taking a break from studio

It's been a couple of weeks so I figured it was time for an update.  April has been progressing slowly.  Lots of rain and lots of studio work.  But lots of fun things too.  This past Sunday marked the end of Greek Week - a week of friendly competition between the greek chapters on campus.  Events include an obstacle course, egg toss, and quiz bowl among other things, but my favorite is of course, the Dance Off.  And Alpha Sigma Alpha took first place this year!  All of our hard work paid off... and it was pretty fun, too :)  Our theme this year was Disney Magic and the first and second dance videos are on youtube.

I received my housing assignment this week!  I'll be staying with a couple named David and Cheri, along with Clare, another eMi summer intern.  It was such a relief to know I have a place to stay this summer!  I'm so excited to get to know David, Cheri and Clare this summer.  I know it will be challenging at times, but really good, too.

Plane tickets to Gabon are currently in the works... I talked with my project team leader this morning and it sounds like we should know the dates pretty soon!  It's still a little hard to believe that in just over a month I'll be in Colorado Springs, then Africa!

Support is going well!  Thank you so much to those who have already helped me my making a monetary donation.  I appreciate it more than words can express.  I'm blown away by the overwhelming support and encouragement I've received from my friends and family.  If you haven't donated yet and you'd like to, you can follow the link on the top of the page.  Even $20 makes a huge difference!

Time to get back to studio work... If I never saw a ski lodge again, I think I would be okay.  You know you spend a lot of time (maybe too much) on architecture when you're doing AutoCAD and SketchUp in your dreams...

46 days!

Only 46 more days until eMi starts!  That's really not that long, but on a cold rainy day like today, it feels like it.

As you can tell, God is good!  He is providing me for me to go to Colorado Springs and Gabon this summer.  With just about a month left until my support deadline, I have just over $2,000 left!  I could not be more thrilled.  I'm so thankful and reminded every day how faithful my God is.  He continues to grow me in more ways than one.    

I'm still waiting for project trip dates and housing assignment.  I'm a little anxious but trying to put all of those worries in God's hands.  He alone has everything planned perfectly.

If you'd like to help me reach my fundraising goal, you can follow the link on the top of the page :)

it's going to be gabon!

I'm going to be going to Libreville, Gabon with eMi Project 5542 this summer!  I'm so excited to serve in such a cool place and work on such an awesome project.

When I first found out the "options" for projects this summer, most of the links for the ministry websites were broken.  So of course, like any good college student, I googled all of the country names.  Gabon was the least familiar to me.  But as soon as wikipedia taught me the national language is French, I was hooked :)  I fell in love with the French language in high school, when I went to France with People to People.  I've only taken three years in high school, and haven't used it much since then, but I'm excited to be able to understand and communicate in Gabon, even just a little bit.

Next I started investigating the project and the ministry.  The project, PK27 Social Ministry Outreach Center, is part of a ministry called E4.  E4 is an organization that partners with indigenous churches and organizations to Educate, Engage, Equip and Empower the Gabonese people.  PK27 is their first project: 62 acres just outside of the capitol city, Libreville which will serve the wholistic needs of the community.

Our role will be to survey the site and create a master plan for all of the different programmatic needs of the project.

On another happy note, I'm getting even closer to reaching my fundraising goal!

support update

I received my first support update from eMi today!  It's so exciting to see this dream start to become a reality.  I'm so blessed to have so many people in my life who love me and who love God!

If you've already donated - thank you so much!  I'm so grateful for your generosity.  If you'd like to donate -  click here and put my name in the designation box.

I'm still anxiously awaiting word on which project trip I'll be a part of this summer... so excited!

I have a prayer request - I've encountered some logistical challenges regarding my French visa for next semester.  Right now it looks like I will have to take a weekend trip back to Chicago this summer to appear at the French consulate.  Pleas pray that there is another solution and/or everything works out!

Also, you can now follow my blog by email!  Right under my picture there is a box where you can enter your email address, and my updates will automatically be sent to you.

project trips announced

eMi's summer project trips are posted here.

I will be headed to Ghana, Guatemala, Uganda or Gabon this summer!

spring break!

so excited for some time off this week.  in holland for the night, but then heading down to fort wayne, IN to hang out with one of my best friends, melissa, for a couple of days.

starting the journey

Stuffing envelopes.  Praying that God will provide!

Meanwhile, my excitement keeps growing.  I have a feeling that God is going to completely rock my world this summer.  And I couldn't be more excited.