within}

"Adventure is not outside man; it is within." - George Eliot.

It's took some time for me to figure this out, but I'm a runner. Not physically (although it is my favorite type of exercising), but I run from my dreams. There are so many things that I want to happen more than anything, but I'm lazy and unmotivated to achieve them. I choose to dwell on the things holding me back from following my dreams and use them as excuses rather than dwell on the gifts, opportunities, and blessings that the Lord has provided me with in order to reach these goals. Lately, I've been looking back on 2013 (which you can read about here!) and realizing all the things I have been able to do, be apart of, and how faithful our God is. But looking back has also shown me my lack of adventure and doing things I've always wanted to do.

I've been a huge advocate of "things that we deem "impossible" in your mind is redeemed "attainable" through Christ" (which I also wrote about here!), but I haven't so much been the person that takes their own advice. I know this truth, but do I radically live by it? No. Do I want to? Yes! There I go again with me wanting to do something, but not doing it. I guess what I'm trying to get at here is we shouldn't live in regret of things we did wrong or things we didn't do because we have abundant grace. Although there is grace, that doesn't mean we shouldn't take chances and walk out into the unknown. God calls us to uncomfortable situations. Like my old Young Life leader, Kristine, used to say, "get comfortable with being uncomfortable", and friends, I don't feel like I've seeked out putting myself in super uncomfortable situations in 2013. I feel like, if anything, I've said something that I wanted to do, then never mentioned it again because I had already decided that it probably wasn't going to happen. It's like I dropped a bomb somewhere and ran away from it as fast as I could to avoid getting hurt. In this case, from disappointment. See, I say I want to do things, but I don't follow up, so I just kind of put it on the back burner and let it simmer down until I don't care to achieve it anymore. 

Now I understand that sometimes we need to take a step back and be realistic, but have we ever thought maybe we're being too realistic and not the slightest bit ambitious?! I want ADVENTURE. I want LIFE. I want NEW EXPERIENCES. And what better time to do it then now? Sure, I'm only a 20-year-old college student, but God doesn't say, "Wait just a minute! Those dreams you have of going on a mission trip -- FORGET THEM! They won't happen ever, so don't even try." Gosh, I hope not. What the God I believe in says is, "Take up your cross daily and follow me!" And that sure as heck doesn't seem like an easy route. But if that's where all the fun and excitement (along with pain and suffering) occur, then COUNT ME IN. I don't want to keep on hoping for something to happen, I want it to actually happen.

So, friends, with 2014 newly upon us, I have been thinking about what lies ahead. I know the Lord will be faithful. I know the Lord will provide. I know awesome things will happen. But how will I ever know the true meaning of faith if I don't test the waters. Am I right? True faith is going into the unknown, not knowing what will happen. Trusting in the unseen. I desire to have that kind of faith. 

So after reviewing what I've done in 2013, I looked forward to what I know is going to happen and what I hope to happen. A lot of it consists of traveling, which is one thing I REALLY hope changes this year. I don't want to be held back from doing things because of money. Instead, I want to be smart and make these wishes come true. So, here they are (well the ones I know of right now):

• What I know is going to happen:
• UK Young Life College Spring Break trip to Southwind Young Life Camp in Ocklawaha, Florida.
• Student Staff/Gynoskow Weekend trip to Chicago, Illinois.
• Tates Creek Young Life Summer Camp trip to Windy Gap Young Life Camp in Weaverville, North Carolina.
• Leader Weekend trip to Timberwolf Lake Young Life Camp in Lake City, Michigan.
• What I hope is going to happen:
• Serve on Summer Staff for a month at a Young Life camp in Colorado and visit my best friend Camille while out there. 
• Visit my sweet brother Timmy who lives in South Carolina.
• Study abroad in literally ANY Spanish-speaking country.
• Work at Pine Cove Summer Camp in Tyler, Texas.
• See a lot of things, meet a lot of people, learn a lot of stuff.

Even though this is a tentative and small list of ambitions for 2014, I tend to feel stressed when I sit here and look at it. I just look at each little bullet and tell myself, "well, that probably won't happen.." I get so caught up in things that tie me down and miss out on such freedom Christ has to offer. But for those who are having the same exact thought process as I am, I want you to know you're not alone. I'm in this inner battle of wanting to change your ways too. But more importantly, we're not alone. The Author and Perfector of our faith is in this with us. Right along side, guiding our every move. We just need to take a step out in trust. This might be small, but this past summer, when I made a reading list of 6 books (which was a big deal to me), and actually did it, I felt so great afterwards and proud of myself. There were so many blessing that came from achieving this goal -- one being finding out I love to read! All in all, it's worth it!

I can't seem to figure out what I'm going to do this summer (as you can see in the second list), but what I do know is that if I wait to long, none of them will happen. So, the time is NOW. Yeah, the cliche "if not now, when?" phrase actually does have significance here. Get out there. Follow your dreams. Don't let Satan hold you back and tell you that you can do it, because you CAN. Along the way, remember to not be discouraged. Some things don't work out, and that's okay. But work hard for the things you want and don't miss your chance. And how great is it that God will use you for His Glory through this journey?! He will use you and teach you things about yourself you never knew He could. I can't wait to look back on 2014 and be completely amazed at how good God was to me in helping me make my dreams come true. I want to adventure, and adventure is out there. Change your mindset and go do the "impossible", because adventure is within and won't happen until you decide to go for it. I know God will bless you and me along the way! Here's to transformations, trusting in REAL faith, and new adventures in 2014!

"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure." - Joseph Campbell

... I say YES this time! :)

P.S. Here's a great article that was a huge encouragement to me about adventuring out there! Read if you'd like! http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/life-won’t-begin-your-next-milestone

a little older & a little wiser {2013 to 2014}

Happy, happy New Year, friends! 2014 is finally here!

Man, this year has been a sweet one for sure. It's been full of surprises and searing pain, lessons learned and lost causes, trials and triumphs, but both sides make life a lot more joyful, am I right? Just looking over how much the Lord has blessed me this year, I feel like it has become so real to me how He can specifically place hard times and sweet moments at the most perfect times. How He can use such adversity for His glory and how He allows that to happen through us. And through that process of Him revealing His glory through us in our train wrecks, He heals, restores, forgives, and redeems us. And boy, how freeing that is! This year has been one for the books. I've traveled the most I feel like I ever have, met the most people in a short amount of time, grown deeper and had more intentional time with friends, and fallen so in love with my Savior. I'm just going to go through 2013 and give highlights and reasons why those moments were so great.

1. Rang in 2013 and celebrated my birthday with some great friends at Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati (something I always wanted to do)!

   

   Sweet Laurel took me out to Olive Garden for my 19th!

   

   Grace, Danny, and I before Fountain Square!

2. My old Young Life leader from Norway, Kristine, got MARRIED! And looked absolutely stunning! 

   

   Kristine and Sindre -- ABSOLUTELY stunning! Love my Norwegians! :)

3. My brother, Tommy, FINALLY proposed to his girlfriend of 7 years, Sonja! I could not be more excited for these two and for another sister in the family! 

   

   My brother, Tommy, and his fiance, Sonja!

   

   How adorable are they?! I can't wait!

   
   
   
   
4. Made my first blog ever! :)
• This place has for sure been my outlet and a great place to reflect. It's almost exactly one year!
5. Had the BEST Valentine's Day of my life!
• My good friend April knew how in love I was with the UK basketball player, Jarrod Polson (I promise I'm not that creepy!) and had him give me a card and candy for Valentine's Day!
• All of the guys going through leader training decided to take the girls out to dinner at Ramsey's and pay for them! It was way too sweet and a great way for the guys to get to know the girls better in a non-romantic date way!
• I also saw the movie Safe Haven with my bible study!
  

  

  Jarrod and I!

  

  All of my sweet friends at dinner!
6. Met Emily Welz.
• This lady has been a HUGE encouragement in my life and I am so happy she came to Lexington! She never ceases to amaze me with her hard, challenging questions that help me grow! Her heart for the Lord is beautiful. 

  

  Just about the exact face she gives me every time I see her.
7. Got placed as a Young Life leader at Tates Creek High School! :) 
• Emily, Lukas, Sean, and I all got placed together at Tates Creek with Rouse, Katie, and Eric! So blessed by this group of people who I get to do life with and spread the Good News with. They are so fun and loving! Katie stopped leading over the summer, but we still love her!

  

  My sweet leader team and I! We miss Katie!

  

  So excited!

9. Went to Panama City Beach, Florida with 68 of my greatest Lexington Young Life friends for Spring Break and made relationships of a lifetime! 

   

   All of the girls on the beach on the last day!

   

   Some of my leader team! Rouse, Emily, Lukas, and I!

   
   
   
10. Was blessed a lot by this friend and accountability partner, Gracie :)
• This girl has spoken a lot of Truth into my life and I cannot imagine college without her! Gracie is for sure a gem and I am not ready for her to graduate!

  

  This girl is too great! Seriously.

11. Learned how to live in a box and became basically sisters with this best friend!

    

    Grace and I in our box/dorm!

    
    

    

    Painting pumpkins as roomies!

12. Had my prayer of an extra summer job answered and got to spend LOTS of time with these two!

    

    My favorite little kiddos from this summer! Eli and Sarah!

13. Celebrated Easter with some fun family for dinner!

    

    My favorite cousins! Emily, Ashley, and Grace! Jaden too!

14. Went to Chicago for the first time for Student/Staff Weekend!
• Okay this trip was too great. I was the only Freshman girl, but I had some awesome, deep talks with some great friends! Also, visited The Bean, which I have always wanted to do!

  

  Downtown Chicago!

  

  Patten and I at The Bean!

15. Spent way too many hours and late nights at the library, but had some great life chats while doing so.

    

    Bridget and I at the library!

16. Went to some really fabulous concerts that I LOVED.

    

     Brad Paisley with Laurel!

    

    Hoodie Allen! Met him too!

    

    NEEDTOBREATHE in Louisville!

    

    Ben Rector in Nashville!

    

    Taylor Swift w/ Katelyn! MY DREAM! SO GOOD!

17. Finished my Freshman year of college at UK and decided that I loved it enough to stay! :)
18. Went to Timberwolf Lake (a Young Life summer camp) for Leader Weekend and found out some junk about myself that was used for His glory. 

    

    My bestie from NKY was there!

    

    Some high school friends serving us on Work Crew!

    
    

    

    My bestie in Louisville was there too!

    

    Love these Lexington friends!

    
    
19. Found out my Young Life leader from high school was pregnant AGAIN!
• In 2011, Lauren had sweet Parker and this year she had Brooklyn! Ahhh, LOVE IT!

  

  Is she not the cutest pregnant person?! 2011 and 2013!

20. Celebrated the graduation from high school of this gem (and many other friends) who just happens to be my cousin and best friend!

    

    Em and I at her grad party! Ah, she's in college!

21. Spent some much-needed time with my fun-loving nephews!

    

    Austin! Taught him right!

    

    Landon! Sweet boy!

22. Did more crafts than I can count!
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
23. Went to lots of weddings!

    

    Gohs wedding with my friend Huddy!

    

    Tieke wedding with my cousin!

    

    Cartwright wedding with April!

    
    
24. Celebrated Austin turning 6 and Landon turning 3!

    

    Austin loves baseball!

    
    

    

    Landon loves Mickey Mouse!

25. Went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee with my dad, sister, brother-in-law, and nephews!

    

    Me, Bryan, Austin, Landon, Kelly, and Dad!

    
    

    

    Love these boys!

26. Went crazy on the Fourth of July with family and friends because I love America :)

    

    Aunt Janet's party with these two!

    
    

    

    Just a little excited to be an American!

27. Attended lots of UK basketball and football games!

    

    Some new freshman friends!

    
    

    

    GO CATS!

28. Went to the CSF Water Balloon Fight with these gal pals as the bandana buddies!

    

    Me, Catherine, Gracie, and Camille!

29. Celebrated one year of my momma resting in Heaven with Jesus!

    

    Miss this lady. (RIP 09/08/12)

30. Started my Sophomore year of college at UK!
• Still at UK. Still a Spanish major. Still aspiring to be a high school Spanish teacher.
31. Took part in the 1st annual Lexington Young Life Turkey Bowl and WON!
    

    

    All the girls! Woohoo!

32. FINALLY got an iphone!

    

    Tech savvy

33. Went to All-City Club with these girls from Tates Creek and had the most fun I have in a while!

    

    Sarah, Jensen, Ally, Bailey, and I freezing to death!

34. Gave thanks with the biggest family ever in the smallest house ever!

    

    Me, Kelly, Dad, Timmy, Tommy, Christy, and Robbie! Only missing Ronnie!

35. Went Black Friday shopping for the 6th year in a row with this high school friend!
• Every year, Blayke and I go with her mom, aunt, and grandma Black Friday Shopping!

  

  It's been 6 years!

36. Celebrated one of my best friends, Camille, graduating from nursing school and following her dreams of moving to Colorado. Hard to say goodbye.
• Cam and I have only been friends for a year and a half or so, but she is one of my dearest, best friends now. She has always planned on moving to Colorado once graduating and her dream finally came true!

  

  At her going-away party!

37. Gave up social media multiple times to focus on finals!
• Two weeks before finals I have always given up social media to focus on studying and it has been pretty rewarding!
38. Celebrated the birth of Jesus with family and friends!

    

    At the College Life Christmas party with my roomates! Awkward? Never.

39. Moved into a house with 5 great friends after a LONG journey!
• After not knowing what Grace and I were going to do for living the upcoming school year, we decided to ask Maggie if we could live with her. It was all planned that us 6 girls were going to live in a house Maggie and Angie had been living in. One week in the summer, Maggie called me telling me we couldn't live in the house anymore because the owner was selling it. Within a week, these girls and I went from homed to homeless to searching to homed. It was a crazy trust exercise that the Lord pulled through for us once again. Now we have an ever better home that suits us quite well!

  

  GAH they're the absolute best!

40. Dressed up as the Peter Pan characters with friends for a Halloween party and as Google Maps with my cousin for another one!
    
    
    
    
41. Gave my first club and campaigners talk as a Young Life leader!
• As nervous as I was, it was so wonderful sharing with Tates Creek students and it finally sunk in that I am a Young Life leader!
42. Drank more Starbucks than I should have (I don't know if this is good or bad?) Hehehe :)
• Many of these Starbucks dates were with sweet, sweet friends that lead to hours upon hours of Jesus-centered conversation. I would not have changed these times for anything.
43. Met my BRAND NEW nephew, Colten!

    

    He's the cutest!! Welcome to the family!

44. Spent LOTS of bonding time with my bible study :) Love these girls

    

    At our bonfire at the Horse Park!

    
    

    

    Jill, Bridget, Gena, Gracie, Brittany, Chelsea, and I!

45. Got to see my old Norwegian Young Life leader for the first time in 2 years!
• Ya'll might not understand how special and close to my heart Kristine is. She has been of constant encouragement and reflects Jesus so well to others. I hadn't seen her in 2 years and this summer she came to America!! Ahhh, it was so great! So much has happened in her life and it was awesome catching up!

  

  Kristine and I this summer!

  

  Kristine and I two summers ago at the airport when she went back to Norway!

46. Got to see my old Slovakian foreign exchange student friend for the first time in 2 years!
• Guys, I may have only known Martina for about 9 months or less, but this girl is one of my best. She cam back Slovakia and hung out with me for a little bit! She even managed to bring me this cute little horse (because of Kentucky) with a Slovakia shirt on it! So so great to see her again and to catch up! I missed her!

  

  Martina and the little horse she got me!

   
47. Made a Summer Reading List for myself and actually DID IT!
• WOW. Was this a huge blessing in my life or what!!! I never ever ever read, but this Summer I decided I wanted to actually read some Christian books that I had always wanted to -- and I DID! I read Love Does by Bob Goff, Crazy Love by Francis Chan, Heaven is for REAL by Todd Burpo, Forgotten God by Francis Chan, and Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller! I was so proud of myself and God used these books so much to reveal sin and how broken I am, but who He is in all of it.
48. Did a lot of Zumba!
• This semester, I took a 1 credit Zumba class and man, it was so rewarding! It was super fun, I became healthier, and I made some really great friends through it! My instructor was way too sweet too!
49. Got excited for friends going to unfamiliar places to spread the Good News!
• This summer, Camille left to spend the WHOLE summer serving as the camp nurse at Windy Gap Young Life Camp in North Carolina in order to be a light to lost and disinterested high school students in hope that they might find Jesus and grew so much from it.

  

  Cam at Windy Gap!

• Brooke left earlier this week to go to Haiti on a mission trip to spread the Gospel and is still currently there! I can't wait for her to come back so I can hear all about her travels! Brooke is such a gem and an encouragement!

  

  Brooke on about to board her FIRST airplane ride to Haiti!

50. Celebrated my 20th birthday (oooooh man!) and the New Year some of my favorite people!
• You're not reading this wrong, I promise. I DID just turn 20 on December 31st! How crazy is that?! I can't believe I've been alive that long, honestly. I went to Lexington to celebrate later that night and to ring in 2014 with friends. It was such a great day, ya'll! My dad bought me an ice cream cake that said "Happy Birthday, Turbo!" (my softball nickname from high school -- too cute!) and sweet Grace bought me a cookie cake that said "Feliz Cumpleanos, Casey!" (because we both love Spanish! I went party hopping with my roomate Angie to 3 different Young Life New Years parties and it was so great! I am indeed blessed with some great people in my life that make me feel so dang special. 

Well, folks. That's a wrap. Sorry it was a long one, but there was a lot to be thankful for in 2013. Here's to 2014. New experiences, friends, hardships, triumphs, and NEW LIFE. Grateful that the Lord is renewing me each and every day. Praying for 2014 to hold BIG challenges and changes -- I cannot wait! Until next time, friends! 2014 has for sure made me a little bit older and a little bit wiser! Thanks for reading!